Page 5 of The Bro Pact
It’s breathtaking.
A real-life postcard.
Movement pulls my gaze from the beautiful scenery, and I spot Warren walking toward the water in a pair of black briefs. His bike is off to the side, leaning against a tree, and his clothes are dangling over the handlebars.
I didn’t plan on swimming today, but Ren’s magnetism is hard to resist.
Always has been.
I walk my bike over to his and fold the kickstand out with my foot, propping it up. I undress quickly and run after him in a pair of tighty-whities with a wicked grin on my face.
He’s still on the shore, standing at the edge of the water and contemplating his next move, when he finally glances over andsees me, but it’s too late. I bend in half, scooping him up over my shoulder and walking into the cold lake.
“Fuck, Ky! Don’t you do it!” he hollers, laughing all the while. He braces his hands on my hips and squeezes in an attempt to keep steady.
“I told you to stay on the goddamn trail, and you didn’t listen,” I scold, my stomach clenching as I step further into the frigid water. “This is your punishment. Better get ready,” I tease in a sing-song voice, ignoring my own goosebumps. “Five. Four. Three?—”
Before I even finish the countdown, I grab him under the armpits and toss his slightly smaller body into the cold-as-fuck lake.
He pops up a second later, sputtering as he attempts to wipe the water from his face. “Fuck! It’s f-freezing!”
Ren swims further out, despite the cold, reaching up to release his bun. He tips his head back, dipping his long hair into the lake and smoothing it. “Feels good though, when you get used to it. You should come over here.”
I continue to stand, knee-deep in freezing lake water, debating whether he’s going to try to get me back somehow.
“Come on.Afraid your junk will shrivel up and disappear or something?” he teases. “You don’t need to be embarrassed. You know I won’t judge.”
“Ha. Ha. Fuck off,” I chuckle, wading further out. I drop my weight and go under the surface before I can change my mind.
The water is take-your-breath-away cold, and I immediately pop back up, gasping and sputtering for air.
As soon as I get my bearings, I find Ren laughing at me nearby. “Feels good though, huh?”
“No. It really doesn’t. I prefer to enjoy the beauty of this place from the shore,” I retort, even though I continue to swim after him.
He doesn’t stop, his lithe frame cutting through the water effortlessly.
“What are we doing, Ren?” I yell as he starts to get further away.
“You’ll see! Just follow me!” he calls over his shoulder, continuing to swim toward the center of the lake.
I’m getting tired and a little worried until I spot a small floating dock up ahead. It’s old and wooden but seems to be in decent condition, with a metal ladder attached.
Ren climbs up first, helping me out of the water next.
We lie down in our underwear, closing our eyes and allowing the sun to warm us up and dry us out.
There’s nothing but the sound of water lapping at the dock, birds chirping in the trees, and our own breathing.
It’s peaceful here, without technology and the modern world bogging us down.
Just the two of us, and Irelishit.
I think this road trip is going to be just what we both need.
“This is nice,” I finally say, first to break the silence.
I have no idea how long we’ve been lying here, but my hair is almost dry when I run my fingers through it.
