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CAMP NERD – BOOK 1 – COMING JAN 2022
“Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, we’re the first people using this facility. What if something goes wrong? Nobody has tested anything which means there could be an accident?”
I scrunch my nose as we drive into the massive ranch that we just so happen to be the first customers to. It was built and created by a man named Rhett Walker and with his group of friends they made it into this retreat. You’re supposed to come out here for a month at a time, help out around the ranch, do activities, hikes, swimming, water sports, and everything else you can possibly think of that will benefit your mental health.
I saw a news report about Rhett, and why he decided to open this place. It was really interesting. He comes from a rich family, and the ranch has been passed down through generations, but he decided to take it in a different way. In honor of his mother, who passed because of suicide, he decided to make a place where anyone and everyone could come, book the whole thing out, and take some time away from the world.
It's pretty incredible.
Did I mention that the guys who run it look like they’re straight out of a western porno? I mean that in the best possible way, of course. They’re gorgeous, all muscled, tattooed, flannelettes and beards. It’s like the new age cowboys. Gone are the clean-shaven faces, the tight blue jeans and the big hats. These guys are mountain men. Big, burly mountain men. But they operate a ranch, so I guess they have to be a little cowboy, too.
“You need to relax, Lei, you’re freaking out and honestly, I think it’ll be great for us. We’re well overdue for a break, we’ve been working so hard for finals, and we need this time to regroup. Everyone needs this.”
The voice of my best friend and partner in crime, Kara, invades my panicked thoughts. We’re in a choir, and while that seems minor, it isn’t. We play all around the cities, for events and groups who hire us out. We’re a big old group of nerds and we just competed in some of the biggest finals in the state and come in second. But the toll it took getting there, was exhausting and with our prize money, we decided to put some towards a month here. Our sponsors were more than happy to help, so together, a group of eight of us booked in and here we are.
Rolling down beside the green pastures, towards a house so big and beautiful, it belongs in a movie. The bus comes to a stop in front of it, and I take a moment to admire the incredible sight before me. Cabins can be seen off into the distance a little, right behind a massive paddock to the left, filled with horses and cows. To the right is a huge barn and behind it you can see rolling hills and the start of what is said to be a pretty epic man-made lake. There are tracks disappearing into he hills behind the house and oh, it’s beautiful.
The house itself is one story, but it has this amazing wrap around deck that makes it stand out. It is creamy colored with a dark red roof. It is a grand old home, and it’s apparent that it has been around far longer than any of us. It would have some stories to tell if it could speak, of that I’m sure. I can’t help but feel the incredible warmth it radiates.
It’s what stands on the wrap around deck that makes my cheeks get rosy red.
Six gorgeous men, and when I say gorgeous, I mean blow your damned mind gorgeous. They’re all waiting for our arrival, dressed in flannelettes, some wearing hats, others not, all of them boasting beards of different lengths and styles. They’re something else entirely and my heart skips a beat when I realize the owner, Rhett, is walking towards the bus. I’m going to have to be the one to get down and greet him, after all, I am the person who organized all of this.
I get out of my chair, glancing down at Kara before walking towards the bus exit. The door opens, I take a step and then the worst thing in the world happens. I stumble. I’m so focused on the man looking up at me, with his silver eyes, olive skin, dark hair and breathtaking face, that I don’t look at the step and completely miss it. I fall forward, almost in slow motion, and land right into the arms of Rhett.
The very second I realize what has happened, I leap backwards, slamming my head into the open bus door. Shame rises into my cheeks as I stare at him, horrified. He probably thinks I’m an absolute idiot. I’m already nerdy, awkward and shy, then I just went ahead and threw that into the mix. “Ah, sorry, I, ah...”
Rhett grins. “That was certainly a unique entrance.”
My cheeks burn. “Awkward is my middle name.”
His grin gets bigger. “I’m Rhett.”
He extends a hand. “I’m Lei.”
His hand is big and wraps around mine. God damn, I don’t think I’ve ever touched something so perfect and yet so rugged in my life.
“Good to meet you, Lei Awkward.”
I laugh, but it sounds more like a hyena on crack than it does an elegant woman. I slam my mouth closed. My nervous laugh is horrific, and I can guarantee the poor guy is probably wondering what the hell he’s gotten into. He releases my hand and steps back as everyone else climbs off the bus. The sly grin on his face can’t be missed.
“Hey everyone,” Rhett says, when they all gather around, eyes wide as they take in all that he is. “Welcome to Walker Hills. You’re the very first out here, and we’re hopin’ to give you an extra special good time.”
Eeek.
Shit.
I adjust my top, pulling it down. It rode up when I fell. I suddenly feel very self-conscious around a man that looks like him, and we haven’t even met the other ones yet. They’re all watching from the deck, looking like perfect wax statues, they’re moving that little. It’s like they’re posed to be intimidating and perfect, because that’s exactly what they look like right now.
I wonder what they’re thinking of us?
We’re all on the nerdy side. None of us are stunningly good looking, we’re not out here flaunting bikinis just so we can get our hands on these guys. I’m certain they’ve had many groups of women trying to book in, purely to spend a month staring at them. Yet they chose us to be their first group, and I’m still uncertain why.
I’m petite, at least, that’s the word I prefer to use. I’m tiny. I’m barely five foot and that’s stretching. I’m a little curvier than I’d like, and my tummy jiggles a little too much. I wear glasses, the cutest pair I could find, and my hair is long, sandy brown and thick. I usually keep it tied up because it’s too hard to control otherwise. I have freckles on my nose, and my skin isn’t that perfect porcelain all the beautiful girls have. My eyes are the color of murky pond water, and although I’d say I’m pretty enough, I’m certainly not the kind of girl these men would ever take a second glance at.
No.
But I’m okay with who I am.
“We’ll show you to your cabins, get you settled in and then I’ll introduce you to everyone and go over how this will all work. Don’t be shy to ask for anythin’ you want or need, that’s what we’re here for.”