Chapter 6 #2
Maxie winked, patted Evan’s shoulder, and sauntered off toward the other end of the bar, her laughter trailing behind her like the essence of expensive perfume.
Callie set their drink down and said flatly, “Nothing like seeing leathery old balls first thing in the morning.”
Liam pointed at them with his glass. “I heard that’s exactly what you’re into these days.”
Callie glared. “Pass.”
As the conversation spiraled into playful chaos, I stayed quiet, swirling the last bit of my drink in my glass, taking in the way everyone else joked and laughed so easily about it.
The idea of the campground being clothing-optional had been glossed over like it was nothing, just another detail in a long list of things to expect.
For some people, it probably was. But for me?
It was definitely something. I wasn’t a prude.
It wasn’t even about that. It was just… the idea of being completely exposed, out in the open, surrounded by friends and strangers alike, sent a deep, gnawing unease through my chest. I liked control.
I liked knowing what to expect, knowing what parts of myself I let people see.
And this? This felt like the opposite of that.
I wasn’t about to back out. Liam would never let me live it down. But I also wasn’t about to strip down the second we set up camp and frolic through the trees like some kind of carefree woodland spirit.
I took another sip of my drink, forcing my expression to stay neutral. Liam’s voice stayed breezy, but his shoulders never quite dropped.
It’s as wild or mild as you want it to be.
That’s what Liam had said.
That’s what I’d hold onto.
Because no matter how much I loved these people, the last thing I wanted was to be standing bare-assed around a campfire, trying to make casual conversation like that was a completely normal thing to do.
Liam moved on. “Food. We’ll have a grill, so everyone’s responsible for cooking dinner one night. Bring your own drinks, alcohol, snacks, and breakfast. I’ll be bringing bread, chips, and condiments for sandwiches. Can someone volunteer to bring lunch meats and cheeses?”
“I got it,” Evan offered, raising a hand.
“Perfect. Does anyone want to bring stuff for s’mores?”
Before Liam could get it out of his mouth, Tess said, “I’ll do it, and, yes, I’ll bring the peanut butter cups with the chocolate bars for your special smores, Liam.”
“See? This is why I love this group,” Liam said, smiling. “Now, sleeping arrangements. We’re tent camping. Figure out if you’re sharing or going solo. I’m solo,” he added. “I’m not dealing with a roommate when I bring a hot bear back to my tent to play.”
Renzo swirled his drink before giving Liam a slow, amused look. “So let me get this straight. We need to pack our own food, booze, and camping gear. But what you’re really saying is you’re not responsible for anyone else’s… extracurricular planning.”
Liam snorted, barely holding back a laugh. “Exactly. Come prepared. Or don’t come complaining.”
Renzo chuckled, leaning back in his chair, clearly enjoying himself. “Good to know. I like my liability waivers implied.”
Liam waggled his eyebrows. “Cedar Hollow has a reputation.”
Renzo lifted his beer in a mock toast, eyes dancing. “Oh, I’m aware. I just plan on being the handsome guy minding his business while everyone else makes questionable choices.”
Liam laughed. “Bold strategy.”
Renzo smirked. “Hey, if nothing else, I’ll boost morale just by existing.”
Callie leaned in with a sly smile. “Though, Renzo, I’m curious. Are you gonna be okay surrounded by a bunch of naked gay men for a week?”
Harper chimed in. “Yeah, the odds of you getting ogled are, like… not just high. They’re inevitable.”
Ezra raised a hand. “I’m already mentally scheduling time to stare.”
Renzo chuckled as he pointed around the table. “I’ve been outnumbered before like I am now. I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?” Callie tested.
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll survive,” he said, lips tugging into a slow, charming smile. “Besides, if I’ve gotta be objectified, at least it’ll be by people with good taste.”
Jules grinned. “Look at you. A damn ally and a flirt.”
Renzo just winked at Jules and said, “Gotta play to my strengths.”
Max cleared his throat. “So, do we need to bring anything else?”
“Yes.” Liam pointed a finger around the group. “Camping chairs. If you don’t bring one, you’re sitting on the ground.”
“And sunscreen,” I added. “I’m not spending a week listening to anyone complain about burns.”
“Exactly,” Liam nodded. “We are all too young and beautiful for skin cancer and premature wrinkles.”
A few murmurs of agreement rumbled through the group.
“Okay, we’ll work out who’s driving later,” Liam finished, clapping his hands together again. “Now, everyone buy another round and toast to this legendary trip.”
Later that night, Liam leaned against the bar, one elbow propped up, a beer in hand, voice still animated as he hyped up the trip like it was the social event of the year. His enthusiasm and energy never really turned off. And from the way people were nodding along, it was working.
“Look, I know some of y’all are gonna half-ass it and show up with nothing but a sleeping bag and regret,” he said, beaming at the group gathered around him.
“So let me remind you, this is a whole-ass week. The closest store is forty-five minutes away, and nobody wants to be the guy begging for toothpaste or stealing someone else’s bug spray. ”
A chorus of groans and laughter followed.
Evan raised his hand. “Is this your way of saying I should actually make a list?”
Liam pointed at him. “Yes. And if you don’t, I swear to God, I’m not sharing my snacks with you.”
“Rude,” Evan chirped, taking a sip of his drink.
Liam ignored him.
Jules winked at Elliott as he said, “Just have Noah or Elliott create a spreadsheet for you. You will be certain to have everything you need.”
Elliott deadpanned, “Well, I guess someone will be sleeping on the couch tonight.”
I smiled into my drink, noting the way Liam moved through the conversation effortlessly, making sure everyone was just as excited as he was. He had a way of making things feel like an experience, not just a trip. A way of pulling people in without forcing them.
At the end of the bar, Callie swirled their cocktail with the kind of disinterest that could only be described as theatrical.
I moved down to where they were sitting and nudged their arm. “You’re awfully quiet over here.”
Callie set their glass down and looked me right in my eyes. “Sam.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Callie.”
“Do you think, for one second, that I, a person of refined tastes and reasonable standards, want to spend a week at a campground filled with a bunch of old dudes letting their dicks flap around like it’s a damn Renaissance festival?”
I barked out a laugh, nearly choking on my drink. “Oh my God.”
“I mean it.” Callie gestured vaguely. “Balls literally sagging to their knees, sipping overpriced red wine out of plastic glasses, flirting with men more than half their age who are absolutely not interested. And let’s not forget the other fun perks.
Bugs. Snakes. Bears, both of the human and actual forest-dwelling variety.
Do I seem like someone who wants to be part of this? ”
I wiped at my mouth. “So… just to clarify. You don’t feel like you’re missing out?”
Callie scoffed. “I would rather lick the floor of this bar.”
From across the room, Liam shouted their name.
Callie sighed. “Here she comes.”
Liam made his way over, beer still in hand, grinning like he already knew the answer but was asking anyway. “Alright, Callie, last chance. You coming or what?”
They stared at him for a full three seconds before saying, flatly, “Girl! Absolutely the hell not.”
Liam cackled, throwing his head back. “Damn, tell me how you really feel.”
Callie took a slow sip of their drink, maintaining unbothered eye contact.
Liam leaned on the bar beside them. “Look, I respect your right to be a hater. But you are missing out on an iconic trip.”
“I’m missing out on chafing, heat exhaustion, and unsolicited flirting from men who still use AOL email addresses.”
Liam opened his mouth, paused, then nodded. “Okay, that last part is fair. But still—”
“No.”
“—the camaraderie, Callie. The adventure. The legendary moments—”
“No.”
“The memories—”
“No.”
Liam threw a hand over his chest. “Fine. But when you see our amazing tan lines and hear the stories of our incredible, life-changing week, I don’t want to hear a single complaint.”
Callie sipped their drink again. “The only thing I’ll be complaining about is you all bringing your sunburned asses back into town and making me hear about it.”
Liam turned back to me, grinning. “You ready for this, Sammy?”
I tilted my drink toward him. “If I weren’t, would it stop you?”
“Absolutely not.”