Chapter Seventeen #2
I thought about the house, empty and echoing.
The city made sense, but part of me wanted to stuff it all and run away here, fill the little cabin with love and books and maybe a few dogs.
But Cam loved his job. And, deep down, I liked mine—the friends I’d made, the morning rituals, Mr. Porter’s kindness.
The thought of leaving Nate and Rachel behind made something ache inside me. No, the city was home, for now.
The rental kiosk was mobbed. A snaking line of tourists, sunscreened and eager, trailed out across the dock.
“We may not be jet skiing today,” I said, eyeing the crowd.
“Should’ve left earlier,” Cam grumbled, but there was no heat in it.
We found ourselves behind a couple who looked barely old enough to rent a car, never mind a jet ski. They were whispering and giggling, hands always finding each other.
The girl spun around and beamed at us. “Hi! Are you guys here for jet skis too?”
“We were hoping to,” I replied, “but it’s not looking good.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky,” she laughed. “I’m April—and this is Jake.”
I shook Jake’s hand when he offered it, “Olivia. This is Cam, my husband.”
The men shook hands, the grip stiff and competitive for half a second.
Jake leaned in conspiratorially. “If I’d known it was like this, I’d have come earlier. This is our first time out here. You?”
“We’ve been here before,” I said, gesturing up the path. “Cam’s dad owns a cabin just up there. We needed a break from the city.”
“Nice! Bet you save a bundle not having to rent. Prices are nuts!” Jake said, eyes wide.
April elbowed him. “Don’t be rude.”
He grinned. “Was I? You don’t mind, do you man?”
Cam shrugged. “It’s true. We do save a ton.”
Jake crowed, triumphant. “Told you, babe.”
At last they reached the cashier, who informed them only two jet skis remained. Cam and I exchanged a look.
“Guess we’ll have to find something else to do,” Cam said, resigned.
But April turned, her eyes bright. “Why don’t we share?”
The cashier was looking at us expectantly now.
“I don’t really like driving them,” April said, “so I’ll just ride with Jake if you two want the other one.”
I looked at Cam. “That work for you?”
He nodded, already pulling out his wallet to pay.
“Thanks,” he said, meaning it.
“No problem,” Jake said. “Can’t complain about my lovely wife pressed up against me all afternoon, can I?”
Cam actually laughed, a real, deep sound, and I couldn’t help smiling, too.
In that one thing, at least, he wasn’t wrong at all: April was a stunner.
She and Jake both seemed pretty close in age to us, maybe younger by a year or two.
April’s auburn hair curled just so, loose waves settling on her shoulders.
Jake looked like the poster child for an alumni magazine: eyes the shade of summer sky, blond hair cropped and styled, preppy and clean.
In college, he’d have been the golden boy.
We finished our purchase and headed together toward the lake, the men peeling off to collect our jet skis. April and I trailed behind, a little awkwardly at first.
“I love this place so far.” She turned, bright and open. “Almost a week here, but today’s our first time trying the jet skis.”
“Oh, we love it too.” I hugged my bag. “Just haven’t had much time lately. Where are you guys staying?”
“The B I caught it and saw Jake do the same for April.
“Just throw ‘em by the stump,” Cam said. “Nobody’s gonna touch them.”
We did, and I shrugged off my coverup, glad I’d remembered to bring sunscreen in my tiny bag.
April caught me shaking the can. “Mind if I borrow some? I’m such a ditz—I always forget.”
“Of course.” I sprayed myself down. The cold slick hit my skin and made me flinch, but April only grinned.
“Turn around, I’ll do your back,” she said, and I obliged. Cold again. Necessary evil.
When we finished, April pulled off her oversized shirt. A washboard stomach. And her bikini top barely contained the rest of her. I tried not to stare.
“You must work out a lot,” I said, gesturing. “Your abs are insane.”
“I’m a personal trainer,” she explained. “I teach kickboxing and rock climbing too.”
“No kidding,” I laughed. “Now it makes sense.”
She shrugged, like it was no big deal, and led the way to the water.
I caught, in that moment, the way Cam’s eyes tracked her as she climbed onto Jake’s jet ski. Not even pretending not to notice. I tried to ignore it and let Cam help me onto his. I settled in behind him, arms tight.
We’d done this before, but always on separate jet skis. Cam with a passenger was a new (potentially wild) experience.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Wanna race?” Jake called.
Cam didn’t even pretend to hesitate. “Nope!” he shouted, revving ahead with a whoop and leaving Jake and April chasing our wake.
They pushed hard, but Cam kept the lead, zigzagging us across the wide blue lake and weaving a wild trail between the boats and other jet skiers.
Soon we had half the lake racing along with us, loops and circles, Cam managing a few show-off tricks but (thankfully) nothing too wild with me clinging behind.
Eventually, we pulled up onshore, muscles shaky as I climbed off. Cam anchored the jet ski while I stretched out, grateful I’d survived.
“That was so fun!” April bounced over, energy undimmed.
“I know,” I said, a little out of breath.
“Cam’s impressive. Way better than Jake.”
I grinned. “He’s had more practice.”
April’s gaze slid past me, drawn toward Cam, lingering in a way that made the back of my neck tingle. I wanted to like her, but that look—I saw it. The calculating way she admired my husband. Not a good feeling.
Jake and Cam strolled over, arm in arm, beers suggested and accepted. Cam disappeared toward the concessions with Jake.
April flopped down on her towel next to mine. “Let’s take a break,” she said, pulling out a towel and tossing it down.
I did the same, laying ours out side by side.
When the guys came back, ice-cold beers in hand, I took one and let Cam lower himself next to me.
I sipped. The beer was disappointing: stale, nothing like the one I’d had at Joe’s. Still, I drank it. It was cold, and it was beer, and that was enough.
I leaned into Cam, watching the lazy Saturday sprawl of people out on the lake. It might have felt peaceful, if not for the undertow of something else.
“So, Olivia,” Jake said. “What do you do?”
April cut in before I could answer. “No wait! Guess. He’s psychic.”
Cam raised an eyebrow. “What?”
April nodded, delighted. “Jake is scary-good at figuring out people. Usually knows what they do for a living within a few questions. Or none.”
I shifted, not crazy about this game.
Jake considered me, a smile playing at his lips. “You’re quiet. A bit reserved, but warm. You’re adventurous, but you like stability. I’m betting you’re a teacher.”
Cam actually laughed. I shot him a warning look.
“You’re close,” I said politely. “I thought I’d be a teacher, took all the classes, then changed tracks after a while.”
Jake grinned. “See? Not always right, but close.”
April chimed in. “But she was going to be a teacher. That’s pretty good.”
Jake pressed on. “So what do you do now?”
I opened my mouth, but Cam’s arm was suddenly around me, warm and heavy. “She’s my little homemaker,” he said, kissing my forehead. “She makes my life easier. Keeps everything perfect for me.”
A sick, stifled heat flashed through me. I wasn’t an accessory to Cam, let alone his housemaid. There were words for what he’d just implied, and none of them made me feel like a human being. I had a job. Maybe it wasn’t glamorous, but it mattered to me, and that had to count for something.
Jake must’ve seen the look on my face, because he pivoted. “I’m a lawyer,” he said, turning the spotlight. “Nothing crazy, just family law.”
“Divorces and custody, that kind of thing?” I asked, eager to redirect.
He nodded. “You would not believe the stories I hear.”
Cam seemed engaged again. “I bet divorce gets ugly.”
Jake agreed, shaking his head. “Oh yeah. Some real horror stories.”
A new voice called out. “Hey Jake! April!” A man and woman strode over, sunburned and smiling.
“Charlie! I thought that was you.” Jake greeted him, friendly, relaxed.
“We’re just taking a weekend for ourselves,” Charlie explained, “while the kids are with their grandparents.”
April gestured at us, quickly. “These are our friends, Cam and Olivia.”
Charlie gave Cam a handshake. “Nice to meet you.”
His wife nodded. “Sorry if we’re interrupting. We’re here to meet another couple—they’re waiting for us.”
“Sure thing,” Jake said. “Set up another playdate soon.”
“We’ll do that,” Charlie answered, and with a wave, they wandered off down the beach.
As they left, Cam turned to Jake. “How many kids do you guys have?”
Jake looked momentarily blank, then laughed. “Playdate, right? Not for kids. We’re in the lifestyle.”
“The lifestyle?” I repeated.
April clarified. “Swingers.”
I felt my eyebrows climb. Cam didn’t look fazed at all.
“So you guys,” Cam gestured, “swap with other couples?”
Jake shrugged. “That’s the basics.”
April leaned in, voice low and practical. “There are rules. We’re always honest with each other, always together, and we both have veto power.”
Jake nodded. “If anything feels off, we stop. Simple as that.”
Cam grinned, a hungry look sliding over April. “No judgment. Fascinating, honestly.”
Of course. I’d put money on Cam already picturing April as his next Thursday night conquest.
I could feel my mood drop, sour as old lemons.