Chapter 25 Javonte
A few weeks later, she tells me we’re going camping. I’m hoping it's the kind with cabins and catering, but she’s definitely the type to do it old school with just the basic essentials. I don’t hate the idea, but I didn’t have anything for camping, so I bought everything: a tent, boots, a hunting knife, those long pants people wear when they’re standing in the lake fishing. I dropped serious money at Outside World.
Man, it feels good to be chosen though. Lily planned this whole thing for me. We’ve been trying to work on a relationship for almost a month now. It’s going well, and we see each other a few times a week. We haven’t gone further than kissing. I’m following her lead, but I know what it’s like with her...mind-blowing...and I miss it.
I’m respecting her pace and her boundaries. She’s going to have to be the one who takes the first step. I’m patient.
I’m waiting at the door, excited when she rings the doorbell. She has the code and can walk in, but she never does.
I laugh when I open the door. She looks exactly how I imagined in camo overalls and worn hiking books with her hair in a ponytail.
Her hands immediately rest on her hips. “What’s so funny?”
“You.” I reach out and pull her close to me.
“What about me?” She wraps her arms around me, melting into my hug.
“You look experienced. It’s not funny, just surprising.”
Lily steps back and looks me up and down. “You look like you’re about to be out of your element. Your sponsor needs to make outdoor gear.”
I look down at my matching sweatsuit. It’s warm, comfortable, and easy to move in. “It’s a basketball company.” I shrug.
“You’re not about to be photographed.”
“Some of the bears out there might be fans.”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “Ready?”
I load up her car, taking up the whole backseat with my gear. She smiles the whole time I pack my things in, and I feel like there’s a joke I’m not in on happening right now.
After I close the doors, I turn to her. “What’s so funny?”
“You look inexperienced.”
I wave my hand at her. “I like new things.”
She opens the driver’s side door, her eyes locked in on me. “Anything else you need for our 2 days of camping?”
She gets into the car before I can answer, so I hurry and get in too. “I want to be prepared.”
She’s looking at me like I’m the sun. It’s a bright smile that comes from somewhere deep inside.
Damn, I love her so much.
I wish she felt the same way.
We talk and listen to music for the two hour drive. Lily doesn’t take us to a campsite. Instead, we drive up to a large black gate with CR on the front. She presses the button to the intercom and tells them she has a reservation.
The gate opens, and we drive up a long path to the Carbinger Ranch.
“We’re camping on a ranch?” This doesn’t make sense.
“Something like that.” That smile returns, and I realize I’ve been had.
When we step out of the car, and a man in a nice ass cowboy hat and some expensive boots greets us. “Welcome to Carbinger Ranch, Texas’s premiere exotic game and hunting ranch.”
Shit.
