“Evan Tyler, you’re supposed to be the responsible one,” Grandma scolds as she picks up the balloon scraps.
“You mean the old, boring one,” Jackson taunts, shoving my dad’s chest.
“Ahh yeah.” Alex sighs with a wicked smile. “It’s a good day to be the youngest sibling.”
John snorts, shaking his head as he helps Grandma with the trash. “Says the first one to become a grandpa. You’re the old man ’round here.”
At that comment, Alex chases after him, but John speeds up, weaving around the food and nearly knocking over the dessert table. The fact that they’re in their fifties and can still run without getting a cramp shows how hard and long they’ve worked on the ranch.
“No one better ruin my pies,” Maize chimes in as we watch our fathers act like idiots. Though this is nothing we haven’t seen before. It’d be a rare event without their antics
“John Joseph Bishop, you stop it!” Grandma shakes her head as Grandpa joins the party, barely fazed by what he’s stumbled into.
“Alexander Scott, get back here and clean up this mess,” Grandma demands.
You know it’s serious when she’s whipped out all four of their middle names.
As if they’re teenagers getting busted, they gather around to do what Grandma demanded.
After everyone has settled down and we eat, Harper and I grab an extra blanket. We then make our way over to our favorite spot with a cup of punch. Since we were kids, we’ve spent this day together, and it wouldn’t be the same without her.
I put the blanket on the ground, and we lie down. Harper removes her hat and brushes against me as she scoots over. Extending my arm, I create space for her to come closer. “Havin’ fun?”
“Yep, as always.” She beams, snuggling into me. Harper smells sweet like gardenias, and I know it’s one of her soap scents.
She rests her palm on my stomach, and I try not to let her touch affect me though it’s nearly impossible. I concentrate on steadying my breathing so I don’t give myself away. One would think after all these years, I’d have gotten over the way I feel about Harper, but it’s only gotten more intense. At least I’m better at hiding it.
“Fireworks should start soon,” I tell her to calm my racing heart.
She looks up at me, smiling. “Can’t wait.”
I brush my fingertips against the softness of her shoulder, and I’m certain I see goose bumps form down her arm.
Is it possible we’re both in denial?
She’s never let on that she feels the same. It’s one reason I haven’t said anything and will continue to keep it tucked away. The last thing I want is to find out my feelings are one-sided and lose her for good.
Right now, I try to imagine how we’d look to an outsider and what someone who didn’t know us would see. I’m holding her tight like she’s mine. It’s no damn wonder Elle always gives us shit.
Soon, I hear the countdown from the crowd and know the show will begin at any moment. I place my hand over hers on my stomach as her cheek rests on my chest, allowing me to be her personal pillow. Loud booms are heard first, followed by bright red fireworks. The sky lights up with different colors, and I’m proud of the effort my family puts into making this happen every year.
The display has gotten so crazy—especially since my uncles are determined to outdo themselves each year—that it’s always the talk of the town for the rest of the summer.
Harper is in awe of each one, and I watch her enjoyment instead of the finale. The glittering lights reflect in her eyes as a soft smile touches her lips—the same lips I’d love to kiss right now.
After the show is over, people hoot and holler. Harper sits up to join in, then turns to me. For a second, I think I see something behind her eyes.
My heart rate quickens, and I wonder if this is the moment I’ll make a move. She comes closer, and I hear Hadleigh saying her name.
Harper stops and turns toward her. “Hey!”
“Wasn’t that show amazin’?” Hadleigh asks, glancing back and forth between us. Her little sister, Ivy, is standing a few feet away from them, playing on her phone. She’s fifteen and looks almost identical to Hadleigh, except her curly hair is a reddish-brown.
“It really was,” Harper says, then stands.
“I gotta take Ivy to our parents’ house, then we’re goin’ down to the saloon if y'all wanna come.” Hadleigh grins and turns toward Kane. “I have someone’s ass to kick at darts.”
“You’re gonna eat your words, woman.” He shakes his head.
“Doubt it,” she fires back.
“I gotta be up early in the mornin’. Probably shouldn’t,” I say.
“Wish I could, but I still have a lot to do tonight. Lots of packaging.” Harper frowns.
“Totally understand,” Hadleigh says. “If you need some help, I’m off for the next two days.”
“Yes, definitely. I’ll text you!” Harper happily tells her.
Hadleigh waves, and the three of them walk away. Kane tickles her side, making her giggle. If you didn’t know them, you’d think they were a couple too. It’s obvious Kane’s been in love with Hadleigh since middle school, though he’s kept her in the friend zone. I’ve even wondered what the hell he’s waiting for.
Then I realize I’m no different.
“If you wanted to go, I would…” I say to Harper once we’re alone.
“No, it’s okay. I really do have a lot of shit to catch up on. I’m gonna try to get at least twenty more orders done so I can drop them off at the post office tomorrow,” she explains, and I notice the way she inhales a sharp breath. It’s one of her overwhelmed and stressed tells.
She’s gotten so many orders it’s becoming hard for her to keep up with them. I hate seeing her work herself to the bone, but I also know how passionate she is about this, so I’ll keep supporting her and offering to help whenever I can.
“You’ll get it all done. You always do,” I say, squeezing her shoulder. “I can come over tonight and give you a hand if you want.”
“Nah. I’ve already got the labels printed and everything. But thanks, Ethan. Appreciate the offer,” she genuinely says.
“Well, I better get you back then.” We make our way through the crowd and tell everyone goodbye. Maize pulls me in for a hug and so does Kenzie. After that, it’s literally a line of us all hugging and trying to leave. It takes at least twenty minutes to escape. My cousins act like I don’t see them every day or at least several times per week.
I start the four-wheeler, and Harper climbs on behind me, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist. I love how she clings to me and how that feeling never gets old.
Once we’re at her house, I turn off the engine and walk her to the door.
She pulls me in for a hug, and I hold her in my arms for a moment before placing a kiss on her forehead.
“Night, Harper,” I say as I pull away.
She blinks up at me. “Night.”
In my fantasies, this is where she asks me to come inside and join her.
“Text me when you get home.”
I take that as my cue to walk away before I do something stupid. “I will. Good luck with all that stuff ya gotta do.”