Page 4 of Three Minutes
We were never close, at least as far as I remember. Over the years, his drinking worsened, and that’s when he started beingphysically aggressive toward my mom. He was always so angry at the world. Sometimes I wondered if he just hated us. We were always relieved when Uncle Jesse came over. Dad never acted out when he was there, but the tension was visible. I think Jesse suspected something, too. There was no way to hide the smell of alcohol that seeped from my father’s pores.
So many times I wanted to call Jesse and tell him everything, but I never did. I often wondered if he already knew, and was trying to shield me from the truth. I was only a kid worrying about things I shouldn’t have to. But he’s always been kind to me, even though he isn’t my father; he filled in some gaps I never got to experience with my own dad. I’ve always looked up to him. Even with work taking up most of his time, he has done his best to ensure that Mom and I were okay.
After that night on my thirteenth birthday, I went over a year without coming here—or going anywhere, really—aside from still going to school. Unless my uncle Jesse was visiting, I made a point to be close to home. The threats my father gave before he left never left my mind. I realize that I’ve missed out on so many things over my teenage years. I’ve allowed him to haunt me, just as he wanted. My racing mind comes to a halt as something unexpectedly grasps my leg beneath the surface of the water. I instinctively reach down and grab what feels like an arm. Suddenly, Beck bursts from the depths, laughter bubbling out of her. I retaliate, swiftly dunking her head back underwater. When she reemerges, her laughter intermingles with mine.
Beck shakes her head vigorously, her wet curls flying around her face in a wild, playful dance. With a mischievous look in her eyes, she intentionally flings water in my direction, droplets catching the sunlight like tiny diamonds. The familiar scent of her floral shampoo envelops me, sweet and refreshing. As she closes her eyes, I watch her effortlessly comb her fingers through her damp hair, the sunlight making each strand shimmer. Shethen carefully tucks the curls behind her ears.
Her blue eyes, vibrant and clear, now lock onto mine, studying me with an intensity that feels both exhilarating and unnerving at the same time, as if she’s trying to decipher the thoughts swirling in my mind. I find myself caught in a moment of silent contemplation, my gaze shifting back and forth between her captivating eyes. The sun reflects off her thick lashes, holding tiny droplets of water that glisten in the golden light, as if nature itself is highlighting her beauty at this very moment. Something has shifted between us; I can feel it flowing through me, but I haven’t quite figured out what it is. I used to see Beck as just my best friend. My protective nature has always been there for her, and I know I care deeply for her. How could I not? We’ve been in each other’s lives since we were kids. But this…this is something different. And I know the answers to it all will reveal themselves sooner rather than later.
Chapter Three
Back at the twins’ place, Blake and I worked together to prepare the fire pit in the dark. We had initially planned to leave the lake much sooner, but Blake, ever the mischief-maker, decided it would be hilarious to scare his sister out of her wits by leaping from the ledge into the blackness. As Beck anxiously paced back and forth, calling out his name in a mixture of annoyance and concern, I tried to calm her nerves, insisting it was probably just another one of his infamous pranks. During this, that asshole had quietly crept up behind us. My instinct kicked in, and without thinking, I threw a punch that caught him square on the lip. He knows me well enough to know I don’t do well with surprises. However, the bruise blooming on his mouth made it more amusing to me when he nonchalantly claimed it was worth it to see the stunned expression on Beck’s face when he pulled off his scare.
He is always full of surprises. What I also thought was going to be a night with just the three of us, he didn’t think to tell me he had invited a few people from high school, including his latest crush, Andrea. Beck was also unaware of it. The only thing that kept me from losing my temper was the thought of Blake having to explain his busted lip to Andrea. I genuinely looked forward to witnessing that awkward conversation.
After we get the fire going well, Blake sprints into the garage,coming back with a clear bottle in his hand. “Alright, dude, it’s time for a birthday shot.” He gently shoves the bottle into my hand, Tito’s vodka bottle that has about a fifth left. I shake my head, giving the bottle back. Drinking has never been something I was fond of. I think witnessing the damage it did to my father made me want to stay clear of it. And maybe sometimes I wondered, since I was a piece of him, that I would one day turn into the monster he was.
Beck eventually joins us by the fire, still wearing her same clothes over her bathing suit. She glances at the bottle in Blake’s hand, quickly snatching it. “Where did you get this?” She cuts her eyes at him.
He nonchalantly shrugs his shoulders before responding, “It’s from Dad’s secret stash in the garage fridge.”
She rolls her eyes, shoving the bottle into his chest. “Try not to drink it all.”
He gives her a devilish grin, gripping the bottle in one hand. He then dramatically places his other hand over his heart. “I would never do such a thing, dear sister. Ez and I were about to take a shot together.”
She glances at me, pressing her lips into a fine line. I run my hand through my hair, letting out a sigh. Blake squints at me as he pops the cap off the vodka. “Dude, it’s one fucking shot, just live a little.”
Beck’s eyes stay on me, waiting for my response. “You don’t have to, if you don’t want to, Ez,” she mumbles calmly. She knows how I feel about alcohol. But after thinking for a moment, I realize I might be overthinking it more than I should. One shot won’t hurt anything; maybe it’ll even calm my nerves a little before the others arrive.
“Fuck it, one shot. But only if Beck takes one with us.” I playfully nudge her arm with mine.
She swirls her tongue around the inside of her cheek, glancingback and forth between us, then snatches the bottle from Blake as she turns to me. “Of course, but you first, birthday boy.”
I grab the bottle, clutching it tightly. Without thinking, I turn it up and press it against my lips. The cool liquid flows down my throat, instantly warming me from the inside out.
“Damn, dude, I said ashot, not three in one gulp.”
I shrug and hand the bottle to Blake. Both twins take a generous gulp from it and immediately break into song, singing me Happy Birthday.What would I do without these two?
Andrea and her cousin Tristan arrive shortly afterward. Andrea’s friend, Macey, had been planning to come, but something came up, which was fine with me. Andrea is in the same grade as me, and had second period with me in 9th grade before I was pulled out for homeschooling. Tristan was a junior then. I never really spoke to him or cared to. He was big into sports and, honestly, had a cocky mentality. It’s been years since I last saw him, and from what Blake has told me, he hasn’t changed a bit. I think Blake has only put up with him because he’s Andrea’s cousin, and they seem to spend a lot of time together.
I watch as they walk up, waiting for Andrea to notice Blake’s lip. I look over to Beck, seeing if she’s paying attention. Sure enough, she is eyeing them both with her arms crossed. Blake gives Andrea a gentle kiss, wincing a little as he does. She pulls back, looking at him to see what’s wrong. Her eyes immediately go to his lip, and her mouth drops. “Blake Evans! What happened to your freaking lip? Wait—are you wearing concealer?” I stifle a laugh at her question.
“Dude, did you dig in my makeup?” Beck chimes in with annoyance in her tone.
He shrugs his shoulders, carelessly running his hands through his short hair. “Listen, I may or may not have pranked the two of them. And in return, startled Ezra so badly that he startedflailing his arms like a damn walrus and clipped me in the lip. It’s unfortunate, really.” He nonchalantly picks at his nails. Beck and I shake our heads while Andrea rolls her eyes, unable to hide her smile and knowing Blake’s full of shit.
We all eventually gather around the fire pit. I watch Blake and Tristan compete to see who can shotgun a Coors Light the fastest. Andrea sits directly across from me, while Beck is on my right.
Andrea clears her throat. “So, how have you been, Ezra?” she asks. I look over at her through the smoke.
“I’m doing all right.” She clicks her fingernails on the side of her beer can. “So, do you still have—”
Tristan cuts her off, sluggishly plopping down between her and Beck. “Yeah, man, you still having those uh—panic attacks and shit?”
My lips press into a fine line as I make eye contact with him. “They are manageable now.” I give my best fake grin. I catch Beck adjusting in her seat from the corner of my eye. Tristan gives a dramatic nod before throwing back another beer and crushing the can.
“It must be weird as fuck being around people, considering you’re homeschooled, huh?” A slight smirk pulls at his mouth.
