Page 32 of Anathema Codex

He’s silent for another minute or so, leaned forward on the dash, until I finally see a smile spread across his face.

“There. Park up there.” Aftyn points ahead of us, and I know exactly why he’s chosen it. There’s a little wooden sign that says ‘LAKE’ with an arrow pointing to the left. Parking the car in a flat area to the side of the narrow road, I turn it off and Aftyn jumps out immediately.

“You happy?” I ask through his open window and Aftyn’s bright blue eyes focus on me.

“How about you and I have some solo time, Wills? That’s what this road trip was supposed to be, right?”

Glancing at the bitch in the backseat, I grin and nod at him. “Yeah. Just us.”

“Come on then!” he shouts at me before leaning into his window to look at Daphne. “You stay here. Watch the car or whatever.”

“Okay,” she answers, pulling her sweet idiot act again. I don’t trust her at all though, and I’m hoping she wanders off somewhere while we’re walking around.

If she wanders straight into traffic? Even better.

Reaching down into the passenger footwell, I grab my purse, the snacks, and the last bottle of water. She can fucking fend for herself if she wants something.

“Feel free to leave,” I tell her, climbing out of the car before she has the chance to respond as I shove the water and my keys into my purse.

When I turn around, Aftyn is spinning in circles, his face turned up to the pale gray sky. It doesn’t look like it will rain, but the sun definitely isn’t showing its face today. Still, he hasn’t looked this happy in a long time, and it makes me smile.

“You ready, Wills?” he asks, turning toward the path that leads to the lake, and I’m so relieved to be away from Daphne that I shove the snacks into his hands and run right past him.

“Race you!”

“You bitch!” he shouts, but he’s laughing as I sprint toward the lake. The path takes longer than I expected though, and eventually I start to run out of steam, slowing down enough for him to grab me around the waist as he slams into my back. “GOT YOU!”

Shoving him off, I laugh as he throws an arm around my shoulder, pulling me right back against his side.

“Okay, Aftyn, you got me. You win. Now, where the hell is this lake supposed to be?” I ask, untangling myself from him again as we both breathe hard, scanning the trees.

“Path leads that way, so…” Aftyn shrugs, still grinning as he walks backward for a few steps. “Come on, Wills. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

He lets out a war cry as he turns around, heading toward the lake at a much faster pace than I’m in the mood for. I already ran this far, and who the fuck knows how far this stupid lake is? Even if we don’t find it, the trees are dense enough to give me that feeling of being secluded, and I like it.

Not that I’d enjoy actually camping out here all night… but the occasional pass through nature is nice. Refueling. Something we both need on this ridiculous road trip.

“Found it!” Aftyn shouts, and I walk a little faster until I finally catch sight of the lake over the edge of a hill. The water isn’t all I see though. Aftyn already has his shirt off and he’s working at his pants as he spots me on the path. “Get your clothes off, Wills. Let’s take a dip.”

“I amnotskinny dipping with you. You can’t keep your hands to yourself when I’m dressed.” Crossing my arms, I watch him as he kicks his shoes to the side, dropping his pants before removing his socks too. Standing in just his boxers, I can’t deny just how good Aftyn looks… but I’m still not fucking him.

If I ever actually gave in, I’m pretty confident that would be the end of our friendship. And, even though he’s an asshole most of the time, I actually value the connection we have.

“Keep your underwear on then, just get in the damn water with me.” Stepping closer, Aftyn cranks up the charm, giving me wicked puppy dog eyes as he holds out a hand for me. “Come on. It’s just us.”

Thatis what does me in. The fact that he made that bitch Daphne stay behind so we could spend some time together. Alone. Without her irritating commentary.

“Fine, but I’m keeping my underwear and my bra on,” I say, tugging my shirt over my head.

“Your choice to sit in the car in wet clothes!” Aftyn laughs, running for the edge of the lake, sending up huge splashes when he collides with the water. Before I even have my jeans unbuttoned, Aftyn’s gone. Diving under the water with more grace than he deserves to have. A second later he pops up, sending water flying again as he laughs. “This feels amazing, Wills. Get your ass in here!”

I ignore his taunts as I strip down to my bra and underwear, folding everything on top of my shoes to try and keep bugs out of my clothes. I’ve got dry underwear and another bra in my bag, but I’ll have to completely strip to change. Wavering over keeping them on or not, I groan when Aftyn whistles at me.

“Hurry up! You are so fucking slow,” he calls out.

“You’re too fucking impatient!” Turning around, I decide to keep them on as I move to the edge of the lake. It’s bigger than I thought it would be, and there’s no way I’m just charging into the water like him. It still has a chill to it, and as the water gets above my knees, I know it’s going to take my breath away.

“Just dive in, Wills. It’ll be way easier to adjust.”

---