Choosing how to love.

Camping

Dave was the first one to the house and started helping the girls load up. They had decided to take Dave's truck which most everything would fit into, and the rest would go into Maddy's Jeep.

As they were filling the coolers up, a large black pickup pulled up out front and Maddy stopped to investigate. "That would be Holton." Dave groaned. "He's early." Maddy looked at her watch. "He always is." Dave laughed as he dumped another bag of ice on the beer.

"I came by early to see what I could help with." Holton walked up and shook Dave's hand, then hugged Lacy. "We could use it. She over does it every time." Lacy winked at Maddy.

"Well no one will be hungry, or thirsty, on my watch." Maddy giggled as Holton walked up to her and held out his arms. She hesitated, but he pulled her in anyway, and it was just as she remembered. Warm, soft, and comforting. She relaxed into him, not meaning too, and he let out a little chuckled.

"Shh." She told him and patted his arm as she turned away. Damnit. "Secret's safe with me." He laughed. "It better be." "Told you mine where the best." "Uh-huh. Put these coolers up in Dave's truck. Please." She shook her head, making him laugh harder.

"Your jeep?" Holton asked her as she put a bag into the backseat. "Yep." "Nice." "Thanks." Maddy smiled and noticed how their conversation was so easy and friendly. There was no weirdness at all, and that made her happy. Just friends.

"Looks like most of it will fit in here." Dave said as he put the chairs in. "The blankets can go in my jeep." "They can go in my backseat. I only have my blankets and duffle in there." "Ok great. Well if you want to take that stuff, Holton can ride with Craig and I, then it will only two cars." Maddy offered.

"That works. Holton, toss me your stuff. Then we are just waiting for Craig's shit, which should fit." "Oh, wait, he's bringing a cot." Maddy blushed. "A cot?" Dave looked surprised. "Yeah, he said he wasn't sleeping on the ground." "Figures. It's fine, there's room." Dave laughed and Maddy went to the jeep and stuck her duffle behind the seat on the floor.

"There is room for a duffle in the back seat with Holton, or whatever we need." Maddy called over as she struggled to take off the doors. "Let me help." Holton was at her side and easily pulled them off.

"Thanks. This one always sticks." She blushed, then crawled up on the step and unlatched the top. "Going topless?" Holton asked and she coughed out in surprised. "The jeep." He groaned, which only made her laugh harder.

"Yes, the jeep. And depends on how many beers I drink tomorrow." She jumped down and he helped her take the top off. His smile told her he was not completely innocent either.

"Where is your boy?" Dave asked as he looked at his watch. "I have no idea. Said he'd be here by 3." "It's 3:10." Lacy moaned. "If we are too much later, I should let Dawson know. I don't want him thinking we got lost." Holton took out his phone and walked away. Craig better show up Maddy thought.

At 3:25, she saw his gray BMW turn onto the street and she exhaled. "FINALLY." She moaned as he parked, and they walked down to get his stuff.

"About time slacker." Holton punched his arm. "Sorry, court ran long." Craig said as he got out, still in his suit. "My apologizes." "It's fine. Get your shit, let's go." Holton tapped his trunk.

"Hi sweetheart." Craig walked over and kissed her, making her feel special. "Hey. I was getting worried you backed out." "Not a chance. Do you mind if I change quickly?" "Not at all. In the front door, down the hall, last door on the left." She nodded.

"Can't miss it. Says Peaches on the door." Lacy laughed. "Peaches?" Holton turned around witha raised eyebrow and Maddy blushed. "Long story, another day." Maddy took the small suitcase from Craig.