Free Anything Goes on a Friday Night by Sara Daniell Page A

safer, so they weren’t driving. I was shocked. All of the parties I went to were us teens avoiding adults. We would sober up, then drive home, and pretend like we were out doing responsible things. This was insane, but, I was actually having fun.
    I liked these people. They were all more accepting of the girl from their rival town than I had expected. There were no petty fights or drama with this group. Not like my group back home where there was always someone getting mad about something. This was nice.
    I wasn’t purposefully looking for Finn Kerr. I swear I wasn’t. But everyone else was here, so I was confused as to why he wasn’t. He did sort of invite me here a few days ago, so where the hell was Mr. Snarky-Pants?
    I followed Jane around most of the night. She introduced me to people, and I answered the same question over and over. “Why did you move here?” I just answered it generically each time. “Because my dad got a new job,” I’d lie. Jane knew the truth, but no one else needed to know that much about me.
    As I followed Jane to another group of people, I stopped and grabbed the back of her shirt to stop her. She turned to look at me.
    “What’s up?”
    I shook my head. “I think I’m just gonna sit on that vacant tailgate over there.” I pointed in the distance to a truck near a bonfire that was only coals now. “I just want to chill for a bit. Go have fun, and come find me when you’re ready to go.”
    “You sure? We can leave now if you want.”
    “No. I’m fine. I’m actually having fun, but I just want to go recluse for a bit.”
    She smiled. “Okay, but text me if you’re ready to leave.” She took a sip of her beer.
    I nodded and then walked toward the tailgate. I found a nearby ice chest that was labeled “Community Beer”. Don’t mind if I do. I chuckled to myself, opened the lid, and grabbed one. I popped the top and hopped up on the tailgate. My feet dangled, and I stared at the coals. I was trying desperately not to let my mind wander to Channing and Katie, but I couldn’t help it.
    My hands were shaking so badly I almost spilt my beer. I felt myself losing it. This was the first time I wasn’t too busy to think about it for longer than ten minutes. I took a deep breath and blinked my eyes, trying to fight the tears. I was failing. My breaking point was when I noticed the beer in my hand. Channing’s favorite brand—Coors.
    I pulled my phone out to text Jane.
     
Me: I changed my mind. I’m ready. I need to leave.
Jane: I’ll meet you at your car.
     
    I hopped off the tailgate, leaving my half-full beer there. I hurried through the crowd of people and loud music. As I was running, I ran right into Finn. I looked up at him, and he tried to say something, but I tried to move past him at the same time. He took notice of my tears and stopped me by looping his arm around my waist. I put my hand to his chest to push him away, but he held me close against him. Before I could talk myself out of it, I gripped the front of his hoodie and buried my face against it. I wept so hard that I was surprised I didn’t pass out from the lack of oxygen.
    I should leave.
    I should go to my car and walk away from this confusing yet comforting situation.
    Finn would want an explanation I wasn’t ready to give. The last person I would have ever sought out to comfort me was holding me in his arms. But it felt good. Scary good.
    Damn, he smells good.
    Wait, what? In the midst of a breakdown, I’m noticing how he smells like citrus and smoke? I really am losing it.
    Once I relaxed, Finn eased his hold. I slipped out of his arms and wiped my eyes. Our eyes met, and it was too much to see the care and worry in his. I didn’t want him to see me like this, and I didn’t want to trust him. I couldn’t afford to let anyone else besides Jane into my messed up life. The possibility of getting hurt again was too great.
    His blue eyes were reeling me in, and it was getting hard to breathe.
    “I have