I held up my hand for perfect silence. I tucked the instrument beneath my chin, positioned my fingers as I lifted the bow…

And began to play the Benny Hill theme.

They all burst out laughing. But that wasn’t the only song in my repertoire. I transitioned to the Charlie Daniels Band, and Jess got out of her seat, holding her drink in one hand as she danced around the fire. She pulled Manson out of his chair and he gave her a twirl before he caught her close in his arms. Jason clapped to the tune as they danced, and even Lucas still had a smile on his face as he watched them.

Nights where we got to let loose and enjoy each other’s company were too few and far between. But Jess had snapped all of us out of our heads. She’d made us adjust our reality and try something new. She even managed to get Lucas out of his seat for a dance, albeit briefly.

She eventually stumbled into Jason’s lap, laughing drunkenly as she rested her head on his shoulder. I switched it up again and slowed the pace to something calm and mellow. That was one of my favorite things about music — how it could tug people’s emotions and change the mood with only a few notes. Between my slow pull on the strings, the crackling fire, and the alcohol, I could tell everyone was beginning to tire.

As the fire died down, Jess yawned and stretched in Jason’s arms.

“I think that’s a sign, boys,” he said, helping Jess to her feet with an arm around her waist. “It’s probably time to tuck in.”

Manson nodded as he got out of his seat, pausing to stretch. Lucas buried the last smoldering coals, and Jess blinked up at me sleepily, her head resting against Jason’s chest.

“You’re sleeping right here with us tonight,” I said, leaning down to kiss her soft lips, then Jason’s. She looked so comfortable in his arms, stifling a yawn behind her hand. Manson came up alongside her, taking her hand as it lowered and kissing her knuckles. She smiled, humming a drunk little tune as she trudged up the back steps.

Then Lucas swooped up behind her, snatching her from between Manson and Jason and scooping her into his arms. She gasped, her eyes going wide as she looked up at him.

“I’m not going to watch you trip and fall flat on your face trying to get upstairs,” he said. “I’m carrying you to bed.”

“My bed is the biggest,” I called to Lucas as Manson opened the door for him to carry Jess inside. “Everybody can pile in.”

“I’m going to be sweating my ass off with all you fucks,” Jason said, but he was a sucker for cuddling and wouldn’t have it any other way.