Page 77 of Lost Boy
The calming sounds of nature are interrupted by a shrill bell and Mindy’s accompanying high-pitched voice. “Breakfast!”
I crawl out of bed, Fallon stirring next to me. I unzip the tent and stick my head out, squinting into the brightness. The early morning sun shines through the trees, bathing the hillside in beautiful shades of crimson and gold like a stained glass window.
My stomach growls when the scent of warm baked goods wafts to my nose. A giant picnic basket sits on the ground outside our tent, and relief washes through me that I don’t have to race over to the mess hall and grab breakfast before it’s gone. I lug our basket into the tent, immediately opening the top and peering inside.
Fresh chocolate chip muffins, croissants, bagels, jam, butter, cream cheese, prosciutto, and smoked salmon, along with a pitcher of orange juice and plastic cups.
There’s a note on rainbow tie-dyed stationary that I immediately recognize from home. And judging by the food in this basket, I’m guessing Georgie was at it again.
Oy! Me boys winning the games! I’m so proud! Keep up the hard work and enjoy some of me fluffy muffs! Warm and moist and there’s plenty to go around! So I’m letting ye share!
Enjoy,
Your Georgie
Oh, God. How can the awkward innuendo come through on paper? It makes me cringe. Hard.
“We should take it to the other guys before we open everything.” I grab one croissant and then another, tossing it to a sleepy-faced Fallon. He catches it easily and shoves half of the bread into his mouth, chewing with his eyes closed.
I chuckle at his adorable blue hair sticking up in every direction.
I take a bite of my own croissant, examining the map.
“Number three is by the river. . .” I trail off, glancing up and making eye contact with my now wide-awake boyfriend.
“I can’t swim,” he tells me, dusting the lingering pastry flakes off his sleeping bag.
“I won’t let anything happen to you. And it may not even have to do with water.”
He takes a deep breath and rakes a hand through the dark side of his hair, closing his eyes and shaking his head.
“A river is different from sitting on a dock or at the edge of the lake. I have control, then. My body decides whether or not I enter the water. But a river is turbulent, volatile,aggressive. It can’t be trusted.”
Damn. That was kinda deep. And hot.
“The Acadia River has Class Four rapids, so I can’t imagine we’d take that route.” I’m trying to make him feel better, but we’re here to test our limits and trust.
“Not helping, Ryder.”
Fallon has bowed out of the other challenges so far, and I kinda hope he sits this one out as well. I’m not so sure it’s a good idea, actually.
“Uncle Joel said I should try one of the exercises, and I already skipped yesterday. Don’t wanna let him down.”
“I don’t know, Blue.” I’d be worried about him the entire time, unable to focus on the task myself.
“Think I’ll do it.” His steely-blue eyes are determined, and I know I can’t push this.
“Okay. Let’s do this. I’m wearing swim trunks under my pants and a long-sleeve dri-fit tee, just in case. But I really hope we’re not actually getting in the water. It’s way too cold for that shit.”
Fallon’s slim body looks so sexy in his deep blue skin-tight, long-sleeve shirt. It accents both his eyes and his hair. Combined with the black cargo pants and hiking boots, he looks like a sexy, emo mountain boy, and holy fuck I’m already thinking about swallowing his cock again.
I clear my throat. “Let’s head out before I get a boner over how hot you look in blue.”
* * *
The number three trail leads us to the next spot on the map, a massive zipline that crosses the water.
The Acadia River carves its way down the mountain and feeds directly into the lake, causing the water to be cold.
