Page 34 of Chasing Callie

I do know. I know every inch of Ridge Lake. I learned to swim there. Had my first kiss there. Painted the sunrise there more times than I can count.

“Eight o’clock.” I nod, smiling for real this time.

Lily grins back. “I missed you, Callie. It’s really good to have you home.”

Nodding, I fight back a wave of regret for how I treated her and Aspen. I left both of them without saying bye. I kept in contact, but not as well as I should have. Honestly, I’ve been a pretty shitty friend. Mom is right. I can’t keep trying to avoid people. If I’m going to be living here, I need to reclaim my town and make amends with the people I hurt when I left. That starts tonight.

Chapter Fourteen

CALLIE

Through the cluster of trees, glimpses of Ridge Lake start to appear, the dark blue waters rippling beneath the summer night sky. I shiver as a mix of excitement and dread washes over me.

It’s been so long since I’ve been to a lakeside bonfire.

“Ready to get your toes wet?” Aspen asks.

“I didn’t bring this swimsuit just to look pretty.” I tug at the strap peeking from beneath my tank top. It took thirty minutes of going back and forth between an old one piece and my bikini. I know what my stupid ex would have said, what I would have done to appease him. Maybe that’s why I cut the one piece into ribbons and tossed it in the trash.

I love my body, my bikinis, my cleavage. I love my grungy too-big t-shirts, my cute sundresses, and every outfit that Theo would have criticized. From this moment on, no more making myself small to make a man happy.

The humidity tries to smother us as we climb out of the car. In a matter of seconds, my skin is already sticky with sweat, but the trees offer enough shade to make the heat bearable.

Lily shields her eyes, peering at the lake house where silhouettes move behind curtains like that scene in Home Alone. “Looks like the party’s in full swing.”

“Let’s hit the beach first.” I nod toward the tree line that separates us from the water. “I need to cool off before dealing with people.” Plus, out on the beach, I can escape from people I don’t want to see. Stuck in a house? Not so much.

We trek through the wooded path, pine needles crunching beneath our sandals. The smell of smoke grows stronger with each step, along with the distant chorus of laughter and conversation. My heart thuds a little faster, breath quickening.

This isn’t New York where anonymity is a given. Here, every face knows my name and history. How many of my old classmates saw the video?

Oh god, kill me now. My phone vibrates in my pocket. An unknown number glares up at me. My stomach twists into a knot. Fuck. I still haven’t changed my number and Theo is relentless. It’s like he knows the moment I’m comfortable and he can’t wait to destroy that sense of safety.

“Who’s that?” Aspen leans in, her nose wrinkling as she tries to peek at my screen.

“No one.” With a scowl, I silence the call, sending it straight to voicemail alongside the dozen of other calls from Theo, and shove the phone back into my pocket. Theo can call all he wants. He can beg, plead, whatever. I’d rather swim with sharks than answer.

Aspen and Lily exchange curious looks. The last thing I want is more pity for yet another failed relationship.

“I need a drink,” I tell them with a grin.

The trees give way suddenly, revealing the wide stretch of beach where a towering bonfire throws sparks toward the slowly darkening sky. People crowd the shore, some waist-deep in water, others lounging on blankets and towels spread across the sand. A few float on the water. I recognize so many faces that my steps falter for a heartbeat.

“Come on.” Lily tugs my arm, guiding me toward a pile of logs arranged in a circle around the fire. A blue cooler sits nearby, promising liquid courage. Thank fuck.

The first person to spot me is Emmit. His face breaks into a wide grin. “Hey, Callie Mae.” He wraps me in a bear hug that smells like beer and cologne. Emmit has always been nice, though.

“Careful.” I laugh despite myself. “I’m not drunk enough for this much affection yet.”

“We can fix that.” He winks, pressing a cold beer into my palm.

As I crack it open, the satisfying hissing and popping of carbonation mingles with the crackling fire. My shoulders relax a bit as I take my first long drink. The cheap beer tastes like high school summers and bad decisions, and somehow, it’s exactly what I need.

“Oh shit.” Lily’s voice drops to a whisper beside me.

I follow her gaze across the fire pit, and my blood turns to ice despite the heat. Penelope fucking Hartley stands with her back to us, her bleach blonde hair practically glowing in the firelight as she tosses her head back in laughter. She’s telling some story with wild hand gestures to a group of people I vaguely recognize from high school.

I bet she hasn’t even suffered. That bitch is the entire reason I left Big Ridge and she’s here acting like everything is fine? I take a step toward her.