Page 36 of Something that Could Last

“It's not the worst idea in the world.” I don't know who I'm trying to convince, me or him. “Besides, you said Luke already rented a bunch of camping gear.”

“Knowing Luke, he probably rented a 2-person tent and a sleeping bag. Not exactly enough for the four of us.”

“You're probably right,” I respond with a giggle. “I can bring my stuff. I have plenty of gear.”

“Well, alright. If that’s what you want to do.”

“Do you mind if I bring Cero? He loves camping, and I would feel better having him with us.”

“I don't mind at all. I like that big furry beast,” Jacob replies with a grin.

“Great! He's going to be so excited.”

We make pretty good time getting back to Jacob’s SUV. Heading towards home, I start to feel a bit of excitement at the prospect of being snuggled up in a tent with Jacob. We'll set up far away from Luke and Tiff so we can maintain at least a modicum of privacy.

It's thrilling being out in the wild, knowing all that nature has to offer is right outside the thin material of your tent. You can make love under the stars and swim naked with nothing but moonlight to guide you. Not that I've ever had the chance to do either, but I've dreamed of both. And then there's the fire. There's nothing like the sound of wood crackling and popping in a campfire, complete with roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and anything else you can fit on a stick. It makes the bug bites and squatting against a tree to pee totally worth it.

This camping idea is getting better by the minute. I may just have to thank Luke for butting in on our plans this time.

Jacob

ON OUR WAYback to Abby's house, she insists on rolling the windows down and enjoying the warm breeze. She releases her still damp hair from its twist atop her head and I savor the scent of her windblown locks as the air carries it towards me, a subtle perfume of sweetness and wildflowers. She smells like spring and summer, renewal and fresh starts. Like warm, sunny days and honeysuckle vines. I've never smelled anything more enticing. I breathe her in, letting her scent imprint on my memory.

She leans against the door and crosses her arms over the window sill, resting her chin on her forearms. Her eyes flutter closed as she takes a deep breath, enjoying the rays of the late afternoon sun on her face. She seems content. I hope I have something to do with that.

After a few minutes, she straightens and rolls her window back up. “I wonder if Tiff even knows what Luke’s planning for tonight. She's not really the outdoorsy type.”

“I don't know,” I answer, glancing over at her. It's nearly impossible to keep my eyes on the road when she’s sitting next to me. “But she seems to go along with whatever he wants to do.”

She looks at me with hesitation, contemplating her next words. “You know he’s going to get his heart broken, right?”

Her eyes widen in surprise at my howl of laughter. That's a novel idea. Luke gettinghisheart broken. I don’t think he’s in any danger of that happening. When I glance back over at Abby, her eyebrows knitted together in a scowl, my laughter fades. She's not joking.

“Luke would need tohavea heart for it to get broken.”

“I see the way he looks at her,” she shakes her head and sighs, “but she doesn't do relationships, and she will crush him.” I think she almost feels bad for the guy. Not that Luke is at risk for getting hurt, but the bastard would kind of deserve it. He's broken enough hearts in his day. Fortunately for him, he never gets attached, and Tiff is no different. They'll have their fun and go their separate ways when it's over. No harm done.

What about Abby and me, though? What will we do when it's time for me to leave? Will we stay in touch? Am I going to drive down here every chance I get to spend time with her? Will she come to Arlington to see me?

Why am I even thinking like that? I don't know what this is or what we're doing. I've known her for what, four days? This could just be a summer fling. I really need to get it together. She may not even want anything to do with me once I'm gone. I shake myself from my thoughts. They’re not doing me any good right now.

“Don't worry about Luke,” I reassure her. “He's a big boy. He can handle himself.” She turns back to face the road, dragging in a deep breath and letting it out slowly in another sigh. I don’t think she believes me, but I know my friend. This trip will barely be a footnote in his long history of hookups.

When we pull into her driveway, I park next to her beat-up truck, realizing how rundown it looks in the light of day with its rusty fender, crooked bumper, and dented passenger door. I know it's all she can afford, but I hope that thing is at least safe to drive. Surely her brother wouldn't let her drive around in that bucket of rust if it wasn’t. I hope he’s keeping up with its maintenance since he works in a garage.

A feeling of guilt settles in the pit of my stomach like a ball of lead. Knowing my parents dropped at least eighty grand for my vehicle makes me feel like a spoiled prick. I don’t like to receive anything I don’t feel like I’ve worked for, but they gifted the Range Rover to me when I completed my Bachelor’s degree. They said I earned it. The thought was always in the back of my mind that they did it more for themselves than for me. You know, keeping up appearances and all.

I hop out and grab her backpack, slinging it over my shoulder. I eye her truck, looking for any visible problems, but see nothing that causes alarm. Part of me wonders what she would do if I just bought her a new car, but I quickly push that thought out of my mind. She would never go for it. There are plenty of girls back home who would, rich girls who expect extravagant gifts like that. But not Abby. She’s different.

Cero greets us as soon as we walk through the front door. We both stop and pet him a moment before continuing deeper into the house. “Enisi?” Abby calls out. “Are you home?” No answer. “Hmm, I wonder where she went?” Abby disappears into the hallway and comes back holding her cell phone to her ear, listening to her voicemail. “Guess she went into town with one of her friends,” she discloses, pulling the phone away and hitting the end button. “She must not have realized my phone was sitting on my bed.”

I hope Abby's grandma doesn't get mad if she comes home and I'm alone with her granddaughter. I would never want to show her any disrespect. Abby seems at ease, though, so I keep my reservations to myself. She’s a grown woman, after all.

“I need another shower after swimming in that creek,” Abby announces with her nose wrinkled up in disgust. I don't know what she finds unpleasant, because I think she looks beautiful and smells like Heaven. “Give me ten minutes?” she asks.

“Take your time,” I tell her, feigning a cool, calm demeanor. In reality, the thought of her a few feet away, naked and wet is enough for me to contemplate pouring a pitcher of ice water down my pants to keep from following her into the bathroom.

I take a seat on the couch in the living room with the intention of waiting on her while she's in the shower. I sit on the edge of my seat, elbows on my knees, and clasp my hands together. I'm itching to touch her again, but I can't risk it. Her grandmother could walk through the door at any moment.

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