Page 57 of The Bro Pact
Shit. I was distracted.
“I said,wanna swim?”
“Oh, um.” I glance behind me, still holding onto Ren’s hand. The beach is bustling with families, and I swear a few dads give us a frown. “Think we could go somewhere a little more private?” I ask, uncomfortable with how many people are here and being stared at like I’m something I’m not.
But even if I was, or Ren was, it’s none of their goddamn business.
I want to enjoy my afternoon freely, and if that means kissing my best friend, then so be it.
Ren gives my hand a little squeeze. “Of course. Let’s rent those kayaks, grab a map, and find another spot off the river that’s a little more private.”
Now, that sounds like a plan.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
WARREN
“How ’bout this place?” I shout, cupping my hands around my mouth.
We’ve been paddling for a few miles, and my arms can already feel the burn. We rented kayaks and left the crowded part of the river, looking for our own private beach instead.
“Isn’t it kinda rocky?” Kyle yells back.
“That’s the point! No one else is gonna stop here!” I don’t know about him, but I had high hopes for a make out session.
“Okay! Let’s stop,” Kyle agrees, and we paddle over, hop out, and drag our kayaks onto the rocky shore.
“God, it’s magnificent out here,” I say, taking in the calmly flowing river and stunning sandstone that surrounds us as we stand at the very bottom of the gorge. I get my camera out of my backpack and tell Kyle to stand next to his kayak.
He smiles wide, and I snap a Polaroid. Then we switch, getting one of me as well.
I take my baseball cap off and run my fingers through my loose hair. I’m already sweating profusely and ready for a dip in the cool water, but my stomach takes the opportunity to voice its disagreement, rumbling loudly.
“Guess you’re ready for lunch, then?” Kyle teases, setting his bag down. He gets his towel out, folding it in half to sit on.
I do the same, but the towel isn’t much help as I attempt to get comfortable enough to enjoy my lunch on the hard, lumpy ground. “Ah, shit. These pebbles are digging into my ass.”
“Fuckin’ right,” Kyle grimaces, grabbing our lunch bag and handing me a sandwich wrapped in plastic film.
“Not to keep bitching, but I think I’m actually getting sick of sandwiches,” I confess.
“I’m definitely looking forward to a home-cooked meal when we get back,” Kyle admits with a chuckle.
“Hell yeah. You better invite me, bro.” I can’t deny that I’m looking forward to Mama Carol’s cooking, too.
“Duh,” he says with a little smile before taking a giant bite of his sandwich.
We finish eating quickly, ready to get into the river.
“Let me put some more sunscreen on you,” I tell Kyle.
“I already did right before we left.”
“And it won’t hurt to reapply,” I insist.
I tan pretty easily and hardly ever get sunburns thanks to my Italian heritage, but Kyle isn’t so lucky. “Don’t want you to burn, blondie. ’Cause then I can’t do this.” I step into his space, running my hands up his hard abdomen, feeling every peak and valley of his delicious body.
Kyle sucks in a sharp breath of air as my palms brush over the tight buds of his nipples. I curl my hands over his shoulders and squeeze, massaging his muscles for a moment.
