Page 15 of The Hearts We've Broken
Conversational chatter and the thump of bass music got louder as Natalie and I approached the address Nico sent. If we weren’t sure this was the place from the noise, the flames billowing behind the dark silhouettes of people definitely gave it away.
“Is it weird that we’re coming here since we’re out of school?” A bit of hesitancy came out in my voice, but she shook her head.
“No, not weird. It’s not just a college bonfire. People who are a few years older than us come to these things, too.”
Her comment didn’t do much to reassure me. This kind of felt like the equivalent of going out to the college bars every single night even though you were five years graduated and well past your prime.
Now I just sounded pretentious. Especially since I worked at a bar.
I hadjustfinished my degree, though, and it was perfectly normal for a twenty-two-year-old to go to the bars and still party. A small part of me was still slightlyuncomfortable with the idea of drinking around a fire with freshmen. Then again, it wasn’t like it was any different at the house parties Ava and I went to in Goldfinch.
The deeper rooted issue was that I was supposed to have my life together by now. Or at least be on my way to having it together.
I let out a small sigh, but it was enough to catch Natalie’s attention.
“Are you okay? Do you still want to go? I can turn around.” Concern flashed in her eyes.
I shook my head, shaking away all my thoughts about college and post-grad. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just having an existential crisis, apparently.”
“Nothing a little alcohol can’t fix,” she joked as she pulled into a makeshift parking lot in the middle of the field.
The moment my feet hit the ground, Liv was yanking me toward the bonfire.
“There’s someone you need to meet!” she practically screamed in my ear.
“Hello to you, too.” I chuckled. I tilted my head away from her face, if only to prevent further eardrum damage. I caught a glimpse of Natalie following us out of the corner of my eye, so I let Liv continue to drag me along.
“You’re gonna love?—”
“You came!” Nico threw his arm around my shoulder when we got to him. He staggered a bit on his feet, and his grip on my arm tightened.
I rested my hand on his back to hold him up while flashing him an amused grin. “How much have you had to drink tonight, NiCool?” I teased.
The heat from the fire warmed my face, and he looked at me with a sly smile.
“Are you flirting with me, Junie?” His words slurred together, and he wiggled his finger in my face. “Don’t go doing that. I can’t have my heart broken twice in the same week.”
I raised my brows at Liv, hoping for some kind of answer, but she just shrugged. Looking back to Nico, I replied, “Nope, not flirting with you. You didn’t answer my question.”
“I don’t even remember your question. But if it was about the person who streaked down Main Street last weekend, then no, I definitely do not know who did that.”
Liv looked him up and down. “He’s had a few beers?”
“I’ve hadmorethan afewbeers, Livvybug,” Nico cut in. It was pretty evident he’d had a bit to drink tonight by the way he was still swaying.
I grabbed his arm. “Let’s get you away from the fire. The last thing we need is you taking a tumble into it.”
“I’m going to grab a drink. Do you want something?” Natalie asked when she caught up to us.
“No, I’m okay, I need to drive,” Liv replied.
I shook my head. “I’ll go grab something in a minute. You might want to get Nico?—”
“BEER!” Nico hollered.
Water, I mouthed to Natalie as I subtly pointed to him.
She nodded, an amused grin on her face. “Be right back.”
