AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then let’s get there, because I’m ready for a beer,” Clark said.
Richard and Clark took the front seats while Lizzy and I bounced around in the back. Wherever this campsite was, it was off the beaten path. Just the way I like it. And when we arrived, it looked…perfect. There were four tents set up, one for each of us, and the campfire in the middle. It wasn’t luxurious. If anything, Richard seemed to be a minimalist when it came to camping. No chairs or air mattresses. I knew right then, saying yes to this trip was the right decision for me. By the expression on Lizzy’s face, I could tell she didn’t feel the same way.
“I hope you don’t expect me to sleep in that tent alone,” Lizzy said.
“Lizzy, it’s not that bad, trust me. You’ll enjoy having all that room to yourself,” I said.
“No, I won’t. I’ll be up all night worried what creepy-crawly is about to get me,” she said.
I couldn’t blame her. I wasn’t a fan of bugs either, but this weekend I didn’t care.
Clark smiled and said, “I’m probably going to be up most of the night. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything unwanted slither into your tent.”
Lizzy giggled, and Richard said gruffly, “There won’t be any slithering going on.”
I almost burst out laughing because he sounded like a father disciplining his children. Sadly, neither Lizzy nor Clark seemed to be listening. I leaned closer to him and said, “I guess the campfire songs are out, too.”
My attempt to lighten the mood worked and he said, “Darn. I brought my harmonica and everything.” I smiled, and he said, “One thing I didn’t have time to do is gather the wood.”
I wasn’t sure if he was inviting me or giving me a hint. But I needed a few minutes alone with Lizzy and this was the perfect excuse. “Lizzy, I mean, Elizabeth, I need your help. We’re in charge of getting the wood.”
“There’s some over there,” she said pointing to a small pile.
“Guess you don’t want to keep the bear away, because that’s not going to last,” I said. That was all the motivation Lizzy needed, because she was by my side and ready to go in three seconds flat. Once we were out of earshot, I said, “Lizzy, what’s wrong with you? You flirted with Clark the entire flight.”
“Duh. He’s gorgeous.”
“And I’m here to be with his brother. You promised you wouldn’t make this all about you, remember?”
“Yes,” she sighed, picking up more sticks and stacking them in my arms. “Why couldn’t he have been ugly? It would’ve made this so much easier.”
I feel the same way.
“This is only for two nights. I’m sure you can fight your…urges that long,” I said.
Lizzy chuckled. “Does that go for you, too? Because I wasn’t the only one flirting.”
“I was not.”
“Really. You might have been looking out the window, but you had your hand high up on his thigh almost the whole way.”
I was about to tell her she imagined that, but thinking back, she was right. “Oh, great. I liked it better when I only had to worry about you.”
“First of all, there is nothing to worry about. We are all grown adults. If Clark and I decide to share a tent or just marshmallows, it’s no one’s business but our own.”
“Funny, that wasn’t your position when I wanted you to stay out of my love life.” I laughed and the wood slipped from my hands and went crashing down in front of me. Unfortunately, one of the larger pieces bounced and caught me right in the shin. I yelped in pain and dropped to sit on the ground. Even though I had been wearing the appropriate hiking boots, I had on a pair of jean shorts because it was warm.
“You’re bleeding,” Lizzy exclaimed. “I’ll go get help.”
“No, it’s okay,” I said, more afraid that Lizzy would get lost on her way back to the camp. “Give me a minute and it will stop.”
“How do you know? Look at it, it is running down into your sock.” Lizzy looked like she was about to be sick.
“Deep breaths, Lizzy. And stop looking if it makes you sick,” I ordered.
“Joyelle?” I heard Richard’s deep voice call out.
“She’s over here,” Lizzy yelled before I could. “Hurry. She’s hurt!””
