Finally, we climbed out. The campsite was surrounded by trees, the air was filled with pine. I checked out the site while the guys opened the back of the trailer. A large, flat dirt area with a fire pit stood in the center. Through the trees I could see the water, to left and to right, nothing but more trees. Yeah, the group site was definitely a good call.
Zeke and Miles walked past as they talked about where to put the tents.
“Hey, Red,” Isaac said as he left the truck.
“Hey, did you two drive Zeke crazy on the drive?” I pulled my bag out of the back of Asher’s truck.
Isaac chuckled. “Maybe.”
I shook my head as we watched Miles and Zeke go over the campsite. “So, how long to set up? I want to go swimming.”
“It usually takes us an hour, sometimes two.” Ethan joined us on my other side. “If the two bosses agree on camp set up that is.”
“Once it took them an hour to agree on where to put everything,” Isaac stage whispered.
I snorted. Why would it take an hour?
Miles and Zeke agreed and headed back to us.
“Tents first,” Zeke announced as he reached the back of the trailer then pulled out a large bag and handed it to Asher.
“Is Lexie crashing in our tent?” Isaac joined us at the back of the trailer.
“No, she has her own small tent,” Miles turned to me as the others went to start setting up the tent. “I thought you’d like some privacy.”
“And a place to change,” I added. “Thanks, Miles.”
“Of course.” Miles left to help the others.
Zeke held out a teal nylon bag without looking at me. “That’s a two-person tent. It has a mesh roof but there’s a rainfly inside that you can use to cover the roof if you want.”
I took it from him. “Thanks. So, where am I putting my tent?”
“I’d say not too far from the fire ring.” Zeke turned and surveyed the site. “But far enough that you don’t have to worry about us walking by with the mesh roof.”
Okay, that made sense; all the guys were probably taller than the tent.
“And since you hate snakes…” I shuddered dramatically while he smiled and he picked up another tent bag. “I’d say not far into the long grass.”
“Aye, aye, captain” I saluted him before heading to the site to find a spot. I found a nice one under a couple of trees and across the way from the tent Miles and the twins were putting up. Just on the edge of the long grass, far enough to give me some privacy.
Apparently Zeke had the same idea, only he was in the long grass further behind and to the left of the guys. I got to work setting up my tent.
By the time I had my small dome tent up the others were done. Zeke even had time to set up a hammock between two trees.
Isaac came toward me carry a big rectangle of something white and bulky. “Get the flap, Red.”
I didn’t even ask why, I just opened it. Isaac dropped what I was guessing was a futon mattress onto my tent floor.
Isaac squatted down and untied the bundle, then stretched it out. It was a twin-size mattress.
“Okay, that’s pretty cool.” I admitted.
“And comfy as hell.” Isaac turned and dropped onto his back in my tent.
“How are you worn out? It’s just past noon,” I teased as I poked his leg.
“I’m not.” He grinned up at me. “I’m just avoiding helping with the rest of the mattresses.”
I smacked his leg.
He groaned dramatically as he got up. “I gotta help Zeke get his.”
“I imagine that one isn’t a twin.” I got to my feet.
“No, it’s like an extra-long queen or something,” he muttered as he headed to the trailer.
It only took a couple of hours, but soon we had the camp set up. The deluxe barbecue with griddle plate was big enough to cook for our group and then some. The shower was set up out away from the tents with tarps and a hose running from one of the spigots. With everyone’s stuff put away, and the camp chairs by the fire ring, everything was set up.
Asher made sandwiches for lunch and chips. We were eating around the fire place when someone broke the silence.
“Jessica asked to come with us.” Asher wiped his fingers on his napkin.
Everyone went still.
“What?” Zeke’s brows drew down.
“I second that, she hates camping.” Ethan leaned forward bracing his elbows on his knees.
Asher shrugged as he picked up a chip off his plate. “I know. I asked why and she wouldn’t say.”
Zeke got to his feet, set his plate on his chair and walked away toward the lake as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. No one bothered to ask what he was doing. Why?
Zeke
Jessica wanting to go camping? No, something wasn’t right. I pulled out my phone as I moved down the sandy shore of the lake.
On the second ring, she answered. “Yeah?”
“Why did you want to go camping?” I growled.
“’Cause…”
“Why? You knew Lexie is going to be here, and we all know what you think about her.” My shoulders grew tense as she didn’t answer. Was Jason being a dick? Was there something going on that she didn’t tell anyone about? My head ran with the worst case scenarios. “Is someone threatening you?”
“No!”
“Then why?”
The silence was thick on her side of the phone.
“J.J. Why?” I tried to stay as calm as I could.
She sighed. “I just… don’t want to be alone in the house.” That had some truth to it but that wasn’t all of it. She had a certain tone when she lied.
“Why?” I hated this run around bullshit. “Maria is right next door. You know you can stay with her in the spare room.”
“I just don’t want to be here, okay.” She wasn’t going to tell me.
So, she didn’t want to be there alone, and Maria’s was too close to the house… “Pack a bag, and head out to my house. Sylvie can use the company and you can crash in my room. Just don’t fucking spray that shit in there.”
“It’s perfume, Zeke,” she teased, her voice lighter. “It doesn’t smell like shit.”
“Yeah, it fucking does.” Didn’t she have a sense of smell?
She made an aggravated noise.
“And don’t fuck up my room,” I rubbed my eyes with one hand. “I don’t want to come back and find glitter all over my shit again.”
“We were eight.” Her voice was dry. “Are you ever going to let that go?”
“No.” It had been fucking glitter and all over my clothes. And Asher had said it was fucking pink.
She giggled. “I’ll head over to Sylvie’s. But I’m sleeping on the couch. Your room is probably creepy as hell.” There was a long pause. “Thanks, Z.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Lexie
Zeke came back into camp as he tucked his phone away.
“Thanks, Zeke,” Asher said out of the blue.
Zeke only nodded before he picked up his plate and sat back down again.
I thought about asking what he did but then thought better of it.
Rory pulled up and parked next to Asher’s truck. The guys didn’t even groan as they got out of the truck. Everyone got up and headed to help set them up.
Tara pulled a backpack out of Rory’s truck and headed toward us.
“Where are you guys going?” Tara asked.
“We’re setting up your tent and Rory’s stuff.” I pointed out. What? Did she think it was magically going to happen itself?
“Let the guys do that.” Tara waved her hand.
I rolled my eyes and went to help the guys.
Rory pulled me aside while the guys worked to get his tent set up. “I want Tara to bunk with you.”
“What?” I hissed. No, no, no way. Yeah, she’d been nice yesterday but that didn’t mean it was going to last. “I’m sorry, I’d like to enjoy camping.”
“Lexie,” he sa
id in his lecturing voice.
Ah crap.
“I want you two to get to know each other. Maybe do a little bonding.” His face was serious.
“That’s like oil and fire, they’re explosive,” I pointed out.
“Try,” he ordered.
I growled. “If she ends up with a black eye, it’s your fault.”
“Thanks, kid.”
It wasn’t long before we had Rory and Tara set up. Though Tara bitched more than I did when she learned she was going to sleep in my tent.
Tired of listening, I turned to the others. “Can we go swimming now?”
“Now, that is a good idea.” Miles started for their tent.
Asher got to his feet. “Sounds good to me.”
Everyone headed to their tents to change. Everyone but Rory who was already in Zeke’s hammock ready for a nap. With Hades stretched out in the shade below him, it was quite the sight.
Tara stomped past me toward the tent with her backpack. “I can’t believe I have to share a tent with you and that flea covered mutt.”
“Hey!” I glared at her. “He doesn’t have fleas.”
She huffed as she ducked into the tent.
“This is going to be fun.” I took a deep breath and went inside.
Luckily, our tent was big enough for us to stand in, if we hunched over. Ten points for being short! I zipped the flap closed and went to my stuff on the right of the tent. I got an elbow in the back from Tara.
“Ow.” I bit out.
“Get on your side,” she snapped.
“I’m in the fucking middle.” I shot back as I pulled off my shirt. “It’s the only place to stand.”
She huffed as we both worked on getting changed. I nailed her a couple of times with my elbow or clothes and she got me again. In the end, I said fuck it and sat on my sleeping bag to get dressed. When I was finally done, I just lay down and waited for her to be done too. I was watching the trees sway in the small breeze when Tara eyed me.
“What?” I was sick of being stared at.
“Nothing,” she muttered before she held up an aerosol can. “Want to use the spray on sunscreen?”
I eyed her as if she was a pod person. “Sure. But outside, you don’t want that stuff all over everything.”
Tara smiled a little and unzipped the flap. We got out. I sprayed her first, making sure she was covered.
When it was my turn, she hesitated. “Where’d you get those scars?”
“It’s none of your business.” I put my hands on my hips
“You didn’t have them at the beginning of the summer.” She met my gaze.
“No. I didn’t.” I gestured at the spray bottle. “Are you going to spray me or do I have to go use my own?”
“Turn around.” She gestured. I did. She sprayed me down thoroughly.
“I do like that it’s faster.” I grabbed my towel off the top of the tent.
“Yeah, but there’s always the chance that you run out of sunscreen before the aerosol runs out. Then you just burn.” She held up the can. “This is a brand-new bottle.” Tara tossed the can into the tent, grabbed her towel and headed toward the lake. That was odd. Tara was… well, not pleasant but not hostile… maybe this won’t be so bad?
I headed for the lake. The guys were already on the shore. I had to stop. Oh holy mother of muscles and tone… All of the guys, except Zeke were shirtless. Holy... muscle and definition... oh my…. I swallowed hard. Hard planes and nice lines... muscles... I pulled myself out of it before the guys noticed I was drooling.
I took my eyes off them as I started toward the guys as they continued to argue. There were at least two other groups in the water further up the shoreline. Tara was already with one and laughing. How did she do that? She just went up to people and said hi?
“Let’s just get the skis in the water now.” Isaac shifted from one foot to another.
“We do have most of the afternoon.” Ethan flicked a mosquito off his arm. “Let’s just relax.”
“Will you guys just make a fucking decision?” Zeke crossed his arms over his chest.
“It doesn’t really matter when, they’re going to sit in the water the entire trip.” Asher gestured at the lake.
“Just leave them for now.” Miles’ eyes found and ran over me. “They’re still hooked up to the solar chargers…” Miles’ lips pressed into a tight line, his eyes growing chilly. I looked down expecting something to be hanging out. But nope, my girls were still in my sporty blue suit top and my black boy short bottoms were exactly where they were supposed to be.
When I looked up, everyone but Isaac and Asher had a stunned expression. “What?”
Zeke clenched and unclenched his jaw as he turned away from the group to watch the water. Asher was rubbing his neck, Miles was tapping his leg as Ethan spun his rings.
“Your scars.” Asher was the first to speak up.
“What? You guy have seen them before.” Hell, they weren’t gawking at all the thin scars on Isaac’s chest. I tried to remember when the last time we went swimming was.“Haven’t you?”
Isaac met my eyes and shook his head. Oh shit...
“I’m going to put the jet skis in the water.” Zeke walked by without looking at me.
My heart sank. They kept staring.
Okay, enough. It was starting to get to me. “Alright, everyone get a good look?” I turned half way around so they could see they went all the way around to the back of my hip. I turned back to them and gestured at the scars on my thigh then pulled the strap of my top away so they could see the puncture scar under my collar bone. “’Cause if you don’t stop staring, I’m going to put a shirt on and that’ll just piss me off.”
“That might not be a bad idea,” Miles said as if he was thinking out loud.
My ego took a hit. I wrapped my arms around my stomach. “They don’t look that bad.” Yeah, they were thicker and more obvious than Isaac’s but still…
Miles eyes focused on mine again as they grew wide. “Oh, no, no. That’s not what I was saying. I meant….” His ears turned pink as he took a breath. “I meant, that way Zeke won’t keep seeing them.”
The others nodded.
I shook my head. “No.”
“Ally…”
“No.” I repeated, getting irritated. “I’m not putting on a shirt because I have scars. I don’t care if people see them. It’s my body and if I’m not fucking willing to hide them, then it’s nobody else’s business.”
Ethan’s lips lifted into a half grin. “Whatever you say, Beautiful.”
I snorted as Zeke moved the trailer with the skis into the water at the boat ramp. He put the truck in park and got out. The guys went to help while Isaac stayed with me.
“They don’t look bad, Red.” His voice was soft as he smiled down at me.
“Thanks, Cookie Monster,” I whispered back.
We headed over to the boat launch where Miles and Asher were in waist deep water and moving the skis off the trailer. Ethan and Zeke got the other two.
Isaac waded into the water and took Zeke’s jet ski. “We’ll go around to the shore.” They started the engines.
Zeke waved, got into the truck and pulled the trailer out of the water. I walked back through the grass to the shore. The guys had turned off the engines, parked the skis on the sand and seemed to be waiting.
“So, you guys are going jet skiing…”
“Have you ever been?” Miles asked as he started rubbing sunscreen into his face.
When would I have had the chance? “Nope.”
“It’s like flying over the water, Red. You’ll love it.” Isaac grinned.
“But first, someone needs to show her how one works,” Zeke declared as he reached the shore with an arm full of life jackets.
“I’ll show her,” Asher volunteered as he buckled his life jacket. “You keep an eye on Isaac.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.” Isaac began to push one of the skis out to deeper water.
“
Ethan, are you feeling up to coming out?” Miles asked.
Ethan clicked his dark red life jacket closed. “Hell yeah.”
“Then you’re with me.” Miles began pushing his ski out.
Zeke snapped his black life jacket on and took another ski.
Isaac was on his first, he started the engine. Zeke moved faster, got on and started the engine. Isaac snickered and gunned it.
“Fuck!” Zeke growled as he gunned it so he could catch up with Isaac.
“Rude!” Ethan shouted from the back of Miles’ ski. Miles left the shallows at a more reasonable speed.
I turned and looked up at Asher with an eyebrow raised.
“You’re not supposed to accelerate until you’re further out from the shore. The waves could be dangerous to swimmers,” he explained as he brought the ski out to hip high water.
I left my sandals in the sand and walked out to him where the water almost passed my belly button.
He brought my attention to the handles. He tapped the right. “It accelerates when you pull the right lever, more pull means you go faster. And the left lever is your break and reverse.” He pointed at the center screen. “This tells you how fast you’re going.”
I waited for him to continue, when he didn’t, I looked up at him. “That’s it?”
He smiled. “That’s it.”
“So, that’s all the instruction I’m going to get before you guys let me ride a several thousand-dollar jet ski?” Were they fucking insane? They’ve seen me trip over my own feet!
Asher chuckled. “The trickiest part is knowing when to lean into a turn, and hit the brake because you’re going too fast. That’s all experience. Not falling over is rather instinctual.”
“Again, that’s it?” He was kidding, right?
He laughed. “That’s it.” He turned the ski so we were at the back. “Watch how I get on.” He grabbed the handle on the back of the seat, lifted his knee to the back of the ski and pulled himself up. He settled on the seat and looked over his shoulder. “Come on.”
I grabbed the handle and did as he did. Huh, it was easier than I thought it would be. I sat on the seat behind him and zipped up my life vest.
When the Dead Have It Easy Page 8