Page 14 of The Bro Pact
“You really think this is a good idea, huh?” I ask him, staring into his bright blue gaze that’s wide awake now, despite his bare chest and messy hair.
“When you focus, you can write beautifully. Likereallywrite.” Kyle jumps up, digging through his backpack and retrieving a blue spiral notebook that he slaps onto the dining table, nearly spilling his orange juice. “Here.Take this and write about the places we visit. Write about your thoughts, and maybe even record your feelings. Use the new camera Val gave you, and it could be perfect. Just think about it,” he insists.
“Okay, okay.” I chuckle at how excited he seems about this. “I’ll think about it.”
I guess it does seem like a pretty good idea.
“Let’s clean up and get back on the road. We’ll be at the dunes in a couple hours if we get going now,” I say, grabbing the notebook and tucking it under my arm while I take my paper plate to the trash can. “And please call your mom, bro. You gotta let her know we’re still alive occasionally. I’ve heard your phone vibrate three times since I’ve been awake, and it’s giving me anxiety.”
Kyle laughs, helping me clear the rest of the table before searching for his cell phone in the couch cushions, intent on calling Mama Carol and reassuring her that everything’s okay.
“Are you sure there’s sand out here?” Kyle asks as we drive extremely slow through a cute little town with lampposts wrapped in lights and snow-capped mountains in the distance.
I bet it’s beautiful at night.
“Seems like we’re in the middle of nowhere, Ren.”
“Listen, Ky. I promise we’re going the right way. It’s literally impossible to get lost with GPS.” I point to my smartphone strapped to the dash of the RV.
“Have you met my mom?” Kyle deadpans.
I bark out a loud laugh as we finally leave town, and the dunes come into view.
“Look!” I gasp, taking one hand off the wheel to point at the sand dunes in the distance.
“So cool,” Kyle whispers, leaning forward to stare out the front window as we quietly take it all in.
Wait until he finds out what we’re doing.
I paid for our park passes online, so we go through the entrance easily.
“Let’s stop at the welcome center,” Kyle insists, and I’m relieved he’s excited about this.
I park the big-ass RV in the back, and soon enough we’re browsing a collection of magnets, shot glasses, and ugly T-shirts withGreat Sand Dunes National Parkprinted on them.
I grab a vintage-looking postcard, check out with the old man behind the counter and tuck it into my back pocket before Kyle even notices.
I go back to browsing the aisles, catching up with him near the vending machines.
“Let’s take a picture at the observation point. Come on,” Kyle insists, grabbing my wrist and tugging me through the gift shop.
His skin feels rough against mine, not soft like a girl’s. His hands are big. Larger than my own.
His grip is strong.
Firm.
Why the hell am I thinking about the way my best friend’s skin feels?
I snap out of it by the time we get to the lookout point.
“Wow.It’s beautiful,” Kyle gushes as he stares out at the rolling hills of golden-brown sand.
The dunes seem endless and grand, like we’re just a spec of sand ourselves, lost in the sea of billions.
“Yeah,” I agree wholeheartedly. “Kinda amazing this is so close to home.”
“And we’ve never been here until now,” Kyle finishes for me.
