5

Hometown - Kane Brown

I t's the first summer after high school, and Xavier and I have the place to ourselves while our parents are off visiting family friends a couple of hours away. Mingling with ‘family' we don't know? Yeah, no. Not our idea of a good time.

So we've opted to stay put. Xavier, being Xavier, decided we should throw a little shindig to celebrate our graduation. To our parents, it's just a simple BBQ with a few friends. Little do they know, Xavier's definition of ‘a few friends' is a bit... generous.

Our backyard is buzzing with activity, the smell of steak sizzling on the BBQ filling the air. Xavier's mates are here in full force, along with Harrison and Michael, and of course, a bunch of my own mates. People are scattered all over the place, some chilling by the barn, others lounging around the pool. The sun has set, but the warmth of the day still lingers, making the evening just right for a swim.

Jackson and Luke, two of my mates, clap me on the back as they pass by, congratulating each other and me on finally being done with school. In passing, Luke hands me a red party cup with clear liquid. Cautiously, I look at it, and Luke notices, laughing.

"Relax, bud, it's just vodka and lemonade."

"Cheers to us, mate," Jackson says, raising his beer bottle in salute.

"No more exams, no more teachers breathing down our necks," Luke adds, grinning from ear to ear.

I take a large sip of my drink and nod in response, my smile a little forced. I'm grateful school's over, but I've never been one for loud celebrations.

"Come on, Brad," Jackson says, patting me on the back again. "You're joining the police force soon. It's time to loosen up!"

Luke chimes in, grinning, "Exactly! No more studying or stress. Let's enjoy tonight!"

Their words linger in my mind, sparking thoughts about the path ahead. Joining the police force is the dream I've always wanted to pursue. My father had been ecstatic about it, and I don't want to let him down. The pressure is on to make something of myself, to prove that I can succeed. But right now, surrounded by friends and the sounds of laughter and music, I can't help but feel a sense of freedom. Tonight is about letting go of the past and embracing the future, whatever it may hold. Fuck it. What's a couple of drinks?

"I guess you're right," I finally respond, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. I down the rest of my drink in one gulp.

"Oh yeah! Let's go!" Jackson exclaims.

"Atta boy!" Luke whoops, following suit.

A couple of drinks turned into many more, and now my head has a slight buzz. I'm feeling a lot more relaxed than I was earlier. The music is loud, the atmosphere vibrant, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like I can just be in the moment. As the night rolls on, Jennifer, a girl from my year, totters over to me, clearly sloshed.

"Bradley, there you are," she slurs, before plopping herself onto my lap. Jennifer's been in our social circle for a while now. Her mates took a liking to Jackson and Luke, although Jackson has never been one for too much female attention. I'm pretty sure he swings both ways, but each to their own. I'll never judge a mate or their sexuality. This meant, naturally, I got roped in, too.

While I don't mind the attention from girls, tonight feels off. Sure, I've hooked up with girls plenty, but I've never settled down. Lately, I haven't been in the mood to chat them up. Since graduating, girls have been all over me ever since they heard I'm aiming to be a policeman.

She's made it obvious she wants me, yet I haven't done much to reciprocate the feelings, apart from an occasional kiss here and there, and I don't want to lead her on, especially since she's made it clear to others that she has a thing for me.

As Jennifer's fingers weave through my short hair, her boozy breath, mixed with a sweet perfume, envelops me. Despite these thoughts, I find myself welcoming her closeness, the alcohol coursing through my veins heightening my senses.

"I've been thinking about you all night," Jennifer whispers, her voice dripping with desire, sending a shiver down my spine. Her touch intensifies as she moves closer, her lips brushing against my neck in a seductive dance.

But amidst her advances, I can't shake this nagging feeling of unease. It's as if my body is here, but my mind is elsewhere, lost in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Then, amidst the haze, I spot a group in the distance. Liv stands among a few people and next to her stands… Amelia.

I watch her as she speaks, a smile painting her face, all while Jen continues her assault on my neck, and in that moment, her eyes lock with mine. Fuck.

It's brief, but our eyes lock, and I can't look away. As I watch her, she holds my gaze, her smile fading slightly as she notices Jennifer on my lap. This feels wrong. Weird.

Why am I so caught up with this girl? She's my sister's best friend, for fuck's sake.

As I grapple with these thoughts, Jennifer's eyes lock with mine, and a wave of discomfort washes over me. This feels all wrong, weird. I gently push her away, mustering a weak smile.

"I, um, sorry, I think I left something in the house," I mutter, my voice strained as I search for an excuse to escape.

As I head off, a voice calls my name from behind, but I continue walking, my head pounding. Water, I need water. Inside the house, I head straight to the kitchen, grab a bottle, and gulp it down, the cool liquid soothing my throat. Tossing the empty bottle into the bin, I decide I need some space to clear my head.

Outside, at the front of the house, two wooden chairs beckon. A wind chime hangs from one of the beams, swaying gently in the now-cool breeze, its soft tinkling a stark contrast to the earlier raucousness of the party. Leaning back, I close my eyes, trying to clear my mind.

But the evening's events keep pushing in. Jennifer, my unease, and then seeing Amelia again. She's off limits in every way—my sister's best friend, too good for a guy like me.

Yet, there's something about her, something that draws me in, makes my pulse quicken. I remember the way she looked at me, her eyes full of something I couldn't quite read. It's like she sees right through me, past all my bravado, and into the parts of me I try to hide.

She's different. She's... real. And it scares me how much I want to know her, really know her, beyond just the surface.

I shouldn't feel this way. It's complicated, messy. But fuck, I can't help it.

I shake my head, trying to dispel these thoughts. I can't afford to be distracted, especially not tonight. Tomorrow, I start preparing for the police academy, and I need to be focused. But as I sit here, in the quiet of the night, I can't shake the feeling that everything is about to change.

The distant thump of music from the backyard is still audible, but the sound of the front door suddenly bursting open startles me, and out stumbles Amelia.

What the ?

She looks around and squeals when she spots me. "Oh, my goodness! You scared me." Her voice is so pure, melodic, and innocent. I can't explain it, but I love the sound of it.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb. I was just looking for…" Her words trail off and I raise my eyebrow, prompting her to continue.

"Looking for?" I mimic her, my tone dry.

"Liv. She came back into the house, and I thought she might be out here."

As she stands there, looking lost and a bit vulnerable, a protective instinct kicks in.

"Well, she's not here. She might still be inside," I say, my voice softer. "You need help finding her?"

She shakes her head, her eyes meeting mine. There's something in her gaze that makes my heart race. "No, it's okay. Thanks," she replies, but she doesn't move. She just stands there, fidgeting with her bracelets, in the cool night air, the tension between us palpable. "I didn't mean to intrude. I'll just... I'll head back inside."

"Wait," I blurt out, surprising myself. She stops, looking at me with those wide eyes. "You don't have to rush off. It's nice out here, and honestly, I could use the company."

As she pauses, I can't help but feel a wave of uncertainty wash over me. What am I doing?

"Are you sure?" she asks, her voice soft and unsure.

"Yeah," I say, more confident than I feel. I tear my gaze away, my eyes scanning the darkened surroundings.

She sits on the chair beside me, her body swaying slightly. I furrow my brows deeper as a thought crosses my mind. Has she been drinking? She's underage—she shouldn't be.

"You haven't been drinking, have you?" I ask cautiously.

Amelia's eyes widen, surprise and embarrassment flickering across her features. "No," she says quickly, shaking her head. "Neither has Liv. I made sure of it."

Her response brings a sense of relief, surprising me.

But who am I to lecture her? I think to myself, reflecting on my own past.

I was once the same, influenced by my older brother, Xavier. We did everything together. Whatever he did, I did, too. It's not my place to tell her what to do, but she's surrounded by horny, drunk seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds.

"Okay." I nod, easing up slightly. "Smart move."

After a moment, she chuckles softly, and I raise a brow at her. "Something funny?"

"That was such a ‘big brother' thing to say," she says with a smile.

A comfortable silence settles between us. Yet, her words linger in my mind.

‘Big brother.'

The phrase coming from her lips just sounds... wrong. Is that how she sees me? Like a big brother to her? She should, shouldn't she?

After all, she's practically family. There shouldn't be anything else between us.

But why does that thought disappoint me?

Breaking the silence, she asks, "How was school for you? Besides the obvious, graduating and all. Did you enjoy it? What was your favourite subject?"

"It was alright," I reply nonchalantly. "I'd say PE was my favourite. I enjoyed playing sports."

As I talk, her eyes flicker down to my chest, then up to my biceps. My muscles tense in response, and I wonder why I'm so nervous about her admiring my body. I watch as she struggles to catch her breath, the rise and fall of her chest becoming more rapid.

She looks back at me and clears her throat.

"Why are you out here alone? Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?" she asks. Huh?

"Girlfriend?" I repeat, puzzled.

"Oh, the girl you were with earlier. Aren't you two together?"

I shake my head, trying to hide my surprise. "Jennie? Nah, she's just a friend," I reply quickly. "Nothing more."

Despite my attempt at nonchalance, her observation lingers in my mind.

Why did she notice that? Does she think there's something between me and Jennifer? Or is she just curious?

Either way, the fact that she paid attention enough to ask surprises me.

"I see. Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I just assumed," she mumbles, looking apologetic. I can't help but smirk at her reaction.

"No need to apologise. It's fine."

"Sorry, I tend to apologise a lot when I'm…" Her words trail off.

"When you're what? "

"Nervous," she whispers and avoids meeting my eyes.

"Why are you nervous?"

"Y-you make me nervous." Her eyes widen again, and she shakes her head. "Sorry, I'm just mumbling."

I don't know what I was expecting, but it sure as fuck wasn't that.

"I make you nervous?"

"Y-yes."

Well, fuck. A strange sense of satisfaction washes over me at her admission. Why does it please me to know that she's affected by my presence?

"Why?" I ask, genuinely curious now.

"I-I don't know," she stammers. "You just... you seem so... I mean, you're older, and... I'm just... I'm just me." Her words tumble out in a rush, and she fidgets with her fingers, unable to meet my gaze.

As I listen to her, a sense of tenderness washes over me. She's so genuine, so unassuming. "Just you? And what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, I'm... it's nothing."

I reach out, placing a hand on her thigh. "Amelia, you're more than just you. You're kind, thoughtful, and incredibly sweet. Don't sell yourself short."

She looks up at me, surprise flickering in her eyes. "You think so?"

"Yeah, I do."

Her blush deepens, and I can't deny the rush it gives me. As much as I hate to admit it, her nervousness lights a fire inside me. Leaning in slightly, I notice she does the same, her breath quickening.

Caught up in the moment, her scent surrounds me, tempting me to reach out and touch her, to feel her skin beneath my fingertips. But I hold back, my rational side reminding me of the lines I shouldn't cross. My heart races, realising this needs to stop.

Her eyes flicker to my mouth, and the alcohol in my system doesn't help. I feel her uncertainty, mixed with something that matches my own desires.

"Amelia, you gotta stop giving me that look," I warn, trying to keep my voice steady.

She tilts her head, confusion clouding her eyes. "What look?" Her voice barely rises above a whisper.

I exhale heavily, running a hand through my hair. "Like... like you want me to kiss you," I admit quietly.

Fuck, the urge to kiss her right now is overwhelming. To feel her lips against mine. But instead of backing off, she inches closer. In my somewhat intoxicated state, my thoughts are all over the place, but seeing her respond, sober and steady, sends a thrill through me. My heart races, and I feel my cock stir in my pants, a feeling I am desperately trying so hard to ignore.

"I—"

Before I can finish, Luke emerges out front, breaking the tension with his abrupt arrival. "Mate, there you are! Fuck, I've been looking for you everywhere."

His interruption couldn't have come at a worse time. Amelia shoots up in a hurry at the sudden intrusion.

Fucking Luke.

"I'm-I'm gonna go find Liv. Thanks for the, uh, chat," she says nervously before glancing at Luke and then hurrying away back inside.

Luke looks at me, his expression questioning. "What was that about?" he asks, nodding toward where Amelia disappeared.

I ponder for a moment, choosing my words carefully. "Nothing," I finally say, shaking my head. "Just a chat."

Luke gives me a sceptical look, but thankfully doesn't push further. Instead, he claps a hand on my shoulder and gestures toward the house.

"Well, come on, then. Let's head back inside."

As we make our way back to the party, my mind drifts back to Amelia. Despite the abrupt end to our conversation, her presence lingers in my thoughts, accompanied by a slew of what-ifs.

What if things had gone differently? What if we had given in to the tension between us?

Deep down, I know it's probably for the best.

Amelia is Liv's best friend, and I can't risk messing that up—or my relationship with my sister. As tempting as it is to entertain those what-ifs with Amelia, I've set these boundaries for a reason, and I need to stick to them. Besides, she deserves someone who's not a brooding mess, with a future as uncertain as mine.

That's just how it has to be, for everyone's sake.