What Happens on the Fourth

SATURDAY

I braced my hand against a boulder, watching as everyone in front of me continued their hike while I just tried to catch my breath. If something involved any form of cardio- it usually wasn't something I was good at. We had ended up needing to take two vehicles to the familiar gas station, which was apparently near where the hiking trail to the river began. I had ridden with Kate and Daniel in Alex's truck and Amanda had ended up driving Matt's truck- something he would probably never find out about, considering he had crawled into Max's camper after breakfast and promptly passed out in the only bit of air conditioning he'd find on the site- with Delta, Sam, and Camila. She had even let Delta jump in the passenger seat and I could only imagine the look that would have crossed Matt's face at it.

The group hiked on ahead, Delta's tongue flopping out of the side of her mouth as she excitedly sniffed and explored her surroundings. Kate, Amanda, and Camila were talking about something I couldn't hear, being so far behind them, and the same went for Alex, Daniel, and Sam. It seemed that no one had even noticed me heaving for air behind them.

I wasn't out of shape, at least not by my standards, I just really hated cardio, and therefore tended to skip it at the gym- whenever I actually went to the gym. Regardless of that, it was blatantly obvious that anything involving expelling any effort from my cardiovascular and respiratory system was not loved by my vaguely untrained body.

I hoped no one would grow to notice I was falling behind, but it seemed fate was out to get me when Alex briefly glanced over his shoulder before abruptly stopping and turning around, a teasing smile already spreading across his face. I snapped up, straightening myself and dropping the hand that had been braced against the boulder to rest on my hip in an attempt to look like I hadn't just been practically dying behind their backs. The glint in Alex's eyes had told me that he saw- and I'd likely never hear the end of it.

He, unfortunately, dropped back, the rest of the group continuing on in front of him. He braced his hands on the straps of the backpack that hung over his shoulders as he scanned me from head to foot. His smile had broadened enough to push his dimple into his cheek, and I returned a feign one of my own, still trying to maintain the facade of how little exercise actually affected me- and failing.

"You doing okay back there, Brooks?" He teased.

"Never better," I tried not to huff as I said the words, praying that my face was not as red as an overripe tomato. He chuckled and slung the bag from his shoulder as he approached me, pulling a water bottle from the pocket on its side. He handed it to me, but I didn't take it, despite the dryness that suddenly coated my tongue.

"I'm fine," I said, refusing to admit defeat. Alex's brows shot up, but the infuriating smirk didn't leave his lips.

"Really?" I nodded. He waggled the bottle and the ice within rattled. Desperation for the chilled liquid inside threatened to consume me. "Just take the water, Brooks."

I glared but snatched the bottle from his hands. The second the water touched my tongue I practically sighed in relief. I braced my back against the boulder, finally allowing my lungs the large gulp of air they desperately desired. Alex chuckled again, and I shot him a glare.

"I take it hikes aren't really your thing," he leaned against the boulder next to me, crossing his arms over his chest. I straightened my slouch a bit upon being shadowed by his towering figure before taking another swig of the water bottle and handing it back to him. He took a drink himself before tucking it back into the backpack.

"Cardio isn't really my thing."

"So, why'd you come?"

"Because this beats sitting around a campsite with all the people trying to sleep off their hangovers," he laughed at that before pushing himself off the boulder and extending a hand to me.

"Let's go, we've fallen behind."

"I don't care," I threw my head back against the cold rock and closed my eyes, "just leave me here. I'll join you again when you guys make your way back."

I popped open a single eye to see him still standing in front of me, looking down the bridge of his nose with an amused smile.

"The river is literally right there." I could in fact hear who I assumed was Delta splashing excitedly in the nearby water. "Come on Brooks, I believe in you." I groaned loudly but pushed myself off the boulder before following him over the next hill and- indeed- there was the river.

We descended the hill and Alex pulled his shoes and socks off, tucking them into his backpack. I did the same- pushing them into his bag as well- and followed him out into the water. The current was light today, and I spotted the rest of the group waiting a few yards downstream for us. Sam was throwing a stick into the water for Delta to retrieve, and she very happily obliged. When we finally caught up with them, he turned to us with a teasing smirk.

"Needed a break, Brooks?"

Before I could shoot him a snarky response, Alex said, "Nah, I just needed to talk to her about something. Guess I held her up." I shot him a questioning look, to which he only winked in response as Sam turned to throw Delta's stick again.

We hung out in the river for a while, wading back and forth the few yards before the trail's end, letting Delta have her fun. When everyone's shoulders looked to be getting a shade too red, we decided to make our way back, embracing the cover of the trees that lined the path. Luckily, Amanda and Alex had been prepared, and each pulled a small towel from their bags so everyone could put their shoes back on. I was eternally grateful for that.

Looking back up the moderately steep hill that led from the river to the trail, I let out a groan, my shoulders slumping forward with the action. I heard an annoyingly familiar chuckle in my ear and didn't need to actually turn for my glare to be portrayed. "Want a ride?"

My eyes shot to Alex's; my brows scrunched in confusion. I was certain he didn't mean what I thought he meant. "Excuse me?"

"On my back, Brooks," the corner of his lip tipped up. "Get your mind out of the gutter."

"No, I'll be fine," I put my hands on my hips and give him the cold shoulder, beginning the hike up the hill with determination.

If I did one thing today, it would be slightly deflating the ego of the man at my back. I heard his light chuckle before I heard the rest of the group follow, Delta running past me excitedly before halting and looking back at us, waiting for everyone to catch up.

We eventually did and made our way back to the trucks with casual conversation every now and then. About halfway there, though, I did in fact look at Alex with a bit of desperation, and he chuckled before flinging his pack over my shoulders instead of his and hauling me onto his back.

He carried me effortlessly, and I didn't know whether to find that impressive or infuriating. The former won that debate, but the latter became more prominent when he turned to me over his shoulder after falling slightly behind the group and said quietly enough for no one else to hear, "If you are interested in a different type of ride, Brooks, all you need to do is ask."

I slapped him on the shoulder, demanding he put me down, but he didn't. He only loosed a deep laugh and continued on, casual conversation about his new job and Tennessee and my life at home flowing after his insinuation.

When we got back to the gas station, he held true to his word from the night before and bought me ice cream with his poker winnings.

Devouring my own icecream, I couldn't help but let my gaze flick towards him- observing as he lickedthe vanilla dessert off of his spoon, maneuvering his tongue this way and that-and, for a moment, I thought that maybe taking him up on that offerwouldn't be so insane.