When they reached the car, Ricki held the back door open for Madeline as Abby climbed into the driver’s seat.
“Oh, I can’t remember when someone held the door open for me,” Madeline said with a hint of surprise in her voice.
After Ricki got into the car, Madeline slid toward her and put her head on Ricki’s shoulder. Abby narrowed her eyes, watching from the rearview mirror.
“Why can’t I be a bisexual?” Madeline groaned. “You are just too yummy.”
“Stop harassing Ricki,” Abby said with more bite in her tone than she intended.
While Abby knew Madeline was playing, Ricki didn’t need the aggravation, especially considering everything going on withMissy. Of course, Madeline knew none of it, but still Abby’s protectiveness of Ricki was heightened.
“That’d be perfect,” Blythe said. “Then we could double date.”
Abby shot a dirty look at Blythe, who seemed oblivious to it. The thought of Ricki with Madeline left her feeling uneasy. Madeline was her best friend, but she couldn’t see her with Ricki. She wasn’t sure who she’d pair with Ricki, but Madeline wasn’t it. She didn’t have time to think further since Blythe was staring at her, waiting for her to start the car.
“Do I have to separate you two?” Abby said before putting the car in gear. She’d put a jovial note in her voice, but she wasn’t sure she’d succeeded when she met Ricki’s gaze in the mirror.
“Um, we’d better buckle up.” Ricki moved away from Madeline and buckled her seat belt. “You should put yours on, too.”
Madeline let out an exaggerated sigh. “My bisexuality has been thwarted under the guise of safety.” She moved over and snapped her seat belt into place.
“All right, all the precious cargo is secure.” Abby glanced at Blythe. “Do you have your seat belt on?”
Blythe grabbed her seat belt from across her chest and then let it snap back into place. “Yes, ma’am. We are ready for takeoff.”
CHAPTER 33
The scent of burningfirewood brought back fond memories of Blythe’s childhood. When she was younger, her family loved to camp. With so many kids, they couldn’t afford elaborate vacations, so they’d find campgrounds where they could pitch their tents. Their usual destinations were Wisconsin or Indiana. She didn’t remember them ever coming this direction.
“Are there campgrounds around Harveston?” Blythe asked Abby, who was tossing wood onto the fire.
“I’m sure there are,” Abby said. “We never went camping since my family owns several acres of woods.”
Blythe perked up. “Your family owns a campground?”
“Dude, she said they had woods, not a campground. Pay attention,” Ricki said and took another swig of her beer.
“Oh. Well, that’s still pretty cool.” Blythe put her bottle to her lips and discovered it was empty. “Fuck.”
“Is your beer gone already?” Abby flipped open the cooler and pulled out another.
“These are going down way too smooth. There’s something about fire, the night sky, and beer that go together.”
Abby popped the top off and handed the bottle to Blythe.
“Aren’t either of you empty?” Blythe asked.
“I’m almost there.” Ricki tossed back her head and took several gulps. “Ah. Done.”
Abby laughed and took out another beer. She exchanged Ricki’s empty bottle for a full one.
“What about you?” Blythe asked.
Abby held up her bottle and swirled the liquid around. “Over half full. I’m not guzzling them like you two.”
Ricki chuckled. “Beer just goes with this environment. And damn, it tastes better in the country.”
“Just remember, you’re driving back in the morning.” Abby smiled, and the light of the firelight hit her, making her smile more vibrant than usual. “Or drink up, and I can keep you two here longer.”
