"Don't make fun. Can you please help me?"
"Fine," Gary sighs with exaggerated drama, though a teasing smile lingers on his lips. "But when you're done sneaking off for your secret make-out session with Vince, I expect details."
I roll my eyes. "You and I both know that's not what's going to happen."
"The making out,or you looping me in on it?" he smirks.
Before I can retort, Frank chuckles, but his amused expression falters as his gaze shifts behind me. "Uh, Gary."
My stomach drops. I turn to see what he'spointingat and spot it.There’sa scene unfolding at the drink table.
Eli has found Aubrey.
Eliiswearingagreen hoodie andhis usualbattered leather jacket, has his tattooed hands covered in black gloves and a beanie pulled low over his black hair. Aubrey, on the other hand, is inexplicably wearing a wool blanket as a makeshift jacket overhis bare chestandnothing but a pair ofjeansand unlaced boots.
What the hell happened to hisshirt?
The first thing Eli does is tug at the blanket, yanking it off Aubrey and tossing it to the ground. Aubrey, who already looks on edge, claps his hands over his ears and bolts. Eli follows, grabbing Aubrey's arms to pull his hands away from his ears while shouting something I can't make out. Aubrey retaliates by shoving him back.
It escalates in seconds.
Now they smack at each other, yelling loud enough to draw the attention of nearby campers. Aubrey's faceisflushed—whether from the chilly air or frustration, I can't tell.
I don't have time to dwell on the ridiculousness of it. My mind races, trying to make sense of what I'm seeing.
"Sorry, Gary," I mutter, already stepping away. "Looks like the Aubrey situation needs an intervention."
Gary sighs as he glances toward the chaos. "I'll take care of it," he says, handing Frank his whiskey before heading toward the parking area where Eli and Aubrey now argue.
I follow Gary's line of sight and freeze.
Eli storms over to Aubrey's battered red truck, shouting something about slashing the tires. The words "pocket knife" barely register before I see him pull it from his jacket. Aubrey wails and scrambles after him, grabbing Eli's arm with both hands to stop him.
Panic flares in my chest.
Gary breaks into a run, and I do too, my pulse pounding in my ears.
We barely reach them in time—Aubrey's boot connects with Eli's wrist, sending the knife skittering into the undergrowth.
"You little—" Eli lunges, his voice a low growl as he grabs Aubrey's shoulders. The fight ends almost before it begins; Eli has him pinned in seconds, Aubrey's face pressed against the dirt.
"He's trying to kill me! Gary! Andrew!" Aubrey's voice cracks, but he manages to wrench the beanie from Eli's head and send it flying into the same bushes. A small victory, but it costs him.
Eli's face darkens. He yanks Aubrey up, his grip like iron on Aubrey's arm.
"You want to join it? Let's see how you like the bushes, then."
"Let go of me, you psycho! Get your hands off me!"
"Oh, I’ll let go—"
"Andrew!"
"Eli!" My shout dies in my throat as Gary steps between them.
His fingers clamp onto Eli's ear, twisting with practiced precision. Eli yelps, dropping Aubrey like a hot potato.
Aubrey stumbles forward, right into Gary's waiting arms. He buries his face in Gary's shoulder, his body shaking. Gary holds him, whispering words too soft for us to hear.
