November

Chapter Six

-Oliver-

My good mood after my hike with Cooper didn't last long once I was back at the hotel with Brad. When I showed him pictures from the hike, he barely glanced at them. I knew this trip was more my idea than his, but when I was honest with myself and really thought about our relationship, I realized Brad rarely showed interest in the things that were important to me. I felt like I was always trying to get his attention.

This morning we were headed over to Lake Crescent before continuing on to hike at Sol Duc Falls. I was excited about seeing the falls, and I was enjoying the drive along the lake. The winding road clung to the lakeshore, with trees or rocky cliffs on the side of the road opposite the lake.

"This is beautiful," I murmured, staring out the window at the lake. "Pull over there," I told Brad, pointing to a pullout along the road.

"We've already stopped at every pullout we've seen," Brad complained. "How is this one any different?" Even so, he still pulled the car over and shut it off so we could get out and look.

I took pictures in every direction, and made Brad pose in front of the lake before taking a picture of the two of us. It was going well until we got back in the car and it didn't start when Brad turned the key.

"You have to be kidding me," he groaned, and then tried again. Still nothing.

"Is the battery dead?" I wondered.

"It's possible, since we kept stopping and shutting the car off and turning it back on. I knew that wasn't a good idea."

"Are you blaming me for this?"

Brad sighed. "Didn't say that."

Not wanting to start a fight, I picked up my phone. "We need someone to look at it. I'll call Cooper."

"Who the fuck is Cooper?"

"I met him on the plane. He sat next to me and gave me a ton of tips about Washington. He lives around here."

"Why do you have his number?"

"So I can get more recommendations about stuff for us to do. And it's a good thing, cause he ended up hiking with me yesterday when you couldn't go. It helped that I didn't have to go alone."

Brad rolled his eyes. "Alright, how soon can he get here?"

I gave Brad a slight glare as I called Cooper, hoping he wasn't busy.

He answered after three rings. "Oliver! What's up?"

"Hey, so...I'm not calling for a great reason. I need a favor, if you have the time."

"Sure."

"Brad and I are on our way to Sol Duc Falls, but the rental car quit. Neither of us are car guys and I don't know what to do, or if we should call a tow truck."

"Where are you?"

"At a pullout along Lake Crescent. We stopped to look at the lake."

"I'll be there in about thirty minutes. You and Brad go sit and look at the lake and relax. See you soon."

Before I could say anything, he hung up.

"What's going on?" Brad asked.

"He's on his way. Come on, let's go sit by the water."

Brad grumbled, but he followed me through the opening in the guardrail and down to the little beach. After a half hour passed, I turned so I could keep an eye out for Cooper. A few minutes later, I saw his truck pull in alongside the rental car. I stood up, and Brad turned. Cooper got out of the truck and waved.