Page 31 of Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend

“Almost done,” she says.

Rita stirs the pot vigorously one more time then pours some out into her mug.

“You can eat yours from the pot, if that’s alright?”

“Sure is. It smells delicious.”

“Just oats, fruit, and nuts. Simple food. But nutritious. And it’s full of energy for the hike today.” She spoons out a mouthful, blowing across the surface to cool it down before eating. I do the same. She chews and swallows then continues. “We can either go back the same way.” Rita uses her spoon to point at the track. “Or there’s a really pretty trail that comes out at the river. It’s slightly longer. But we have all day. You choose. I don’t mind.”

“Let’s not go back the way we came.”

“Okay.”

“I’d like to see the river. Maybe we can swim?” I eat a spoonful of porridge.

“Sure can. It’s going to be a hot day. A swim at the end will be so nice.”

We’re quiet as we eat our breakfast. A breeze is stirring the trees’ upper branches, but otherwise, everything is peaceful. I feel that the scandal and drama of my life are far away. What if I stayed up here on the mountain? What would happen? The team would find a replacement for me in the blink of an eye. My mom and dad would miss me. Probably. Would my thousands of insta-followers notice my absence? Possibly. For a while, at least. But, maybe, within a year, no one would give me a second thought. No one would remember. I could just disappear and never be seen again. This idea makes me thoughtful and melancholy. Is this an existential crisis? Am I having a breakdown?

Rita looks at me, and noticing the change in my mood says, “S’up?”

“Ah. Nothing. I’ve never had this much time or space to myself before. Not that I can remember. It’s a bit full on… Makes you think… About stuff.”

Rita smiles. Her eyes are soft and kind. “You’re alright, Brodie Kent.”

“Thanks, Rita. You’re alright too. I mean. Gosh. You’re more than alright. You’re about the most alright person I know.” I’m jabbering on and I can’t seem to stop. “I mean, you’re better than alright.”

Better than alright? Seriously? Is that how I’m going to win Rita over. I know I’ve blown it. But then Rita smiles shyly and looks away.

“We’d better get going,” she says. “Here.” Rita hands me her mug. “You do dishes and fill up the water bottles. I’ll tidy up the site and stack some firewood. Then, let’s go.”

The rock face where the trickle of water spills over looks as if it was created for a fantasy movie. Something with fairies and wizards. Plants with delicate lacy leaves cling in nooks and crevices. Moss covers shaded places away from the sun’s direct glare. A tiny lizard darts across the path in front of me, but it’s gone before I get a good look at it.

I wash the pot, mug, and spoons, then fill each water bottle and return to the camp where Rita is waiting next to the backpacks. I give her one of the water bottles, then she takes the other one as well.

“This water needs treating before we drink it. If it’s not boiled or purified, we could pick up a bug or an intestinal parasite. And we wouldn’t want that.”

“Intestinal parasite infection is way down my list today.”

Rita takes out what looks like a pen with a long thin lamp on the end.

“I find chlorine tablets make water taste bad like swimming pool water. This is a better option.” She dips the pen into one of the bottles, activating a lamp that lights up the water inside pale blue. “It’s UV light. Basically, it does the same job as the sun.” Rita holds the pen and stirs it until the light goes out. “It nukes the bacteria and viruses present in the water, making it safe to drink.” Then she does the same with the other water bottle. “The only thing it doesn’t do is filter out heavy metals, so you could still get liver problems because of that.”

“I’ll take my chances. I mean. You’re drinking it and from what I can see, you look alright. Quite healthy. Not falling down dead. Yet.”

Rita is shy again. She picks up her pack, puts her arm through the strap and slings it onto her shoulder. I hoist on mine and clip the waistband. We start walking away from the campsite, following a trail into the trees. I turn to look at the clearing that was our home for a night. There’s no trace, apart from the charred wood in the firepit and a rectangle of flattened grass.

Chapter 17

Rita

It could just be my imagination, but Brodie seems calmer today. More chilled. Relaxed. Less annoying. The effect of being in nature, I think. And perhaps, equally, I’m more relaxed around Brodie. Less reticent and defensive. And possibly more understanding. I hadn’t considered the effects of the recent scandal on him, and how he must feel about being judged by everyone. Being such a big star, with a very public profile, always in the media, must have consequences that are hard to avoid. Being under a constant media microscope must take its toll.

I suddenly feel protective of Brodie, although I can’t let down my guard too much. I’m still not convinced the allegations aren’t one hundred percent true. He is so handsome and flirty. He must have women falling over themselves to get close to him. All the time.

I laugh to myself as I imagine how some women might feel to be in my shoes, out on a trail alone with Brodie Kent. I’m sure, even roughing it in the forest, would be heaven to some girls, if it meant they could be this close to Brodie. And sharing a tent. Would anyone following the news media channels believe that Brodie and I shared a tent together and nothing happened?

I sneak a look back behind me at the sweet, funny guy walking the track with me today. He is not the sex-fiend predator that the press would have us believe. In my heart, I know Brodie. He is the same as when we were growing up and hasn’t been changed by fame or being continually in the limelight. The accusations of sexual misconduct don’t fit with the person I know. And love.

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