One Temptation

The camp (Chapter 46)

Madison's POV:

We'd barely parked before everyone started unloading the cars, making a mess of bags and camping gear scattered everywhere.

Jake was already whining, trying to figure out why the sleeping bag was stuck, while Lia and Em rummaged through the cooler for snacks before we even started the hike.

"Are we actually gonna make it up the trail today or are we camping in the parking lot?" I sighed.

"Hey, I'm trying to figure this out, okay?" Jake grumbled, glaring at the tent like it personally offended him.

"Sure you are," West said. I didn't even have to turn around to know he was smirking.

I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the warm sensation that shot through me whenever he was nearby.

I shrugged the thought away and focused on the bags.

**********

The hike up the trail was already turning into a comedy show.

It started when Jake somehow managed to trip over a tree root within the first ten minutes.

"Nice one, Jake," Cole said, trying not to laugh.

"Not a word," Jake grumbled, wiping dirt off his shirt as everyone laughed.

"You sure you're gonna survive this hike?" Lia teased.

"I'll be fine," Jake said, glaring at her. "Just testing the ground. Gotta make sure it's safe for you guys."

"Sure," Em rolled her eyes.

We were only about halfway up the trail, and everyone already fell into their stupid rhythm.

It made the climb easier, even though the path was steeper than I'd thought it would be.

"Wait up, I think I lost my phone," Cole suddenly announced, patting down his pockets.

Jake stopped and gave him a look. "Seriously, man? We are more then half way there and now you notice? How do you lose your phone on a hike?"

"I dunno, maybe it fell out back there when I was—oh wait, never mind, it's in my bag." Cole said with a sheepish grin, earning a collective groan from the rest of us.

"Typical," I muttered under my breath, already tired.

"Guess we're gonna be stopping every five minutes now," Lia sighed.

"Hey, it was one time, the rest is Jake!" Cole protested.

As we hiked higher, the views started getting better. The trees opened up in some places, giving us glimpses of the rolling hills and distant coastline.

Lia stopped at one point, snapping pictures of the scenery while Em and Jake took the opportunity to catch their breath. Cole was whining about how he wanted to sleep.

And West looked anything but relaxed.

"How much further do you think?" Lia asked, looking up the trail.

Jake raised an eyebrow, "Uh... probably not far? Maybe another hour."

Cole snorted. "Sure. We'll be here for the next three hours, and Jake will still be saying 'not far.'"

"Fuck off," Jake shot back, throwing a small pebble at Cole.

West, who had been walking quietly beside me, finally joined in. "You know, if you spent less time throwing rocks at each other, we might actually get there faster."

"Spoken like someone who's never had fun in his life," Jake retorted, throwing another pebble in West's direction.

West caught it in mid air with ease and tossed it back at Jake.