Page 61 of Never Will I Ever

“We’ve put the past in the past” is the response I settle on,my attention flicking between my brothers. “Sometimes in life, people make mistakes. And sometimes they deserve the benefit of the doubt that they won’t make those same ones again.”

They don’t look very convinced, if the vacant expressions are anything to go by, but thankfully, they decide to drop it when we enter the lodge. At that point, they become these half-human, half-feral-animal creatures, rushing to the buffet line for breakfast.

All except for Elijah.

There’s an innocent smile plastered to his face when I glance over at him, about to ask if he’s planning on eating this morning. I don’t get the chance before he speaks instead.

“I’m glad you and Avery are friends again.”

Then he’s off to join the rest of the campers in line, like he didn’t just pin me in place with a simple statement.

Are we friends now?

It doesn’t quite feel like the right word, but I do know there’s a sense of calm surrounding us that didn’t exist before. I’d fully expected things to return to their strained, slightly volatile nature after what happened in my cabin last weekend, but to my surprise, it’s been…normal. Or what normal should be.

Sure, we haven’t exactly talked about the way we devoured each other like animals in heat until we were covered in our own cum, but that’s okay. If he wants to leave it as a one-time thing, or if it was too much too soon, then I’m not gonna push the subject. It’s not worth disrupting the newfound peace we’ve established, and honestly, I’m not really looking to put it under a microscope. I’d much rather enjoy where we are now. Maybe even replace some of the bullshit between us with something better.

Hell, we couldactuallybe friends.

An idea clicks in my head, and after making sure the kids are all accounted for, I slip down the hall leading toward Colin’soffice and snag a piece of scrap paper. Then, taking a page from Avery’s playbook, I scribble out a quick note on it.

10:00am, north trailhead.

There’s something I want to show you.

— K

I make a beeline for Avery’s cabin after that. A stupid grin tugs at my lips, and I wonder how he’s gonna feel about me returning the favor when I slip inside and leave the note on his bed.

If this goes as planned, I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough.

“You’re late.”

I glance down at my Garmin, noting the time as 10:02, before lifting my gaze to Avery. While I may have just seen him in the dining hall at breakfast, the sight of him leaning against the trail marker, waiting for me, does something weird to my stomach.

Choosing to ignore the weird fluttering altogether, I shake my head and sigh. “Look, my brothers were a couple of menaces after breakfast. I couldn’t exactly leave them in the hands of someone else when they’re acting a fool.”

“Guess you’re lucky I didn’t impose the same terms as you, otherwise you’d be six feet under right now.”

I hate the stupid smile pulling at my lips when I recall the threat I’d given him, but I can’t seem to stop it either.

God, was that really only last week?

With how smooth things have been going the past few days, it may as well have been a millenia ago.

“Consider me grateful that you’re sparing me from meeting an untimely demise,” I joke, reaching up and placing my palm over my heart. “I’ll be forever in your debt.”

Rolling his eyes, he pushes off the sign and motions toward the trail. “You gonna tell me where the hell we’re going?”

“Nope. It’s a surprise.”

And with that, I make my way past him and start up the trail.

He lets out a long, resounding sigh, and I glance over just in time to catch him glaring at me. “Of course not. Because why would you ever make anything easy or simple or enjoyable for me?”

The snort that slips out can’t be helped. Leave it to Avery to complain about a surprise.

“You’ve met my brothers, and should know dramatics aren’t gonna work on me.” I flash him a grin—which earns me the finger this time—before adding, “Now, let’s get your ass in gear. We only have so many hours of daylight, and I’m planning to use every one of them.”

---