Page 44 of The Matchmaker Club
I pulled up Ben’s driveway, made my way around everyone’s trucks, and continued into his wooded backyard. Ben lived in a modest two-bedroom ranch, but it sat on one and a half acres of land right off Loon Lake. The lake was small, but big enough to take out a boat or a jet ski and have a little fun. The bonfire was at the usual spot, far from the pine trees and overlooking the water.
Five heads turned our way as we pulled up. I shut down the vehicle, and Ben was instantly by my side with a beer in hand. “Holy shit, when did you get this?” He examined the throttle and ran his hand over the switches.
I slipped off my helmet and goggles. “It’s not mine. It’s Lucas’s.”
Ben held out his hand to Lucas. “Hey, man, I’m Ben.”
Lucas shook it. “Nice to meet you.”
“Manual four by four. Is this a Fourtrax Rancher?”
Lucas scratched his head. “I think so.”
“Nice. I’ve got a Honda Foreman myself.”
I hung our helmets on the handlebar. “Lucas is a bit new to the all-terrain vehicle world. He’s from Boston.”
Ben took a swig of his beer. “Once you get riding, you’re gonna be hooked. If you want, I can show you some killer trails. We can start on the easy ones until you get the hang of it.”
“I’d like that.”
Ben pointed toward a cooler and a keg inside an ice-filled trash barrel. “Plenty of beer for everyone, so help yourself.”
“Thanks, Ben,” I said. I pulled out a twenty from my pocket. “For our share.”
Lucas pushed my hand away and opened his wallet. He gave him a fifty.
Ben took it. “You, my friend, get the first midnight burger.”
Ben went to meet Ed, who had just shown up. “Catch you guys later.”
“Midnight burger?” Lucas asked.
“You’ve never had a burger after a night of drinking?”
“I don’t usually eat after eight.”
“Well, tonight, you will.”
We walked over to the keg, and I handed him a cup. He gave it back to me. “I don’t mind being the designated driver.”
I forced the cup into his hand. “Neither of us have to. We’re crashing here tonight.”
He looked toward the house. “Is there enough room?”
I pumped the keg and gave him the nozzle. “Plenty. I keep my tent and sleeping bag here for our bonfire parties.”
“How are we going to sneak back in tomorrow without getting caught?”
I smiled. “That’s for you to figure out.” I grabbed the bug spray off the picnic table and doused myself in it. “Mind getting my back?”
“Sure.” He took the bottle and squirted, then did himself.
We made the rounds as I introduced him to the others. There were only seven of us, but it was better that way. Sharing good music, a warm fire, and drinks with the few people I actually liked in this town made the summers that much better. We all sat in a semi-circle on camp chairs with the little drink holders on either side.
Lucas remained quiet most of the time, watching the rest of us go on and on about stupid things most outsiders probably wouldn’t get.
I pulled my chair closer to him. “Feel like crossing off another item from your list?”
