Bree picked up two bowls to take to the table. “What do you do on the camping trips?”
Jase grabbed another bowl and Bree’s glass. “It depends on the season and varies from group to group. Some groups are serious hunters and fishermen. Others just want to sit around, drink beer, and reminisce.” He sat next to Bree at the round table. “Most fall somewhere in-between. They’ll hunt or fish, but really aren’t that serious about it. I try to tailor the trips to the people in the group.”
“A lot of guys want to go out with a group that understands where they’re coming from without it being a therapy session.” He took the carton of egg rolls from Denise. “I mean, it kind of is, but it’s not forced. If guys want to talk, they talk. If not, no one bugs ‘em. No questions. No recriminations. No judgment.”
“Do you work for Jase or just volunteer?” Bree blew on a fork full of food.
“I volunteer when I can,” Chris said.
“Which is more often than not.” Jase took a bite of beef and broccoli. “He helps me run the classes as well.”
“Jase said y’all are going on the trip with us next month,” Chris said.
“We’ve both arranged to have the time off,” Denise said.
Bree nodded. “I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t been camping in a couple of years.”
When they finished eating, Jase and Chris offered to clean up the dishes while the girls packed away the few leftovers.
Between Bree’s large sectional and lounger, the four of them were able to spread out without touching. Jase pulled Bree down in front of him after he lay down along one side of the L-shaped couch. Charlie jumped up and joined Chris, where he had propped his head up on a couple of pillows.
Bree snapped her fingers. “Charlie, get down.”
Chris wrapped an arm around Charlie’s big head and rubbed his ears. “Don’t worry about it. He’s good.” The other two dogs took up space near Bree and Denise. Fifteen minutes into the movie, Jase and Chris were asleep.
“I guess camping takes a lot of a guy,” Denise said.
“I guess so.” Bree shifted her hair away from the nape of her neck where Jase had his nose buried.
Thirty minutes later, Denise stood and stretched her arms out over her head. “I’m falling asleep, so I’m going to head out.”
“Okay, let me untangle myself.”
“No, stay there. I know where the door is.”
“I know, but I’m going to get blankets for them.” She lifted Jase’s arm from where it lay heavy on her waist and rose from the couch. Charlie raised his head from where it rested on Chris’s legs when she stood. He took that as his cue it was time to go outside and jumped off the couch. His hind paw landed square in the middle of Chris’s crotch, causing him to curl up in a fetal position and groan.
“Son of a bitch,” he ground out.
“Oh, shit. Are you okay?” Denise asked.
“Hell no, I’m not okay. Shit, that burns.”
“Do you need some ice?” Denise asked.
“What happened?” Jase sat up and ran his hands through his already sleep-tousled hair.
“Charlie unmanned Chris,” Bree bit her lip.
“Seems to be a thing in this house.” Jase stood and stretched, exposing the bottom of his toned abs. “You ready to go or do you need a minute to retract your ball sac?”
“Screw you,” Chris replied.
“I’ll pass, thanks for the offer, though.”
“I can drop him off once he’s recovered enough to walk,” Denise offered.
“You sure?” Jase dropped an arm over Bree’s shoulders.
