Page 41 of The Bro Pact
Ren leans on me, both of us soaking wet and dripping while we hobble to wherever Ren is taking us.
As soon as we enter the private grove, hidden in the reeds and cottonwood trees, I sigh in relief. It’s calming here. Nothing but the cool breeze, birds chirping, and a few bees buzzing around the yellow wildflowers.
We dry off the best we can before getting changed into dry clothes.
“Are you hurt?” I whisper, even though it’s just us.
“Don’t think so. Just knocked the wind outta me. Which isn’t a good combination under water,” he says with a raspy chuckle.
No, it is not.
I frown, not liking what almost just happened, but grateful he’s okay nonetheless.
It was a close call.
“Picnic?” Ren asks with pleading, puppy-dog eyes. So, I push the intrusive thoughts away.
If he says he’s okay, then he’s okay.
I nod, and we move in synchrony, getting our food out.
Doesn’t matter that it’s just turkey and cheese sandwiches with giant pickles on the side. We’re starving, and this place is beautiful.
We set our towels down and sit, eating in silence.
I devour my sandwich and bite into the juicy dill pickle. I love anything sour—pickles, chips, fruit, candy. Everything. “Mmm,” I moan, sucking the juice off the end so it doesn’t dribble down my chin.
Ren whips his head toward me so fast, his gray eyes wide and possibly a little excited.
We make eye contact as I take another bite, savoring the juiciness.
A slow smile spreads across his cheeks, as does a slight blush. “You like that pickle in your mouth, huh?”
I snort, nearly choking on said pickle. I shove his shoulder playfully. “Shut up.Let me watch you eat your pickle.”
We’re silent for an awkward moment before laughter explodes out of us, echoing around the small alcove.
“That did not sound right.At all,” he jokes, and I completely agree but shrug my shoulders, not really caring.
I continue to eat my pickle, watching him bite into his own with a small smile.
“Hey, Ren?” I ask when he’s moved on to one of the chocolate chip cookies I packed for dessert.
“Hmm?”
“Quit doing dangerous shit for no reason. ’Kay?” I say it with a lighthearted tone, but I’m actually dead-ass serious.
He really needs to outgrow that shit.
Ren quits chewing, staring at me intently for a moment before nodding solemnly. “Okay. Sorry, Kyle.”
I don’t want an apology—I want him safe—but I accept it nonetheless. Because that was reckless for no reason, and we’re here to have fun and forget about our troubles, not make more.
We finish our cookies, take a few photos, and pack up, heading back to the RV. The hike is silent. Speculative. But that’s okay.
I think we could both use some quiet time.
When we get back to the RV, it feels like coming home, and I sigh in relief.
