CHAPTER FORTY TWO

Reagan has always loved the fourth of July. It was a bittersweet memory of her childhood when her family would drive to the docks a town away from Redwood and camped for the night.

It was the only time their quiet, sleepy town was wide awake until morning and even though they'd spend it in an isolated part of the country, the distant fireworks from a family mountain ranges away were booming loud and clear; a bright reminder that they're celebrating and joyous in all the same ways, just some distance apart.

It's been different since her brother and mother celebrated it in the city. She loved the night with her father in the docks, lighting up loosies and fishing despite throwing the fish back into the water straight after.

It was fun but it was different.

This year's celebration would be the strangest one of all, though.

In exchange for her brother and annoying mother, they got seven men in return. One of which resembled a perpetually energetic dog and the other one was someone she used to make out with but, well. They had to make do with what they've got.

"I've never seen anything more American," The mentioned dog-like member of the seven guests said, "We have steak, Ronald Reagan, and a red truck named Cherry."

Reagan blinked at Logan who was stood tall and proud behind Cherry and Ronald was the only one who had the grace to laugh.

"You sittin' back here with me, Red?" Logan asked when he failed to get any reaction and Reagan sighed.

"You know, the nicknames are getting worse," She griped, "And no, I'm driving."

"No you're not, I am," Ronald yelled back as he hauled up the beer cooler onto the back of the truck.

"But," She pouted, "I don't wanna be stuck with them and they're so loud."

Daniel chuckled and threw an arm around her, leaning back on the truck right beside Reagan, "Geez, grandma, I promise we'll behave. Let's all sit at the back. Let the fathers stay up front."

"Yea that's good idea, trap the boring ones inside." Jonah joked, bumping his hip against Greg's who was holding baskets of food to load up.

Zach, somewhere in the distance, yelled out, "You're a father too, Jonah!"

Jonah's face fell and he grumbled.

Logan, ever so maturely, looked down at Jonah and stuck his tongue out teasingly, and Daniel replied without skipping a beat.

"You're staying inside too."

"What?" Logan looked offended, "No I'm not, I'm not boring, how dare you."

Reagan only chuckled and pushed herself off to help with the few things left to bring to the car, shaking her head as she walked.

When she got through the kitchen door, Jack was on the opposite side, holding a hand out and she noticed how a bunch of spray cans were stacked precariously in one hand, seeming like he was trying to balance them as he moved to open the door.

Reagan forced down the chuckle that made its way up her throat at the sight of him confused and opened the door wider for him.

"Uh, need some help?" She asked politely.

Reagan and Jack were civil now, ever since his confession, but it was still awkward as hell.

It was as if they were back to day one and they didn't know how to act when they're around each other.

"I'm good," he pushed out, voice almost cracking at the end, and it made things painfully obvious that things were weird. Reagan coughed awkwardly but took out a few cans out of his hands anyway. Jack smiled, "Thanks."

"Yeah, no problem," She nodded back, and they stood there for an uncomfortable second, not knowing what else to say, before simultaneously taking a step forward and almost bumping into each other.

Reagan wanted to hit her head against the wall. This was going to be a terribly long day.

The trip to the docks was fun. Reagan was squished at the back, right between Corbyn and Zach who were both annoying in their own right, and thankfully there weren't any moments too awkward.

At some point, the first few chords of a song played, blasting it through the speakers they had at the back, and Jack jumped to quickly press skip.

All the boys laughed and Reagan realized she was oblivious to some sort of inside joke the boys had.

Jack glanced at her quickly, which was actually the only time they acknowledged each other throughout the trip, just to sheepishly smile at her and look away again. It was probably a song he made for his ex or something. Reagan shook off the thought.

When they reached the docks, Reagan hopped off the back and stretched her arms.

This place was beautiful. It was an open lake that barely had any visitors apart from the fishermen villages away. With the view of the lake reflecting the mountain range behind it, it was nothing short of mesmerizing.

She had so many wonderful memories in that lake. First memory, annual camping trips.

As she raised her arms above her head, feeling every bone and muscle in her body loosen, her dog walked to her where she stood, tongue happily hanging out of his mouth.

Reagan bent down to pet him.

"Welcome home, River," She smiled down at the beautiful dog who looked up at her with a confused eye.

Reagan scratched at the back of his ears, remembering the first time she did this all those years ago in that very same place when she first found him.

The boys arguing while they set up tents, passing around cans of mosquito repellants and blaring music loud enough to be heard all the way back to Redwood was such a familiar sight. It reminded her of the night she first kissed Jack.

The thought made her blush because they still weren't exactly on speaking terms and the awkwardness was starting to get unbearable.

Reagan knew she had to get rid of the awkwardness at some point. She's had enough time to think and let the anger subside and she was well aware it was about time they talked.

The last conversation they had, Reagan could only ask for space and time for herself until she sorted her thoughts out and it's been two days since.

That was saying a lot considering the amount of things they could've done in two days given their track record.

Reagan realized something then; what she had with Jack wasn't something she could easily ignore.

They had to talk at least.

That's why in the middle of setting up the bonfire, she stood from where was squatting and dusted herself off.

With full determination to start a conversation with Jack, she turned around quickly only to stop completely dead in her tracks.

Because right there was Jack, one hand out-stretched, looking like he was about to tap her shoulder.

And funnily, they both ended up looking like deers caught in headlights.

"Hi," Reagan breathed out, all the thoughts of what she wanted to say first already out the window.

Jack let out a small laugh, "Hi."

Reagan couldn't help the small chuckle.

"Uh," Jack started, rubbing his arm, "I was just going to ask if you wanted to go for a walk?"

Reagan bit the corner of her lip to hide her smile.

"Okay."

AGH IM SO SORRY