Page 8 of Off Trail Love
Graham claps his hands together. “Okay, seems like we’ve got the introductions out of the way. It’s a small group and we’ll get to know each other well over the next few days as we hike. This is my wife, Hannah,” he says for Maggie’s benefit and the women wave at each other. “She’ll be hiking with us, too. It’ll just be the five of us. We’ll head into town in a bit for dinner once we get our packs situated.”
“Actually, I won’t be hiking with you,” Hannah announces, wincing as she clutches the heating pad to her stomach. “I’m having an endo flare and need to stay home.” Graham goes to her side and they talk quietly for a moment.
“All right, it will just be the four of us.”
Situatingour packs ends up taking more time than expected, but finally, all of the supplies we need for the next two days have been divvied up, with Graham and me carrying the small tents we’ll use tomorrow night and the ladies carrying the food. I’m starving by the time we all climb into Graham’s car to drive into town for dinner.
Hannah still isn’t feeling well, but she said she’d come along for dinner. Something about wanting to get to know all of us before we hike, since that’s her favorite part of hiking, even if she can’t come this time. I’m squished in the backseat with Fiona next to me, her leg pressed up against mine.
Maggie has her phone out and is texting. Jealousy courses through me. She’s probably got a boyfriend back home. Why wouldn’t she? She’s gorgeous.
Even if she’s taken, I can’t help but wish it was her leg pressed against mine instead of Fiona’s. I can’t help but wish we could go back in time and I could be brave enough to tell her I liked her at graduation. But I chickened out, and now we’re strangers and rivals. Though, I don’t think she could ever actually be my rival. Even if that’s what she believes.
CHAPTER FIVE
maggie
On the carride into town, I pull out my phone. I told the girls that Jack was here on the hiking trip, but I haven’t checked it since then. I won’t have good service—if any—while I’m on the hike, so I’d best get all my feelings and frustrations out right now.
Chloe
Are you okay?
Meg
He’s there? On the hike with you?
Ava
Pictures please
Brooke
We need to know everything!
There are no messages from Sadie, the roommate I was closest with, but that’s to be expected. She’s at camp all summer and her texts have been few and far between since her service is so spotty.
Me
He’s here. On the hike with me. I’m low-key freaking out. He declared war. But he’s also flirting. I mean, I think he is. He might be. It’s been a while since anyone flirted with me. I don’t know what to do. HELP.
Thankfully, I don’t have to wait long before a few texts trickle in.
Ava
We still need a picture
Meg
Just ignore him, sometimes that’s the best thing you can do.
Chloe
What do you mean by war?
Can’t exactly ignore him in a small group of just four people. And what I mean by war is I DON’T KNOW. He said “if you want war, then war is what you’ll get.” But so far he’s just done annoying things like pick the bunk bed above the one I chose when there were other options.
Brooke
