Page 48 of Losing Sleep
“I would, but I have meetings I really shouldn’t reschedule.”
“And I’m on a vacation that I really can’t leave. Good luck!” I hung up before Drew could say another word. Normally, I would stress about my reaction, worried that I had jeopardized my job. But they needed me too much. If Drew fired me, he’d have to actually do his job, and we both knew he’d do anything in his power to avoid that.
I settled back to read, my heart pounding an odd rhythm of excitement and anticipation. I’d stood up for myself, and the world hadn’t ended. It made me wonder what else would happen if I continued to stick up for myself, instead of just doing what everyone expected. I might wind up surprising everyone, including myself.
Hours later, after everyone had gotten up and eaten breakfast, Tory declared we would float the river today. Personally, I was shocked she had waited this long to go. Tory would live in the water if she could, embracing life as a freshwater mermaid. We all changed into swimsuits and grabbed inner tubes beforedriving to the river. We left Brad’s car in a pull off next to the river and then all crammed into Tory’s car to drive to the boat launch. Using a car pump that sounded like it was on its last leg and a couple of manual pumps Tory had found at the cabin, we got to work blowing up tubes for everyone.
With everyone else pumping up tubes, I put on sunscreen. I made quick work of my arms, legs, chest, and face, but struggled with my back. The sun, warm on my skin, made it clear I’d want the protection if I didn’t want to turn into a lobster later.
“Tory, when you’re done with that tube, do you mind getting my back?” I held up my spray tube of sunscreen and waved it at Tory, who sat sideways in the driver’s seat, using the car pump to inflate one of the brightly colored tubes.
“Of course,” she called over the buzz of the pump.
“I can do it,” Grey offered from where he stood behind me.
“Thanks,” I stammered, surrendering the sunscreen and turning to give him access to my back.
I braced for the cold contact of sunscreen on my skin but was surprised when his warm hands touched my back, rubbing the lotion into place instead of spraying it directly onto my back.
“Did you get your shoulders already?”
I nodded, the words stuck in my throat.
“What about your neck?” He was close enough that his breath tickled my skin, causing goose bumps to break out across my arms despite the warmth.
“Yep.” I managed to squeak out.
What was wrong with me? A few days ago, I would have done anything to avoid getting this close to Grey. But now? Something had shifted, and I was terrified to see where it led. Yet, another part of me, that same part that dreamed of teaching yoga and celebrated sticking up to Drew, felt exhilarated at the possibilities.
“Sunscreen! Good idea. Grey, will you do my back next?”
Kylie’s voice broke through our moment as she walked over to join us, her bright pink swimsuit drawing attention to her curves. I ducked away from Grey, my cheeks flaming as I moved to help Tory with the blue inner tube she was working on.
“What was that?” Tory asked, keeping her voice low so that only I could hear.
“Nothing,” I mumbled, reaching to close the valve on the tube and lifting it onto my shoulder.
“How do I sign up for some of that nothing time with Trent? Dang, girl. That was hot.”
“Stop it. It was nothing. See, he’s doing the same thing for Kylie.” I waved to where Grey helped Kylie with her sunscreen, but it clearly wasn’t the same. He sprayed the sunscreen directly on her skin causing her to squeal at the cold, not bothering to rub it in before handing the can to her.
“All done,” he said, moving to help Brad with another inner tube.
Kylie stood, looking lost, sunscreen in hand. I almost felt bad for the girl as she gave him a smile and batted her eyelashes at him. “Thanks, Grey. You’re a lifesaver. Want me to do yours?”
Grey shook his head, and it was one of the few times I hadn’t seen a smile hiding beneath his beard. “I’m going to keep my shirt on.” He waved towards his t-shirt. It had a picture of bigfoot and the words “Hide and Seek Champion.” It wasn’t his typical flannel, but the green color did wonderful things for his eyes.
We finished blowing up tubes and slipped on our lifejackets before everyone made their way to the water. There was a family already at the boat launch, but they waved us ahead as they dealt with a stubborn toddler who didn’t want to wear a lifejacket.
The water was cold, making me gasp with each step as I found my footing and navigated the river’s rocky bed.
“This makes the Firehole feel like a sauna,” I joked, looking around to see how everyone else was faring.
Tory and Trent were at the back, waiting for their turn to step into the water. Brad and Alex slipped around me to get into their tubes. I moved farther into the water, making room for Kylie and Grey near the boat launch before jumping up into my tube.
The inner tube was large, designed for a leisurely float on a river, with cup holders, a mesh bottom, and handles. I scootched around in my tube for a moment, getting comfortable as the current pulled me down river.
Brad and Alex were a few yards ahead of me, splashing and hollering at each other. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought the attractive twins were fifteen instead of in their late twenties. Behind me, Grey held Kylie’s tube as she repeatedly attempted and failed to climb in. I had to give her credit—the woman was determined and used every situation to her advantage. She finally got into the tube and immediately began calling for Grey to join her. Tory and Trent were both on their tubes, hands linked, as they began their float. Apparently, they had worked out their frustrations from yesterday, though there were still hints of tension in Trent’s shoulders and the corners of Tory’s eyes.
