I FOLLOWED BRODY’S lead and leaned slightly to the right as he took Sound Drive, leading up to the campground. The sun was hanging lower in the sky, and the weather was colder than Boston. I had never been this far north. The surroundings were mostly trees and an occasional home well set back from the road. Riding on the back of Brody’s bike had my heart beating hard in my chest and not because of his driving. He wasn’t driving fast or weaving around cars, not that there were many on this two-lane stretch all the way to Bar Harbor. I was still replaying in my mind making out with him in the caravan. And how much I’d love a repeat or even more. What had gotten into me? Brody hadn’t. Yet.
Brody what? Was that his first or last name? I didn’t even really know him. We had only just met. And I wanted him and was willing to go further with him if I could. This wasn’t like me. I’d had occasional one-night stands. At times, I’d dated, though, not as much since I started my college program. I was focused on my dreams. And I wasn’t giving up my dreams. The life I imagined as a global journalist lead; I’d be following stories all over the world. I wouldn’t be able to be in a relationship. Brody was the same way. He was more interested in staying on the road though I’m sure any woman would be happy to tie him down. He was good looking, brave, and caring. The way he was willing to support his friend by taking his recovering fiancé out for an epic bucket list trip was admirable. It was something my father would have been incredibly impressed by. I was impressed. In fact, everything I learned about Brody impressed me. I wanted to know more, but that wasn’t why I was here. And even if I was interested, he wasn’t.
A weird feeling went through my chest as my mind went back and forth over my thoughts as I held on to Brody, heading into the camp. He slowed on our approach through the trail lined with a forest of trees; and up to a clearing where the other bikes were parked.
Brody’s hands circled my hips and lifted me up off his bike once he parked. He spun me around and a jolt worked through me as our eyes met.
“What do you think of this place?” he asked taking my hand as goosebumps broke across my skin.
The campsite was right up by the coast; it was like an oil painting, complete with a sunset and mountains across the ocean. Walking further in with him, we found the group with the camp gear. “It’s beautiful,” I said smiling back at him.
“Come on, Piper, we need help setting up camp,” Riley called over.
“We were going to go for a walk around the site,” Brody said.
I fidgeted. We were? I wanted to help, but I wanted to walk with him.
“You can do that later. We could use the help now,” Riley insisted.
“Go on,” he told me though his face was on Riley, giving her the stink eye. She turned her head toward Zack.
“I’ll help the ladies. You do the fire and grill?” Zack yelled over.
“Fiona will be bringing out the kebabs,” Doc called, stepping out of the caravan. Brody gave them a nod, and we walked away to help with setting up the tents right on the beach.
“You and Brody are in this tent,” Seren said pointing the large one Zack tethered to the ground.
“I don’t mean to put you out,” I said.
“You’re not. Brody is a meanie when he’s not getting any. You’re a godsend,” she said and patted my back. Riley and Zack laughed. I blushed, wishing for a hole to climb into, but didn’t find one.
I tugged her arm and got her to walk a little away with me. “We talked on the caravan. I understand he is here for you—”
“Until Cole returns; and he will return. He must.” Her voice shook, and I found myself hugging her. She hugged me back and tugged my ponytail.
“You’re on ‘filling the air mattresses’ duty,” she yelled out.
Was that a bad job to have? They had an old fashioned manual pump. My arms ached even before the bottom filled.
“Brody’s not getting a hand job now,” Riley snickered.
“Poor bastard,” Zack added.
“Why bother with my hand when I can use my mouth?” I said deadpan.
“Is that right?”
I turned, and Brody was right behind me. They all laughed, and I still hadn’t found that hole to crawl in.
“You should have warned me,” I said frowning at Seren.
“Hey, I didn’t know you would come out with a zinger like that, Goldie,” Seren grinned.
“Leave her alone,” Brody admonished. “You need some help with the mattresses?”
I didn’t look at him but nodded.
“Don’t mind them. We all know and tease each other mercilessly,” Zack said. “It’s our welcome to the group.”
“She’s not a Biker Babe,” Riley said sharply.
“She’s here and will be treated as a part of the group,” Brody bit out. “So knock it off.”
I held up my hands. “I’m fine. Everything is alright.”
Brody clasped my side, and the butterflies started flying inside of me.
“You can help Fiona with the food,” he said.
I thanked him and walked back up towards the wooden logs and fire where a grill was set on top.
“It’s almost done,” Fiona said turning over the chicken and vegetable kebabs over. My stomach growled, making me aware I had missed out on lunch. “Go and relax or take some pictures, okay?”
I was glad to do just that. I walked back to the caravan, cleaned up and collected my camera and laptop. When I returned to where they were sitting, I took a few shots of Fiona with Doc, who had taken the seat next to her with a red and green bong.
“Meet the dragon. Do you smoke?” he asked. His tone sounded like he was asking if I was cool. I had a flashback of my dad and his “hip lingo” and that had me giggling.
“We’ll take that as a yes,” Fiona said and laughed. “Maine is a medicinal state, but no one is coming around to check out here.” Doc moved over and put his arm around Fiona. And I took a few photos of them with their dragon. Next I walked over and took some of Seren and Brody with the tents.
“Take one with me,” Seren pulled Riley away from her tent and into a photo.
“That goes only to us and nowhere else,” Riley instructed.
“I already know,” I replied and took the picture. I turned away from her before she had a chance to say another word.
“Hey, take one of the two of us too,” Zack said and stood by Brody.
Brody and Zack tilted their heads together and smiled. I laughed and took the picture. “See, ladies, men can get along and are not threatened,” Zack said, and they patted each other’s backs.
“Dinner is ready,” Fiona yelled out.
The camp lanterns were set around the fire, giving us light, as the sun finally set over the water. I took a seat on the log and Brody and Seren sat down on either side of me. Zack and Riley took the other, and we passed out plates. A potato salad, hummus, tabbouleh, and kale appeared.
“Yikes, who brought the K word?” Seren wrinkled her nose.
“I did,” Fiona teased. “It has a flavor on it. I got it in Vermont, and it’s incredible. Try it.”
Fiona filled the plates, and Doc passed around the bong. “That’ll give you an appetite, Seren.”
“I’m eating,” Seren said, picking at her plate. “So who’s starting with their Bucket Report?” She turned to me. “When we get together we share what we’ve done on our trip.”
I put down my plate and picked up my laptop.
“Oh no, you don’t. You’re eating,” Brody said, taking the laptop away and holding up my plate to me.
I frowned but went back to eating. He went over and started feeding Seren, who groaned but ate.
“I’ll start,” said Fiona. “I tapped maple syrup from a tree in Vermont and ate a stack of fresh pancakes. They were delicious. I know that must sound cliché to you, Piper, but I’m a foodie and a baker, back in Madison, where Doc and me are from. Most of my bucket is centered around my culinary dreams.”
“I think it sounds wonder
ful,” I gushed, and she beamed.
“It really was. When I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer and went through chemo, it was the one thing I missed. Cooking for my family and friends.” Doc pulled her into a side hug. “I’m alright,” she said. “All those boxes are full of stuff I collected, and I plan to cook up when I get back, for everyone.”
I bit my cheek. “I’d love to hear more about it.”
“Now stop getting sad. Fiona loves her food, and this is fun for her,” Riley said.
“You’re based in Wisconsin and the rest of you live in other locations? How did you all meet?” I asked.
“We all met through the same specialist in Los Angeles for a clinical trial. We all became friends,” Fiona said.
“That’s right,” Seren said. “I’m from San Diego, Zack, Riley, and Brody are from Los Angeles. Well, Brody originally. He’s from everywhere now.”
I looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. I wanted to ask, but followed everyone else’s lead and went back to my dinner.
“I’ll go next. I danced at the top of the Rocky steps in Philly,” Riley enthused.
“Riley’s a movie buff. Her mom’s a D-list Actress,” Seren explained.
Riley tapped her arm. “She’s C-list now, she has a reoccurring role on Fire Watch, thank you. She was also the one that got you the opportunity to squeeze that athlete’s butt, back at the stadium.”
“I’d raise her to B, babe,” Zack said and kissed her noisily on the cheek.
“Anyway,” Riley said raising her voice. “I found a deli that let me punch some meat in their freezer. I got more of the tattoo on my breast filled in. I’ll show it later when we do the dip.”
“What dip?” I asked, and they all laughed.
“Wait, let me go first,” Seren said and shared her singing and kissing me at the bar.
“So you joined after kissing Seren?” Riley said and snickered. “She’s crazy.”
“There was more to it than that,” I said defensively.
“Riley, are you jealous you didn’t get one from me,” Seren said and did kissy noises to Riley that made her giggle.
Brody handed me the bong. “You don’t have to,” he whispered.
All eyes were on me, but I had already made up my mind to give it a try. I inhaled deeply and coughed. Hard.
Doc laughed. “Good stuff, Pipes.”
“Pipes,” Fiona laughed. The buzz was kicking in. We all went about eating and smoking. When we were done, Seren announced. “It’s time for the christening of this shore with our group skinny dip.” We all started cleaning up the area.
“I . . . you don’t want pictures, do you?” I said, my voice high.
“Nope. This is a participation activity,” Seren said as if that was the end of it.
“I’ll go and get the music started. Smoking isn’t fun without it,” Doc said walking over to a CD player and the sound of The Band’s, “The Weight,” filled the night.
“I’ll go and work on the websites, and I should call home.” I picked up my camera and walked back towards the caravan.
“Don’t. Piper, come and have fun with us,” Seren called unzipping and pulling off her cheerleader skirt and top.
“Let her go if she wants to go,” Riley said kicking off her shoes.
I wasn’t inside the caravan long, before the door open.
“Hey.” Brody walked in and closed the door.
My heartbeat kicked up. He had removed his t-shirt, and I could see every inch of lean muscle on his chest. Tribal tattoos covered his left pectoral and down over his arm. The intricate patterns that decorated his skin were as striking as the man himself. Bless every inch of those low hanging jeans he wore that showed off his ripped abs, and V-cut sculpt muscle at his waist. He was perfection. I took a shaky breath and shut my eyes as lust filled my body. Consuming lust was permanent around this man.
“We scare you off?” he mused.
I looked up at his gorgeous profile. Every angle of his face deserved its own attention, and my eyes gave it to him. I met his eyes and the blatant desire there. I glanced at the bulge in his jeans and gasped, shifting my legs, feeling my clit throb. I wanted him.
“I just met everyone. I wasn’t ready to get naked and . . .”
“You can leave your clothes on or put on a swim suit,” he suggested.
“The water is probably freezing. They could end up with a cold,” I pointed out. “That’s not good for any of them.”
“They know, but that won’t stop them,” he said folding his arms. “I came to ask if your camera is waterproof. I’ll take some photos they might wish to keep tonight.”
I hunched my shoulders. He was doing what I came there to do. “Yes, it is.”
He nodded and picked up a bag and shoved in a blanket and sleeping bags. “You can sleep in our tent or on one of the bunk beds. Quiet time for the camp starts in a few hours.”
“I’ll finish up in here and come out to the tent,” I said.
He hesitated at the door, and I felt the pull within me to go to him, but I forced myself to turn back to my laptop. “Thanks for taking the photos. What time are we leaving tomorrow?”
He let out an exasperated sigh. “When we’re all ready to go. Take it easy tonight, but as I told you at the bar. We go places and do things that you may not be up to doing.”
“I don’t mind,” I said quickly.
“As long as you remain on the sidelines?” he said.
Sidelines. Safe. What was holding me back?
The group was made up mostly of couples so joining in wasn’t sexual. Well, with Brody it could be. But tonight was just my first night here! I wanted to give myself time to adjust. I lifted my head back up to say as much to Brody but found he had already walked out.
I packed up a backpack with my clothes for bed, phone, and laptop and eased out of the caravan. They were all in the water swimming and laughing. Their nude bodies could barely be seen from the light of the lanterns at the shore. It would be fine, I told myself, and turned and headed up the road toward the Meeting Place community center. My shower and brushing my teeth and hair didn’t take up as much time, especially as the hot water operated on quarters. Afterwards, I walked to the main hall to use the Internet and call Jorge.
“What’s wrong?” he asked right away.
“I’m alright,” I said sitting down on one of the picnic benches in the small hall.
“No, you’re not. Your voice sounds all nasally. What happened?” he asked.
I wanted to get some assurance, but I knew that any complaint would have my best friend telling me to come home. I told him everything that happened since I left Boston. Well, except for making out with Brody in the caravan. He waited until I caught my breath before speaking.
“What did they expect you to do? Join in? That was never going to happen. If you can hold on, I can look for buses back to Boston. I can pick you up, and we can work out the rest when you get back.”
I felt strange in my stomach at the thought of leaving. I had agreed to do this, and now I was bailing because of one skinny dip?
“No, I can’t do that. I was just caught off guard.”
“You weren’t caught off guard. You found out it wasn’t something you wanted to do,” Jorge corrected.
I leaned on my arm. “Everything is happening so fast. I guess I can try to do it and not stay safe on the sidelines.”
“Is this about Gilmore again?” Jorge asked.
I stared at the grains on the table. One night outside of my comfort zone and I was already whining on the phone. My mind crowed that maybe Gilmore was right. I wasn’t cut out for global journalism. No. That was not true. I wasn’t ready to admit defeat just yet. “I was caught off guard. I’ll be fine.”
He blew out into the phone. “So you’re staying?” I could hear irritation in his tone.
“I will work on the websites now and get to know them all better over the next few days and find my way. I mean I’m h
ere for the story, too,” I said.
“Jorge, are you coming?” I heard a female voice in the background.
“Who is that?” I asked.
“Nora,” he whispered.
I giggled. “I’ll let you get back to bed.”
“It’s not what you think, but I should go. Call me tomorrow and like I said, I will pick you up,” he said.
“Thanks, Jorge,” I hung up and checked my phone. My phone beeped alerting me of a voice mail message. It was from Aunt Luna.
“Okay, Piper, I’ll cover for you, but that’s the end of my guilt. You let me know how you’re getting on, and I’ll see you later in the summer.”
Fair enough. I opened up my laptop.
“There you are,” Brody said, crossing over to the table. “Don’t sneak off without telling anyone,” he said with bass in his tone. A deep frown marred his handsome face.
I averted my eyes. I was upsetting everyone now. “I didn’t want to interrupt,” I muttered unplugging my things and packing them into my case.
He took my backpack and slung it over his shoulder and grabbed my hand in one swoop.
The only sound was the rustling of things I didn’t want to see in the dark night outside, as we made our way back over to the campsite. Everyone was still playing by the shore.
“I’ll take you back to the tent. Please say goodnight to everyone,” he said.
I took two steps forward and stopped. I couldn’t get myself to go. This was a chance to be a part of the experience. I would live it.
I unbuttoned the first few buttons on my top.
Brody body-brushed my front. His hand closed over mine. “If this is about what I said, I apologize. Only do what you’re comfortable doing.”
“I’m self-conscious,” I admitted as we moved closer to the shore and the group.
Piper Dreams: Dream it, Seize it, Live it. (Dreams Series Book 1) Page 10