Taming the flames

**Maddox's POV**

The sun beat down as I stepped onto the school grounds the next day, the warm breeze mingling with the chatter of students buzzing with excitement. It was Friday, and everyone was talking about the party at the sand dunes that night—dirt bikes, razors, four-wheelers, and music. A chance to escape the grind of school and blow off steam.

I caught up with Jess and Dani, who were both all smiles, their energy infectious. Dani, always the one with the wild ideas, grinned at me. "Are you coming to the party tonight? It's going to be insane!"

"Are you kidding? Of course," I replied, trying to match their enthusiasm. The thought of the party was exciting, but a knot formed in my stomach at the idea of seeing Killian again.

"Good! We'll have a blast!" Jess chimed in, her eyes sparkling. "And don't forget to wear something you don't mind getting dirty. It's going to be hot out there!"

As the day dragged on, I focused on classes, trying to push thoughts of Killian from my mind. But it was impossible. Images of him, his intense gaze from last night, haunted me. I was anxious about facing him again, yet part of me was curious. What if he really meant what he said?

By the time the final bell rang, I was buzzing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Dani and Jess pulled me toward the parking lot, where we climbed into Dani's truck. The drive to the dunes was filled with laughter and loud music, but I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight could change everything.

When we arrived, the scene was chaotic and vibrant. Groups of people gathered around dirt bikes and ATVs, some already a little too tipsy, others gearing up for a ride. The sun began to set, casting a golden hue over everything. It felt wild and free, exactly what I needed.

As we made our way through the throngs of partygoers, I spotted Killian across the sand, surrounded by his teammates, their laughter ringing out. My heart raced, and I glanced at Jess and Dani, who exchanged knowing looks.

"Just go talk to him," Jess urged, nudging me forward. "It's just a party. Nothing serious."

"Yeah, right," I shot back, though my feet had already started moving.

I approached slowly, my pulse quickening. As I drew closer, Killian turned, his expression shifting from laughter to surprise. "Maddox," he said, stepping away from the group. "You made it."

"Yeah, well, I couldn't miss out on the fun," I replied, forcing a casual tone.

His eyes searched mine, and for a moment, the noise around us faded. "I'm glad you're here. I didn't know if you would come."

"Why wouldn't I?" I shot back, trying to sound unaffected. "It's just a party."

He smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting in that way that used to make my heart flutter. "Right. Just a party."

Before I could respond, Jess and Dani pulled me back into their circle, dragging me away for a moment. "You need a drink," Dani said, grabbing a cooler filled with beer.

I laughed, feeling the tension ease slightly as we joined other friends. Music pumped through the air, and I let myself relax, the heat of the day giving way to a cooler evening breeze.

But every now and then, I caught glimpses of Killian, his laughter mingling with the crowd, and a small part of me wanted to join him again. Eventually, Jess nudged me. "Let's go ride something!"

We hopped onto a four-wheeler, laughter spilling out as Dani took the lead, revving the engine. The wind whipped through my hair as we sped over the dunes, the thrill of the ride drowning out everything else.

After a while, we returned to the party, and the atmosphere was electric. People danced, drinks flowed freely, and the night was alive. I couldn't deny the excitement coursing through me, even as I kept an eye out for Killian.

At some point, I lost track of my friends and wandered toward the edge of the party, where a small bonfire crackled. I leaned against a log, sipping my drink and trying to catch my breath. The glow of the flames felt comforting, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

"Hey," a voice came from behind me. I turned to see Killian, a beer in hand, looking surprisingly at ease. "Mind if I join you?"

I nodded, trying to play it cool. "Sure."

He settled beside me, the warmth from the fire casting shadows on his face. "Looks like everyone's having a good time," he said, glancing around.

"Yeah, it's wild out here," I replied, taking a sip from my cup, avoiding his gaze.

After a moment of silence, he said, "I'm glad you came. I wanted to talk more after last night."

"About what?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light, but I could feel the tension creeping back in.

"About us. About everything," he said, his voice low. "I know things have been complicated, but I can't just ignore what we had."

My heart raced, but I kept my expression neutral. "You expect me to forget the last two years?"

"No, I don't. But I want to try to make it right. If you'll let me."

I sighed, looking into the fire. "It's not that simple, Killian. There's a lot to unpack."

"Then let's unpack it together," he urged. "Tonight's not just about partying. We can talk. We can ride. Just... don't shut me out."

His sincerity caught me off guard. Part of me wanted to let him in, to explore whatever we had again. But another part warned me of the risks, the vulnerability that came with opening old wounds.

Before I could respond, Dani and Jess rejoined us, their laughter cutting through the tension. "What's going on here?" Jess teased, a knowing grin on her face.

"Just catching up," Killian replied, shooting me a quick glance.

"Right," Dani chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You two look like you're having a moment."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "We're just talking."

The moment passed, but as the party continued around us, I couldn't shake the feeling that tonight could be the beginning of something new—or the start of more confusion. As the music blared and laughter filled the air, I realized I was standing at a crossroads, with Killian right beside me.

And the night was just getting started.