9
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? How do I end up going camping with the boy who broke my heart? I’ll be hiking and eating s’mores with the person I hate the most in the world.
Um… Blake or Peter? It’s a close contest right now. Who do I hate the most? I’m not sure.
Neither Corrie nor I have packed for camping. Our fancy heels and purses are not going to help much when we’re in the middle of the woods. We need parkas, hiking boots, and baseball caps. Luckily between Marilyn and Mandy, we’ve borrowed enough stuff to be covered. Momma and I packed some food, and Blake has everything else we might need; bug spray, sunblock, towels, camping gear and more food.
“I’m not sure how I’ll like sleeping in a tent,” Corrie says, suddenly having second thoughts. “And it’s so cold out this time of year.”
“Oh, we’ll freeze,” I tell her. “And the ground is so hard, it’ll break your back. And the bugs… you’re okay with bugs, right? And spiders?”
Her eyes grow wide. “I hate bugs.”
I wince. “How ‘bout slugs… they’re all over the place in the morning… on the ground, on your sleeping bag. I once found one in my underwear.”
Corrie pulls a face – she’s terrified. She’s really second guessing her decision to tag along. She’s not exactly the roughing-it type.
I burst out laughing. “I’m just joshing you, Corrie. Blake has a nice comfy camper,” I tell her. “Marilyn told me all about it. Apparently, he’s really set up… queen size beds with mattress heaters.”
She lets out a huge breath of relief and throws a pair of rolled up socks at my head. “Bitch!”
I laugh. That was fun.
We’re almost all packed and ready to go when my phone dings – it’s a new incoming email. I’ve become a slave to my phone, like everyone else on this continent.
My hearts hammers – it’s from Peter.
Hello sweetheart,
I hope you’re well. I’ve been busy with work.
I see that you’re back home. I’m glad you’re spending time with your family. I saw the pictures on your Facebook – you look amazing in those pics, btw. That Blake guy still around? Is he married yet or still a bachelor?
I miss you, Maeve. I’m still so sorry about what happened. Maybe we can start over? From the beginning. No strings.
Bye for now,
Peter
PS. Say hello to everyone for me.
Of course he’s busy with work – it was the reason we weren’t able to book a honeymoon, which was actually a blessing after all.
Start over? No strings? What does that mean? He doesn’t want to marry me, but he wants to fool around?
I’m suddenly livid. “Check this out,” I say to Corrie and hand her my phone. She reads the message with undisguised curiosity.
“Fuck, yeah,” she cheers. “The guy issofreakin’ jealous… he’s asking about Blake. And he obviously wants to do you so bad. I mean who wouldn’t… you look fucking hot in those photos. We’ve got him right where we want him. I bet he’s really regretting walking out on you right about now.”
“Okay… settle down,” I tease. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”
I steal my phone back from her and finish up my packing. I’m actually really looking forward to this trip – I haven’t been camping in forever. I used to love it, but Peter wouldn’t be caught dead camping.
“So what should I do?” I ask Corrie.
She cocks a brow as she zips up her duffel bag. “Nothing,” she says. “You do absolutely nothing. Don’t even acknowledge his email. Make him sweat.”
I bite my lip. “Sounds a little harsh, don’t you think?”
