Page 20 of Places We've Never Been

“As most saunas are.”

“Well, I’m fine with whatever. It all looks good to me.”

She smiled. “I’m so glad you’ve been as excited about this trip as I’ve been. Not that I’m surprised. Since you were little, you’ve always been so eager to experience new things. It’s something I admire about you.”

“Are you getting sentimental on me?”

“Mothers are allowed to think their kids are the best, most talented, smartest kids in the world.”

“Wait, you said all this to Ezra too? I don’t feel special anymore.”

She hip-checked me. “Come on, I think you’re going to love Artists Palette.”

“I hear we’re taking the rental.”

“Yes.”

“I need to grab my backpack out of ours. I can’t go to a place called Artists Palette without my art supplies.”

After paying for my postcards, I headed outside. The RVs were parked in the designated spots across the lot and I weaved through cars and around trucks until I came to our door. I stepped up and inside, surprised when I realized Ezra, Austin, and Skyler were already there.

“Oh,” I said. “Hey, guys.” I pointed the extra water bottle in my hand at Skyler. “This is for you.”

He picked one up from the floor. “Thanks, I already haveone.”

“Right.”

“I’ll take it,” Austin said, probably for my benefit.

I didn’t need anyone’s pity but I handed him the water anyway, pretending like everyone couldn’t tell Skyler was acting weird toward me. “All informationed out?” I asked Ezra.

“We’re hungry,” Ezra said. “Mom said the menu is in here somewhere but I can’t find it. Maybe you girls should just cook tonight, like normal, and skip the artist place.”

“Excuse me?”

He let out a single laugh. “See, didn’t I tell you she’d get mad if I said that?”

I’d spent a lot of time in the online gaming community, a network filled with guys, some less welcoming than others. So yes, that experience had made me extra sensitive to subtle and not-so-subtle sexism, but I wasn’t going to apologize for making my brother a better person by calling him out on it over the years.

I opened a drawer in the kitchen and pulled out the spreadsheet of all the meals Mom had planned and the coordinating food items they required from the ice chests or fridge. My mom was always extra organized. I rolled it into a tube and hit Ezra on the shoulder with it a few times.

He held up his hands. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Girl power! I know you suck at cooking.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and tried to pick him up as if I was going to throw him, but failed, like I always did.

“Weakling,” he said.

“One day,” I promised, and let him go.

“You wish.” He pulled the keys out of his pocket. “You coming with us?”

“I thought you were going with Paisley,” Skyler said before I had the chance to answer.

Austin smacked Skyler on the back of the head.

I plucked my backpack with my drawing supplies off the bed. “Don’t worry, Skyler, I am.” I swung my backpack onto one shoulder and left without another word. I climbed off our RV and onto the other to wait for Mom, Olivia, and Paisley.

I drank half my water before pulling out my phone and texting Willow.Did you say a throwing ax would be the best weapon against Skyler?