Page 45 of Embers Glow After the Fire

Matthew sits next to him and chomps into a fistful of buttery puffed kernels.

Brendon shifts his knee so their skin doesn't touch. He’s not going to taint the sweet man with his poison.

A heaving boom cracks the chatter and quakes the ground through the valley, announcing the start of the show. A streak of electric blue soars from the trees and blooms overhead, lighting the entire sky and fizzling down. Seconds later a yellow swirl whizzes up with a green streak just behind. The two detonate and glitter over the crowd.

A symphony of “ooos and ahhs,” follow each flash.

Brendon closes his eyes and floats away on the reverberating explosions assaulting his senses.

Chapter 18

Bonfire

”That was a great show.” Matthew points the light toward the soil ahead of Brendon. The pair are again at the tail end of the group on the hike back.

The forest is ominous but peaceful after dark. Trees cast long shadows under fragmented moonlight through the dense canopy. The river babbles in pitch blackness at their left, and spills into the lake over a shallow waterfall, guiding them along the path home.

Brendon is quietly preoccupied.

“Are you okay?” Matthew speaks softly.

“Yes.” He seems to smile over his shoulder in the dark.

“You’re quiet,” Matthew has noted the sudden shift. Brendon hasn’t responded to the handful of conversations he’s attempted to engage him in.

“Too much booze, I think.” His shoulders lift.

“I hope I haven't said something offensive?” Matthew pleas.

“No no! Not at all. You’re—” Brendon’s backlit silhouette stumbles over a rock on the path, “fine.”

Matthew clutches his bicep and helps steady him on his feet.

Brendon winces, knotting his arms across his chest.

The recoil is a stab to the gut. Matthew shrinks back, focused on lighting the ground ahead of them.

They reach the small beach at the fork of the path toward the cabin. The moonglow over the clearing bounces off the water and illuminates the crew. Phoenix takes Eli’s hand and pulls him toward the water. “We’re going for a swim. We’ll catch up.”

“You guys need a flashlight.” Dennis offers his.

“I’ll stay with them. I have my phone,” Brendon avoids eye contact with Matthew. “You guys go ahead.” He plops down on the makeshift bench with a hollow stare over the black water.

“Take it anyway.” Dennis insists.

“See you later.” Matthew follows the parade up the foothill, letting Brendon have space he's not-so-subtly hinting for.

Brendon acknowledges him through dense lashes with a half-smile.

Matthew’s mind swims in a cold lake of confusion. Trying to retrace his actions since their amazing encounter in Brendon’s room. He quick-steps to catch up with Robbie.

“Is Brendon okay?” Matthew whispers.

“Honestly? I don’t know.” Robbie shrugs. “His phone went nuts and he shut down after that.”

Matthew kicks a jutting tree root. “Fuck—I hope I didn’t say something that upset him?”

“It was probably his ex.” Robbie squeezes his shoulder. “He said the guy won’t leave him alone.”

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