This is the longest I’ve ever ogled them. After last night with Ash, I can’t stop myself from eye fucking every single one of them. Talk about flustrated again.
“Ready to go?” I chirp at the group, dropping my gaze to survey the bags they’ve lined up and our cooler.
When no one responds, I look up to them trying to act like they weren’t checking me out.
Idiots.
Clapping my hands together, I draw their attention to my eyes, not my boobs or the wall or wherever else. “Hello? Do you guys still understand English? Are we good to go? To the lake? To swim?”
A chorus of answers in the affirmative follows.
“Are my chips packed? I am seriously craving those bad boys.”
Hale chokes on a laugh before answering. “Yes, your … bad boys are packed.”
I narrow my eyes at him. Ha. Ha. I see what you did there, buddy. Good one.
When he smiles innocently at me, I hum before clapping. “Great!” I point towards the door. “Autobots, roll out!”
“Are you ever going to come up with a new phrase?” Leo asks from behind me.
Whirling around, I narrow my eyes at him and lower my voice. I bet I look fucking menacing right now. “Do you have a problem with the best cinematic phrase to ever grace this planet? Be careful how you answer.”
He has the nerve to roll his eyes at me as if I’m being dramatic.
Me? Dramatic? Never.
“Juicy Fruit, you’ve been saying that same phrase for the past five years. Maybe it’s time for a new one?” Luke says, turning my scathing glare to him.
I’m marveled at the steel balls they have to insult Transformers like this. To my face. No hesitation.
Wait a second … Juicy Fruit?
The indignation gives way to confusion and I furrow my brow at Luke. “That has to be the oddest nickname I’ve ever heard. Are you implying I’m plump like a fruit? Do I need to lose weight or something?”
“No!” all the men yell collectively.
I clap my hands over my ears at the sudden yelling. Okay. Let’s drop that one for now.
But this isn’t over. I’m putting my foot down on this nickname.
“Okay, okay,” I relent before glaring at the twins and pointing my finger at them. “But do not insult Transformers ever again! Or else!”
Luke rolls his eyes, taunting me. “Yeah, because we’re sooo scared, Juicy Fruit.”
I glare at his audacity, not giving him an inch until he starts shifting nervously under the heat of my gaze. Seems the guys think they can get away with anything now that we’re almost, sort of, maybe … dating?
When Luke turns his eyes away from me, appropriately uncomfortable, I nod my head. “I’ll remember this, boys. I’ll remember this.”
Ash snorts. “Make sure you check your shower temperature before you get in. Trust me.”
Zedd and I chuckle at his warning. I strut up to my partner-in-crime and hold my fist up for a bump. He obliges and we end with the universal sign for fireworks. “Booyah!”
“Wait!” Luke exclaims. “Was there a prank without us?”
Leo yells, “The horror!”
My eyes crinkle with a smile at the two lunatics.
“Alright,” Hale says. “Let’s head out before it gets too late. I don’t want to have to rush back to make curfew. You can settle your differences in the water.”
Dutifully, we all pick up a bag and head out the door to make the trek to the lake.
Most of the places we like to go are easily accessible on foot. Walking also allows us to be out in nature for longer, which we all love. So, when Beth offered to buy us a used car to get around easier, none of us felt the need to take her up on the offer but she still went ahead with the plan.
It mostly sits idle in the garage, except for when there’s a storm in the forecast.
Being out in the natural world brings a sense of peace to our group. We’ve discussed it a little but for me, being out here with the trees, the lake—it fills a piece of me that longs for something greater, something I can’t quite seem to grasp.
I have a sneaking suspicion it’s the same for the men.
As summer break comes to an end and our senior year of college looms ever closer, our opportunities for relaxation will be few and far between. It’s the reason I decided on the lake trip today. It’s slightly further out than our normal stomping grounds but definitely worth the walk. This is exactly what we need before all the stress of coursework and exams overwhelms us soon.
“So, school is starting soon. Have you guys finished enrolling in classes?” I ask, not particularly thrilled at the prospect.
“I’m all set,” Zedd answers, sounding almost bored. “I don’t have a full course load this year because I’m slightly ahead.”
Ah, my little bookworm. His brain is so attractive to me.
Because of the long list of advanced placement course credits, he had from high school, he skipped a lot of the intro classes in our freshman year of college. He probably could have graduated last year, but I think he held off to stay with us.
Ash scuffs his feet against the dirt road, scattering rocks. “I’m thinking of taking the year off.”
The twins nod and clap him on the back. “Same.”
Wow, what? We only have a year left.
I look over at Hale, lost in thought. Poking him in the ribs to get his attention, I ask, “What about you?”
“I enrolled but I’m also struggling at the thought of having to go for another year.”
I’m reeling from these revelations. I didn’t even see this coming.
Did I?
“Do you guys ever feel like you’re just missing something?” Ash says, wistfulness heavy in his voice. “I can’t describe it any better than that. School just feels pointless in the grand scheme of things. Most people don’t even use their college degrees anymore.”
Though Ash being the one to vocalize this catches me off guard, I’ve been feeling the same way recently. I’d just chalked it up to not being excited about school or nerves.
“Yes.” I didn’t realize when I opened my mouth to answer. “I do.”
“I think we all do,” Leo says, sounding much more serious than his usual playful self. “I feel like the only time we’re truly happy is when we’re out in nature, exploring together.”
As we make it to the outskirts of the town, I shake off the weird mood and bounce slightly on my toes with every step. We can discuss the heavy stuff later—or not. I’m good with that too.
I’m just excited to get into the lake to cool off and swim.
“Hey, whore!”
I resist the urge to groan at the yelled taunt, instead settling on rolling my eyes. Justin, the town’s resident dick. Not wanting to give him a second of my time, I continue walking forward.
But apparently, the guys have a different plan.
“What the fuck did you just say, Justin?” Ash spits out, taking an aggressive step towards him.
I place a hand on Ash’s forearm. “Just leave it. He’s still mad at me because I rejected him freshman year.”
My guys stop walking, completely ignoring my words, as they form a cohesive unit in front of me, obscuring me from Justin’s view.
Cavemen. The lot of them.