“Thanks girl. You're the best. And he does—he really does.”
“Well ladies, I hate to do this, but I need to borrow Saige for a couple of hours,” Cam announced, and I tilted my head curiously, wondering what he was up to.
“You do?” Sprout asked, her eyes wide with surprise and excitement. Cam strode over and whispered in her ear. Whatever he said made her mouth fall open and her eyes dance with amusement. She turned to Miranda and Bette with a smirk.
“Sorry gals, it seems my guys planned a little afternoon date. Feel free to hang out here if you want. I have to go change,” she explained, already walking quickly to the stairs.
I threw a questioning look at Cam because I had no idea about this date we’d supposedly planned, but he just tossed me a wink.
“Go grab your swim stuff, K. We're leaving in five minutes,” he announced, leaving the living room without looking back.
“Looks like it's just us then, child. We can wait here for our demon men to return to us and think of the ways we can drive them wild.” Bette bounced around Miranda with glee, and I shook my head at her antics, racing from the room to go grab my trunks. I was excited to get out of the house, and if we were going swimming, I figured that meant an afternoon somewhere in one of the large bodies of water all over the terrain here.
My step was light and my heart full as I gathered my things for some quality time with part of my family.
* * *
The three ofus had rode in the SUV, forgoing the bikes in favor of safer travel. Sprout had stared longingly at the bikes though, and I knew she'd be ready to ride again as soon as she could after the babies were born.
Cam maneuvered the vehicle off the road and down a long dirt track. Soon we arrived at a sparkling blue lake that seemed completely private.
Saige bounced in her seat with the biggest grin on her face. “I don't know how you guys keep finding these awesome locations that I never even knew existed,” she said, gathering up her large tote bag.
“Well, this is just outside of city limits so I'd imagine it's because of the wards that used to be in place,” Cam told her, his hand flexing on the steering wheel. We all knew what he meant by that. Thanks to that piece of shit Laurie, exploring life outside of Emerald Lakes was another thing Saige had been denied.
I slid out of the back seat, opening Sprout's door and taking her bag. “At least I'm seeing it for the first time with you two,” she replied happily. It never ceased to amaze me how this woman was able to be so fucking positive despite the horrible situations she'd been put in.
“Damn right, Sprout. Now let me see how sexy you look in your swimsuit.” I gave her a playful growl as I helped her out of the car.
“Let's get set up first, perv,” she said, pulling on her wide-brimmed straw sun hat. I threw my head back and laughed, but I knew that suit was going to be the death of me. She'd slipped a long tie dye dress over top, and I could tell it was a halter top... which meant boobies. All up in my face.
“Yeah, perv,” Cam teased, walking past me and swinging a cooler in one hand.
“Is calling me a perv supposed to hurt my feelings? Because I think it backfired. I feel pervier than ever!” I shouted, jogging to catch up.
“There’s no deterring you, Kai.” Sprout giggled as she pulled a large quilt from her bag. We opened it up together and laid it on the grass. Cam shed his shirt, revealing his tattooed body and pierced nipples.
“Nice trunks, man,” I commented, getting a good look at them for the first time.
“She bought them for me,” he grunted, and I looked at Saige who suddenly seemed very busy rifling through her bag in search of something.
“Oh Cub, how sweet. What was it about the big guy that said ‘buy me these swim trunks with hot dogs and squirting ketchup and mustard bottles?’”
She stifled a snort before giving up the battle and completely losing it. “You should've seen his face when I gave them to him. It. Was. Priceless!” She wheezed between words, tears running down her cheeks.
“You mean this was a joke?” Cam grumbled, looking down at the two of us who were now rolling with laughter.
“Bro... come on. You can't seriously think—” I shrieked when Cam lunged for me, snagging my ankle in his iron grip. “Don't hurt me!”
“Shut up, K. You mess with the bull, you get the horns.” He chuckled, hooking his arm around my waist and lifting me with no real effort.
“Give him the horn, Daddy!” Saige cried out, and Cam bellowed a laugh that sent the birds flying from the trees.
“Yeah, Daddy, give me the horn! Oh no, wait. Cam. What are you doing?” I squirmed in his grip as he stomped over to the lake. Once we were about six feet from the ledge, he took off in a sprint, jumping with me straight into the air. He released me mid-jump and we crashed into the water together. The temperature was freezing at first, having sunk nearly to the bottom, but as I swam to the top it warmed considerably.
I burst through the water a moment before him, laughing wildly at the rush of adrenaline. Cam rose from the depths like a water god, his golden hair darker from the water that sluiced in big drops down his face.
“You dick,” I teased, splashing water at him.
