23. Grady
GRADY
I am in so much fucking trouble.
I should have just bailed on this whole hiking thing. But how was I supposed to do that without alerting Wily to the problem?
After Blake tapped my ass, then strutted to her room with those scintillating hips of hers, I scurried back downstairs to see if I could convince Wily what a terrible idea this is.
But he and Satch were fully immersed in their make-out session, and what was I supposed to say?
Oh yeah, so you asked why Blake couldn’t come hiking with me.
Here’s the thing… She’s hotter than the sun, and I’ve been dreaming about all the things I’d like to do to her luscious body…
and now you want to put me alone with her in the middle of nowhere.
That’s why. That’s why this trip should not be going ahead.
Yeah, that would have gone down a real treat.
All I could do was clomp back upstairs, taking them two at a time and forcing my brain into planning mode. Things had to be rearranged now that it was just Blake and me.
I’d have to carry both tents. Man, it’d be so much easier to just take one, but I couldn’t be doing that. Nope. No way.
In the end, I settled for a tent for her and a hammock for me.
I’ll tie it between two trees and sleep under the stars, because I cannot share a tent with that luscious woman. My libido won’t be able to take it.
For the past two days, I’ve been doing everything in my power to focus on the purpose of this trip. I’m gonna take Blake into the wild, show her how amazing it all fucking is, and hope that she can discover her purpose on this planet while we’re out there.
That’s it.
That’s all.
It’s done.
And I am still reminding myself of that as we wave goodbye to her tall, strong, could-kick-the-living-shit-out-of-me brother and his sweet girlfriend.
They now have the house to themselves, and they are more than excited about it.
Glancing right, I take in Blake and wish for just a second that she was Teah.
If Teah was still my girl, I’d be feeling completely different right now. I’d be driving her out into the forest, knowing exactly how spring break would be playing out. It would involve hiking adventures, dips in the lake, and a whole lotta lovemaking in the little tent I packed.
Are you kidding?
Teah came hiking with you one time, and she hated every minute of it. You didn’t get lucky because she was too pissed off, covered in mosquito bites and wailing to go home.
Yeah, okay, so that wasn’t our best moment.
But still, if Blake was any other girl… if she was my girlfriend… then this would be a hell of a lot easier.
She’s your friend. Your friend, your buddy, your pal.
Your very sexy pal.
Glancing at the skintight yoga pants she’s sporting, I have to bite the inside of my cheek hard enough to remind myself that she is off-limits!
Blake turns to shoot me a smile, looking all excited as we head out of Nolan.
She’s pumped for this trip, and I have no idea if it’s because she’s genuinely excited to explore something new and be in nature, or if she’s just relieved to be away from Wily and all the secrets she’s carrying…
or if it’s because she’s waiting to pounce.
Shit, how the hell am I going to resist her if she does?
This trip is the worst idea ever!
Forcing my brain back to the safety of practical planning, I run through my gear list and all the safety measures I’ve put in place. Success in the outdoors is all about planning ahead and anticipating any problems.
I love that part of it. Thinking things through, knowing I’m prepared for whatever nature has in store. The wild can be an unpredictable beast, but that’s part of the appeal for me. Every hiking trip is different, and I love that rush of being surrounded by nature and knowing I have to survive it.
Unable to help myself, I steal a look at my hiking buddy.
You know, she’s actually been kinda helpful the past two days.
She wanted to be part of the packing process and see all the stuff I’m carrying.
She got annoyed when I overloaded my pack and made me transfer a few things to hers.
We tested it out last night, and the weight seemed okay for her.
She’s obviously stronger than she looks, although I’ll keep an eye on her as we’re walking.
She’s sharp, intelligent, and notices things I don’t expect her to.
It doesn’t take much to explain anything to her because she picks things up so fast. I get why Wily always boasts about her smarts.
He gave me the hard word last night, hobbling into the kitchen and cornering me just after I’d emptied the dishwasher.
No one else was around, and he took advantage of that fact and told it to me straight.
“I need your word that you’re gonna take care of Blakey for me.”
I nodded, my heart hitching.
“She’s been working her ass off taking me to appointments, looking after me, and fitting in all her studying. It’s stressing her out, even though she won’t admit it,” he grumbled. “That’s why I want her to get away from it all.”
“Yeah, well… uh, nature’s great for that.” I swallowed, then had to remind myself to stop acting so damn nervous. Squaring my shoulders, I looked him in the eye and promised, “She’ll be safe, Wily. I’m totally prepared.”
“Yeah, I know you are, but… you know, just…”
“Just what?”
“Make sure she has a good time.”
My stomach dipped while my heart shot into my throat. My crazy-ass brain was breathily whispering, Is he giving us permission to ? —
No, you idiot! Shut up! And smooth out your fucking expression.
I nodded, clearing my throat. “She will.”
“She’s talking a big game, saying she can handle this hiking shit, but I don’t know, man. Don’t let her bravado cloud your judgment, okay? Watch her like a hawk, and don’t push her too hard.”
“I won’t,” I assure him.
“And if the weather packs in?—”
“We’ll cut the trip short. I promise I won’t do anything dangerous.”
He grunted his approval, but that protective big brother look was still all over his face when he pointed at me. “I don’t want her coming back with blistered feet and aching muscles. So don’t?—”
I cut him off with a laugh. “Bro, come on. That’s part of it.”
His eyes narrowed, his blue glare like a frickin’ laser beam. “Don’t push her too hard,” he repeated.
Nodding my understanding, I forced a smile and promised him, “I’ll take care of her.”
I would.
That wasn’t a hard promise to make.
He eyed me up like he was sussing me out, and I ended up frowning at him, because what the actual fuck. Of course I’d take care of her!
“And no arguing. I still don’t know what the fuck that was about the other day, but you don’t be yelling at my sister, got it?”
Working my jaw to the side, I nodded, resting my hands back on the counter. “Got it.”
“Good.” With a definitive nod, he slapped a hand on my shoulder, a wide smile overtaking his face like he hadn’t just been giving me the tenth degree.
The protective big brother was tucked away again, and Wily the Goofball was back.
“Hope you have the best time, brother.”
After another friendly shoulder slap, he awkwardly turned away and hobbled back out of the kitchen, and I stood there, staring at the kitchen floor and hoping like hell I can get through this thing.
And I will.
And she will.
As long as I keep my focus on the right thing—introducing Blake to the wonders of the wild and giving her a chance to switch off from all the bullshit she’s running from… and maybe even relax herself into a state of peace.
Hopefully from there, she can find the answers she’s looking for.