Homecoming Proposal: Book One

Chapter 12 - Exposed

CARMEN-Present

"Ok, Bitch, spill." Cora has always had a foul mouth, especially when trying to make a point with me. She and Bradley had always been my least linguistically refined friends. Brilliant both, but not afraid to let the words fall where they landed. She had watched my features express the emotions related to the memories of camping. She would not let me brush it under the rug. I spent a moment debating whether to share that memory.

Maria added her two cents, reminding me they were leaving today. "I'm finding out so much about you I never knew. Impressively, you kept it together and so quiet back then. I mean, we're your best friends, but you never spilled to us."

"I know. It wasn't that I didn't trust you, but there were already too many involved already." Chuckling, I shared about the camping trip I had just remembered. I didn't share who did what, though. I still had this feeling that even now, I should protect my guys from scrutiny. After all, I do not know what they faced, and I would not add any chaos to their lives if I could help it.

Cora and Maria's faces displayed utter surprise that I had skinny-dipped with the guys, as I was supremely bashful about my body back then. They had an inkling of whom my aquatic activity partners were, but no definitive confirmation. Maria chortled heartily. "Oh, I want to ask them about it now, only to see what they thought. Want me to?"

Cora devilishly proclaimed, "Do it. See if they want to do it again."

I paused, thinking. I would do it again for sure as I was infinitely more confidant in my physical appearance. "Go for it. Ask them and let me know what they say?"

Maria exclaimed, "This is going to be so much fun to have you back. I wish we had been together all those years, but now there is less garbage to navigate.  I tell you what, though; if you don't get in touch with them soon, I'm going to tell them about this weekend."

Maria's simple declaration made me realize how much more the guys might think I had shared. There would be rumors and innuendo galore if I didn't step in first. Admittedly, after this weekend, I was incredibly excited to see if there was any connection left. I missed my guys like I had missed my friends. Determined, I agreed to reach out.

Cora held out her hand to help me stand when she saw me nod in agreement. "Alright, Ho, you gotta get me back to the airport." With that, the three of us went to gather our things and began the trip to the airport.

***

MARIA-present

I finished tucking my carry-on in the overhead space, keeping my phone and headphones out. I sat next to the window, reliving the weekend with Cora and Carmen. The three of us had always been tight, and it didn't seem the years had changed that. Our friendship was more resilient than I thought. We didn't know all Carmen had been dealing with when she left.

I can't imagine my response to all she endured.  I remember Carmen's parents domineering and viciously controlling her every action.  Her brother humiliated her at every opportunity. How she accomplished all she did without the three of them knowing is shocking. I would never have guessed my friend had successfully navigated the situations she found herself in and kept everything a secret. We're talking about some of the hottest guys around and major fuckboys back in the day.

I closed my window shade and leaned against the window, prepared to sleep when my seatmate jostled my shoulder. I was about to lash out until I saw the man sitting beside me. His tattooed arms reached over to hug me. "Paul, what a surprise! What have you been doing?"

Paul was one of Carmen's guys. After learning more about her past this weekend, there was no way I could call them anything but hers. His 6'5" swimmer's physique displayed his sun-kissed tan. His light brown had lots of white shot through the high and tight he had worn since I could remember. He had a five o'clock shadow with a slightly longer mustache. His gray-blue eyes gave evidence of his jet lag.