Love on Leave

by Leah McDonnell

  “Wooooo Hooooo! That was in-fucking-credible! ” Jackson yells, pumping his paddle in the air.

  I look over to see Jenn straight-faced and pale white. “You ok?”

  “I don’t know how you all are laughing. That was scary as hell!” she shouts over the noise of the river.

  I pat her leg. “You’ll get used to it pretty quick. I promise.”

  Mile after mile, the rapids get faster and the drops get bigger. Only slowing long enough for us to take quick breathers. The group has found their sea legs and finally paddling in unison.

  As we make our way to the end of the three-hour journey, Santos yells from the back, “I won’t lie. I wasn’t too sure about this when Artie first mentioned it. But gotta admit, this has been an absolute blast!”

  “Damn right! This is freaking awesome!” Artie says. “Max is going to be so bummed he missed out on this!”

  My stomach sinks at the mention of his name. I spot Lana nudge his knee and he grimaces when he realizes what he’s said.

  “It’s ok guys. You don’t have to tiptoe around me.” I smile, hoping to sound as unnerved by the comment as possible.

  My arm and leg muscles are beginning to cramp. So I’m glad to see the end in sight. One final fall that’s optional to go down, is all that’s left.

  “The Beast isn’t for the weak at heart,” our guide says as we drift to the drop-off point. “Who’s with me?”

  Lana, Jenn, and Ashley quickly bail as we make it to the water’s edge. Which is the same thing I’ve done on past trips; always too chicken to make the last run. But even though I’m exhausted, there’s something inside of me determined to conquer this final “Beast” of a fall.

  “Oh my God, Kate! You’re not actually thinking about going on, are you?” Ashley yells as I contemplate.

  I grin. “Yes, ma’am. I do believe I am.”

  Her mouth falls open and all I can do is laugh.

  Lana shakes her head, not believing what she’s about to do. “I’m going to kill you for this!” she yells as she jumps back into the raft.

  Artie gives her a high five. “That’s my girl!”

  I throw Jenn the waterproof camera. “Take some good shots of us as we make this beast our bitch!”

  Jenn and Ash take off to the falls observation deck, as me, Lana and the guys get ourselves rearranged in the raft. Davis takes the empty seat on my row, Artie and Lana are right behind us. Jackson and Santos fill the remaining spots. Our guide sits on the back edge and gives us a quick run-through of instructions on what we need to do, to successfully get down the drop.

  We push off from the river bank and for a brief second, I consider jumping out but force myself to stay put. The roar of the water gets louder and louder as we paddle our way towards the top of the fall. Hundreds of people are watching from the sides, cheering as each raft plummets.

  James’s group is ahead of us, disappearing from sight as they take their turn. My heart pounds faster and faster as we crest the top. My eyes widen as I take in the overwhelming site. The water is foamy white as it churns violent, raging, rapids down the thirty-foot incline. The raft bounces vigorously from side to side as we begin our descent. Vaguely hearing the guide scream “paddle, paddle, paddle,” as the motion of the river throws me up and down the seat like a rag doll. Weightless, I close my eyes and the river grows silent. And if like magic, the pain of the last month blissfully escapes my body, allowing complete freedom for the first time in weeks.

  I open my eyes and we’re at the bottom. We’ve made it through. Cheers, high fives, and hugs erupt through the raft. The guys yell, “Holy shit! That was awesome! Let’s do it again!”

  As we make it to the river bank, Lana jumps out and pumps her fist in the air. “We came! We Saw! We kicked its ass!”

  Artie swoops her in his arms. “You two never cease to amaze me!”

  Davis reaches out his hand to help me from the raft. “Gotta agree with you, Artie. They’re a couple of fearless badasses!” He pulls me in for a congratulatory hug.

  Pumped full of adrenaline and excitement, I embrace the moment without hesitation. Surprised how well my head fits perfectly in the nook of his chest as I breathe in his sweet sweat and deodorant.

  Jenn shouts as she and Ashley catch up to us. “I think we got some amazing pictures!”

  I pull away from Davis, dismissing how comfortable it felt in his arms.

  After a good long rest, we grab lunch at a small restaurant overlooking the river. It has the perfect vantage point to watch others conquer The Beast. We visit the souvenir shop before dragging our aching bones back to the bus. The ride back to Gatlinburg is quiet as we all bask in the much-needed rest.

  It's late afternoon when we arrive back at the cabin. Everyone’s relaxing in the living room as we decide what we should do tonight. Santos tries to rouse a napping Davis for his vote. But he’s out cold.

  Lana’s first to chime in. “My vote is a trip into downtown. We can eat at the seafood place I was telling you about. Then maybe head to the dance club we passed on the way in.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Artie says, reaching to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I would love nothing more than to take my baby out on a date.”

  Jenn yawns. “Y’all, I’m beat. I think I may have to sit this one out.”

  “Me too. I hate to miss out on the fun, but every muscle in my body is screaming at me right now,” Jackson says.

  “By the looks of it, I’m guessing Davis is out too,” Jenn says on his behalf.

  After Ashley and Santos agree to go, Lana makes her way to me. “Kate? What about you? You up for getting out?”

  I think for a second before answering.

  “You know what? I think I will. I’m actually in the mood to get a little crazy tonight.”

  Davis peaks his eyes open and I know instantly he will not be staying behind

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  It’s a beautiful, starry night, as we stroll the streets of downtown Gatlinburg. Rows of little shops flank both sides of the narrow two-lane road. Restaurants, candy shops, and novelty stores wind through the quaint little valley town. We’re dressed to the nines and already buzzed from the two bottles of wine we devoured during dinner.

  Artie rubs his belly. “The meal was incredible, Lana!” Giving her props for her restaurant choice.

  “This whole trip has been incredible!” I add, grabbing her around the neck. “You did us good, girl!”

  She beams with pride. “I have to admit, it has been a pretty awesome trip if I do say so myself!”

  The bass bumps off the buildings as we walk toward the entrance of the club.

  “Let the games begin!” Davis yells as he holds the door open for us. “Let’s show this place how to party!”

  Thankfully, the lady attending the door was the perfect victim for Davis’s irresistible charm, because we’re able to slip Lana through unnoticed. The club is packed, the music is loud, and the drinks are flowing. The distinct smell of chocolate mixed with cigarette smoke wafts through the air. We manage to score two high top tables close to the dimly lit dance floor, as Santos buys us all a round of shots.

  He returns with six blue, flashing, souvenir shot glasses that read, “Everything’s Better in the Smokies.”

  I take a sniff. “Oh, Lord! What are these?”

  He laughs. “They’re Red Headed Sluts. I cock my head, leery.

  “They’re good. I promise.”

  “Before we drink, I’d like to make a toast.” Artie raises his shot in the air. “To my incredibly sweet, incredibly beautiful, girlfriend Lana, for planning this amazing weekend for us.”

  He gives her a quick kiss as Ashley yells, “Hell Yeah!”

  “And to my hard-working comrades, who I am proud to call friends for life!”

  Everyone raises their glasses in the air. “Wait! I’d like to add one more,” Lana pipes. “To Kate! My amazing best friend and partner in crime. We may not be sisters by blood, but we certainly are at
heart. Here’s to many more crazy adventures together!”

  “Cheers, everyone!” There’s a tug in my heart as the six of us clink our glasses and drink.

  I shiver from the taste of the shot and grimace as I choke it down. “Oh my God! There was Jager in that!”

  “Yep!” Santos laughs, enjoying my torment.

  “Disgusting!” Ashley coughs out.

  Davis surveys the crowd as he slams his shot glass on the table. “I have dibs on the next round!”

  By all appearances, with three girls and three guys, it looks as though our group is all paired up. So to avoid raining on Davis’s chick parade, I purposely plant myself between Lana and Ashley.

  Sure enough, it only takes a few minutes before the ladies begin their gravitational pull towards him.

  “Scouring the room for your next victim?” I yell across the table, over the music.

  “Yep! I’ve got my eyes set on the big tit duo sitting at the bar.”

  “Well. Happy hunting!” I say sarcastically, as one of the girls heads our way.

  The beautiful, “big tit” brunette in a hot pink tank top and jean short shorts, saunters to our table.

  “Hey, my friend over there was wondering if you’re here with someone?” she asks, eyeing Ashley and me. He’s turned away from me and the music is so loud, I’m unable to make out what he says to her. Whatever it is, she flashes a smile and flags her friend over.

  She flips her stringy hair off her shoulder. “Well, we think you’re hot!”

  I roll my eyes. That was fucking original.

  Our server, April, brings us another round of drinks. Long Island Ice Teas are the drink of choice for the night and even though I’m only one in, they’re definitely living up to their reputation.

  “Am I losing my mind or does it smell like chocolate in here?”

  April laughs. “Yeah, we get asked that a lot. The club backs up to Griffin’s Candy Shop. They make their candy in-house. Every night I go home smelling like a chocolate-covered ashtray.”

  After she leaves, I dance in my chair and people watch. I eye Davis and give him kudos for his impeccable talents with the opposite sex. It’s entertaining to watch him work. Between his exceptional good looks and bad-boy façade, he has them both eating out of the palm of his hand. Eventually, they pull him on the dance floor. One dances in front of him, the other is at his back, as they grind on him to Coolio’s, “Fantastic Voyage.”

  “I’m so sick of this song!” I moan to Lana, who’s wrapped in Artie’s arms.

  “Oh, I like this one!” She sings a few lyrics. “It’s the damn Ace of Base song I’m sick of hearing.”

  There’s a tap on my shoulder as the music changes.

  “Hey, Beautiful. Up for a dance?”

  I’m caught off guard by the handsome blond who’s popped up behind me.

  “Oh! Hey,” I say, a little lost for words.

  Artie gestures towards the dancefloor. “You should get out there!”

  “Yeah! Go show those bitches how to shake some ass!” Lana adds.

  Hesitantly, I agree. “I’m Kyle, by the way,” he says as we make our way to the middle of the dance floor.

  “Kate!” I shout in his ear.

  The effects of my drinks are catching up to me now that I’m up and moving. The wonderful numb feeling, lifting away every care and worry. I let the rhythm of the music take over, as my new friend pulls me close.

  “You smell good!” I yell.

  “Thanks! It’s CK One. I got it from…” He keeps talking, but I have no idea what he’s saying. The music’s too loud.

  The room sparkles from the prism of the crystal ball spinning above the packed dance floor. I’m in a tipsy fog, but continue dancing as the next song begins. I lift my hair off the sticky sweat pouring from my neck. I spot Davis dancing on the other side of the floor, towering over everyone. He may be hot, but he’s got zero rhythm.

  Davis looks over and our eyes lock. The room slides into slow motion and we become the only two people here. Tunnel vision I can’t seem to pull myself out of.

  “Where are you from?” Kyle asks, tearing me from the moment.

  I shake off the unexpected intensity. “I’m sorry, what?” Needing him to repeat his question.

  He moves closer to my ear. “No worries. I was only asking where you’re from.”

  “Oh, yeah. I’m from Georgia. You?”

  I don’t catch what he’s saying or care enough to have him repeat it. The song ends and I’m not interested in dancing to another one.

  “I’m going to go take a break. But thanks, Kyle. This was awesome.” I say quickly, before sprinting back to our table.

  Confusion is slapped across Lana’s face as I sit. “Um, did I see you and Davis have a weird moment?”

  I play it off. “What? No! I wasn’t even paying him any attention.”

  “Well, he sure as hell was paying you attention. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”

  I shake my head. “Nah. You’re seeing things. Must be all these adult beverages you’ve consumed.”

  “No. Seriously! Even Artie noticed it.” She elbows him to grab his attention.

  “Yeah, he looked over at you every time you and that guy started talking,” Artie adds.

  Davis is walking back to the table, so I give Artie a quick nod to let him know he’s coming up behind him and quickly change the subject.

  I point towards the dance floor. “It looks like Ash and Santos are hitting it off.”

  Davis glances over as he sits, but he doesn’t speak.

  He wipes the sweat from his forehead. “It’s fucking hot out there!” Downing the rest of his beer.

  He flags April over, flirting with her for a few minutes before ordering another round of shots.

  Lana props her elbow on his shoulder. “What are you poisoning us with this time, Davis?”

  “I got us some good ole, classic, tequila shots coming!”

  She throws her arms in the air. “Oh, hell yeah!”

  It’s been ages since I’ve had tequila and honestly, I don’t think I have it in me to partake in the next round.

  “Y’all, I don’t know if I can handle any more shots. I’ll end up puking.”

  “Oh, Kate! Don’t be a puss! You’ll be fine! Remember, you’re the one who said you wanted to get ‘crazy’ tonight!” Lana says, reminding me of my earlier statement.

  Within minutes, April returns with six shot glasses of tequila. A bowl of limes and a salt shaker. This is a terrible idea! I think to myself, already feeling woozy.

  Davis tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you if you get sick.” He places a gentle kiss on my neck, just behind my ear. His breath sending chills down my back. He walks back to his side of the table without saying another word.

  I look around, stunned. Thankful, no one else saw him do it. My mind races as my body goes into a heated frenzy. The sudden, uncontrollable, desire to ravish him right here in the middle of the bar. But I don’t even like Davis! This has to be the booze, right? Oh, he’s good. He’s REAL fucking good. I think as I shake my head. Trying to pull his Davis charm on me. I’m pissed at myself for even thinking about him that way. He’s lost his ever-loving' mind if he thinks I’m falling for his little tricks.

  He watches as I slide the bowl of limes closer. I stare back with an annoyed eye and lick the back of my hand. He grabs it and shakes salt on it. We down our shots at the same time. It’s terrible, but I control the urge to grimace. I grab a lime wedge and bite into it, praying for some relief. Never taking our eyes off each other.

  Lana pulls me to her. “And you tried to bullshit me into thinking I didn’t see anything between you two! Y’all were practically eye-fucking each other right here at the table!”

  Aggravated, I cross my arms. “Nope! I think he’s a disgusting pig. I don’t care how hot he is! I wouldn’t sleep with him if the fate of the world rested on it!”

  “Oh! So he’s hot
now?”

  My eyebrows furrow. “Uhhh!” I growl.

  She shakes her head, laughing as I stomp off. “I know you far too well Kate Carpenter!”

  Drunk, but determined to not fall for Davis’s con, I scan the club for Kyle, spotting him near the bar. I walk over and chit-chat with him and his friends. After introductions and small talk, he asks if I’d like to dance again. I’m not up for it but see Davis back on the dance floor. He’s with someone new and of course, she’s gorgeous.

  Irritated, I say, “I’d love to,” as I grab his hand and pull him through the crowd.

  I find a spot on the dance floor a few feet away from Davis. We’re facing each other, making it hard to focus on who I’m with. Out of spite, I dance on Kyle a little more provocative than I should. Davis is watching and our eyes meet. The music is loud, the bass vibrating the floor. Hot sweat pours off both of us. The colors of the light machine bouncing off our bodies. I’m overcome with desire for him as we stare at each other.

  As if he was reading my mind, we simultaneously rush to one another. Leaving our dance partners behind. He’s to me in an instant, effortlessly picking me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and we kiss. Fire rages through my body the second our lips touch. A hard, rough kiss, exploding with passion. The girl he’d been dancing with shouts

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” But he doesn’t stop. I taste tequila on his tongue as our mouths race to explore every inch of each other.

  He pulls his mouth from mine, running it up and down my neck. His teeth find my earlobe and he gives a gentle nip. “I want you,” he says. My body instantly reacting to his words.

  I turn my head to see his beautiful chestnut eyes. I know this is a mistake, but I don’t care. I want him to.

  “Let’s get the hell out of here,” I say breathlessly in his ear.