12. Kameron
12
KAMERON
The ride from the grocery store to the cabin is filled with awkward silence between the two of us.
My head faces away from Kris as he weaves through the winding roads that lead up the mountain to our destination. The view is magnificent, with the changing colors of the trees and the wildlife.
The entire mountain looks like a magazine, although I guess it probably is since these mountains have been photographed countless times.
I can’t believe he told me he wanted to kiss me.
And I can’t believe I had a small lapse in judgment where I wanted him to kiss me.
What’s wrong with me?
Well, I know what’s wrong with me. I’ve never been able to fight Kris off with my emotions. Even with years between us, the pull the two of us have is as strong as it’s ever been.
But the pain is still there too.
The pain of the future I so desperately wanted and he made it clear he did not.
The pain of that last conversation we had.
All of it is too much, and I’m suddenly regretting this trip even more than the moment I agreed to go on it.
How in the hell am I going to be able to stay in an entire cabin alone with him for four days?
We’ve barely survived the drive up here. One little moment in a damn grocery store parking lot… and look at me.
Putty in his hands.
I’m not sure where the strength to deny him even came from, but thank you to the heavens that I was able to muster it up and put an end to it.
The last thing I need is for this weekend to go horribly wrong, and then I’m suddenly without a stripping Santa for the Bazaar.
Why must my life be this difficult?
“We’re here.” Kris’ deep voice fills the cab of his truck, shifting me back to reality and out of my head.
I look through the windshield at the cabin in front of us. It’s beautiful, with the bright blue sky and white clouds as a backdrop, and all the vibrant colors of the fall trees surrounding it.
“Let’s go,” he says, pushing open his door.
I feel the distance between us, and I know that one tiny moment probably ruined the trip for us.
“Kris,” I say, placing my hand on the console between us.
“Don’t.” He steps out of the truck but pauses before facing me again. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s just survive the weekend.”
The door shuts, and the back door opens as he begins unloading our grocery bags and our luggage.
Grabbing my backpack, I open my door and step out into the fall air. I close my eyes, breathing it all in, feeling the warm sun brush against my cheeks.
Kris has both of our bags and the groceries at the entrance of the cabin already, so I pick up the trash we have in the truck and follow behind.
The walls of the cabin that face the overhang of the mountain are floor to ceiling windows, presenting the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen with a balcony that stretches both sides. The small living room has a gorgeous sectional that looks as fluffy as a cloud, it’s open to the kitchen that’s covered in pine wood with beautiful cabinets and dark granite counters.
It’s then I realize there aren't any other doors, just a small hallway opening.
“It’s a two story, the bathroom, laundry, and bedroom is upstairs.” Kris must have realized I was confused.
I smile at him, walking through the cabin, stopping to drop off the trash I’d just brought in before I explore more. He follows behind me to the hallway that has a small set of stairs.
When I reach the landing, my breath halts in my chest. It’s beautiful, as soon as you come off the steps, you’re in a loft-like area I hadn’t realized opened up to look over the downstairs. The same pine wood covers the walls up here, with two matching doors that I’m assuming is the laundry and the bathroom.
I open the first one to find the bathroom. A sand colored tile covers the floor and most of the walls. The shower has been strategically designed to be open without a need for a shower curtain or door.
“Is that a rainfall shower head?” I ask, I’ve never actually used one but I feel like it would be magical for a hot relaxing shower.
“It is.” Kris chuckles from the bedroom.
I take in the rest of the bathroom, the large soaking tub sits next to a window with a view of the mountain. I’m sure I’ll spend some time in here during our little trip.
Alone.
Which reminds me that there’s only one bedroom.
“Umm,” I say, stepping back into the bedroom. God, this view really is beautiful. “There’s only one bedroom, one bed.”
“Yeah.” Kris stands to his full height, running a hand down the back of his head and neck. “About that.” He looks up at me, embarrassed.
“You didn’t.” My jaw drops. “Are you serious? You booked this place knowing there was only one bed?” The annoyance in my voice is present, and he knows it. “Unbelievable.”
I spin around, stomping down the stairs much like a toddler throwing a tantrum, but oh well.
Where am I going to go? I step off the stairs and realize I’m trapped on a damn mountain with my ex.
What on Earth could go wrong?
I look over at the mountain side again, the balcony will have to do. Moving across the room, I struggle getting the lock undone for my escape.
And who comes to my rescue?
The jackass that booked one bedroom, that’s who.
“Here.” He flicks the latch easily and the door slides open, only ramping up my emotion further.
I step outside, taking a deep breath and telling myself it would be inappropriate to scream at the top of my lungs right now.
“Kam, wait.” Kris steps out behind me. “I’m sorry.”
I sigh, I hate when he says he’s sorry. It’s rare, and it hits me in the chest every damn time.
“You couldn’t have booked a two bedroom? Something with two beds? Anything?” I ask, turning slowly to look at him.
“Honestly? I could have.” He shrugs, stepping closer to me. “But, that would have meant I was closer to my family this weekend, and I wanted distance between us.”
“Why?” I ask. “I know you told me that little bit in the car earlier this morning, but what is so bad that you would stick us up a mountain in a…” I trail off, seeing the sign hanging behind Kris’ head. “Lovers Loft? Kris.” My eyes widen on him.
He laughs. The motherfucker laughs at what I’ve just said.
“In my defense, I didn’t know that was the name of the cabin. It just looked nice, and I ignored the fact there was only one bedroom.”
“Jesus.” I stare at him. “I’m not sleeping with you.”
“I didn’t ask you to,” he counters, and the quickness to his response makes me want to flick his nose.
Yes, flick his nose because that shit will make your eyes water and it stings forever.
“Ugh.” I scream in frustration. Why does it bother me that he didn’t ask to sleep with me?
What is happening?
Kris’ eyes flare as he steps closer to me again. My breathing becomes rapid.
“Did you want me to ask you?” His voice is low, and damn if it doesn’t hit me right where I don’t want it to. “Is that what this is about? Or are you too afraid to share a bed with me, Kam? Afraid you can’t control yourself?”
My eyes narrow at him, and I cross my arms over my chest, coming nose to nose with him in the process. “I’m not afraid of shit where you’re concerned.” I look him up and down. “Been there, done that.”
Jesus Christ, did I just say that?
I sound like a miserable high schooler that doesn’t have a better comeback.
He smirks at me, and I want to do more than flick his nose now.
Kris leans into me further, and I know I stop breathing all together this time. I stare at his lips, wondering what he’s going to do next.
He leans further, pressing his lips against my ear before whispering, “I know I take your breath away.”
Chill bumps break out across my skin.
“But breathe.”
Kris pulls away, winks, and disappears back inside.
This time I don’t hold in my scream.
I turn to the mountain side and scream all my frustrations into the fall air.
This is going to be the longest four days of my life.
Sliding my phone out of my back pocket, I pull up my text thread with Cora.
Me
I’m not going to survive this trip.
She texts back almost immediately.
Cora
What happened?
Me
It was nice knowing you. Donate my stuff to charity.
Cora
Dramatic much? Lol
Me
He’s so infuriating.
Cora
Sounds like hot sex to me.
Me
Cora!!!!
Me
God, no. I’m not going there.
Cora
Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
Me
Well, you’re no help.
I blow out a sigh, staring at the mountain side as I try to remind myself all the reasons pushing him off the balcony would be a bad idea. Orange isn’t exactly my best color with red hair, and I would never survive on the food they feed prisoners.
Cora
Just relax, stop thinking so much, and enjoy your damn trip. Boss up, bitch.
I send her the middle finger emoji as my response.
It’s hard to think at all when Kris is around, that’s my problem.