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Jay
Thesunwasbarelycresting over the horizon when Parker and I finished the prep for our backpacking trip a few days later.I tried to put on a brave facade, but I couldn’t settle my nerves.My hands trembled as I tried to stuff my sleeping bag into its sack, memories of the bear encounter lingering in my mind like a bad dream.
How could I do this without Aiden?I needed his insight, his confidence, and his wisdom to get through something as difficult as another backpacking trip.Plus, I was sure I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep in a tent with Parker.
“Hey, you okay there?”Parker asked, his light brown hair falling into his eyes as he looked at me with genuine concern.As I forced a smile, I tried to remember that he wasn’t just a goofball — he was as experienced as Aiden was.
“Yeah, I’m nervous, I guess.Not the biggest fan of backpacking.”
“Nothing to be nervous about,” Parker reassured, patting me on the back.“I doubt that bear is around anymore.”
“Aiden told you about that?”I asked.
“Yeah, he’s my best friend.Tells me everything.How about this — if you feel nervous, we’ll have a totally platonic cuddle in the tent to feel better.”
I snorted.“That’s how Aiden and I started everything.”
“I know, but I assure you that I can remain unaffected by your charms,” Parker said, his eyes sparkling with humor.“I love Aiden and wouldn’t do that to him.Besides, what’s a little spooning between friends, right?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his offer, despite my anxiety.As much as I appreciated having Parker around, it wasn’t quite the same as having Aiden by my side.I missed him already, and we hadn’t even left yet.
Right as I was about to respond to Parker’s jest, Aiden appeared, his face unreadable as he took in the scene before him.He seemed to zero in on Parker’s words, and something in his expression shifted—almost as if he were hurt or angry.
“Spooning?”Aiden’s mouth was a firm line.
“Hey, I’m not moving in on your man.Jay is worried he might be scared at night,” Parker said.
Aiden looked from me to Jay, blinking slowly, then blew out a breath.“Snuggling is fine if Jay is afraid,” he said tersely.His voice was devoid of its usual warmth.Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me confused and worried.
Parker didn’t seem to notice Aiden’s reaction, continuing to joke and laugh as he returned to our checklist.But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, and I knew I had to find out what was bothering Aiden.
“Hey, I need to go see what’s up with him, alright?”I told Parker, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.“I’ll be right back.”
“Sure thing, buddy,” he replied with a nod, his eyes crinkling in amusement.
Turning away from Parker, I spotted Aiden disappearing down a path in the trees, his back straight and tense as he plodded along.I jogged after him, needing to run to catch up with his long strides.
“Aiden, wait,” I called, and he stopped and turned to face me, his expression closed off and unreadable.
“Hey,” I panted, struggling for breath.“What’s wrong?Why did you walk away like that?”
Aiden hesitated for a moment before reaching into his pocket and pulling out an air horn.“I came over to give you this,” he said, holding it out to me.“It’s like the one I used to scare the bear away a few weeks ago.I thought it might help you feel safer since I can’t be there.”
I stared at the air horn in his hand, touched by the thoughtful gesture.“Thank you,” I whispered, my heart swelling with an intense wave of affection for him.Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed him tenderly, wanting to convey my gratitude and reassure him that everything was okay between us.
Aiden responded to the kiss, but there was still a lingering tension in his body.When we broke apart, his eyes held a mixture of vulnerability and uncertainty, as if he were afraid to let himself hope.He pulled back and met my eyes.
“You can do this, Jay.You have the skills.You don’t need Parker to babysit you.Or to spoon you.Understand?”
“Got it,” I said, warmed by his confidence in me.“Is something bothering you?”I asked gently, tracing my thumb along his jawline.“You know you can talk to me about anything.”
Aiden sighed, looking away from me.“I just… I saw you and Parker, and I couldn’t help feeling…” He hesitated, glancing away.
As soon as Aiden opened his mouth again, Parker’s voice cut through the moment.“Jay, we need to get going!The campers are getting antsy, and we need to make it to the campsite before dusk!”
“Right,” I murmured, giving Aiden one last lingering look.I shrugged helplessly and reached out and squeezed his hand.“See you in two days?”
“Two days.Fuck,” he whispered, then leaned down and kissed my forehead.I squeezed his hand one last time, then turned to follow an eager Parker, who was bouncing from foot to foot, looking impatient.
