Page 51 of Running Home to You
“Please tell me we’re not actually doing this.” T.K. stomped over to join them.
“It’s a tradition,” Kate said.
“I don’t need to sleep in the woods and squat piss to bond with you.”
“It’s one night, T.K., I don’t want to either,” Abby said.
“There better be cell service.” T.K. tossed her designer bag to Kate before plopping into the passenger seat and slamming her door.
“Don’t tell her,” Jill muttered. “Okay, let’s get going! Mick! Enough already!”
While everyone else packed the car, Mick lingered on the front steps, kissing Haley.
“I can’t deal with this. It’s not even cute anymore,” Jill said. “You two get her. Sixty seconds and I’m leaving.”
Abby and Kate chuckled. They observed the make-out session, leaning against the car as dried leaves clattered across the pavement.
“Have you ever liked someone that much?” Kate asked.
Abby’s mouth quirked. “Not yet.” She glanced at Kate. “You?”
“No.” Kate shook her head but smiled.
Abby nudged her shoulder. “I’ll get her.”
Jill blasted her horn. “Sadie Louise McMechan, I swear to God if you don’t stop sucking face, I’m going to leave you here!”
“Who the fuck is Sadie? Can I stay behind too?” T.K. asked. “I’ll suck someone’s face.”
“I’m afraid that’s not all you’d suck.”
Abby bounded up the steps and grabbed Mick, who uttered a few final sweet nothings to Haley as if leaving for war and not twenty-four hours in the woods.
They rolled down the windows and blasted music on the drive to Lost Lake. The road winded up toward Mount Hood, bordered on either side by trees, jade and gold rushing by as Abby let the air slice through her fingers. A near perfect morning. One that still didn’tcompare to Kate’s thigh brushing hers, stripes of light painting her cheeks, putting sparkles in her irises and smile.
Coach Whitley and her right hand, Coach Ackers, met them at the campsite, a dirt clearing nestled in ferns and overgrown brush. Jill and Kate took charge of setting up while T.K. raised her phone to the legion of trees and paced for service. Abby cursed and fumbled over the tent poles, though she considered it well worth it every time Kate’s hand swooped against hers.
The coaches led them on a hike around the lake and up the butte. Mountains surrounded them on all sides, their visages mirrored in the water. Abby hung back with Mick, eyeing Kate ahead. She wrestled with the usual, expected longing, but today it was enough. In this slice of wonder, simple nearness felt like transcendence. Plus, Kate’s ass looked fantastic in those hiking shorts. Abby bit her lip as she stared and tripped over a root.
Mick laughed and caught her by the hood of her sweatshirt. “Nice view back here, huh?”
Abby jerked away. “Thanks.”
Mick raised her eyebrows as they trudged along. “I’m onto you.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, swatting at a bug buzzing near her ear. “I’m getting eaten alive.”
“I’m talking about Hutch,” Mick whispered.
Abby watched the group ahead, slowing to keep her distance. “What about her?”
“How long have you been in love with her?”
She kicked at the dirt. “I’m not in love with her.”
“At first, I thought you were just giving her shit, but then I realized you were flirting. You’re always together, always looking at each other.”
“Coach partnered us together.”
