Chapter 18
COLLIE
“Would you just let me do this, woman? How many times do I have to tell you to sit down and let me work?”
I shove past Easton, grabbing the mallet at his feet, and securing the first set of stakes in my hands. “Why would I do that when I’m better at this than you?”
The tent collapses in seconds, Easton not giving a shit how far we got in building it. Looks like we’re starting over. After he tells me off first, I’m guessing.
“For a woman as pretty as you, you sure do talk a lot of shit.”
He called me pretty. Swoon.
I send him a small smile—it’s one of silly pity. I do enjoy shit talking, especially with Easton. It makes me horny.
“Oh, I definitely talk shit. But I’m also really freaking good at building a tent. My dad thought camping as a child was the ideal vacation. Seems to be paying off for me now. And in case you need a reminder…I don’t need a man.” I flex my bicep for him just to get my point across.
The sass in my smirk doesn’t faze him. I lift the now dismantled tent to stand and huff in frustration as it falls to the floor again. “See, you messed it up.”
“Oh, that’s rich,” Easton exhales. “I build things with my hands. Bend fucking wire, Collie. And not to be an arrogant prick, but I’m really fucking good at my job, too. I’m not about to throw down with you over putting this tent together just because Dirty Dan said we should.”
“It’s for marriage bonding,” I tell him matter-of-factly, my voice shooting up an octave. “It’s supposed to help us solve problems together.”
“It’s bullshit. Especially since, you know, we aren’t married.”
“They don’t know that.” I whisper and throw in a wink.
“Is this a first fight I hear? Dan, get over here and grab the popcorn, would ya? Collie’s about to tackle Easton,” Sheila startles us, eyes shooting to her brows in excitement.
Easton looks ready to accept defeat, but not me. “Sure are, Ms. Sheila. I’m just trying to explain to my husband here how us women can do anything a man can. But better.”
Sheila turns to Easton, looking appalled. “Is that right, son?”
He cuts me a look, knowing I’m fucking with him.
Sheila doesn’t know that, though. “Trust me, Sheila. I’m well aware of how capable Collie is.
” His eyes laser focus on me and my breath catches as his voice grows dark.
“But I don’t buy the ‘I don’t need a man’ bullshit.
Ask her yourself just how much she needed my mouth on her yesterday. Tasting, licking, sucking, eat—”
My hand covers his mouth before he can scar her any longer. “There’s a thing called privacy, Ranger,” I mumble forcefully, feeling shy for the first time in my adult life.
But holy mother of fat mooses. I think I just came in my panties.
“Oh, heavens!” Sheila shouts, petrified and likely wounded for life. “I’m afraid I don’t know what to do with that information.” She looks ready to crawl into a hole and die. Easton, on the other hand, looks mighty pleased with himself.
Such a change of events for the born-again hermit.
I’m already over it, ready for him to take me in the open right now.
His smart mouth is hot.
“Sounds like the recipe to a healthy marriage, toots.” Dirty Dan appears, throwing his arm around Sheila’s mortified frame.
“I suppose…” she draws out. “I seem to learn something new every day about this generation, Daniel. Lordy, Ms. Pearl, they’re active little badgers.”
Dirty Dan nods his head, causing Easton and me to laugh. “Stamina like a wolf. I promise ya to do my best work to keep up.”
Huh? “Are you two together-together?” I shuffle my pointer finger between the two of them, still holding each other in a tight embrace.
“You bet your mama’s last dollar we are. Ain’t that right, toots?”
Sheila rolls her eyes, but surprises me and smiles up at Dirty Dan with the brightest of beams. “Most days I refuse to claim him.” She nudges his side, making him squirm. “But he’s the light in my darkest of skies.”
“I thought you were ‘single as a Pringle,’ Dirty Dan?” I ask.
“I sure do love ya,” Dan tells Sheila, smiling bright before directing his attention back to us. “We aren’t married. Never did make her official. So I suppose legally, I am as single as a Pringle. But Sheila is my toots, and I’m her Daniel. That right there is all that matters to us.”
That’s oddly…sweet. And gives me hope that there really is a person for everyone in this world.
Even me.
“Well, damn.” Easton chooses now to speak up, and my actions are not my own as I grab the nearest tent rod and whack him across the back. “The fuck?” He cranks his neck, determination felt from where I’m seated on the ground. I shrug innocently, earning myself a sinister chuckle.
Fun Easton is here, and I hope he never leaves.
I’m having a grand ole time.
“Payback,” he mouths silently, and I can interpret his words perfectly. His caramel eyes take on a moodier shade of brown—gloomy and murky in color. The shift is thrilling.
“Can’t wait,” I mouth back, looking forward to whatever he claims this payback to be.
Realizing Dirty Dan and Sheila are still here, I acknowledge their admission, despite getting momentarily distracted.
“Well, I happen to think that’s beautiful.
Speaking of, where’s the best place to hike around here?
Easton and I could use a chance to get lost in the wilderness together. ”
“My oh my,” Sheila mutters at the same time Dirty Dan belts, “Elephant Back.”
Easton chuckles beside me, sending her a weary look. “Are we scarring you, Ms. Sheila?”
Her hand meets her chest. “Darlin’, I’m not sure scarring is the correct word. More like…teaching this old dog new tricks. Tricks I’ll need to research the anatomy of before attempting myself.”
Dan doesn’t seem at all fazed by our need to be alone, continuing on with his suggestion. “You want the best panoramic view this forest has to offer? Elephant Back trail is ya girl.” He turns toward Sheila to piggyback off her statement. “And toots, when have I ever not performed for you?”
“Never, Daniel. Never have you ever left me high and dry.”
“Collie,” Easton calls out like a prayer, an alarm in his voice. “We good here?”
I clap my hands in excitement and face the tent Easton now has completely assembled. Asshole. “Looks like we’re hitting up Elephant Back, Ranger? Ready to get lost with me?” I wink, hoping he catches on to the double meaning.
Easton smirks, and my heart flutters knowing I caused it.
“Thought you’d never ask, darling.” He emphasizes the darling more than necessary, making me giggle.
“I just need to hear you admit how much of a badass tent connoisseur I am.” He cups his ear, signaling me to voice it but I’m a terrible sport.
I tilt my head and flutter my lashes, letting him believe I’m going to praise his efforts.
“I’d love nothing more than to admit how incredibly…
horrible your tent-making skills are. You should definitely stick to building powerlines.
” I stand and pat his shoulder before bidding Sheila and Dirty Dan farewell. “Later, lovebirds. Oh, and husband?”
Easton shakes his head before lifting it to meet my flirtatious tone. “Yes, beautiful?”
Oh, he’s good.
“Don’t keep me waiting. I’ve got plans for you, and more than just getting our steps in,” I whisper loud enough so only he can hear. “It’s my turn to take care of my man.”
It’s fun to pretend Easton’s my husband. Just like I know this hike we’re about to intentionally get lost on will be everything I’ve been craving and more.
Butterflies erupt in my stomach at the sound of our tent quickly collapsing, and Easton shuffling to dismantle and pack it away. “See ya, Sheila. Dirty Dan. Don’t wait up,” he hollers, feet anxious to catch up behind me.
Yes. Please, don’t wait up.