Unveiling Destiny

Chapter 16: Aria

"Nice job today ladies," I praise, congratulating my team on their hard fought win. "I am so proud of all of you for your fight and hard work. Remember, no practice this weekend! Please use it to rest and relax."

After a few more reminders, I dismiss them, gather my stuff and head to my car, where Katie is already waiting for me.

She looks up from her phone as I walk up and asks, "You ready to go?"

Unfortunately, with a game on tonight, I couldn't leave this afternoon to go to the campsite with Griffin and his friends.

Instead, Katie offered to stay back and drive the hour and a half or so with me after the game, while Griffin and his friends set up camp. Emma and Callie couldn't get off work, so they won't be meeting us until tomorrow afternoon.

Hopping into the car, I look excitedly at Katie. "Yes ma'am! Let's go!"

She sighs, less than excited. "Remind me again why I agreed to go to the middle of nowhere with no running water?"

I snort. While I might love camping, Katie's idea of a vacation is a nice beach resort, not the middle of nowhere with no showers or toilets.

"Oh hush, it'll be fun," I say. "Besides, Griffin said this spot has a really nice lake that you can rinse off in."

"Maybe you'll convert me, but I doubt it," Katie scoffs.

We fall into a comfortable routine, dancing along with the music until we hit a dirt road.

Turning the radio down, I shift my attention to the coordinates Griffin sent me for the campsite. Slowly and carefully, we pick our way down the road until, up ahead, I see a fire.

"Right there," Katie says, pointing to the light.

I nod and continue driving until I reach the spot and pull in. My heart does a little dance as I see Griffin headed over to us, looking ruggedly handsome in a backwards hat and flannel.

Leaning into the open window, he smiles at us.

"Hey, ladies. Found the spot okay?" he asks, his dimples on full display.

I nod. "It was easy to find. Are we good here, or am I in a prime tent spot?"

"You're good here. There's plenty of flat ground closer to the fire pit."

"Perfect."

Killing the ignition, I step out of the car, Katie following suit.

The rest of the guys meander over, greeting us and helping unload the car. Within a half hour, with the help of the boys, Katie and I have everything set up, our contribution to food and alcohol put away, and our chairs sitting by the fire.

It's then that I notice what's missing. "Katie?" I call. "Where's our tent?"

She turns, looking at me innocently. Too innocently. "You didn't pack it?" she asks.

"No," I grit out, crossing my arms. "That was on your packing list. You're telling me you forgot it?"

I raise my eyebrows at her skeptically as the boys look on. I, unfortunately, know exactly where this is going.

"I guess," she says with a shrug. "Oh well! Blake, can I bunk with you?"

"How convenient," I mutter to myself, as Blake says, "Of course! Happy to be of service."

I'll bet he is. I have no doubt they'll be 'servicing' each other all weekend.

"Lovely!" Katie exclaims. "Aria, maybe Griffin will let you bunk with him?"