Chapter 7
Seven
Devon
“I think so,” he said but it was obvious he wasn’t sure about where I was taking him.
“I can tell you where we’re going if you want,” I offered for the hundredth time. He knew I wanted to surprise him, but his patience was at an end.
“No, I want it to be a surprise.” He smiled then and settled his hand on my leg. We were in my car, which was more comfortable than the van, and smelled way better.
“Good, because we’re almost there.” I turned off the highway onto a narrow road that led to a gate.
He leaned forward against the seat belt to get a better look.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.” I kissed his cheek before hurrying out, and after trying two keys on the ring I finally found the one that went to the padlock that kept the gate closed.
“What is this place?” Johnny asked as I drove through the gate and before I put the car in park to go lock the gate behind us.
“You’ll see,” I said again making him roll his eyes. “I know but we’re almost there.” Hopefully this was a good idea and he wasn’t disappointed, but as we rounded the last turn and the cabin came into view he leaned forward again and smiled.
“Is this where we’re staying?” he asked after what seemed like forever, his voice filled with excitement instead of dread.
“Yep. I rented it for two weeks, so I hope you’re ready to get back to nature,” I said and wasn’t kidding.
“You always know what I need,” he murmured just loud enough for me to hear as I pulled up in front of the cabin, I’d only seen pictures of.
It was small and blended in perfectly with the forest that surrounded it.
The river was just below the ridge the cabin was built on, and I knew it was filled with fish and there was fishing equipment if Johnny wanted to try it.
I had no clue if he’d fished before or if it was even something he’d want to do.
But that’s what this time was about. I wanted to get to know him, and I really wanted him to know me.
“What we both need,” I finally answered as I parked the car. The engine creaked and popped as it cooled down and the two of us sat in the car not moving. “I hope you like roughing it.”
“I guess you’ll find out,” he said still staring at the cabin. “I’ve never stayed in a cabin like this before.”
“Well, you’ll know soon enough if you love it or hate it.
It has power but there’s nothing nearby.
We’ll need to get groceries after a few days and it’s about a thirty-minute drive to that small store we passed.
” I got out of the car and opened the back.
I’d packed anything I could think of that we’d need and even a few things that might come in handy but weren’t necessary.
One of those was the small electronic drum pad I practiced on and Johnny’s acoustic guitar.
“It’s beautiful here,” he said as he got out of the car and stretched.
“It is, but don’t be surprised if we get snow while we’re here.” That was another thing I’d prepared for. The rental place had assured me they had a service that kept the road plowed, but they couldn’t control the weather, and we needed to prepare for the worst.
“I wouldn’t mind if we were snowed in,” Johnny said, and for the first time in months his shoulders seemed a little less tense, and his smile lingered rather than faded.
“As long as we have food and firewood, I’m fine with it too. Let’s go see what it looks like.” Leaving the trunk open but taking his guitar, I led us up to the door. I tried one key before Johnny took the keychain from me.
“Here let me try,” he said and got it first time. He flung the door open and we stepped inside. “Wow, this is nice.”
It was small but neat and comfortable, with a big couch in front of a television hung over a big fireplace.
Wood was stacked to the side with a small container of kindling and matches.
Johnny walked over to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator before continuing to explore.
I knew he’d find three small bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of them off the master which I hoped would be where we spent lots of time while we were here.
“I hope you like it. I tried to find a place that was far away from everything but still wasn’t too rustic. ”
“It’s perfect,” he said and stepped close enough to wrap his arms around my waist. “Are Mateo and Jeremy still joining us?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure when. It sounds like they have a lot of work to do first.”
“I’m glad we’ll get to spend some time alone.”
“Me too, I really want us to get to know each other better,” I said, and hoped that didn’t bother him.
He was so guarded with his life outside the band but if we were going to be together, I wanted to know more than I already did.
He smiled and brushed my hair back from my forehead but didn’t speak.
“We should probably unload the car. As soon as I sit down, I’m not getting back up. ”
“You’ve got that right,” he said and we walked back out to the car and starting unloading it.
“We can play cards later if you want. I know they have a lot of board games here too if you like that.”
“I could go for a game of Scrabble,” he said.
“You look more like a Monopoly guy to me,” I said.
“And what exactly does a Monopoly guy look like?” he asked and loaded his arms with as much as he could carry in one trip. I took out my suitcase and two bags of groceries and headed back to the cabin.
“Like you,” I finally answered and dumped the suitcase by the door before carrying the groceries into the kitchen. “Don’t worry, I’m a Monopoly guy too. Well, I used to be. I haven’t played in years.”
“We should start a game and just play it through the day and see how long it takes us to finish,” Johnny said.
“Great idea. I can’t remember ever finishing a game.”
“Me either. First challenge while we’re here. Finish a game of Monopoly, no matter how long it takes.”
I put the groceries away and was about to go back outside when Johnny pulled me into his arms and buried his face into my neck but didn’t say a word. After a deep breath and a tight squeeze, he pulled back enough to meet my eyes. “Come on, let’s get the rest of it and relax.”
“I love that idea.” That was also why we were here. To relax and let the rest of the world fade away until there were only me and him.