Page 87 of This Blood That Binds Us
Aaron stepped in front of me again. “Why are you here right now?”
William matched his distance. “Same as you. Just a little fun.”
“It’s okay, let’s just keep going,” Luke said, slowly watching Aaron.
“You don’t know him like I do,” Aaron spat back.
“Yeah, I don’t know about this, Luke.” Zach kept his eyes trained on William.
I shifted my feet. I was safe among the group, but I wasn’t confident in their ability to stay calm. We were on the edge of causing a scene when the park guide spotted us.
“Hello, are you new to the MountainTop Park?” A burly man with a blood-red park T-shirt interrupted us. “Sorry to startle ya. I just noticed you guys are packing some luggage. Are you here to camp?”
“Totally!” Presley cleared his throat and placed his hands in his pockets.
“All right! Everyone who is camping, come over this way! Be sure to have your ticket stubs ready.” He guided us through the trees and closer to the riverbank’s soft trickling water.
Other guides were ushering in the strangers, and their voices carried in the echo of the canyon walls. The scene at the riverbank was pure chaos. Guides waded knee-deep in the water, pushed off its banks, then filed into the blue rafts.
Our guide gathered his hands in a single clap. “Okay, bros, this is how this is gonna work. I’m going to need to do some bagchecks. Don’t worry, I’m not here to judge. Just gotta make sure you’re not here with any illegal substances.”
His voice was mellow as he continued explaining the list of illegal things. Our group was still staring daggers at each. We weren’t paying attention. “All right, enough talking. Place your bags on this cart here. We will get them checked out, and they will be left for you to pick up at the campsite location. You can locate your assigned campsite by the number on your ticket.”
Afterward, we followed instructions and handed over our bags before he ushered us toward another table of life vests and helmets.
All the nervous energy was getting to me. My stomach dropped as I stared at the blue being tossed about in the rushing water.
“Are you guys needing any help with your gear?” The guide stopped in front of us.
“No, we got it. We’ve been rafting tons of times,” Presley said as he grabbed his helmet from the table.
Luke grabbed another one and handed it to Aaron. He leaned in to whisper something in his ear.
“Uh oh,” I mumbled. I held up one of the neon yellow vests and tried to watch the others around me put theirs on.
“Have you never been before?” Zach was in front of me, putting on his vest. “I figured you did since you’ve lived here so long.”
I had moved my vest to my shoulders, fussing with its buckles. “Uh. No, I think I got it, though.”
“I can help you.” Zach watched me with amusement. “Or watching you struggle is pretty funny, too. I could continue doing that.”
He grinned despite the deep indentation between his dark brows.
I threw my hands up in defeat. “Fine. Yes, I need your help.”
“Ah, you broke so easily. Here.” He helped me put it over my shoulders. “Then these straps will go under you. That’s the only real difference. I’ll get you a helmet. Hold on.”
“Hey! Zach. . . ?”
He stopped and turned around to look at me. “Yeah?”
“Can you . . . just watch Aaron? I’m worried . . . something is off.” I motioned to William, who was also getting his gear on.
I wanted to tell him everything. The danger. The fear. The uncertainty.
Zach smiled sincerely. “I’m way ahead of you. And don’t worry about that guy.. .he won’t get near you. That, I can guarantee.”
With those words, he turned around and headed for another table. I waited and tightened my vest, looking around. Presley was playing around with his vest already on.
