The Queens of San Diego (18+)

Chapter 17

Desmond

The hike up Glymur was long and exhausting, but after reaching the top and taking in the breathtaking view of the waterfall, I returned to the hotel feeling surprisingly energized. My legs were sore, but there was a strange sense of accomplishment that made me smile. Iceland had a way of reminding me how small we are in the grand scheme of things, with its towering cliffs and endless skies. I tossed my backpack onto the hotel bed and stretched out, savoring the silence of my suite after the noisy day.

Apparently, Ricardo had arrived earlier while we were hiking, but nobody had met him yet. Martina had kept him busy in her suite since returning from the hike, which probably meant I'd be meeting him soon—though not before she'd had her fun. The rest of the group seemed curious about him, but I couldn't help feeling a little wary. Martina always had a taste for spicy adventures, but something about Ricardo's sudden presence put me on edge. Still, I trusted her instincts. Or at least, I tried to.

I took a deep breath, thinking I'd get ready for dinner soon. That was the plan, at least. But then I noticed something—there was a sound coming through the walls. At first, I thought it might be the TV in JJ and Lukas' room next door. But as I listened closer, it became clear that it wasn't the TV. It was them. Loud. And very, very clear.

I sat up in bed, my face heating up as I realized I could hear everything. JJ's voice was unmistakable, but it was Lukas' that made me cringe with embarrassment. "Fuck me harder," Lukas begged, his voice echoing through the paper-thin walls. My eyes widened in shock. It was one thing to know your friends were hooking up; it was another to hear every single detail.

I stood up quickly, desperate for some way to block it out. But just as I was about to head for the door, more sounds filtered through the wall on the opposite side. Martina. And Ricardo.

This time, it was Martina's loud, ecstatic moans that made me freeze. Are you kidding me? I'm sandwiched between both couples having the time of their lives? I groaned internally, feeling completely trapped. The walls in this fancy hotel might have been thin, but this? This was too much.

A wave of discomfort washed over me, the awkwardness settling in my stomach. I couldn't be here, not like this. I needed to get out. Fast.

Grabbing my jacket and keys, I bolted out of the room, my mind spinning. Dinner was supposed to be soon, but clearly, my friends had other priorities. Maybe a walk around downtown Reykjavik would help me clear my head—and get me far, far away from whatever was happening in those rooms.

I couldn't get out of that hotel fast enough. Between JJ and Lukas going at it like rabbits on one side and Martina and Ricardo doing who-knows-what on the other, I needed fresh air. Badly. Reykjavik's cool breeze hit me the second I stepped outside, and I instantly felt more grounded. The streets were quiet, with only the sound of distant chatter and the occasional car rolling by.

The city's vibe was calm, almost soothing, compared to the chaos happening back at the hotel. I wandered through the narrow streets, taking in the colorful buildings and quirky street art, my mind still buzzing from everything I'd heard. I loved my friends, but hearing them like that? Nope. I needed a reset.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my messages. Willow. We'd been texting off and on since we met after my performance as Kate, but we hadn't hung out since. With everything going on, I could use some light-hearted conversation. Without overthinking it, I dialed their number and waited as the phone rang.

"Desmond! Hey!" Willow's voice was bright, a welcome change from the awkwardness of the past half hour.

"Hey yourself," I said, feeling a smile tug at my lips. "You busy, or can you save me from the madness that is my life right now?"