Page 21 of A Vine Mess
“Well, there will be one night of camping in the Badlands,” I started. “You can take the van and I’ll sleep in my tent. But the night in Rochester…I tried, I really did, but they only had the one room available, so for that night…ahh…”
“Liam, spit it out.”
“We have to share a room.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for Ella’s rebuttal.
It never came.
Instead, a small, light tinkle of laughter left her, growing in volume until she was practically in hysterics.
I frowned, confused.
“I’m sorry,” she said when she’d regained some of her composure, swiping at her eyes. “It’s just…you looked so fucking terrified about telling me that.”
“I…wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
“As long as there’s two beds, I don’t see an issue.”
I gaped at her, impressed by how well she was handling all of this.
“You sure? I can call and cancel, look for something else. We can pick a different city, or—”
Standing, she lifted her hand and slapped it over my mouth so quickly I stumbled back a step, breaking the contact before it fully settled. Which was probably the smartest thing I’d ever done.
“Liam, this is your adventure, okay? I’m just along for the ride. We’ll be fine.”
Then she breezed out of the room, leaving me staring after her like a putz.
I’ll never befinewhere you’re concerned.
I spent the nightbefore we left with my sisters, who came over tohelpme pack.
Byhelp, I really just meant they sat around my living room while I anxiously shoved as much as I could fit into my duffels. I’d spent all day Sunday driving around Traverse City, picking up theessentials, according to the list Liam had given me.
I’d managed to hit the jackpot at an Army surplus store, where I found these dark green canvas bags, a dark green sleeping bag, and some heavier sweats for the colder nights. I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d need since Liam wasn’t the most helpful in that arena, so I bought several thermal pajama sets, figuring I could wear them under baggier joggers and sweaters if it was particularly cold, and activewear sets for the warmer days exploring nature. This late in the spring, it was difficult to predict the weather, so I was erring on the side of caution. I’d thrown in some sundresses, shorts, jeans, my favorite little black dress, and some nicer tank tops. I’d also purchased three pairs of hiking boots that I’d takento wearing around so I could break them in before we left.
The duffels were stuffed full, the seams damn near bursting, and I silently thanked the Army for taking the construction of their gear so seriously.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Amara asked skeptically, glancing at my stuff scattered around my apartment.
I stood in the center of it all, hands on my hips, glaring down at her. “It’s not like I’m going off to war.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” Delia quipped.
I threw a balled up pair of socks at her head. “Oh, fuck off.”
“I just mean…emotionally,” Amara clarified.
My eyebrows pinched together in confusion. “Yeah? Why wouldn’t I be?”
Amara sighed deeply, as though preparing to impart some deep wisdom upon me. “I just mean…you and Alfie—”
“Don’t say his name,” Brie said before I could.
“Sorry,” Amara apologized. “You andfuckfacewere together for a long time. And I know it ended a while before it was truly over, but…areyoutruly over it?”
Instead of answering right away, I flopped onto my small couch next to her. Cora, who was sleeping soundly against my sister’s chest, let out a small whimper of protest before setting again. I reached out and ran my hand over her soft little head.
