And better yet. Who did I spy talking with the newlyweds? Yep, none other than Skyler Baldwin. All five-nine of him. Brown hair, green eyes, and the most fuckable lips I’d ever seen on a man. Stunning. And probably deadly—at least figuratively. Even though I knew he’d never give me the time of day, I was still very much interested in him. It must have been the love of a challenge. I wasn’t a masochist, but who knew what could happen away in the woods for nearly a week.
This was going to be a great trip.
Chapter five
Loading Up the Buses
At the law office parking lot of Drew King, where I worked, two big buses were parked, disrupting the view of the large glass and brick building. Probably thirty or forty people who I did not know were mingling and loading equipment underneath in the storage compartments. Okay, to be fair, I did know a lot of them.They were from the firm, but they’d also brought friends and family. And I kind of knew some of Danny’s friends like Levi. But it still felt overwhelming, like I was in over my head. Entirely too many people for my comfort. Put me in front of a courtroom, and I was better than fine—I was fire. Outside of that? Not so much. I wanted to hide. And to top it off, I didn’t have any equipment to shove under the bus, making me feel less than with this crowd.
I left it to Danny to figure out who I could bunk up with. Or tent up with—whatever. But it wasn’t looking good. I had a duffle bag full of T-shirts and swim trunks. I also brought flip-flops and a beat-up pair of sneakers along with the hiking boots I wore. But nothing else. No bedding or pillows. And certainly not a tent. And I was not going to sleep out in the open. Mosquitos. And I was not going to sleep with Danny and Lee. Newlyweds.
I was ready to get back in my car and leave when Danny said he found someone to share a tent with. “So, no worries. We’re all adults. There’s plenty of room. So, get your sassy-ass on the bus.” He practically corralled me, and that made me super nervous.
“Who am I bunking with, Danny?”
“Don’t worry about it.” He shoved me toward the bus. “Let’s go already. You’re holding up the works, man.”
I got on the bus, but I worried.
All the way there…
I sat by a window, looking out at the road flying by. Mostly, a whole lot of nothing. We weren’t going all that far north of Tampa, but certainly far enough that the buildings and businesses gave way to trees and fields.
A lot of excited chatter droned on around me, oblivious to the scenery. They were talking about getting on the water. Rainbow Springs was known for its crystal-clear water. We were also going to go hiking nearby, and Danny alluded to some surprisesalong the way. What kind of surprises could you have at a campground? I didn’t know.
Finally, the bus pulled off the highway and drove farther into the countryside. Small houses and farmland replaced the trees as we wound around the road. Then, eventually, we pulled onto an even smaller road and then into a gated drive. The bus driver punched in a code that lifted the gate and drove into the campground. Up and around a windy road until we parked in front of what looked like an office and a small shoppe. Big oaks, dripping with Spanish moss, lined the area along with other trees and lush vegetation. I didn’t know what kind they were, but green—everything was vivid green.
“Okay. Hang tight, everyone.” Danny jumped up from his seat. “I’ll get our assignments, and then we'll unload the bus.” He scampered off to the little store, and while he took care of business, I helped with unloading equipment. I didn’t have much of my own, but I happily lent a hand to everyone else.
Chapter six
At The Campground
Danny said Skyler needed a tent partner, so I volunteered. That couldn’t have gone better if I’d planned it. I was pretty sure it would piss him off beyond reason when he found out, but it couldn’t be helped. I was the only one with extra space andequipment, including an extra sleeping bag, so that should make him feel comfortable. Maybe.
More importantly, this would be the opportunity to set things right with him. Or maybe it could lead to more. So, I was careful and picked a spot for my tent in the very back, which was a little bit secluded, surrounded by trees you had to squeeze between to get in and out. Danny winked at me knowingly when he okayed the assignment. Maybe he was secretly rooting for Skyler and me to get together. I know I was—even if it felt like wishful thinking.
Rubbing my hands together in anticipation, I plotted out where I wanted everything to go on our site. I spread the tarp over the ground and started opening the bag holding the tent. Before I got very far with the unpacking, footsteps approached, Danny was walking Skyler over. I stood and got an eyeful of Skyler. I could imagine the smoke coming from his ears. Oh yes, he was angry. “Hey. Welcome.” I spread my arms out.
Skyler turned to face Danny. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
“No. This is the only choice.” Danny stretched out an arm, physically maneuvering Skyler into the site. “Skyler, relax. Be nice.”
Skyler’s face turned beet-red, and he shook his head, then looked at the ground. “This is not happening right now. No, no, no. No way am I sharing a tent with this asshole.”
“Hey, now. I volunteered. And I have plenty of room.” I spread my arms wide in invitation again. One I was afraid he wouldn’t take.
“I think I’ll call an Uber and go home.”
Danny huffed, “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not,” Skyler protested with his hands balled into fists and planted on his hips.
“You are. But it’s okay. I get it. Not what you expected, but damn, it’s not the worst thing in the world, and if you openyourself to this, I think you’ll find Crow is not so bad. I mean, you could actually be friends.”
Danny’s words only earned me another scathing look from Skyler. “I don’t know about that.”
“I’ll be very nice. You can trust me,” I added.
