Page 19 of Campfires & Canines
Unfortunately, Onyx butts in. "Way to be a bummer, Slate."
"Fuck off, Onyx," I growl. It's more aggressive than is warranted, but my patience for him is almost used up.
"Chill, guys," Marigold warns in a sing-song voice. Onyx folds his arms behind his head, leaning back with his signature smirk.
Hazel looks between us. "Did you guys all grow up together?"
"Yeah. Slate is our cousin and we're only four months apart," Cedar answers.
“Who’s older?” Hazel asks.
“I am.” I say, enjoying the irritated creases lining Onyx’s face.
"Marigold is a year younger,” Cedar continues.
"But she's pretty cool so we let her tag along," Onyx adds.
Marigold leans over and smacks his arm. "Gee, thanks."
"I'm jealous. I didn't grow up with any cousins or anything. My sister was always super independent." Hazel hesitates but keeps opening up. "I didn't even have many friends until college. And then I met Jeremy." Her voice holds the smallest tremor, and she brings her hand to her mouth. The regret in her face constricts my throat.
"Jeremy?" Onyx asks. If he makes her cry, I'll destroy him. A quiet growl escapes me.
"My fiancé– nope, my ex-fiancé." Hazel's tone is exhausted. I want to sweep her up in my arms and hold her against me, make her forget him.
"Good riddance. He didn't deserve you." Marigold throws her hands up.
Cedar frowns at her. "You don't even know what happened."
Marigold glares. "He didn't keep her happy and he let her go. That tells me enough."
Hazel lets out a laugh, her stiff posture slowly loosening again. I unclench my jaw.
"Yeah, I supported him through grad school; we lived together. And then he decided he'd prefer his secretary over me."
"Men are the worst," Marigold sympathizes. They share a look of feminine solidarity.
"Hey! I resent that," Onyx protests.
"Well, I was working for his family's company. Hence, being out of a job." Hazel gives a little bitter laugh. The details fall into place, and anger surges in my gut.
"What a fuckwad," I snap. I should keep my mouth shut. But she doesn't deserve the treatment she's received.
Marigold nods sagely. "He's not wrong."
"Yeah, probably." Hazel meets my eyes. With a smile lighting up her face, she is ethereal.
I can’t help but smile. Her face goes slack, her mouth opening a little as our eyes connect. In an instant, she snaps out of it.
"Damn straight!" Onyx offers her a second cider.
"I was kind of overqualified for the job anyway." She twists the top off and takes a long drink.
"Yeah, you were!" Marigold whoops, pumping her fist.
Both of them are getting louder, a mix of alcohol and feminine rage bolstering them. Hazel’s face is relaxed, her mouth curved, her cheeks rosy. Absolutely stunning.
"I should have left that job ages ago. I've always played it safe.” She takes another swig. “I want to go after what I want, take risks, grab life by the balls."
