Page 56 of The Bro Pact
Like many other times on this trip, I’m not sure how many minutes have passed, but I take a deep breath, sighingcontentedly. “It really is beautiful,” I whisper, feeling the need to voice it out loud. “Calming.”
“It’s indescribable, making you feel as small as a grain of sand at the bottom of the canyon. But in the grand scheme of things . . . Out of all the matter in the entire universe, we’re less than a grain of sand. Not even a blip.”
“Jesus Christ, Ren.That’s kinda dark, isn’t it?”
“Or is it transcendent, Kyle? Because if I’m less than a grain of sand, yet I can feel the things I feel and dream the things I dream, then imagine what else is out there. Imagine the things that are truly possible.”
I take my eyes off the curving river to stare at Warren instead.
He’s just as mesmerizing, I realize, and the depth of his words catches me off guard as it always does whenever he reveals this vulnerable side of himself.
Ren grabs my hand, threading our fingers together and squeezing tightly as he continues to stare at the river that’s spent millions of years carving its horseshoe-shaped path through the sandstone.
We lose more time sitting at the bend, and the hike back to the RV is silent, but Ren doesn’t let go of my hand the entire way. Until he has to unlock the door.
There was something magical about that place that I could never put into words, and it’s an experience I only share with Warren.
Luckily, the drive to the campsite is short—not even five minutes.
“Look!” Ren shouts with enthusiasm, taking his hand off the wheel to point at a placard that’s set into a massive boulder, readingEight Mile Campground. He flips the blinker on, going as slow as possible. “Take a picture of it!”
I scramble to pull out his Polaroid camera and snap a quick photo, followed by a few on my phone. “Got it,” I tell him before we get honked at. I glance in the side mirror and see a few people backed up and waiting behind us.
We turn in, admiring the view, even though so far there’s nothing but desert and crumbling rock all around.
Ren once again finds the most secluded spot in the whole campground, and we gear up, getting ready for an afternoon spent swimming and kayaking.
My backpack is stuffed full with a towel, change of clothes, water, and plenty of snacks.
Ren tosses me the sunblock, and I catch it. “Definitely going to need this today on the river.”
I spray my arms, legs, and chest, then my palms, closing my eyes as I rub it on my face, including the tops of my ears. I stuff the can of sunblock into my bag so we can apply more later.
“This is going to be amazing, Ky.Seriously.We’re thirty feet above the river right now, so we have a short hike down to the beach, and then there should be trailheads and kayak rentals.”
I smile, excited to once again focus on the purpose of our trip, which meansless jerking off and more bro-ventures.
We finish getting ready for the day, and then we’re off, starting our descent down the steep trail leading to the shore.
Ren once again casually grabs hold of my hand, lacing our fingers together.
I don’t fight it, I never do. And I’m starting to feel comforted by it. Like there’s someone who’s got my back right there next to me.
As soon as the shore comes into view, I can tell this location is more crowded than some of the other campsites we’ve stayed at. But that’s to be expected, considering the beauty of it.
Ren doesn’t seem to care that anyone could notice us holding hands, so, I decide not to worry either.
It’s really nice here. The shore is mostly sandy, but it’s a little rocky in areas too, so we step carefully. Sandstone cliffs tower above us as the sun beats down on our backs, and the cool water laps at our ankles.
It’s hot here.
Hotter than Colorado.
“Wanna swim?” Ren asks, the sun beaming down on his shiny top knot. His dark shades are hiding his eyes, but I know they’re sparkling too.
“Hmm?” I ask when he starts to get a crooked little grin.
What did he just say?
