Page 64 of The Weekend Crashers
“Nothing happened. Except Scott must have told him something, because he started giving me a lecture at the axe place. But I don’t think he knows any details, or that it’s Kalli.” He pauses, then adds, “But maybe that should change.”
“Cole, no. Don’t start anything,” Kalli says.
“I’m not starting something. I wanna finish something. I love you, and I’m tired of apologizing for that.” They kiss, and keep kissing, until Piper takes her cue to leave.
“All right guys... see you tomorrow.”
She shows herself out then stands in the hall for a minute, processing.I have to tell my mother about this. Maggie likes to think she has every couple figured out from a mile away. But she didn’t see this one coming. Her next thought is more complicated. It’s something along the lines of, nowthat’spassion. That’s commitment. That’s forward momentum.
It would be nice to feel a little more of that certainty in her own relationship.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Maggie is tucked into her sleeping bag. Outside her tent, it’s quiet. The bachelor party has disbanded, the campfire extinguished. Now she’s in the dark, surrounded by virtual strangers. This was a stupid idea.
An animal howls in the distance. A coyote? A wolf? She doesn’t know if they have wolves in Pennsylvania. But what is a wolf, really, except an extremely aggressive outdoors dog? She’ll be fine.
She grabs her phone and is searching “dangerous woodland animals of Pennsylvania” when it buzzes with a call from Piper. She answers immediately. “I’m so happy to hear from you!”
“I was hoping I wasn’t waking you,” Piper says.
“Wake me? How can I sleep? It sounds like there are predators out here.”
“Like... serial killers?”
“No. Wild animals.”
Piper laughs. “Mom, it’s Pennsylvania, not Tanzania. You’re fine. Where’s Aidan?”
“He’s in his tent. Everyone is in their tents, and thanks to you I’m here alone. My chances of fending off a bear are greatly diminished by your absence.”
“Well, try to survive the night. If you’re really scared, go find Aidan. I’m sure he’ll tell you there’s nothing to worry about.”
“I’m not going to bother Aidan. I’d rather get eaten by a bear.”
“That’s rational. All right, Mom. I just wanted to say goodnight—and thanks for this weekend.”
Maggie smiles. “I love you, Piper. See you in the morning.”
After the call, Maggie pulls the sleeping bag higher up her chest and stares up at the darkness. She hears rustling outside, and she sits up, heart pounding.
“Maggie?”
What’s Aidan doing out there?
“Yes?” she says, incredulous.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Okay.She unzips her sleeping bag, kicking it off. “Be right there.” She pulls her hair loose from the messy ponytail and shakes it out. It’s pitch black out, but she’s not taking any chances.
The tent is sealed with a zipper and a series of hand-ties, and it takes her a few seconds to undo them all. She parts the curtain of fabric and steps out into the cool night. She hadn’t realized how much warmer it is inside her tent.
“What’s up?” she says.
Aidan has a thick blanket around his shoulders. She can barely make out his features in the moonlight.
“I’m checking on you. Listen, I’ve been camping out here my whole life. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
