“All right. But Brooke? Just remember . . .”
There is a long pause. I drum my fingers on my jeans and sigh exhaustively. Her breathy laugh pushes through the line.
“You’re my sister. I love you, and I will totally give you a discount when it’s time to plan the wedding. Don’t think . . .”
I disconnect the call and power off my phone.
God, she is completely insane. How are we even related?
Stepping over a log, I drop the phone onto my bag. I begin to pace in front of our gear, kicking up dirt and cracking my knuckles. I try and sit down on the cooler, but my ass barely touches it before I’m springing to my feet again.
I should’ve let that call go to voicemail. Now I’m restless and ready to chew my nails off.
I risk a glance at Mason. He’s staring at me like I’m in the middle of a psychotic break.
Talking. Talking might settle me. I can talk. I’m fucking awesome at talking.
“So, possible showers tomorrow night. Did you see? Like a ten percent chance. Not much, but still.”
He positions a stake in the ground. “I think it’ll hold off.”
“It was fifteen percent earlier, then they dropped it to ten.”
“Yeah.”
“If I got naked right now and jumped into the lake, what would you do?”
I look over to where Mason is crouched down beside the tent. His hammer is suspended in the air.
He looks startled. Confused maybe? I can elaborate.
“I mean, obviously, you’d look. Who wouldn’t? But would you take off your clothes and follow after me? Or would you continue pitching that tent and the one in your shorts?”
“Are you planning on getting naked and jumping into the lake?” he asks, lowering the hammer and resting his elbow on his knee.
I shrug, kicking a rock out of the way. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’ve never been skinny dipping before. Shocking, right? You would think I’ve done that, but no.” A nervous laugh bubbles in my throat. “I’m just wondering what you would do if I did it.”
“Probably follow you.”
“Would you get in?”
He hits the spike once, then looks back up at me. When he tries to answer, I cut him off.
“Have you ever done that before? Gone skinny dipping?”
“No.”
“Yeah, me either.” I step over the log and continue my pacing. “Mm. We’re both virgin skinny dippers. That’s cute.”
He hits the spike a few more times. The branches under my feet snap.
“How old were you when you lost your virginity?” I ask, chewing on my thumb nail.
“Brooke.” Mason catches my gaze and studies it. He slowly rises to his feet. “Are you okay?”
I stop behind the log.
Am I? Fuck. He’s looking at me like I’m definitely not okay. Like I’m some wild animal he’s just encountered out here and he’s trying his hardest not to startle me.
I exhale a quick breath. My hand falls away. “I’m fine,” I tell him, stepping over the log again. “Just killing time while you . . .” I pause, looking up at the large red and gray house Mason has pitched. “Oh, you’re finished. Nice.”
Holy fuck. This thing is enormous! Not at all what I pictured in my head when he suggested we do this.
Two-man tent. Close quarters. Little room for space between our sweaty naked bodies.
Mm. Maybe I can unpack and spread my clothes out on one side. That should help force the two of us together. This portable condominium is large enough to contain Joey and his personality. Not many things are.
Mason drops the small hammer by our bags and comes to stand next to me. His hand circles my back. “Are you cold?” he asks when a shiver chases up my spine. “I can build a fire.”
I look from the tent to our surroundings again, my arms hugging my body. Mysterious noises rustle the branches of the trees. Crickets sing into the night. It’ll be fully dark soon.
A knot forms in my stomach.
From being out here? From my conversation with Juls? I can’t seem to tell.