Page 88 of Almost Ravaged

She throws her head back and cackles. “Oh my god. You aresogoing to hook up with the hottie with the body new defenseman.”

“The one I’m not related to, yes,” I amend.

Cam smacks her hands over her mouth. “That’s right,” she hisses as she pulls it away. “Ty is your brother’s best friend. Oh my god. Oh mygod, girl.” She does a little dance in her seat.

Cam is clearly a giddy, hyper stoner. Noted.

“Why are you bouncing and squealing?” Kai asks as they approach. “Are you alreadythathigh?”

Cam’s eyes flit from Kai to me, seeking permission.

I shake my head. I’ll gladly spill all the deets when I actually have something to share. It doesn’t feel right to dish about the boy I’ve almost hooked up with countless times.

“I’m just so happy to be here,” Cam loops her arms around Kai’s neck in an over-the-top display of affection.

Kai swats at Cam’s arms, which makes Cam squeeze tighter. That leads to Kai calling for backup, which is how Emerson and Drew get mixed up in their tussle.

With the lot of them distracted, I wander away from the group and turn toward the main attraction: the Ledges.

Because I’m me, I did a little research this afternoon. The Ledges are a natural rock formation made up mainly of cross-bedded conglomerate and quartz arenite sandstone. The plateau we’re standing on now has been around for millions of years.

After growing up in Cap-Saint-Jacques, I’m not often impressed by pretty sunsets and sweeping landscapes. Little compares to the scenery back home. But here, near the sharp drop-off of the cliffs, with this treetop view and miles of visibility, I’m hit with that exceptionally small, incredibly humble feeling that only nature can inspire.

Arjun approaches, unwinding a tightly packed hammock. “Ya know, you can see all the way to Canada from here.”

I squint, trying to discern whether he’s messing with me or not.

He scoffs at my apprehension. “I’m serious. See where the trees end? That’s Lake Erie. Then the next landmass beyond that is Canada.”

That can’t be right, can it?

I close my eyes and try to picture a map. Or a globe. Any image I’ve stored in the recesses of my mind that could help me argue with this man. But my mind is hazy, and all I can do is giggle.

Ty approaches, and as it so often does, my focus instantly shifts to him and only him.

Despite being surrounded by forest, he’s the only tree I want to climb.

He’s wearing a thin T-shirt and a pair of slutty little athletic shorts. Shorts that I’m quite fond of, thanks to the expanse of thigh they expose for ogling.

I snort at my own salaciousness. Why is he dressed like that? He’s got to be freezing.

“What’s going on here?” He steps up beside me and weaves an arm behind my back, resting a hand on the curve of my hip.

I turn into him and rest my chin on his chest. “Hi.” The single word leaves me on a giggle.

God, he’s fun to look at. He’s got the sharpest jawline. The best hair. Lips I’ve dreamed about kissing for years.

I hope he kisses me tonight. He has to, right? After our moment in the field, I need him to put me out of my misery and confirm his mouth is as kissable and delicious as I’ve always fantasized it would be.

Brows knitted, he studies my face. “You’re high.”

I giggle again. “Just a little.”

Before he can lecture me, I turn around and point out over the trees at nothing in particular. “He says that’s Canada. Does that look like Canada to you?”

I lean against his chest, pressing my back against his front.

I want him to touch me. I want him to hold me.