bury me by the bonfire

After their last conversation things were slightly better with Hannah. Their friendship was somewhat back despite their awkward conversation due to a drunken kiss. They had made plans to hang out during the Cherry Blossom Festival but Jake found himself busy helping out with the float. He had enjoyed working with his hands so he jumped on the opportunity to help build something. Hannah was helping with a different float so he sent her a text to come see him after she finished working. When he saw her out of the corner of his eye he shot a smile her way. “Welcome to the best float.” He opened his arms, showing off what him and the rest of the group was building. “Are you jealous Sanderson?” 

special delivery - @jakexsullivan·

Poppy had gone to one family dinner after Alex broke into her apartment to let her know if she didn’t start showing up to them that he would host them at her place so she wouldn’t have a choice. She didn’t know what it was about Jake Sullivan but he actively found his way under her skin and trying to put up with him was inconvenient. She exhaled as she turned the corner, smacking right into someone’s chest. “Jesus,” she huffed. “Sorry.” It would be the one and only time she ever apologized to someone when she knew she was at fault. She took a step back, glancing down at her bag to make sure nothing had fallen out before she lifted her eyes to see…  speaking of the devil. “Ah, Jake. Run into people often?”

The past few months had not been easy for Jake. Things with Hannah were complicated, things with his mom were messy, and the fact that he had to call complete strangers family was mind blowing. As much as he loved the Fallbrook community he was dreading the Cherry Blossom Festival. He knew that his mother would want to have a big family get together and that meant seeing ... “Poppy.” He mumbled, stopping in his tracks as his new step-sister bumped right into him. “I do actually, it’s one of my many talents. What talents do you have? Being annoying has to be at the top of the list.” He countered back with an unimpressed look on his face. 

Hannah parted her lips at his words, ready to say otherwise when he obliged her with honesty over the situation. “I, uh, I suppose I was too.” She gave him a small smile in her own admittance. “You don’t,” she shook her head at his apology, “you don’t have to explain or apologize,” Hannah told him, though her heart tightened in realizing it had been the mistake she thought it was. “things like that are bound to happen, right?” She shrugged her shoulders, trying to play it off though her gaze lingered on the ground before them, only lifting when she realized they had approached the bar. “We can cheers to that being a moment of something or another,” she said, grabbing the door to open it for the both of them, “and it - it not happening again.” Though she stumbled over her words as she stepped into the bar, knowing that was not the outcome she hoped for.

Was it bound to happen? Jake wasn’t sure. He never imagined that he would ever kiss Hannah again as much as he secretly wanted to. The thought of kissing her again instantly shattered at her next words when they walked into the bar. “Never again.” He repeated with a dry mouth and a clenched jaw. Perhaps it was just him but it felt like there was tension between them. It was the last thing he wanted because he did care about Hannah. He always had and he always would. Which was why he was putting his feelings aside and putting on a brave face. “Do we dare drink again? Do we think we can control ourselves?” He asked in a teasing tone and a laugh once the two sat down at the bar.

Where: Lanes Bowling Alley Who: Any and everyone @fallbrookstarters·

Aniyah and her friends were an interesting bunch, but especially when they were all under the influence of alcohol and adrenaline rush. The group of young women who all happened to work at The Pink Pussycat collectively decided they were going to go bowling while drunk and it sounded like a good idea at the time. Granted, they all had long nails so anyone would be able to tell that they weren’t going to be the best bowlers, but that made it all the more fun to the bunch. After about two rounds of bowling, Aniyah decided to walk over to a few people who were clearly having a chill night of bowling, settled down on one part of their couch and waved her well manicured fingers at them in a playful manner. “Hey y’all!” she shouted loudly as she stuck her tongue out and erupted into her high pitched laughter. “Which one of y’all gonna teach me how to bowl like that?” Taking another sip of her drink in the process.

In the past Jake never stayed in one place for very long. That left him with little opportunity to engage in town events or community experiences. Now that Fallbrook had become his permanent home he had been looking for fun things to do in his spare time. Joining a bowling team seemed like the best way to spend his time on a Tuesday night. While sitting with his teammates a group of young women came by. Everyone pointed at Jake after hearing the question. It seemed like this was a rookie initiation. “I guess that’s me.” He stood up and walked over to the woman. 

starter for @jakexsullivan· location: echo bay aquarium 

When Ronnie had started working at Echo Bay Aquarium after she returned to Fallbrook a year ago, it hadn’t taken her long to get close to Jake whatsoever. His pleasant personality and passion about work had drawn her to him. A surrogate big brother, a mentor, a friend. Ronnie had found many placeholders in her life for Jake, none of which had taken long to develop. “How is Hannah doing?” She questioned, not once ever realizing that his past relationship involved a woman named Hannah, looking over the pool at the seal. “Her diet has improved drastically I noticed,” she told Jake, turning to look over at him. “I will be sad to see her go, she has been so fun to have around here.” 

At the sound of a familiar voice, his green hues turned away from his clipboard and onto his favourite work buddy. “That sad day might be happening sooner than expected.” He commented with a soft smile. “She only needs to gain five more pounds and pass a hunting test then she can be released back into the ocean.” He explained, a bit sad himself at the thought of seeing the seal go. “Next time we rescue something you need to stop me from getting so attached to it.” Jake said in a teasing tone, hooking the clipboard back onto the tank.

Hannah wasn’t sure that he would agree. For what reason did he have to agree? She didn’t know, but she was hoping that he would. When he did, she nodded her head. “Great,” she gave him a small smile as they began to walk together to the bar down the street. “Oh, uh,” she realized she should have left that element for after they already had some alcohol in their system. “we just haven’t seen each other since,” she paused, looking down at the sidewalk as they walked before dragged her gaze back to him. “since the kiss and honestly, things were going so good, despite,” she shook her head, realizing she should wait but the words were tumbling out now, “I just didn’t want us to keep having to avoid each other.”

While the two walked Jake shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. He knew that his nerves would soon take over and his hands would start to fidget. He didn’t want to give anything away to her about how he was feeling. Especially when she brought up the kiss. His green hues moved to the ground as he let out a sigh. “I wasn’t avoiding you.” He spoke then looked back towards her with a soft smile. “Okay, maybe I was avoiding you a little bit.” Jake decided to add a bit of humor into the already intense conversation. “I’m sorry about doing that by the way. I was drunk and upset at my mother and I don’t know what came over me.” He admitted, leaving out a few of the smaller details as to why he had kissed her. She didn’t have to know about that right now though. 

“Oh,” the response fell from her lips as he did confirm that he was on a date with someone. “I, well, that’s nice.” She forced herself to smile up at him. What could she expect? That he wouldn’t be going on dates? Jake was an attractive man and deserving of love. She couldn’t blame him for looking for that, or looking for hook ups. The brunette didn’t really want to question further to get her heart broken by the answer. Either way, it wasn’t a good feeling that nestled in the pit of her stomach. “I was just headed to grab a drink, did you want to join me?” She offered, figuring they’d pass by at least one bar on the way to her apartment. “I was hoping, uh, hoping we could talk.”

Jake was surprised at the response that she gave him. Oh. That was it? It only reinforced that kissing her back at Christmas was a mistake. She left him at the alter for a reason and it seemed like that reason was still there. What did surprise him was her next question. “Well actually I might be - ...” He trailed off, trying to come up with an excuse but his mind was drawing a blank. Jake wanted to avoid any type of conversation with her because he knew what it would be about. However, he didn’t want to lie to her since that was something he never wanted to do. “Sure I can go for a drink.” He admitted with a slow nod. “What did you want to talk about?” He asked once the two began to walk to a nearby bar. 

“I like where your head is at.” Avery nodded, raising her eyebrows slightly impressed with how quickly and smoothly Jake flagged someone down and got them ready to order. With drinks in hand soon after, the veterinarian raised her Moscow Mule to cheers her friend before taking the first sip. “Ah, yep. I needed that. Okay, step one-acquire drinks, check. Step two-how are you doing these days? And perhaps even more importantly, do you have any idea what you want to order because I cannot make up my mind.”

Now that he had been a local resident of Fallbrook for over a year he had been leaving his mark around town. The local Mexican restaurant, which happened to be his favourite, knew him by heart. “What we need to order is more important that how I’m doing.” Jake said with a smirk. “Do you trust me with your order?” He asked, pushing the menu aside because it was something that he didn’t need. 

starter for @jakexsullivan· location: outside of aero cocktail bar 

Since the holiday season, Hannah had not seen or talked to Jake. It seemed, for as easily as she had run into him when she first moved to town, she had not seen or heard from him since they kissed and he ran out of the karaoke bar. Hannah could only imagine that her feelings felt were only a fraction of what he felt on their wedding day. Maybe that had been his plan since he had seen her, to get her fall for him and leave her feeling like a fool. Hannah knew that she deserved it. 

And then she saw him. He was with someone. Hannah didn’t know the woman, but he was clearly saying goodbye. Taking out her phone, she pretended to check it, not really looking at anything but the lock screen as she bided her time. As the woman walked away, she made her approach, playing off that she had seen him only moments early. “Jake? Oh, wow,” she smiled as she did a double take, almost walking by him. “long time no see, huh?” Hannah couldn’t fake it for long, “On a date, or?” She gestured with her finger toward the woman that had walked away.

Ever since Christmas Jake had found himself in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He had never intended on getting drunk with Hannah and he really didn’t intend of kissing her. There was embarrassment and guilt constantly running through his veins any time he thought about that night. Embarrassed that he had let himself slip into the spell that she had on him. Guilt that he had ran away and had yet to speak to her. With those emotions he tried to keep busy with work and with Tinder. He knew that if he could try to get his mind off of Hannah it might heal his broken heart. Jake was on yet another failed date with one of his matches and after saying goodbye he heard his name. His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the familiar brunette. A question was quickly asked which made his mouth feel dry at the thought of answering. “Hello to you too.” He responded, buying himself some more time to come up with an appropriate answer. “I um - ... I was actually.” He decided that the truth was the best answer that he could give. 

Hannah’s heart was beating rapidly as he held on to her waist, her hands unmoving from his chest. Her lips parted, ready to respond though her words fell short a moment before he pressed his lips against her own. Her toes curled into her boots, moving her hands up to the side of his face as she kissed him deeper. Hannah didn’t want to let go, not expecting this moment to ever happen between them again, “Jake,” she breathed his name as she pulled back, despite her own wants but her lungs shrunk with the need for oxygen. “I -” she didn’t know what to say, closing her eyes as she moved her hands back to his chest. 

The way that the electricity was surging through his body made him distracted from the rest of the world. Kissing Hannah was more amazing than he remembered as he missed the way their lips moved together in perfect rhythm. When she pulled away and he heard his name everything went dark. They were suppose to stay friends. He wasn’t suppose to kiss her. His green hues widened in embarrassment and confusion. Without saying another word Jake reached for his wallet, placed cash on their table, and then ran out the door. He had no idea what had just happened and he had no intention of talking about it. He ran straight to his home, not looking back once out of fear that Hannah would hate him or even reject him again, just like on their wedding day. 

Hannah hadn’t seen it coming. He grabbed her hang and tugged her toward the stage. Laughter pushed her lips apart as they got up on the stage. She didn’t even look at the crowd, her eyes on him as their song appeared on the machines before them. “Oh of course it is,” it felt fitting that the two of them weren’t in the city, having a country song to belt out in front of Fallbrook. “Here’s to us,” she said holding out her microphone to him before the lyrics and song started. Hannah danced on the stage, her focus primarily on Jake as they sang, singing the song in a place where they were both getting a fresh start. 

As the song came to a close, Hannah stepped off the stage feeling exhilarated. Her heart raced, pounding against her chest as she looked up at him. “That - we still have got it,” she was dizzy with excitement as she spun on her heel. She laughed, her hands resting on his chest as she came full circle and tipped from her spin. “Sorry, got a little excited there,” she didn’t make a move to pull away though.

The way the music sounded sent vibrations throughout his body. Hearing her voice sing with him and watching her body dance was an electrifying sight. Along with the alcohol in his bloodstream Jake felt like he was in the clouds. It felt like he didn’t have a care in the world and nothing could hurt him. Once they were off stage and her body collided into his, he grabbed onto her waist to keep them from falling over. “I like when you’re excited.” He whispered, breathless from singing. In that moment any thought exit his mind and the usual part of his brain that stopped him from doing something that he would forget had turned off. Without any hesitation he leaned in and passionately pressed his lips to hers, kissing her as hard as he could.  

Hannah laughed as he confirmed her guess on the song. She hadn’t been entirely sure about the song but his excitement had told her she was right. “I don’t know, it was such a great song,” she laughed, nodding her head. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, from the laughter and from being around an old flame. “We can find a new hit to sing, we are a dynamic duo when we get up on that stage.” There had been a time in which Hannah would have never got up on a stage to sing a song but with Jake, he had always convinced her to do something out of her comfort zone. “What song are you thinking?” She questioned him with the raise of a brow, leaning in with her inhibitions low.

“A dynamic duo indeed.” Jake let out a laugh, remembering how crazy their duets used to be. At her next question, he was about to respond when his gaze glanced down an empty karaoke stage. “Let’s find out.” Without any hesitation he reached for her hand and guided her on stage. Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton showed up on the screen which quickly caused him to laugh. “I should have known that our new song would be country. We’re not in New York anymore.” A part of him was happy that they were both in North Carolina instead of the big city. Fallbrook had been their fresh start and it was just what they both needed. 

Hannah clinked her glass against his own before tossing back most of the drink. The liquor had already been hitting her with their first drink and now their second was going down just as quickly. “Oh my goodness,” Hannah laughed, pressing a hand to her stomach as Jake reminded her of that night so long ago. “For the life of me,” she hummed, taking another sip of her drink as she thought about song the would have sang at the karaoke bar. “Oh, oh! My God,” Hannah laughed again as her brows raised, “I actually think it was I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry.”

The first drink went down easily, almost too easily. The way their conversation flowed made drinking with Hannah so effortless. It really felt like they were back in college and this was just another Friday night. “Yes!” He chimed back in excitement. “How could I forget that song?” He questioned himself through another laugh. “That song is a bit of an oldie now, I think we need to find a new song to sing.” Jake insisted while taking another swig of his whiskey. For the first time since his mothers sudden marriage he was actually having a good time. In his head he would tell himself that it was because of the whiskey. But truthfully, Hannah was the main contributor to him having a good time. 

“Of course, Jake,” it was far from what she could do for him, at least in terms of making up what she had done all those years ago. Hannah was certain she would be making up for that for the rest of her life. She kept her hand on his for the rest of the carriage ride. The brunette couldn’t bring herself to move it, the warmth, the comfort, the need to be close to him again all overwhelming enough to keep it there. Once the ride was over, she followed him into the closest bar, thankful he knew where he was going because she felt all turned around. “Hmm,” she lifted her own glass with his, thinning her lips for a moment, “cheers to baby seal Hannah.” It was lighthearted enough and she hoped it would be a start to keeping his mind off of his mother and her new husband.

“Cheers to baby seal Hannah.” Jake clinked their glasses together before he took a large sip. It was then that his green hues locked on hers and a flood of memories entered his mind. They had spent many nights together roaming around college bars and falling deeper in love. “Do you remember that night in senior year when we got so drunk at that karaoke bar?” He asked through a soft chuckle. “But I can’t remember what song we sang. What the hell was it?” His laugh grew louder with the hope that she would remember. 

Hannah hated to see him like that. The anger was apparent in his tone and it made her heart sink to the pit of her stomach. She really had no right to be comforting him, not after all the pain she had caused him in the past but they were here, together and he needed her. Hannah wasn’t going to turn her back on him, not again. Not ever. “No, you are fine,” she smiled back at him at his attempt at a smile in her direction. “I totally understand your frustrations and you never have to think you are going to ruin the night for expressing your feelings.” Hannah told him, wanting to comfort him further, “I would be just as upset as you if I was in your shoes, Jake, it’s not unwarranted by any means.”

The way she was comforting him slowly put a smile back on his face. “Thank you.” He responded while giving her hand a gentle squeeze. As much as he wanted to be angry at his mother it truly wasn’t in his nature. His personality was exactly why he was sitting with Hannah right now. Most people would have hated someone for what she had did to him, but not Jake. Anger was temporary for him and that was his blessing and his curse. Once the carriage ride was over, he guided her to the closest bar that they could find and sat in a corner booth. “Alright Sanderson, what are we cheersing too?” He asked while he lifted his glass of whiskey into the air.