Fuck me.
And fuck Korren. Uncle Rhodes and I literally had this same conversation two weeks ago, before the big mission—back when I was camping in his backyard while he got the campervan ready—and he’d more or less promised it would be mine for the summer.
Or maybe I’d been so desperate I willfully misinterpreted him.
Either way, I was counting on that goddamned campervan.
Uncle Rhodes gives me a stern look that says I deserve this, and he’s testing how I’ll react. Fuck him.
“Dex. Chill. Everything’s going to work out in the end, all right? It’s solstice—have a beer, talk shit with the rest of the crew, and roast some damn marshmallows over the bonfire. I know it’s been a big week. We’re all stressed.”
Easy for him to say. His entire life isn’t riding on this fucking campervan.
I’m about ready to storm off home to my tent—or maybe drink until I pass out and it doesn’t matter where I’m sleeping—when I catch sight of a distant cabin on the lakeshore. And that reminds me of something that would be a hundred times better than the campervan.
“Uncle Rhodes?”
“Yeah?”
“You know that cabin you’ve got?”
Uncle Rhodes’ eyes light up. “That’s an idea. It’s leaky as hell, and half the floor needs replacing, but I’m sure someone in this crew would be up for the job. Problem is, it’s a damn good deal, so it needs to go to someone deserving. That means—”
“C’mon, Uncle. Don’t make me beg.”
“You’re going to compete for it. Same as everyone else here.”
He looks way too pleased about whatever idea he’s just had.
“Boys!” Uncle Rhodes calls. “And Cami! Get over here!”
The rest of the crew ambles over, still talking and laughing. Garret’s cheeks are red from the heat of the fire, and Cami is snorting with amusement about something Brett said. I trade a sour look with new-guy Korren, whose eyes are dark with an intensity that tells me he wants that cabin almost as badly as I do.
“Who here wants a free cabin to live in?” Uncle Rhodes roars.
The crew gives a cheer.
When the noise dies down, he continues. “We’re going to play a game, d’you hear? Winner gets my cabin, forever. You’ll just have to fix it up, which is no big deal for you guys, right?”
There are a few chuckles at this, obviously remembering Ambrose’s disastrous attempt to repair the shed at the fire station. When you live in such a remote part of Alaska, you really need to learn your way around a few tools. It’s not exactly easy to call in a professional for most jobs.
“What’s the game?” Garret demands.
“I’m going to split you guys up into pairs, and you’re gonna play gay chicken. Last one standing gets the cabin.”
“Isn’t that homophobic?” Garret asks.
“Is anyone here gay?” Uncle Rhodes asks, scanning the group.
Cami puts her hand up enthusiastically, but no one else moves.
“Thought so. So it doesn’t matter.”
“Does that mean you’re going to find a girl for me to play with?” Cami asks with a cheeky grin.
“No, but don’t you already own a house outright? You’re disqualified.”
We all chuckle at this.
