Page 80 of Faking Forever 1
Once I heard movement in my dad’s tent, that’s usually a good sign for me to get up. The first thing on my list was to shower off all the grime from my skin and make my hair feel like anything other than a dirty, dingy mop head.
The hot water was amazing on my body. Taking a shower in the middle of the woods is something that every single human should experience. It’s peaceful. The birds are the loudest thing you’ll hear, and that’s a pleasure if you don’t mind their constant singing. I especially love the smells. I could smell nature all day and never get sick of it. The smell, dampness, and the muggy feeling of the air are perfect. I’d never leave if it were up to me. I’d live in a cabin, only coming out to save mankind. I’d havetwodogs, Paisley would be my unbelievably perfect wife,andwe’d bust out a few little rascals.
Is it insanity to know that I could marry her tomorrow and be perfectly content? I’m just that sure of her—sure ofus.
I think the shower was well-needed, as it cleared all of the heavy thoughts from the night. I was tedious about it, taking the time to really soak and hoping by the time I was done, a certain someone would be awake. Coming out of the shower tent, I was quickly humbled by everyone being awake except the person I was waiting for. But now I was hoping she wasn’t hurt too severely to enjoy the rest of our trip. It’s more than just an excuse for my dad to get in good with John. It’s another chance to make new memories with Pea. Ones that’ll probably meanmuch more than they did before, now that I feel like I do. They’re all great memories, but I’m in love this time.
Walking out of the tent again, changed and feeling fresh, my dad meets me the minute I step foot outside of it, throwing his arm around my shoulder and placing a hand on my chest.
189
FAKING FOREVER
“Morning, son. Coffee? Breakfast? Darcy made some pretty great bacon and eggs.”
My eye twitches at the sound of her name. She’s given me every reason to believe that she was the reason Paisley even got into that mess, being the jealous scarlet that she is. If I had it my way, I’d cut that stringy, red ponytail off her head with a nice pair of scissors.
“Eh, I’m okay. Thanks.”
“Nothing? You usually eat like a vacuum kid. Is something wrong?”
I was having a crisis, actually.
His hand drags down my chest as he stabs a finger at the tent, a creepy smirk appearing on his face.
“I knew it.”
“You know nothing.”
I snort, rolling my eyes.
“I saw you guys sleeping last night. When were you gonna tell me the two of you were taking it to the next level?”
“Pop, would you spare me? It’s complicated, alright?”
He’s smiling like he’s obsessed with the idea of us. Granted, he’d been waiting for this moment for a while. That doesn’t mean he has to know about us yet.
“How complicated could it be? Either the two of yous are together—or—you’re just not.”
That stupid Italian touch on his words always made me cringe.
“It’s so complicated that I don’t wanna talk about it right now, okay?”
Christ.
“Okay, fine, I’ll drop it.” I watch his head bounce as he chuckles, “But whatever demons you’re fighting, it’s got your 190
ROUGH TERRAIN
brain in La La Land, kid.”
His hand smacks the back of my head, roughing up my nearly dried hair and then patting my back.
Yeah.La La Land.
191
14
