Page 34 of Losing Sleep
“Oh, come on! It’s not that different from the time at camp when we were kids,” Tory protested, jokingly going in for another hug while Kylie ducked away, hiding behind Brad for protection.
“The difference is I’m an adult now who really doesn’t want to have to change her clothes,” Kylie said, gesturing to her pink top and leggings.
“I didn’t realize opting out of wet hugs was an option,” Brad joked as he pulled his shirt away from his skin, exposing a band of tan, muscled stomach.
“You love it, and you know it,” Tory said, giving him another hug, making sure to soak even more of his shirt. “We’ve been friends for too long for you to worry about a wet shirt.”
“True enough.” Alex shrugged, pushing his glasses up his nose. “But he can be bugged by how cold you are. Where were you swimming? The Antarctic?” He gave a mock shiver, emphasizing his point as he leaned against the porch railing.
“We hit the Firehole since we weren’t sure when you’d get here. You made great time,” Tory said.
“I got off work earlier than planned,” Kylie said. “I didn’t want to miss any more of your birthday trip!”
“Are you sure they won’t fall apart without you?” Tory quirked an eyebrow. “You’ve been sprinting up the corporate ladder so fast, I’m not sure they’ll know how to function without you.”
Kylie gave a delicate shrug. “I might have to answer a few emails while I’m here, but I’ll make it work. I’ve always loved a challenge.”
Tory blocked the door, so Grey, Trent, and I hung back, watching the exchange. Trent’s posture tensed as he watched his girlfriend catch up with her childhood friends. I didn’t know Trent well, but his reaction was odd. For someone so stoic and not reactionary, his clear dislike of Brad and Alex seemed out of character.
“Can we pause the shoptalk to discuss the really important topic here? You went to the Firehole without us! Please tell me you saved floating the river for when we got here,” Brad said, nudging Tory with his shoulder.
“Of course! I wouldn’t dream of floating without you guys. You brought tubes, right?”
Tory and the twins became lost in conversation, talking about plans for the rest of our trip. I wrapped my arms around myself, pretending I wasn’t eager to duck inside to shower and repair my appearance.
As a breeze rustled the trees around us, I shivered, goose bumps breaking out on my skin. If Alex thought a hug from Tory felt like the Antarctic, then I felt like I’d been vacationing on Pluto thanks to the combination of my wet swimsuit and where I was standing in the shade of the porch. I was well on my way to turning into a popsicle, the higher elevation of Idaho bringing with it an added chill.
“Hey, Tory. Do you mind letting the rest of us into the cabin? I’m glad you’re reconnecting with friends, but I, for one, would really like to change before hypothermia sets in.” Grey called from behind me where he stood on the stairs, watching the exchange.
I smiled at him in appreciation as I rubbed my arms, trying to get rid of my goose bumps.
Tory jumped as if she’d forgotten about us in her banter with the twins.
“Yes, of course,” Tory said, stepping aside to let us pass and giving a welcoming sweep of her hand to wave us inside. “I just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t get overheated in the cabin.”
Her comment was completely ridiculous. The cabin was several degrees cooler than outside, and I did my best to fight down my grimace. I would likely have more of a sense of humor once I’d had a chance to stand in the warm shower spray for at least 20 minutes.
I hurried around Tory, eager for a shower and the chance to warm up. My toes were cold enough that I’d likely need fuzzy socks to feel warm again. I had nearly made it inside when Kylie snagged my arm.
“Audrey! I’m so glad Tory convinced you to come. I was worried you’d back out.” Kylie reached to hug me but stopped short, noting my bedraggled state. “I owe you a hug too, once you’re dry.”
I gave an awkward laugh, not quite sure of the correct response. Kylie and I were friendly, but I hadn’t realized we were on hugging terms. She’d always felt more like Tory’s friend who was comfortable around me as opposed to someone I counted as a friend. Perhaps I needed to reevaluate that perspective. Maybe vacationing with someone changed those dynamics.
“Darn wet swimsuits, always getting in the way,” I joked, wishing it wasn’t rude to dash into the cabin and let the door slam behind me in my haste to get warm again. Could you get frostbite from swimming in a river in the middle of summer?
“Exactly! I wish we could have gotten here sooner. You guys look like you’ve had a blast. I hated missing the fun, but I couldn’t escape work until today. You know how it is, being a career woman and all.” She gave me a friendly nudge with her shoulder, careful to avoid my swimsuit.
While it was not fair, the comparison fairy in my head had convinced me to keep Kylie at arm’s length despite her repeated attempts to get to know me better. Kylie had always been friendly, excited to see me whenever I visited Tory. Yet, she left me feeling self-conscious. She always looked picture-perfect, with subtle but striking makeup and clothes that cost more than I cared to think about. Her current ensemble of name-brand leggings and a flowy top hinted at money. She’d completed a business degree about the same time as me, and while mine did nothing but collect dust in a drawer somewhere in my bedroom, hers seemed to throw doors wide open. She’d recently started a job at a new company and was already climbing the ranks, going on regular business trips to exciting locations. She was nothing but nice to me, but that voice in my head loved nothing more than pointing out how much more successful Kylie was compared to me.
Kylie led the way into the cabin, chattering away about corporate life. It was a side of business I knew little about,thanks to being perpetually stuck in customer service. Kylie’s stories about big projects and corporate meetings felt like a distant dream—a dream I wasn’t sure I wanted any more, not if it came with the type of stress Kylie seemed to revel in. Though, the business trips and pay raise would be nice.
“Don’t worry. Now that we’re here, the real party can begin!” Kylie gave my arm a squeeze before turning to look at the rest of our friends who had followed us into the cabin.
“Grey!” If it was possible, Kylie’s voice filled with even more excitement. “I’ll also be taking a raincheck on a dry hug from you.” She flipped her hair as she spoke, and I was grateful her back was to me so I couldn’t see her expression. It was probably the perfect combination of interest and invitation.
Grey’s face, on the other hand, was strained as he stepped around her and headed for the stairs, hinting at a history I’d have to ask Tory about later. “Good to see you, Kylie. Unfortunately, I don’t raincheck hugs.”
“In that case, I guess I’ll take a wet hug instead.” Her voice held a note of invitation, making my hackles rise. It was an unfamiliar sensation, which I tried to ignore.
