Page 57

Vince

Vince set up camp with Scarlett standing by, eager to learn. It was her first time overnighting in a tent, and she’d admitted to being both thrilled and terrified.

“You seem tired,” Vince observed. “I’ll make dinner then you can try and get some sleep.”

Scarlett turned her sheepish gaze to the ground. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice. You drove almost all night while I slept and hardly let me carry anything here. You should be the one tired.”

“Scarlett, don’t be so hard on yourself. You did fantastic.”

She sighed and secured the tent to the ground. “I’m trying.”

“I’m tired too, so that suggestion wasn’t just for you. I don’t always want to admit it.”

“Well now you’re just sweet talking,” she laughed, standing and stretching her arms above her head. “Dinner and sleep sounds good.”

Not long after, Scarlett was in her sleeping bag, curled up against him as he zipped up his own.

Even though she’d fully agreed to this, he couldn’t help but feel that she might not enjoy it.

Nights out on the trail were vastly different from a night in a cabin.

It was far more uncomfortable and with nightfall rapidly descending on them, the forest’s sounds could be rather frightening.

“You won’t let a bear eat me, right?”

He chuckled and kissed her hair. “No, I won’t let a bear eat you.”

He listened as Scarlett’s breathing evened out and she drifted off to sleep, easily being pulled under with her.

They both slept soundly, with only Vince stirring when the sun began to warm the tent.

Scarlett had rolled out of his arms and was curled up like a little caterpillar.

Careful not to wake her, he crawled out of the tent and stretched his aching muscles.

He pulled out the small propane cooker and boiled the water for her oatmeal and coffee.

It was peaceful out, and being off the trail gave them privacy from anyone who may wander by.

Finally, the zipper of the tent opened and Scarlett emerged. “Good morning.”

“How did you sleep?”

“I’m not sure,” she laughed. “I feel more like I just passed out.”

“It was a long day.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Good.”

Scarlett took the seat next to him. “You enjoy being out here.”

“I do, and if you want, maybe we can do it more often.”

“I would like that very much.” With a kiss to his cheek, she dug into her breakfast.

They stayed at the camp all day, awaiting Ezra and Mateo’s arrival.

Scarlett spent the day chasing the sun and resting her body, offering to massage Vince’s shoulders and back.

He was laying on his stomach with her sitting on top of him and kneading her thumbs down the knots of his spine when he felt Mateo’s and Ezra’s presence.

“They’re close, aren’t they?” she asked.

Vince peered over his shoulder and saw Scarlett scanning the woods around them. “Yes.”

Vince dreaded Ezra’s return, having enjoyed the quiet that often accompanied the distance. Scarlett, however, was excited to see them, so Vince didn’t say a word. It took another four hours before Ezra’s voice echoed through the trees.

“Oh, little princess,” he purred, not too far from them.

Scarlett squealed, leaping off the ground and disappearing behind the treeline. “Ezra! Mateo!”

A few moments later, Mateo broke through the trees, carrying Scarlett in his arms. Both men were overjoyed, their minds filling with relief to finally hold her again after nearly two weeks.

“I missed you,” she said, tears running down her cheeks. She reached for Ezra, who dropped his bag to take her in his arms.

Mateo chuckled, letting his bag fall to the ground and rolling out his aching shoulders. “Good to be back too. When did you set up?”

Vince offered him a water bottle and protein bar. “Last night.”

“Did you manage to hike it all in one day?”

“We did. Scarlett was determined not to take a night’s rest.”

Mateo leaned over and kissed her cheek with Ezra’s face still buried in her neck. “Good job. I’m very impressed.”

Scarlett blushed under the praise and hid her face in Ezra’s chest.

Once Ezra let her breathe again, they treated themselves to an early dinner.

It was Ezra’s and Mateos first warm meal since leaving, and they gobbled it up like they hadn’t eaten in weeks.

Knowing that Ezra would return with her, Scarlett seemed to try and spend the most time with Mateo.

She stayed close to him and when they discussed their further proceedings, she fell asleep with her head in Mateo’s lap.

“I think we can risk taking a faster approach and head closer to the caves,” Mateo suggested, running his fingers through Scarlett’s hair.

“Good, let’s get this done and over with,” Ezra grumbled clearly frustrated about the slow progress of their hunt.

Mateo addressed Vince with his next question. “Are you good with that too?”

Vince nodded and looked down at the map.

“We saw that you two did a lot of hiking.” Mateo paused to yawn. “But you two seemed to always return to the lake.”

“She enjoyed that the most.” Vince ducked his head to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks. “But we saved it for rainy days when no one else was around.”

“Clever.” Mateo leaned down, gently waking Scarlett. “Let’s get you into the tent.”

Without opening her eyes, Scarlett gripped tight onto Mateo’s shirt so he wouldn’t move without her. “Will you cuddle with me tonight?”

“Of course.”

Making sure he kept his promise, Scarlett stood, pulled Mateo to his feet, and they disappeared into the tent.

Tension built between the two remaining men, frustration boiling through the bond until Ezra shot to his feet and stormed off.

When the sun set and Ezra still hadn’t returned, Vince sighed and went in search of him. It didn’t take long, Vince finding his friend sitting on a log, and hacking away at some wood.

“Be prepared for overbearing positivity,” Ezra said, imitating Mateo’s voice. “Every small step counts.”

He leaned against a tree and crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at Ezra as he shredded the wood with his knife.

“I didn’t sign up for this shit.”

Vince could sense that there was more to Ezra’s frustration. That it wasn’t about the hunt.

“Did you fuck her? Or did you do what you do best and ignore her like the fucking mute you are.”

Vince simply waited, crooking a brow. He was no stranger to this behaviour, and Ezra’s words no longer hurt him. Ezra was picking a fight, and he was more than happy to give his friend what he needed.

“Don’t worry, she’ll have you forgotten the moment she’s in my arms.”

Ezra’s last word turned into a snarl, with Vince’s fist cracking against his jaw. Stunned, Ezra lost balance and fell off the log into the dirt.

“Fucker!” he hissed, scrambling to his feet.

Punches were thrown and the tang of blood filled the air around them until they both laid panting on the floor.

Ezra chuckled rather darkly. “Bastard.”

“You asked for it.”

“The mute can speak.” Ezra laughed, pulling himself to his feet.

As he watched Ezra head back to their camp, Vince realised that he didn’t seem to have any fresh cuts on him.

He wondered if that’s why Ezra’s temper had come to such a head.

It seemed to be Ezra’s only outlet for his emotional baggage.

Scarlett had mentioned that they’d talked things through, and Vince could only hope that they had a breakthrough in the next week or so they’d be alone.

After all, Vince knew that one-on-one time was crucial.

He’d learned so much in the last couple of weeks—about both of them.

For the first time, he could picture his future with her much clearer.

It had been blurry before, without much structure, but spending so much time around her taught him that he absolutely didn’t want to live without her.

Back at the camp, Vince noticed that Ezra had chosen to give Mateo and Scarlett privacy by sleeping out in the open. Vince snuck into the tent long enough to grab his own supplies to do the same. Mateo was passed out with Scarlett fast asleep in his arms.

He paused and looked down at his friend, the glue to their friendship.

He took a moment to admire Mateo for all he’d done.

Not just for their trio, but now Scarlett as well.

He happily volunteered to stay behind so Ezra could spend time with Scarlett and knowing Mateo, he’d demanded that Ezra take that time.

Mateo had always been selfless when it came to their trio and now with Scarlett in their lives, he was even more generous. How would they ever be able to repay Mateo for all he’d done for them? Without him, everything would be vastly different.

Vince retreated and fell asleep, unable to express his gratitude to his friend, yet hoping Mateo knew all the same.