Page 13 of Alice & Meg, Girls Trip

Reva was already cradling her cup like it was a precious treasure. “I just want to squish its little face. So cute!”

Greta popped off the lid of hers and raised it high. “You can bet your buns I’m going to be using this baby all week, starting right now. Who needs a refill?”

“I would say I would whip up a batch of margaritas, but Wrecker didn’t let me bring my blender,” I pouted.

“There is one in the RV,” Meg pointed out. “And all of the fixings, too.”

“No, no,” Greta called. “I’m just filling this baby up with a wine cooler tonight. You can’t go camping with Meg and not drink a few Jamaican Me Crazy.” She walked over to the cooler and pulled out a bright pink wine cooler. “Anyone else?” she asked as she filled her cup.

“I need a virgin one,” Lennox laughed. “I miss my wine coolers since Jonas knocked me up.”

“Only a few more months until you can pop one open,” Greta promised.

“What about you and Bear?” Cyn asked. “Any plans to have another cub?”

Greta glared at Cyn while she poured the bottle into her cup. “Did my mother tell you to ask me that? Is August not enough for you people? I pushed one baby out of my body already.”

Cyn held up her hands defensively. “I am asking out of my own interest. I’m ready for some more babies to be running around the clubhouse.”

“You’ll have Lennox’s soon, and you also have Royal, Luna, and Bristol’s babies.” Greta motioned to her body. “As of this time, my body is Bear’s playground.”

Cyn wrinkled her nose. “You could have just said no babies right now.”

Greta shrugged and tossed the empty bottle in the trash. “It’s like you’ve never talked to me before. I climb Bear like a tree, and then he–”

“Stop,” Meg called. “I don’t want to hear the end of that sentence. I know I said not to act like your age, but I think this might be the exception. I am too old to hear about your… free time.”

Cyn smothered a yawn with her hand. “I think I’m going to turn in for the night.”

“It’s only ten-thirty,” Reva pointed out, sounding slightly incredulous.

Cyn glanced at her wrist, where there was no watch in sight. “And that means it’s an hour past my normal bedtime,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Oh, boo,” Greta jeered with a grin. “We’re on vacation.”

“We’re on vacation for the next six nights, too,” Cyn shot back, laughing. “If I stay up late tonight, I’ll be in bed by seven tomorrow. It’s all about balance.”

“Yeah, I think I’m going to call it a night, too,” Wendy chimed in, stifling a yawn of her own.

“I’m right behind you,” Meg added, her eyes glancing at the fire. “The fire is dying down, and I’m not going to add any more wood.”

I timidly raised my hand, feeling the same tug of exhaustion but also not wanting to be the one to end the fun. “I say we all pack it in, and then we can start the fun all over tomorrow.”

Greta threw her hands up in the air in mock exasperation. “Fine, but we better do some cool shit tomorrow.”

Meg stood and stretched her arms over her head, her joints popping as she did. “Cool shit is on the top of my list all week, Greta.”

One by one, everyone began to rise from their seats. Cyn, Meg, Reva, Greta, Lennox, Paige, and Raven all headed toward Meg’s RV, moving slowly, their tired bodies eager for rest. The night air was cool, and I could hear the quiet rustling of leaves as we all shuffled off, the fire casting the last of its glow over us.

I followed Karmen, Nikki, and Wendy toward the camper. The door creaked as we opened it, and we all climbed inside, the familiar, cozy scent of the Mini Weenie wrapping around us like a warm blanket. The space was small with four people in it, but it had everything we needed—barely. We all busied ourselves getting ready for bed, brushing teeth, changing into pajamas, and trying to avoid bumping into one another in the tiny bathroom.

Nikki and I shared the bed in the back, which was the only one that stayed a bed all the time. Wendy and Karmen had the bed that used to be the kitchen table, now folded down into a makeshift mattress. It wasn’t the most comfortable setup, but we were all too tired to care.

Once everyone was settled, Karmen called out, her voice muffled by the blankets. “I never once thought I would be trapped in a tin can, but I’m glad it’s with you guys.”

“We’re not trapped,” Nikki laughed from beside me. “I’m actually pretty cozy. I like Mini Weenie.”

“Aww, are you the big spoon, or is Alice?” Wendy chuckled from across the camper.

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