I roll my eyes.
“Well then, maybe you’ve got the right idea. That’s not camping,” I say, scolding the crew along with him. I recognize Jake, Roddy’s son, at the end of the table, and I give him a nod. “Of everyone here, you should know how to camp by the springs.”
He lifts what looks like a beer, something he should not be drinking before a game, even if he’s not playing.
“You say that like I had a dad around to show me how,” he says, and a collective wince hits all our faces.
I thinkIhave family problems. Jake’s literally on the field with his.
“Wish I could help,” I say with a shrug. I head to the back to dump the dirty dishes before my red cheeks burn off my face.
“You all right, hon?” Daisy says as she nestles in next to me at the wash station. We’re down a dishwasher until early afternoon so maybe I should offer to hide back here until the guys leave.
“I’m fine. Just the usual sexual harassment from entitled ballplayers,” I say with a laugh.
She grimaces and glances through the open window to the back area.
“You want me to deal with them?”
“I have it handled. Thanks, though,” I say, stopping her from going full bouncer on the country’s top pitching prospect. Besides, this might be the first time I’ve wanted attention from a guy in this joint. In fact . . .
“I’m going to go close them out,” I say, drying my hands and leaving the rest of my glasses with Daisy.
“Give ’em hell, girl,” she laughs out.
I’m sure she thinks I’m looking to spar with the guys. It would be typical of me. But there’s something about this day that has me looking at things through a new lens. Maybe it’s the good night’s rest. Or that my mom is here. Or, like my sister said, I really need to get laid.
Whatever it is, I’m about to do something reckless for once. And I refuse to feel bad about it.
I step to the head of the table while the guys are pooling cash to pay their tab and, hopefully, tip me well. I cross my arms over my chest and wait for Hunter to glance up and see me waiting.
“I’ll go.”
His brow lowers, and his eyes haze.
“Camping. I’ll go with you guys. I haven’t been in years, and frankly, I need to get out of my house. So, I’ll go. And I’ll show you what Sweetwater camping is all about.”
Hunter blinks a few times and glances to his right, meeting Jasper’s stunned expression. I don’t hang with these guys. Not ever. Even Jake, who I technically grew up with, isn’t someone I spend free time with unless it’s running into one another at the market.
“Do you need me to get my gear out of storage, or?—”
“I . . . I have gear,” Hunter stammers out. His surprised reaction is sweet.
“Okay, I like a thick sleeping bag, so if you don’t have that, I’ll get mine. Head up there at ten, get there for lunchtime?” I scan the table, and the dumbfounded group of guys look at each other and nod. I have a feeling packing in beer was the only plan they truly thought out for the getaway.
“I’ll pick you up at your place,” Hunter says, and I bite the inside of my cheek, because I was planning on driving myself. There’s freedom in a getaway car. But I don’t want to give myself an out. I want to do something wild for once, even if it’s just spending a night under the stars with a bunch of dudes.
“Okay,” I relent.
And then I push things into new territory.
“It’s a date.”
Chapter 9
Hunter
I didn’t tell Roddy about Renleigh joining me on this trip when I borrowed his camping gear. He’s made his opinion about her and me quite clear, so I’m pretty sure he’d have words about me showing up with a tent and sleeping bag meant for one with the hopes that two of us fit inside. We won’t fit comfortably, but that’s kind of the point.
