T W E N T Y - T H R E E

The town square is festively decorated, balloons in every color, string lights hanging from tree to tree, a stage where MisFits is playing happily, no stress of a big show - just playing to play, the smell of home cooked meals in the air and the feeling of freshly cut grass against the bottoms of my feet.

I walk along the long picnic table, filling my plate with Miss Eleanors famous Mac and cheese, Nadine's delicious pastries, and some barbecue grilled up by Stevie's father, Hank. Even more food lines the long tables, salads and kebabs, greasy appetizers and more kinds of pasta salad than I even knew existed. I chew cheerfully, taking turns watching Beau on stage, and keeping an eye on the few toddlers running through the grass after one another.

Nadine stands beside me, leaning her head on my shoulder. "I'm gonna miss you, Miss Emma." Her words pull at my heart, and for the millionth time these past three months, I'm tempted to stay. Looking around the park, at the faces I've come to know better than the back of my hand, tears prick my eyes. This is home. A year is a long time to be away.

But how many times did I bid Gemma farewell, silently filled with envy that she got to spread her wings and see the world?

"I already miss you," I admit, leaning my head on top of Nadine's, her tight curls tickling my ear. "But the year will go by faster than you know it, and I think MisFits has a show not too far from here. I'll visit," I promise. The tour is finally here - Beau and I got through the past three months skating on thin ice with Fiona: tonight is as much a celebration of that accomplishment as it is a goodbye party for me.

I raise my hands above my head and clap as MisFits wraps up their set for the evening, finally making their way to the dinner buffet.

"Oh, that smells good," Zach sticks his tongue out happily as he rushes past me to fill his own plate. I watch Jace make his way around the food table and dig into the cooler, retrieving a couple of beers, and shake my head.

"I hope you saved some of that Mac and cheese for the rest of us," I smile at Beau's voice, leaning back against his chest into his embrace.

"Mmm, sorry," I tilt my head back against his shoulder and plant a kiss on his neck. "It was just too good to save,"

He laughs, sending vibrations through both of our bodies. "That's my girl," I watch as he walks off to get his dinner, swinging his arms cheerfully.

"Emmy's in love," Gemma's small, sing song voice fills my ear as she pops up beside me, Nadine still on my other side. "She's got those puppy dog eyes,"

"I do not," I scoff, looking to Nadine to back me up. My eyes flicker back to Beau, laughing loudly at something Tyler has said before throwing a strawberry at his head. Involuntarily, my mouth turns up into a grin when he laughs another time.

"Miss Emma," Nadine puts a hand to her chest dramatically, "Is that a twinkle in your eye? Are you blushing?"

"Leave me alone, both of you!" I swat at them as they giggle. "I'm gonna refill the ice or something," I roll my eyes and trudge over to the cooler, peering inside just for show, but realizing we are actually a bit low.

"You can run," Gemma shouts at me as I pass her. "But we know the truth!"

I roll my eyes, a habit I've picked up from Beau, and head over to the general store across the street.

I jump, noticing someone behind the counter. "Oh, Stevie, hey," I redirect myself towards him instead. "What're you doing over here?"

"We need ice," Stevie shrugs, barely raising his head to look at me.

I nod, peering over the counter at Stevie's feet. "So where is it?" I ask, head tilted to the side.

"What?" He meets my gaze and his eyes are glassy, how many drinks has he had?

"The ice," I laugh.

Finally Stevie breaks into a smile. "Oh right," he rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "I guess I got distracted,"

"Well hey, let me help," I follow him down the aisle to the back of the store, already pretty bare from the party. Handing me a couple of bags, Stevie makes sure I've got them before hoisting a few over his shoulders.

I push open the glass door, letting Stevie walk out ahead of me. My fingers tingling at the icy cold, we cross the street in silence, music now playing over someone's speakers in the town square. How lucky am I? I think to myself, watching all the people dancing and playing corn hole from the street. I know not everyone is here to send me off - any party in our small town is worth going to simply for something to do, and well, no one says "no" to Nadine, but even still, my heart feels warm.

Drinking beers with his bandmates at one of the picnic tables, Beau says something to the guys and they all laugh. Stepping away from the table, Beau grins when he sees me, "There you are," his brows furrow when he realizes who I'm with. "Steve, right?"

Stevie only grunts. I flash Beau a bright smile, "I'll be right back, I'm just gonna help Stevie with this ice,"

"I got it, Emma," Stevie protests but I'm already past him, making my way to the cooler. Thankfully, he follows and Beau doesn't.

I lay the ice down on the lawn and use a plastic knife to tear it open. "Here," I hand it over to Stevie and pop open the cooler for him. His "thank you" is barely audible as he empties the bag inside, covering the remaining beverages.

I wait him out, silently opening the remaining bags and grabbing some beers to refill the cooler. "I don't get what you see in him," He finally speaks but doesn't meet my eyes, focusing on crushing the cans through the ice.

"You don't even know him," I shake my head, feeling slightly annoyed that Stevie would question anything about my relationship or my judgement.

He scoffs loudly. "And you do?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Heat rises in my cheeks as my irritation grows.

"I guess all it takes is some fancy meals and expensive trips on a private jet to win you over, huh?" His tone is nasty but the words only fuel my anger more.

"Wow, Stevie. We've been friends for how long and -"

He rolls his eyes and cuts me off. "Friends? Please, Emma, we were never friends." He stands when I do, inching closer to me slowly.

"What're you even talking about?" I snap, stepping backwards just as slowly.

"Oh come on, all those flirty looks, bringing me coffee," Stevie licks his lips. "Until he showed up and ruined everything. You never gave us a chance," The backs of my knees press against a picnic bench and I look to all the other guests, circled around the makeshift dance floor, watching and cheering someone on.

"Stevie," splinters press into the soft skin of my leg. "Wha-"

He leans forward and presses his mouth to mine. Stunned, I clamp my lips together tightly and finally twist from his grasp. "What the hell, Stevie!" Using all of my strength, I shove his chest as hard as I can.

My shouting draws the attention of the other guests, and some start to head our way to see what the fuss is about. I scan the crowd, unable to find the dark bed head above the rest.

Stevie stumbles backwards a couple of steps, fingers pressed to his lips as they turn into a sleazy smile. "Oh you're such a tease, Emma,"

Right as the words leave his lips, a fist slams into his jaw and someone lets out a scream. Before I can take a step forward to stop him, Beau climbs on top of Stevie and pulls his arm back for another punch.

Finally, my feet move forward but Zach grabs my arm to stop me. "We've got it," He pulls me back.

I turn and see Tyler and Jace pulling Beau from Stevie, still lying on the ground, clutching his bloody mouth as Beau shouts curses at him over his shoulder.

All eyes fall on me once he's out of sight and I feel the blush rising in my cheeks. Taking a deep breath, I squat beside Stevie and speak at a normal volume so others can hear me, too. "Just so you know, I brought you coffee because we were friends, or so I thought." When he opens his eyes, I continue. "Now we're nothing. Goodbye, Stevie." Hank finally drops to his knees beside his son to make sure he's okay and I leave them without another word.

I find Nadine and without any explanation, she understands. I grab my things and head back to my apartment, where Beau will be waiting. Hopefully.

When I enter the apartment, it's completely silent and for a second I'm worried the guys might've brought Beau somewhere else. Then Jace and Tyler stand from the kitchen table and Tyler shakes his head. "I'm sorry, Emma, we'll get out of your hair." He tugs at Jace's sleeve and they leave Beau sitting on the couch, crossing his arms like a child in time out.

"So are you going to yell at me about hitting that asshole, too?" His hair covers his eyes.

I shake my head despite the nagging feeling inside, and speak softly. "No,"

"No?" Beau glances up suspiciously.

"No," I repeat, curling up on the couch beside him. "He deserved it," I let out a deep sigh and lean my head on his shoulder. "Thanks for looking out for me,"

I feel Beau's kiss press against my hair. "It's you and me fuck everyone else, right?"

I chuckle, feeling exhausted. "Right, Beau. You and me and fuck everyone else," I repeat.

Satisfied, he turns on the TV and we watch mindlessly for a couple of hours, the effects of the party finally wearing off. His head in my lap, Beau drifts to sleep, snoring quietly. I run my fingers through his hair, pulling it back from his forehead. Gazing at his innocent, sleeping form, I can't stop thinking about him hitting Stevie.  He was only doing it to protect me, I smile at his expression, so soft and peaceful.

So why can't I get rid of the nagging feeling that two fights in three short months feels an awful lot like the start of a pattern?