Roxanna and I joined everyone at the lake after washing and storing the food. Although crowded, the day was ideal for splashing around. I was so relieved Roxanna persuaded me to buy a new swimsuit after I noticed Carter giving me the slow once-over. It was a two-piece outfit with a matching pair of blue striped hip huggers on the bottom and a royal blue halter tankini on top that exposed my navel. When his eyes landed on mine, I grinned at him.
I stared through my sunglasses at him. His sleek, strong form and smooth brown skin on display in his board shorts made it increasingly harder for me to resist having filthy thoughts as he played with his son.
Potter invited me to join him on the volleyball court when a net opened up against another pair. I used to play, back when I was in junior high, and suddenly my squad quickly dominated the opposition. But then again, I was always super competitive.
"Who assigned them to a team? They are both the biggest losers I have ever met," Carter commented while wrapping CJ up in a towel.
"Not a problem, because we're not losing!" Potter told him, giving me a high five.
Carter's focus was captured by something when I turned around to gloat at him. Before I had a chance to examine myself, I felt two arms encircle me. I smiled when I realized who it was right away. While still in his arms, I turned around to see Josiah beaming at me. He lifted me up before I had the chance to speak.
"Time for your victory lap," Josiah said, teasingly, as he headed for the lake.
"No! Josiah!" I screamed and wrapped my legs around his waist for support. He continued marching, grinning.
"Josiah! I promise I am going to kill you!" He entered the water as I beckoned. But it was too late; he threw us both in once he had us in a deep enough position.
I came up, sputtering. "You're such an ass!"
"You have a great ass too," Josiah said, laughing, dipping us under the water again.
"You're aware that wasn't what I said."
"But it's what you meant." He winked at me.
Potter persuaded Carter to join him in playing as we returned to the shore. On the beach, close to everyone, Josiah and I built up camp. With Cat's children, CJ was having fun in the sand.
All of Leon's companions who were staying the night left for the campsite after a short while. We made the decision to end the night after drinking and hanging out by the fire. Caroline's decision to stay at the campsite with Marcus astounded me. CJ inquired as to whether he might share my cabin with me. Since Caroline and I wouldn't be sharing a room, I didn't mind.
Carter initially seemed hesitant to let him go, but he eventually agreed. Josiah, CJ, Roxanna, and I then returned to the cabin. Roxanna retired to bed, and we got CJ to sleep on my bed. I fell asleep while watching TV on the couch with Josiah, but I wasn't even aware of it because I was so worn out.
*****
I awoke the following morning to a tap on my shoulder. I stretched after realizing that Josiah and I had shared a couch instead of going to each other's beds. I slept with my head on his lap, watching Parking Wars, and that was the last thing I could recall. He must have lulled me to sleep with his careless strokes on my hair. When I opened my eyes, CJ was in front of me.
"Good morning," I yawned.
"Good morning," CJ answered. "Are you awake?"
"I am now," I smiled. "C'mon, let's go get some breakfast." I undid my cover and gently shook Josiah to wake him up. In response, he moaned.
"CJ is awake. Go to the bedroom and take a couple of minutes to relax," I told him.
I knew he had to be uncomfortable sleeping in a sitting-up position all night. He stood up, stumbling over to the room. Before meeting CJ in the kitchen, I went to the restroom. My hair was a wavy mess since I took a shower the night before. Across one shoulder, I braided it. I cast my eyes over the white tank top outfit I wore to sleep. Normally, I'd think it was overly exposed, but because everyone had seen me in a bathing suit, I guess that was foolish.
I heated up some brisket, scrambled some eggs, and prepared some coffee in the kitchen while I got CJ a leftover parfait. The cabin door got a knock. When I opened the door, Carter and Leon were there. CJ was having breakfast in the kitchen when I led them there.
"Did you like spending the night in the tent?" CJ asked Carter.
Leon chuckled. I turned to face him. He was smiling in a way that alerted me to something was up.
"I did. Did you sleep okay on the couch?" Carter asked him back, rubbing his hair, playfully.
"I slept on the bed. Katy and Josiah slept on the couch," CJ answered.
As I turned away from them, I flushed. Josiah and I literally slept next to each other. We previously did. Even if CJ says it in front of Carter, it still sounds strange, despite the fact that it is entirely innocent.
"Yeah, we stayed up watching bad reality TV and passed out," I said, obscuring my face, and making it appear as though I was busy reaching up and removing unnecessary dishes, bowls, and coffee mugs.
"Ouch!" I heard someone.
I turned to face them; Leon was giving Carter a distasteful look. Carter merely gave him another glare.
"Morning," Roxanna surprised me from the doorway. "Katy, I can finish that; you can go get dressed."
I gave her a long, thoughtful look as I considered her tone. I shook my head and got dressed without asking why. As I returned, wearing tattered jeans and a t-shirt, CJ and Carter were watching cartoons. Leon was dodging my gaze while Roxanna prepared a plate of food.
"What happened last night?" I asked Leon.
"What do you mean?" He replied.
"Why are you behaving weird this morning?"
Carter now coughed on his coffee, and Roxanna exhibited annoyance. "Um, when CJ asked about how y'all slept…" I said thoroughly confused.
"Caroline," Carter answered, clearing his throat. He looked at CJ, then at me. "Marcus and Caroline shared a tent. She snores… really loudly," Carter implied, and I knew he wasn't talking about snores.
Of course, ugh. Roxanna was irritated because of this. Caroline and Marcus slept together, in a 'f**king' kind of way. I was certain and believed that, by association, Roxanna made her look awful.
"Well, when you move in with her, you can anticipate that," Roxanna said, confirming my suspicions.
"When are you moving?" Leon asked me, surprised. Carter's face has now temporarily turned red with displeasure.
"As soon as we locate a location, perhaps one with soundproof walls," I murmur to myself.
Carter smirked.
Marcus and Caroline finally showed up during the calm brunch. Everyone seemed to be aware of what they had been up to the previous evening, but no one spoke up.
Carter, CJ, and I kicked a soccer ball around outside the cabin after breakfast. As I attempted to steal the ball from Carter, I was having a blast. We are laughing and competing with one another. It made me think of when we first started dating—hanging out with CJ to keep my mind off of Carter while he was undressed. We played until everyone started getting ready to leave.
I assisted Roxanna in preparing food for everyone to take home on plates. We all made a commitment to meet together shortly. I hugged both CJ and Carter as I said farewell and then began packing up my belongings. Leon and Roxanna have the cabin for another night, so I assumed they would want some alone time.
I realized I still had CJ's inhaler from playing outside when I was packing. I dialed Carter right away. He made arrangements to deliver CJ to his mother tonight and then meet me at the house to pick it up.
My thoughts were already racing. The time has come tonight. We would be on our own. Caroline and I hurried so I could go home and prepare. She inquired about my issue, which I described. She smiled and supported my plans. I bid Josiah farewell. I figured it was just him acting strangely around Caroline once more, despite the fact that he appeared to be thinking about something. When he instructed me to call him once I was at home, I hugged him.
I texted Josiah to let him know I made it when I got home. I took a second shower and straightened and silkened my hair. I applied eyeliner and curled my lashes while applying my makeup. I added cherry chopsticks to complete the appearance. I aspired to have his effortless sexiness. I put on a seductive red bra and pant pair. After finishing getting dressed, I wore the backless halter top and miniskirt Caroline had chosen for me.
As I had finished applying makeup, the doorbell rang. I quickly hurried to the door and opened it after inhaling deeply. When I realized who was at the door, the smile that had been on my lips began to disappear.
"Dale…"