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“Babe, don’t worry, I have an air mattress to blow up.”
The look she gives him has me stepping back, bumping into Banner. “Sorry,” I whisper, unable to look away.
He wraps his arm around my waist, watching along with me. “This should be fun. Three, two, one—”
“I am not sleeping on something so… so… tacky,” she screeches, stomping her foot. “Go book us a room at a hotel. Preferably five stars.”
“You can sleep on the floor if that’s what you want, but I’m sleeping on the air mattress. I paid twenty quid for it. And there aren’t any hotels around here, babe. Just chill. You’ll love it; you’ll see.”
“I can’t believe this is happening to me. I’ll be back in a minute. I need to call my therapist,” she tells him, before stomping off.
Tom glares at Connor. “Bro,I’mgonna have to book an appointment to see one by the end of this weekend. What were you thinking?”
Connor throws his hands up. “I was thinking she has great tits.”
Tom scoffs, disgusted. “And the mouth is worth it?”
“She’s not that bad,” Connor tells him, but doesn’t sound so convinced himself.
Tom glances at us. “I’m sleeping next to you two—far away from those two. And if I disappear, follow me. I’m probably trying to hang myself from a tree.”
I place my hand over my mouth to smother the giggle.
“I’ll go talk to her,” Connor murmurs, his shoulders slumping.
Banner waits for him to leave before laughing. “He’s gonna end up ditching her before the weekend is up.”
“I’ll take that bet, but I’ll raise you: he’ll drown her before it’s up.”
“You two are bad,” I tell them, chuckling.
Banner takes my hand, dragging me towards the boot. “Let’s get these tents and go set up. The others are already here.”
“Okay.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
When Banner said we would be going camping with his friends, I felt kind of anxious. It’s been a long time since I was surrounded by a group of friends, let alone been included with them. I wasn’t sure where I would fit in, but in one night, I’ve come to like every single one of them, even the girls they brought along. Most of the girls already knew each other, but it didn’t stop them from including me. One girl—Sammy—has been the only one to give me the cold shoulder, but she hasn’t been nasty about it.
I’ve seen the looks she’s sent Banner when she thinks we aren’t looking, so I can’t blame her for being pissed. It’s clear as day that she has a thing for him, even though she came with Ross.
I let the looks go because if roles were reversed, I’d be sending her evil looks too.
Last night was kind of rowdy, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as I thought it would be. We had fun and it was nice meeting all of Banner’s friends.
Today, they spent the day doing activities, whilst me and Kelsea watched on. Kelsea didn’t want to get dirty or break a nail, whereas I watched with envy, cursing my broken arm.
It’s getting dark out as Tom starts another fire—or tries to. The timid girl, who is dating Tom, pushes him to the side, lighting it herself.
“How do you do that?” he growls. Bless his heart, he’s been trying for at least twenty minutes. The night before it was late before he finally let her have a go, and within minutes, she had one going.
I turn to Ross, who is flipping burgers, annihilating them until they break up. He growls, making me giggle as he throws on some fresh ones.
I snuggle up to Banner on the chair, since some of the lads forgot to bring spares. The only other place is the ground or on a tree trunk that has been cut down. And there is no way I’m freezing my arse off. I’m already cold enough. Plus, cuddling up to Banner is my favourite thing ever. He’s also toasty warm.
“You having fun?” he whispers.
“The best. You have great friends,” I tell him, watching as Connor shoves Ross away from the barbeque when he nearly breaks up the last lot of burgers we have.