Chokehold
Leaning against the bed of Tyler’s pickup, Hazel stared at the fire crackling, casting an orange flow on the circle of people surrounding it. She scanned each face, smiling as her gaze settled on Max, beer in his hand as he chatted with Lou and her husband, Hank. This is what she’d wanted for the night. With her mother gone and her father unwell, introducing Max to Lou and Hank had felt more pivotal than she’d anticipated. Seeing them together made something twang deep in her chest, a small smile brimming against the can of pop she brought to her lips.