Page 76 of Never Quiet

Amanda snorted. “Understood.”

“You’ve been crying. That’s going to happen here and there for a little while. Feel it, process it, and it will make you stronger. I promise you everything will be okay.” Noel kissed her forehead. “Erick doesn’t have a chance in the long run. Take what you want until he catches up.”

The door closed softly behind her. To the room, Amanda whispered, “Thanks, No-No.”

She added the bag Noel gave her to the items she bought herself after her last trip to the Keys. As ramped up as Erick made her, even saying stupid shit, she knew to never be without some basics.

All the adults were gathered in the smaller living room and smiled happily when she appeared.

“You ready for fireworks?” her dad asked. “It’s almost dark!”

“Yeah. Let’s do this.” Wrapping her arm around Callie’s shoulders, she said, “Me and you. We’re going to stick together and be each other’s backup.”

“I can’t wait. I’ll help it not hurt so much, Amanda. I swear. My dads and I will help ease it.”

Nodding, swallowing her tears, she whispered, “I need that.”

Hundreds of people sat on the erected stands, on the hoods of cars, and their fences to watch the fireworks show.

The field was slightly uneven so Amanda carried a chair out for Callie and stood beside her, leaning on the main post to the gate. Erick appeared behind her and smiled brightly.

“I want you to relax and go with this, Amanda. I’m going to kiss you in front of everyone.”

Tilting her face up and back, he dropped his mouth over hers. He kissed her for twenty seconds, lifted away, and returned for another. Without moving too far away, he stared into her eyes.

“Someone is on the road,” she guessed.

“Telephoto lens.”

“Noel sent you over…”

“Chaz. He spotted them from the field. Full black, no lights.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “Everyone…”

“Is safe. Noel and Rick are taking the trail around to the top of the road. Breathe and let me kiss you, Amanda.”

He did for a long time and she wished things were different. That it wasn’t necessity pushing them together before either of them was ready.

The lights and noise of the fireworks kept everyone enthralled and looking up. Erick held her against the front of his body, his arm across her upper chest, and she pretended to watch.

Her eyes scanned the road, caught the reflection of the explosions on black paint, and saw two muzzle flashes. She jerked in Erick’s arms and he tightened his hold.

A moment later, the SUV pulled into the driveway and parked behind the barn. Several people headed in that direction.

The end of the show was a huge metal grid with sparklers that read Good Luck, Amanda as the grand finale lit up the sky and everything around them.

She was shaking, hyperventilating, and he turned her, held her firmly, her head against his shoulder. At her ear, he murmured, “Everyone is leaving. You have to play your role, sweetheart.”

Callie slipped her arm along her waist. “Manda Panda. You can do this. Come on. Pick your head up. Hold my hand, hold Erick’s hand, and plaster a smile on your face.”

All the men, women, and children unaware of what was happening right in front of them filed by with big smiles. Some waved, some stopped to hug her, all of them thanked her for a wonderful party and wished her luck in the big city. She was crying but the departing crowd interpreted it differently.

“Poor thing. You’ll be back to visit in no time!”

“It’s always hard to leave the nest but you have a good head on your shoulders!”

“An exciting new life is waiting!”

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