by K. R. Reese
I put my eyes back on the road and think about what he said. A place of our own, a getaway would be nice. I have some money saved from all the summer jobs I’ve taken over the years, but I can’t say how much it’ll cover in cost. It’s a cabin, after all, and I know they can be expensive. Instead of debating more, though, I nod.
“That sounds nice, great actually. But, Dylan, I don’t know…” He cuts me off.
“My parents will front the money for me, Cole. I just need someone to co-buy because they think it’s irritational. I’m not asking you for money. I have some saved up. And I don’t trust anyone more than you and Chey, but I figure we can surprise her with it later.”
I quirk a brow at him. “Why would we surprise her with a cabin? That belongs to both of us?” His words confuse me, but I let him explain.
“I know things have been a little…awkward…since Chey and I started dating. But I don’t want them to be. I want to go back to how things were before. Maybe this cabin can be a start. It gives us a place to go, to get together like we used to. Besides, it’ll let her escape while we’re at basic if she needs it. Her Mom can be a little suffocating, and it’s only gotten worse since she’s about to graduate and Mason enlisted.”
I rear my head back in shock. I’m not sure I heard him right. I try to process his words, but I can’t. I knew nothing about this. Dylan needs to clarify.
“Can you repeat that?”
Dylan eyes me funny but doesn’t question it. “Cheyenne’s been complaining that her Mom is suffocating her now that she’s about to graduate and Mason enlisted.”
I wasn’t hearing things. I heard him right the first time. “Mason enlisted? When did this happen? What branch? How didn’t I know this?” I bombard him with questions, an uneasy feeling in my gut. Cheyenne used to tell me everything. Of course, our nightly talks have lessened since she spends most nights across the street, and I’m sure Dylan wouldn’t appreciate that I talk to his girlfriend until she falls asleep. I don’t say any of that though because it’s a can of worms I don’t want to open.
“Slow down. I thought you knew. A month ago, I think. I don’t know, it’s been a bit. Wait, Cheyenne didn’t tell you about it? Hell, Mason didn’t tell you?”
I shake my head and the uneasiness increases. I know Dylan makes her happy. I know he’s perfect for her. And they are both my best friends, so I’ve backed off with the way Cheyenne and I’s relationship used to be. Sometimes it bothers me. I wonder what could have been. But I always push those thoughts aside because I know there’s nothing that can be done about it now.
“Well, shit, I’m sorry.”
“Nothing for you to apologize for, man, it just shocked me. I’m good now.”
Dylan looks at me again, a crease between his brows. I ignore it and pump myself up for what we’re going to do. “Anyway, tell me about this cabin. How did you find out about it? Did your parents bring it up, or is it something you knew was happening? Give me the details.”
Dylan laughs, probably at my enthusiasm. But I haven’t had anything that’s ever belonged to me. My truck isn’t even in my name, it’s my Dad’s. He gave it to me for my sixteenth birthday, but we never signed anything.
“I knew they were retiring. I asked my parents one night what they were doing with the cabin. I had gone to stay up there a few times a couple years back, and I always loved the place. When they told me that they were selling it, I knew I wanted it. I’m still a bit surprised my parents agreed to front the cost, but I’m not going to question their decision either.”
I rub my jaw and clear my mind, trying to factor what I have saved. “What’s their asking price? I can imagine a cabin is…costly.” I don’t tell him I probably can’t afford it. Dylan knows we’re not made of money, and my parents aren’t the most forthcoming about helping me out when I need it.
“That’s the thing. They are way underselling the cabin. Because of my parents. Because it’s me that wants to buy it. I hate it, but I’m not able to change their minds either.”
I wait for him to continue, to give me a dollar amount. I hold my breath. When he doesn’t give me anything, I glance his way. He’s frowning at his phone again. Not my business.
“So, what’s the asking price?”
He gulps, then stares straight ahead. “Oh, uh, they’re only charging me twenty-five thousand. It’s totally worth that, and so much more. But again, I can’t change their minds.”
My jaw is slack, my mouth dropped open. Cabins aren’t that cheap unless there are major problems with it, and a lot of remodeling that needs to happen. I check the GPS and see we only have about thirty minutes until we’re there. I instantly regret not asking him where we’re going sooner. For the price they want, I’m afraid of what we’re going to find.
“Let’s just get there and look at it. I’ll see what I can do.”
I don’t tell him I’m not wasting my money on something that’s falling apart. I don’t bother with any of the questions and facts that I should. We’ll find out soon enough.
After a walkthrough of the entire property, we take ourselves out to the porch and sit on the stairs. Dylan’s silently watching for a reaction, for anything really. I don’t know what to say. The cabin isn’t anything like I expected; it’s the perfect place for when we’re on leave and an escape for Cheyenne. Though I’m not sure she’ll enjoy the quietness that accompanies the surrounding area.
“Well, what do you think?” Dylan finally asks.
I rub my hand down my face. “Holy shit,” I laugh out. “We’re going to buy a cabin.”
Dylan’s face morphs from concerned to happy in a split second, a smile so big it takes over all his other features. “For real? You’re in?”
I nod rather than answering aloud. What else can I say? The cabin is secluded, quiet, and way nicer than what they’re asking for it. The furnishings could use some updating, but that’s something we can do over time. Cheyenne can help since she’s better at it than us anyway; we don’t care what goes into a house, as long as we’re comfortable and have the essentials.
We both go silent again, staring blankly around the outside of the cabin. After a long pause, I sigh. “We should probably head back home. It’s a long drive.” I look up at the blaring sun overhead, even though there’s still a slight chill to the air. Spring in the mountains is colder than at home, but it feels nice; however, the sun will be setting soon, and I don’t want to drive unfamiliar roads in the dark.
“Yeah, I can drive if you need me to.”
I toss him the keys and we head back to my truck. Once we’re on our way, I glance over at Dylan. He’s become my brother since he moved here, and it is a little awkward since he’s been dating Cheyenne. But I wouldn’t trade either of them. I’ve backed off the way Cheyenne and I’s friendship has always been. It kills me that we aren’t the way we used to be, but if it means she gets to be happy, and I get to keep my two best friends, I’ll keep it that way.
“When should we tell Cheyenne?” he asks after we’ve driven over an hour.
I make a quick glance his direction and clench my jaw. He seems pretty adamant that she come to the cabin and have somewhere to escape, but I’m not sure I like that idea anymore, especially if Mason is going away, too. He won’t go when we do, he’s too young, but he will next year. Then what? Cheyenne’s alone, by herself, stuck in our tiny little town with no one but her parents. Something she said so many months ago comes to mind.
You’re the only friend I have.
At the time, I didn’t think much about what she said. I didn’t try to reason with her or validate what she said because it didn’t matter. Now, it does matter. Dylan and I, Mason, we’re all Cheyenne has in terms of friendship because she’s never opened herself up to more people. It’s never been her style or the way she does things.
Dylan’s concerned voice cuts off my internal dialogue.
“Hello, Earth to Cole, everything okay over there?”
“What? Oh, yeah, sorr
y. I’m just thinking.”
His brows pull together, but he doesn’t question me. It’s a good thing, too, because I’m sure he wouldn’t like the idea that I’m thinking about his girlfriend all too much – all too often – and some of them aren’t appropriate thoughts to have about someone who is only a friend. I shrug it off and change the subject.
“What are we going to do after graduation? Our parents all have a party planned before we leave in June, but what are we doing that night?”
Dylan almost chokes on his laughter. “Do you truly want to do something? Last time we tried to drag you out to a party, I thought you were going to drive us over a hillside before we made it there. I’d like to be alive a bit longer, thanks.”
I laugh along with him because he’s right. I grumbled the entire way to that party. Cheyenne told me to quit being a baby, and Dylan was amused by our bickering behavior.
“I didn’t say I wanted to go party. I asked what we were doing. I figured the three of us would plan something ourselves, kind of like Cheyenne’s camping trip. Except this time, we shouldn’t include the alcohol.”
Dylan visibly cringes at the memory of our final game before the playoffs. It was a night that led to many revelations in all our relationships, and Cheyenne didn’t speak to us for a week straight after the fact. Neither of us want to live through that again.
“I think we can accommodate that. We should bring her up here.” There’s another huge ass smile on his face.
I think on it a minute, but then nod. As much as I don’t like the idea that Cheyenne will have somewhere to be completely alone, I have to admit that she’ll love it.
“Let’s do that. But we have to make sure to tell her we have plans. Otherwise, she’ll try to come up with something herself, and we’ll end up in the middle of nowhere again.”
We both snicker at Cheyenne’s ability to plan the most outrageous things.
Today was the last day of school. We don’t officially graduate until the end of May when the graduation ceremony is held, but today marks the end of our high school years. I should be happy. Instead, I’m lying in bed with a pillow over my head, trying to shut out all the thoughts running rampant in my mind.
Over the summer, it felt like it was never going to end. We made memories that we’ll carry with us forever, and we’ll never get them back. You only live once; you only go through high school once. When senior year began, I thought I had a while to figure out what I wanted to do. Cole, Dylan, and I would spend some time together, go find new things to explore and accomplish before we made any real decisions. But they took that option away. That’s why today is melancholy; they both leave right after graduation. Who’s counting?
That’s right, I’m counting, because I still don’t know what I want to do. I know I can stay here, at home, and take my time deciding what the future holds. But I don’t think I want to do that anymore. If Mason leaves next year, my parents are the only thing left here for me. Cole and Dylan will live wherever the Army sends them, and there’s no way for me to go with them. Besides, if they’re separate, how would I choose where to go?
My bedroom door slams open and a hand grabs my foot. I screech and pull it back, throwing the pillow on the floor. Mason’s standing at the foot of my bed with a smirk on his face.
“What the hell? Don’t you know how to knock. What if I had been busy?” I scowl at him.
“You weren’t doing anything but lying in here. These walls are paper thin; I can hear everything you do in this room if I stand just in the hallway. Besides, Cole and Dylan aren’t around, they took off right after school.”
I glower at him some more, his reminder that my best friend and my boyfriend seem to be hiding something causing panic to bubble to the surface. I don’t let it show, though, instead forcing my eyes to meet my brother’s.
“So, what do you want? It’s not like you to be home this early,” I ask. I’m honestly curious since Mason has developed quite the friend base in our little town.
“I thought that maybe I’d drag you out of bed and we could go have ice cream. You know, like we used to do when we were kids.”
My anger slowly fades, replaced with a longing for something I haven’t had in a long time. Contentment. I make a pouty face and ask. “Can I have a banana split with extra cherries and whip cream?”
“You know it,” he responds all too cheerily. I don’t question his good mood; if I do, it might disappear. This is the side of Mason I miss. The happy loving laid back little brother who doesn’t seem to have a care in the world.
The new Mason, the brother dictated by high school bullies, popularity, and sports? I don’t like him most of the time. His ego is too large and gets in the way of logical thinking.
When I notice he’s waiting for an answer, his brow quirked, I laugh. “I’m sorry. I missed what you said.”
“You were off in la la land for a second. Anything you want to talk about?”
I shake my head and climb out of bed. “Let me run a brush through my hair really quick and we can go.”
“Sounds good. I’ll meet you downstairs in ten.”
Seated outside the only ice cream shop in town, Mason eyes me curiously. I continue to eat without acknowledging him. If there’s something he wants to say, he’ll get around to it. I laugh inwardly because Cole’s the same way. He’ll stew and ponder his thoughts for hours without saying anything, then he’ll catch you off guard. Since I’ve watched Mason for the past twenty minutes, I expect something soon.
“We haven’t done this in a long time. I kind of miss it.” I say aloud, trying to make conversation.
Mason and I used to talk all the time, about everything, but something changed this year. It’s like we’re two completely different people rather than the close siblings we used to be.
“That’s my fault. I haven’t stayed home much.” He doesn’t say anything else, just continues sneaking glances in my direction.
“I can’t blame you. Honestly, I’m always with Dylan or Cole, so it isn’t like I’ve given you a chance to hang out either. I am curious though.” I say it lightly, waiting for my words to settle. “What prompted today’s spontaneous trip? It isn’t like you.”
Mason shrugs but looks away quickly. He’s hiding something, but I don’t know what. Before I can question him, his phone rings. A smile pulls tight at his lips when he sees the screen. I stay quiet for him to answer.
“Hello? Yeah, we’re eating ice cream right now.” He listens for a beat, then continues. “Sounds good. Yeah, text me the address.”
I can only hear one side of the conversation, Mason’s side, and I don’t know who he’s talking to. What does he need an address for? We know everywhere in this town. That must mean wherever he’s going isn’t here. Before I can think on it further, he hangs up and smiles at me.
“Time to go. I’m driving.”
My mouth hangs open, eyes wide. I know he got his license a few years ago, but he’s always been content riding with someone else. What makes him think I’ll let him drive my car?
“What do you mean? Why can’t I drive?”
He laughs and stands at his seat, offering me his hand. “Because it’s a long drive.”
I cross my arms and refuse to move from my seat. “Where are we going?”
Mason sighs and looks up at the sky, eyes closed. “Chey, can’t you just go with it for once? Please?”
Some of my anger fades away when he lands his pleading eyes on mine. “I’ll let you drive, but you need to tell me where we’re going.”
I hand over the keys and follow behind him. Once we’re seated and pulling out of our parking space, he looks at me. “I can’t tell you where we’re going. It’s a surprise. I promised I wouldn’t say a word until it was time.”
I huff and glare at the side of his head. “Since it’s a long drive, I’m going to assume that time is going to be awhile?”
Mason smiles and nods. I flip through radio stations until I find something we can bot
h enjoy and sit back to try and relax. I don’t like surprises, not really. There are too many things that can go wrong with them and it makes me anxious. I check my phone and see that neither Cole nor Dylan have talked to me today, which makes me wonder if they aren’t a part of this elaborate plan.
I shoot them both a text in our group chat.
Chey: I don’t know what you two are up to, but I don’t like that you roped Mason into doing your dirty work for you. -_-
A few moments later, my phone pings twice.
Dylan: Come on, Baby, you have to live a little. Besides, I think you’ll like this surprise.
Cole: Why are you the only one allowed to pull off surprises for us, but we can’t do one for you?
I respond to them both quickly.
Chey: Sometimes your idea of what I’ll like and my own differ. A lot of the time, actually. And I’m allowed to pull off surprises because you’re both moody and recluses; if I didn’t do something fun occasionally, we’d be withered and gray by now. Boring.
I place my phone back in the console and ignore their replies. I’ll let them both wonder if I’m angry at them or not. Serves them right for turning Mason against me. That makes me wonder…
“How did they get you to agree to this?” I stare at him, looking for any sign of blackmail.
Mason laughs and glances sideways at me. “You really want to know?”
I think about his question and begin to wonder if I do want to know. There are some things that are better left unsaid between brother and sister. But I nod my head anyways.
“Cole’s taking me to a Five Finger Death Punch concert before he leaves. He bought the tickets and the plan had been for Dylan to go. But then they came up with this plan and needed my help. You know me, it’s us against them. My alliance will always be with you, Chey, but this was too good to pass up.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. “Good to know that you would choose a concert over your sister’s happiness.”
Laughter floats through the car from the both of us. “This will make you happy, though. That’s what I’m counting on. It was worth it for a day.”