Page 7 of Until Forever Falls

Beckett groans, tossing his head back. “I’ll be fine, Dill. Relax.” He gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before wandering off with his new teammates.

I watch them walk away, feeling a bit out of place amidst all the unfamiliar faces. I decide to drift down the beach, letting the soothing rhythm of the waves and distant laughter fade into the background as I approach the shoreline.

Lowering myself onto the untouched sand, my toes press into the soft grains and a slow breath slips free. The beer Miles handed over pops open with a soft hiss, releasing a cool bitterness that mixes with the warmth of the evening air—a small but welcome escape.

The stillness breaks as a low voice calls out, startling me. “Hey, why did you sneak off?” Brooks eases down beside me, his broad shoulders slightly hunched beneath a well-worn dark-gray hoodie.

“Parties aren’t really my scene,” I offer cautiously. “I came to keep an eye on my brother and to get a break from…everything.”

“I’m glad you did. Saw you at Ruby’s earlier and was hoping we’d run into each other again.”

Bringing the can to my lips, I stall, eyes fixed on the rolling waves rather than his.

“Is that so?”

Brooks lets out a laugh, a rough, reluctant sound that feels like it’s not something he gives away lightly. “Yeah. Plus the view’s a lot more interesting over here.”

Small talk has never felt so intimidating. Before moving, every interaction was predictable—there was never any need to second-guess myself or try to fit in. Being alone had been a choice, one that felt safe, unlike the whirlwind of Beckett’s social life. That safety had been necessary, a layer of control after what happened—something I’ve kept hidden, even from my twin.

“So, what’s there to do around here besides sit on the beach and drink?” I try to keep my question firm, but the nervousness still creeps in.

“Well, this isn’t the most exciting place to live,” He shoots me a crooked grin before looking back towards the fire, the movement effortlessly drawing my own eyes there too. “You’re looking at the best of it, unfortunately.”

I take in the flames, as if their crackling warmth could somehow dissipate the nerves building inside me. Back home, I’d never wanted to be a part of the parties, the crowds. But here, away from everything familiar, it’s hard to tell if the distance I’ve always kept is out of choice…or fear.

I tuck my knees up slightly, brushing my hands over them as I reposition. “So I have to leave town for anything worthwhile, huh?”

“Not unless you enjoy the outdoors,” he laughs.

“Hardly,” I admit, my voice edged with a quiet exhale. “Guess I’m stuck between getting wasted on the beach or signing up for park ranger duty.”

Another small town. Another place I didn’t ask to be. I can almost hear my mom’s voice, as if moving to these nowhere places is a solution to something. A fresh start, she always says. But all it ever feels like is a dead end. Just another boring town we’ve bounced through, where nothing changes but the people.

There’s a flash of mischief in Brooks’ eyes before he stands, his hand outstretched in front of me. “Ah. It’s not that bad. Let’s go…explore.”

Against my better judgement my fingers reluctantly slip into his, and a spark—unexpected and electric—jolts up my arm, catching me off guard. The sand shifts and sinks under my weight as he lifts me up. For a second, I teeter, feeling gravity pull me forward, but his grip tightens around my hand, steadying me. He doesn’t look away, his expression hovering between playful defiance and quiet curiosity, as if waiting for me to make the next move. A languid, insistent pulse builds beneath my ribs, like he’s holding open a door I hadn’t realized was there.

“Oh? Stealing me away already? I must be special. Where exactly are we going?” The question slips free before I can second-guess myself.

He leans in slightly, nudging me with his elbow. “To explore,” he repeats, daring me forward. His hand grazes the small of my back, keeping me close as we step further away from the bonfire’s glow. The distant laughter and crackling flames fade behind us as we leave the packed sand, weaving through the trees lining the beach. The air grows cooler, thick with the scent of salt and seaweed, and the night feels quieter here—untouched.

Our steps fall in sync, the proximity between us comfortable, until the trees thin, and a towering silhouette looms ahead—an old building, worn and crumbling, half-concealed by overgrown grass. It stands like a forgotten relic, eerie in the moonlight, as if time abandoned it long ago.

My interest piques, and I glance toward it. “What’s this place?”

His brows knit together as he studies the building. “A vacant church, I think?”

“Think the door opens?”

The idea of going inside surprises me, but my pulse betrays the thrill starting to take root. Back home, I never would’ve imagined walking off with someone like him, let alone into a place like this. But here, it feels like I’m testing my limits.

Brooks lets out a laugh, glancing back over his shoulder as if considering an escape route. “You’re kidding, right? Not a chance.”

“Why not?” My teeth catch the inside of my cheek as I struggle to keep a straight face. “Are you scared?”

He lets out a breath, ruffling his hair anxiously, though I can tell he’s trying not to smile. “No.”

“Then what’s stopping you?”

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