Summer Bliss

Anticipation.

It blanketed the three in the car, caressing their tired faces with soft touches.

"Fucking aye. I can't wait to stretch my legs! Khalia, how much longer?" The front passenger yawned. Pulling at the platinum blonde strands tangling in her eyelashes, she gave the driver a toothy grin.

Khalia tapped the dash, lighting up the screen, "About 20 mins."

"Damn bae, I thought I did a good job stretching them two days ago." The offhand remark came from the backseat. Rolling down her window Khalia gagged.

"I wasted an hour outside y'all house because y'all were fucking. Ya know Trinity, I thought you were better than that."

"Shut the hell up Jay!" Trinity hollered, burying her face in her hands. Jay winked as he ripped open a bag of beef jerky. The pungent meaty odor enveloped the car, causing their noses to wrinkle.

Sighing, Trinity folded her arms across her chest.

"Let me be the first to apologize for the bullshit he put you through growing up. You should have petitioned to be an only child." Huffing, a loud cackle split the air as Khalia threw her head back. Both receiving kicks to their seats.

Extending her arm, she fiddled with the worn volume dial. Keen on drowning out her passengers and their foolishness. Having been on the road for two days, patience was running dry.

"Hey, is Joey and the others there!" Jay yelled. Reaching for more jerky, he shoveled a fistful into his mouth. A few crumbs fell into his beard and on his hoodie. Brushing off the mess, he belched, then repeated his assault.

Khalia grimaced from the rearview mirror at his barbaric eating. While she adored the 6'2 brat, he was sickening. Snickering Trinity turned her attention to the scenery.

The highway they traveled led them through states such as Utah, Idaho, and Oregon. They saw vast canyons and snowcapped mountains. They stopped to take pictures of nature's divine formations.

"Kha-li-a, did you hear me!" Annoyance dripped into every word. Leaning forward, he yanked the dark brown bun atop her head.

Wincing, she rolled her eyes, "Touch my hair again see what happens. Yes, they're already there. Now, shut the fuck up."

"Thank you, your highness." He pulled on her bun once more and laughed at her scowl. Fixing her mouth to cuss him to the bowels of hell she halted when the sign came into view.

"Welcome to Cape Disappointment bitches!"

*~*~*

It didn't take long to find the rest of the group. Alexa and her boyfriend, Joey, stood atop a picnic table. They waved their arms wildly, joy etched on their faces. Marcus, Alexa's cousin, stood next to them. Khalia parked her Nissan Murano next to Joey's Jeep Wrangler.

Exiting they stretched in weird synchronization. Jay took the opportunity to sneak up behind Trinity, capturing her into a hug. Khalia noted the glint of fear in Trinity's eyes, before she relaxed, realizing who it was. Planting dozens of sloppy kisses on her neck, she giggled. Khalia jogged over to Alexa, throwing her arms around her. She buried her face in long black curls, inhaling the citrus shampoo.

"Bitch I fucking missed you! Video chats aren't enough!"

Drawing out the words she refused to let go of her childhood bestie. Alexa laughed as she got rocked side to side. 10 years strong, they enjoyed catching up. Especially living on opposite ends of the country.

"Aye what about me miss?"

Joey opened his arms wide, waiting for his turn. Closing his eyes, he wriggled his fingers in a "come hither" motion. Khalia rolled her, but went to him. Before she could wrap her arms around him-

Bam!

Alexa's eyes enlarged as she watched her boyfriend soar like a crumpled kite. He flailed attempting to catch himself, hitting the solid ground with a thump. A thunder of laughter erupted.

"Guard up son!"

Jay walked right over the groaning man withering on the floor. Marcus wiped tears from his eyes, "That's foul bro, real foul."

After regaining her composure, Khalia went to help the downed man with Alexa.

"I'm gonna' puke," Doubling over, Joey hugged his abdomen, "I can feel the whiskey in my throat."

"Oh, stop complaining! Your scrawny ass will be alright."

Alexa smiled down at her blubbering boyfriend and caressed his bald head.

They hopped back into the vehicles, heading to the cabins. The ladies rode together. Following behind the guys, who were all too eager to be free of them.

Having rented two of the three cabins in the area for a five-day getaway. The cabins sat 40 ft. apart, hugging the dense forest, with the front doors facing a large clearing. Fire pits rested in front, accompanied by various log benches and a picnic tables. The clearing was recently mowed, and picnic tables were in the center. Past that, another dense tree line.

The crew parked their vehicles on the side of the cabins. Piling out they walked towards the clearing, inhaling the damp earth aroma. Khalia took a glance at the third cabin. A black Tahoe parked next to it obscured the view of the front porch. She wondered if they'll meet their temporary neighbor soon.

"This place is gorgeous! We got fuckin' lucky!" Trinity squealed.

Giving one last side to side sweep she jogged back to Khalia's SUV and opened the trunk. The rest of the group murmured in agreement and followed suit. Both cabins had two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, and a small kitchenette with a stove top.

The porches had various chairs scattered upon them. Only difference was a sign that hung above the doors. One read "Wolfs Den", the other "Bears Den". The group turned and looked at each other.

Khalia looks to the cabins then back towards her friends. She took a long stare at her brother before squinting her eyes at Alexa and Joey, "...Are y'all going to be bumping uglies? Yes, or no?"

Alexa and Joey gasped before snickering. Jay gave a wide grin then left to help Trinity with her bags.

"Okay, that's decided. You all can go in that cabin; Marcus and I will take this one." Dismissing them to "Bear's Den" she headed to "Wolfs Den".

"Can't we do girls in one, boys in the other?" Whining, Alexa made puppy eyes at Khalia's backside.

"No. There are two beds in each cabin and I'm not sharing with anybody." Khalia stated matter-of-factly, a smirk on her face. She blew her friend a kiss.

*~*~*

An hour later, Khalia looked over her adobe, grinning ear to ear. The bedroom came with a full-sized bed, a nightstand, and a standing lamp next to that. A mirror, positioned at the foot of the bed on the opposite wall.

It tickled her spine that anyone would sleep with a mirror at the end of their bed. Crediting that to the abundant horror movies she binged. The thought of waking up and seeing her reflection do some heebie-jeebies shit freaked her out.

Further from the mirror was an old fading brown bookcase and a reclining chair. A lone window graced the room as well. Khalia jammed the blinds earlier when she pulled the cord. It left her staring out into the clearing, giving her a view of the picnic tables. Before it got dark, she reminded herself to fix them.

"Hey, we're hiking soon, then cooking something up, you ready?"

Marcus chuckled when Khalia let out a cry. Brows knitting together her lips twisted into a pout. She pulled at the beige crop top, showing more cleavage. Then adjusted band of her black joggers that hugged her figure. She watched his eyes linger on the green smiley face that dangled from her belly button.

His view then drifted right, where she guessed he was analyzing her tattoo. One he's seen many times. A wolf ripping through her flesh. One paw created bloody cuts. A fanged grin rested under the only amber eye. Recalling her parents annoyed reaction to the art she giggled.

"Jumpy?" He returned his eyes to her rich brown ones.

"No. You're just an ass." Khalia frowned at the feigned look of hurt he expressed, placing his hands over his heart. Heading towards her bag she opted for a large neon green duffle bag to hold her week worth of supplies.

"So, was that a yes miss or..."

Marcus watched her groan in frustration before it became a sigh of relief.

"Yea I'll be over there in a minute." Turning around she gave the widest grin. Without looking at her hands he knew immediately what she held in them. The skunk odor filled the room within seconds.

Floral yet sour.

Marcus sighed. "Lia, I know you did not bring drugs to a national park."

"Okay, I did not bring drugs to a national park. I brought herbal remedies to soothe my soul and align my chakras."

He shook his head, Khalia laughed, breezing by him she stopped and peeked over her shoulder. Her laugh turned to a coy smile, "Are you coming?"

Marcus' s hazel eyes shift side to side. His auburn hair was short and became a mess when he dragged a hand through it. Sleek black framed glasses moved with his face as his nose wrinkled.

"You know I don't smoke like that Lia."

"A few tokes, then we join the others."

"Lia, I- "

"If you want to say no that's fine. It wouldn't be the first time you played me."

She spat the last part with venom causing another sigh from Marcus.

Meeting at Jay's party, she 18, he 22. they hit it off immediately. It wasn't long before they found themselves in the guest bed wrapped in each other. It also wasn't long until he discovered she was Jay's sister. Her pursuit became one-sided until he finally told her his qualms.

"I don't date my friend's siblings. That's too many problems. Especially the younger ones."

"Oh? But you'll fuck them won't you! Piece of shit bastard!"

The rejection went far from planned, leaving a permanent stain within their relationship.

Khalia would never admit she bawled like a baby after. Nor did she tell Jay. Marcus did, much to her relief. After a few bouts of name calling and punches thrown, they settled their issues. On the condition that he not fuck his sister, ever, again. A condition she found him regretting.

With their annual group trips, Khalia saw his gaze linger on her a bit longer than normal. He was the first to volunteer to be her partner, whether it be rock climbing or rafting. Now 25, she couldn't help but use that leverage. Though he apologized and she accepted, she never forgave. She wanted him to stew in it. She could see it in him, hurt yet hopeful.

Letting out a long sigh, Marcus rubbed his eyes under his glasses.

"Fuck, alright, let's go."

Khalia wore a coy smile. Stepping forward she gave him a hug, smirking to herself when he stiffened under her arms. Pulling away she chuckled at his reddening cheeks.

Bamboozled.

Hoodwinked.

Fucking sucker.