Reese was the next one up. We didn’t talk. I listened to my iPod. She read a book.
“Is that one good?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Reese turned the book and glanced at the cover. “I’ll let you borrow it when I’m done.”
I nodded. “I left a stack for you with Ryan.”
“He gave them to me,” she said.
We went back to our own shit.
“Do you want to help me with breakfast?” I asked once the sun was actually visible. “I’m sure they’ll wake up soon.”
“Sure.” Her eyes never left the page. “Let me finish this chapter.”
I left her to it. The food was all in Ryan’s car so I started hauling out the stuff we would need. We had learned during our second year of camping that the rangers weren’t joking about bears. After that, we put the food away and covered the ice chests every time.
“Let me help you.” Reese joined me when I got to the big ice chests. We each grabbed a handle and lugged the coolers out. “You want a Bloody Mary?” she asked as we set the last one down.
I looked up to see if she was serious. Reese wasn’t a big drinker anyway, let alone this early. She looked serious.
“We’re camping,” she said by way of an explanation. “Plus, Carson did a homemade mix.”
Carson did make one hell of a Bloody Mary. “Sure, why not? We are camping.”
Reese smiled and dug around in the cooler until she found an unlabeled bottle with a ruddy brown liquid. She was more liberal with the mix than the vodka.
“Here.” She handed me a camping mug, one of those blue tin ones with white flecks.
“Thanks.” I didn’t really want to think too hard about the truce we seemed to have. It was better to just go with it. The bed I’d packed for Reese and her girlfriend probably helped. I was pretty sure it was the first time I’d been overtly nice to Reese in fourteen years. At least she was receiving it well.
Silently, we went about making breakfast. Reese mixed pancake batter. I started cooking turkey bacon and making more coffee. The turkey bacon was a concession to Ryan and me. Everyone else ate real bacon. But they’d given up on trying to convert us. Mostly ’cause one year Ryan and I packed turkey and chicken substitutes instead of the real shit. We made it through hot dogs and sausage before they noticed. They caught on at the bacon. That was when they gave up. So our camping meals were beef and pork free.
The smell of bacon lured Derek and Ryan out of their tent. They were easy to please.
“Can I have a piece?” Ryan tried to take the tongs out of my hand.
“It’s not cooked yet, but sure.” I pulled out a half-cooked slice of bacon.
“Gross.” He scowled and walked away.
“Why don’t you guys wake everyone up?” Reese asked. “Breakfast will be ready soon.”
“They can starve.” Ryan collapsed in front of the fire. It wasn’t warm enough for him though so he went back into his tent and remerged with a blanket in his hands and a joint in his mouth. Then he checked back on the bacon to see if it was done.
“Not yet,” I said. He leaned down and lit his joint off the camp stove. “Go away. That’s dangerous.” His sleepy eyes held no remorse. I took the joint from him and inhaled deeply. When I blew out the smoke, I directed it toward the cherry to make it burn hotter. The end flared.
“Give it back,” Ryan whined. So I did.
“You ready for pancakes?” Reese set a bowl of batter next to the stove.
I checked the coffee brewing on my second burner. It looked done. “Sure. You want to take the coffee for me?” She did and I set a big pan next to the bacon.
“Brother, darling, dearest,” Reese addressed Ryan.
“Huh?” His eyes were all red, the pupils dilated so they filled his irises.
“Don’t smoke pot this early. You will get even dumber.” He was unconcerned. “And go wake Austin and Carson.”
“Fine.”
“And don’t bring the joint with you. You’ll burn down the tents.”
Ryan handed the joint to her and strolled to the closest tent. Reese handed it to me and went back to her tent to get Kerry.
Chapter Six
“Took you guys long enough,” I called back to shore where Reese and Kerry were wading into the water. Ryan pulled up on his Jet Ski next to me.
“Yeah. Where you been?” he called to them.
They both blushed then Reese yelled back, “Changing into our suits.” At least someone was getting laid.
“Put on your life jackets and come on.” Ryan waved them closer to us.
They clipped the jackets shut and swam out closer.
“Jesus, it’s cold.” Reese reached us first.
“Who is going with who?” I asked.
“Are you going to let us drive?” Kerry wanted to know.
Ryan and I looked at each other. “Hell no.”
“Then I guess I’m with you.” Reese tried to pull herself up. I grabbed her hand and hauled her out of the water.
“Why me?”
“’Cause I’m not riding with my brother. Is that cool, Kerry?” she asked.
“Sure.” Kerry clasped the hand Ryan held out to her and let him help her up.
Once they were both secure, I looked over to Ryan. “Race you out to the guys?” I barely waited for a response before I gunned it. Reese screamed and held tight to me. Ryan was right next to us so I turned just enough to spray him and Kerry with water. At the movement, Reese threaded her fingers into the side of my life jacket. They were warm and soft against my skin.
Reese and I made it to the center of the lake first where the guys were riding in circles and screwing around. That was how the day went. We raced around the lake, we drenched each other with waves, we attempted to do tricks and failed. After lunch, I rode with Austin so Reese and Kerry had their own Jet Ski. They surprised Aus and me by killing us in a race to the center of the lake. Bitches.
*
The third night we made s’mores. None of us really liked them, but we were camping so we made them anyway. Actually, Carson liked them, but he always ended up covered in melted marshmallow. Kerry and Reese went to bed first. Carson drank so much we had to carry him into his tent. Austin and Derek crashed soon after, leaving Ryan and me alone by the fire.
“I think I’m going to bed too.” Ryan stood and stretched.
“I’m gonna stay out here for a while.”
“You want me to get you some more beer before I go?”
“I think I’m good.” Even with the massive amount of food I’d eaten for dinner, I was tipsy. Drunk seemed like a bad idea. “You want to turn off the lantern for me?”
“Sure.” Ryan turned it off and my eyes were temporarily stunned from the darkness. “Hey.” He turned back. “What’s with you and Reese?”
“What do you mean?” I fought to stay cool. If Ryan knew I suddenly thought his sister was hot, he would kill me.
“I don’t know. You guys are being…” He stopped like he wasn’t sure how to describe it. “…nice.”
“I don’t know. I guess we have a truce,” I said all casual.
“Cool.” He nodded his head. “Well, good night.”
“Yeah, good night.” I watched him unzip his tent and crawl inside.
I almost fell asleep sitting by the fire. My jacket was super warm and the fire was putting off a lot of heat even though it was dying down. I felt good.
A noise broke through the night. At first, I thought it might be a bear, but then I heard it again. It was the sound of a tent moving. I looked hard at all of ours. There was no movement. Then I heard giggling. Someone was awake. A girl. No guy laughed like that. Voices started to carry to me, also girls. I couldn’t tell what they were saying. I stopped trying to figure it out. It was kind of messed up to listen in on someone else’s conversation.
A car drove by, some latecomer looking for their campsite. The headlights washed over our campsite briefly. The voices stopped. I should have gone to bed.
I just knew my sleeping bag would be cold and my chair was warm, so I stayed. Reese and her girlfriend would probably go back to sleep.
The next noise was different. Distinct. Un-fucking-deniable. The wet sucking sound of fingers buried in a cunt. Low moans emanated from the tent, and it definitely started moving, rocking back and forth. I was either in my worst nightmare or a seriously fucking wet dream. Both, because I was getting really turned on and I couldn’t believe my misfortune. A wet lapping joined the gentle cacophony. A fresh flood of moisture soaked my boxer briefs. My clit was pounding. Demanding. Something had to be done. I pressed my hand against my stomach, edged up the elastic on my boxer briefs, and slid my hand in. I was so fucking wet. I dipped down, drew moisture over my engorged tissues, and started slow circles at the base of my clit.
The moaning got louder, interspersed with “baby” and “honey.” Damn, I was so almost there. I circled faster, listening to the sound of Reese’s voice. The beginnings of an orgasm curled around my spine, through my stomach, my throbbing clit. My hips jerked of their own accord. The car got close to our campsite again. I froze. Headlights washed over everything, burning me, shining through the girls’ tent. For a split second, I could see Reese’s perfect silhouette. She was kneeling with her head hanging forward and strands of her hair covering her face. The flash of light lasted long enough for me to see the slow roll of her hips as she fucked Kerry. I jerked my hand away. I was infinitely more aroused and equally disgusted with myself.
My heart raced and my clit pounded with every beat. I wasn’t entirely sure if I wanted to throw up or come. I couldn’t listen to them anymore; that much was obvious. I couldn’t go in my tent without them hearing the loud rasp of the zipper. My iPod was in one of the cars, so that was out. No walking because I didn’t have a flashlight. It seemed my only option was to sit there and listen. How long could they last, really?
Reese was crying Kerry’s name now with serious fucking conviction. I couldn’t take it. I pulled up my hood and covered my ears. It didn’t work. Kerry was moaning now. Reese was nearly screaming. When she came with a flood of groans that sounded like incantations, I could see her. In my head, she was slumping over, Kerry was gathering her in her arms, whispering to her, kissing her cheeks and lips and forehead. Around me though, it was just dark and cold and I was alone.
*
Morning was killer. I woke up late to the sound of people moving around, talking to each other, laughing. I despised all of them. It took a seriously flat air mattress to force me out of the tent. Ryan gave me one look as I slumped into a chair in front of the fire and grimaced. Kindly, he poured a cup of coffee and pushed it into my hand.
“You look like shit.”
“Thanks.”
He took the chair next to me. If I felt like shit for normal reasons I would have told him then. My reasons were far from normal so I didn’t say anything. Reese and Kerry were sitting across from us looking happy. Reese was all sleep tousled, her eyes looked deeper than usual, and she hadn’t brushed her hair. I was still horny.
“You want some breakfast?” Ryan asked.
“No, I’ll get it.” I didn’t want to stare at Reese anymore. “Hold my coffee.” I shoved it at him.
Austin was manning the stove and he looked up as I approached. “Eggs will be done soon.” He had a concoction of sausage and eggs and cheese in the pan. “Grab a plate.”
“I’ll get it.” Reese came up behind me. “I’m getting one anyway.”
“I got it.” Damned if I was going to let her be nice to me.
“Don’t worry about it.” She nudged me out of the way and pulled out a stack of plates.
“Thanks.” I tried to grab one.
“You’re pushy this morning. Go sit down. I’ll bring you some food.” Clearly, Reese was determined to make me feel guilty.
“I got it.” She was still in the way so I reached around her to take a plate. Bad idea. Instead of moving like I thought she would, she just turned around to face me.
“What is wrong with you? I’m just trying to be nice.” The length of her body pressed against mine. Her hip pressed between my legs applying just short of lethal pressure. I looked down into her eyes and almost came. Instead, I gulped hard and loud and blinked my eyes until my head felt clearer. It didn’t help.
“Sorry. I’m kinda blue ballin’ this morning and you’re really not helping.” My solitary vow to never speak about the night before crumbled.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She wasn’t ignorant, just confused how she was contributing to my condition. Also a little irritated.
“It means that last night you and Kerry were loud enough to get me going, but I just couldn’t finish jacking off after you said her name.” I played it all nonchalant like I always jacked off while listening to my friends getting laid. “You killed my mood. But Kerry seems satisfied.” I took Reese’s hand and pressed it against my crotch. “Maybe you could ease my pain.”
Reese moved so fast I didn’t have time to stop her. I didn’t even have time to turn my head to absorb the blow. The slap reverberated across our campsite, silencing every other sound. Reese and I stared at each other hard. Her hand still hung in the air and my cheek stung like a bitch. I could feel all of our friends watching us, but I didn’t dare turn away. Suddenly, Reese pushed past me. She stopped in front of Ryan, demanded his keys, and jumped in his car. I thought she was going to sit in there forever with her arms braced on the steering wheel and her face hidden in them. After about five minutes, during which everyone glanced secretively between me and the 4Runner, she started it up and gunned it out of there.
I had no clue what the hell to do. Kerry looked like she might kill me. Ryan was resigned. As usual, he would listen to both sides of the story and decide which of us to be mad at. The rest of the guys were just shocked. Reese and I fought all the time, but neither of us had ever hit the other. I stayed motionless, just looking at the spot where the SUV had been parked, willing her to come back. No luck.
I went back into my tent and changed out of the clothes I’d slept in. When I emerged from the tent again, everyone was trying really hard to act normal. Ryan was studying his breakfast so hard I thought it might ignite. I reached into the breast pocket of his shirt and pulled out his cigarette case. He let me. One joint went behind my ear, the other between my lips. I put the case back in his pocket. Then I walked away. As I strolled, I lit the joint, sucking on it hard. I didn’t get far before I heard footsteps. Ryan.
“Hey, wait up.”
“Leave it alone,” I warned him.
“I’m not really sure what to do.” He took the joint I held out. “I’m mad at her for slapping you. But damn, dude. She looked mad. You must have done something.”
“Honestly, Ryan.” He looked at me, all ears. “I deserved worse.”
I’m not sure if he was more shocked by my admission of guilt or the fact that I’d clearly done something messed up.
“Well, what was it?”
“I really, really can’t tell you.” A mirthless laugh pushed its way out of my chest.
“Oh, come on, nothing is that bad.”
“It is. I’m not sure if it’s worse for me or her. Probably her.” I thought about that for a while. Was it worse being totally violated or realizing you really are a twisted asshole? “I don’t know. Just let me walk, okay?”
Ryan let me go.
*
Summer continued in the usual vein. Reese and I conducted a silent war. Most of our skirmishes revolved around pizza toppings. Reese would order pizzas and accidentally request stuff I hated on each one. There would be one with anchovies, one with ham, another with bell peppers. My attacks were equally subtle, drinking her favorite juice in the fridge, leaving the bathroom counter covered in hair product, taking naps in her bed with my shoes on. The games hadn’t changed a whole lot since we were kids. By the middle of June, we hadn’t spoken directly to each other in weeks.
I was almost living at their hou
se. When Christopher would come home, Ryan would stay at my place, but when he was gone, we partied it up. When I let myself in one afternoon, I couldn’t find Ryan. Instead, I found Reese sprawled on the couch watching soap operas in Spanish. A glass of wine dangled from her limp hand. The bottle on the table next to her was empty.
“What is this?”
“A telenovela.”
“Can you understand it?” I dropped over the back of the couch so I was upside down.
“Most of it.”
“I can’t.” Sure, we both took four years of Spanish in high school. That didn’t mean I remembered it.
“I took Spanish in college too. Not just high school,” Reese told me. I wondered if she could read my mind or something.
“They’re talking really fast.”
“You’re just slow at listening.” There wasn’t any malice in her voice. It seemed like we were actually having a conversation. Big step.
“So why are you watching a telenovela?”
“It’s more educational than the soap operas in English?” Reese offered in place of an actual reason. “You want some wine?” Her tone was really flat. Actually, everything she was saying was kind of lacking emotion. “We can open another bottle.”
Was this some sort of an olive branch?
“Are you okay? You seem a little out of it.”
“I’m fine.” She drained the remaining wine in her glass and set it on the table.
I studied her from my upside down position. Her eyes were a little red and puffy and she was frowning at the TV. She didn’t seem stoned, but it was that or crying.
“Are you stoned?”
“No.”
“Then why were you crying?”
A self-deprecating smirk grew across those full lips. “I hate how you know me.” I waited for an answer. “Kerry broke up with me.”
“What?” I pushed myself upright. “Why? What’s wrong with her? She doesn’t like sexy, smart chicks?” Reese and I might have hated each other, but that didn’t mean other people could be mean to her.
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