The Ground Below

Chapter Sixteen

 “Wakey, Wakey,” a loud voice rings in my ears, just as I feel a soft smack on my face. “Come on, Teach. You’ve never been this hard to wake up.” My eyes open to Karter standing above me holding the pillow that had just been under my head.

I groan, rising up on my elbows. Then I groan again, “I want to sleep.”

He laughs smacking me again, “I told you we needed to get up early.”

“What kind of band practices at—,” I glance at the clock, and my eyes widen. “Seven in the morning!”

“We aren’t practicing. We’re meeting up, and then we are taking you someplace else.”

“I don’t want to go,” I mutter smacking back down onto the bed.

Before I know it, a strong arm shoots under my shoulders and behind my knees levitating me. “Well, tough titty. You’re going.” The door to my bathroom is kicked open, and he sits me on my feet. “And brush your teeth. You could kill a deer with that breath.”

Rolling my eyes, I murmur, “Too bad it didn’t deter you.” He smacks my butt, and leaves the room amused.

Twenty minutes later, I’m in the passenger side of the car wearing wet hair. Thankfully Karter let me put on some clothes first. “I really hope we aren’t going anyplace important, because I’m going to look like shit.”

“When do you not look like shit?” he teased, passing a wink in my direction when I gasped playfully. “I’m kidding. You’d make shit look sexy.”

“Ew,” I said scrunching my nose. “Let’s not test that theory, please.”

“Not today, anyway,” he shrugs his shoulders. Rolling my eyes I look out the window. My heart sped up a little, but not as much as it usually does. If this was anyone else driving, I’d have a serious panic attack. As we drove the old road past houses, and cropped green grass, I hoped that maybe it wasn’t just Karter—that maybe I am getting better. Maybe one day, I might get someone to teach me how to drive. But, then again, that thought scares me more than riding in a car with someone else.

Turning on the radio I immediately found a soothing classical music station. Closing my eyes, I let the soft melodies wash over me like a warm spring shower. My body relaxes until my ears ring with fast beats, and hard strumming. Karter changed the station, and when I glared at him he said, “Hey, I like listening to you play the piano, but I am not listening to this shit. Just like the child I am, I stick my tongue out at him, and continue gazing at the scenery.

We met up with the guys at the Diner where we ate our breakfast. I got to meet the lead singer who went by Birch, as well as his girlfriend Jayden. Birch had been more reserved. I noticed, because he is nothing like Buddy, and Joe who were at this moment licking salt off of their hands. Idiots.

Jayden, with the strawberry blonde hair, kept to herself. She rarely spoke to anyone other than her boyfriend. She wasn’t stuck up, just shy.

Upon exiting the restaurant, Karter pulled me aside. “Uh, listen…where we are going, we’ll have to take the highway.” Swallowing sharply, I almost choked.

“There is no way out of it?” Karter shakes his head. “Can I go home?”

He frowns, “You know the answer to that. I think you’ll really enjoy this.” My diaphragm expands on the inhale I take. I nod, walking to the car. Let’s just hope it doesn’t take long to get there.

Two hours later, I had no idea where we were, and my fingers were stiff from holding onto the door handle. We turned off of the highway five miles back, but still my mind had not relaxed. Karter had to assure me several times on the way up here that “You’re safe.”

He didn’t understand that I might be safe, but my mind was on constant alert for any dangers. I didn’t inform him of that. As far as understanding my fear, he was the best—better than my brother, even Grammy.

Turning off on the gravel road, we drove for what felt like ten minutes. My phone didn’t have service, so I really hoped we weren’t going to have a good ole’ Texas Chainsaw time.

In the distance stood a tall wooden building, and the closer we got, the more the building transformed into a Cabin. I’m not sure if Cabin was the right word for it. More like a gigantic mansion made from logs.

“Wow,” I admire the structure. Karter pulls the car up to the garage, and seconds later Joe parks his jeep next to us. Everyone hopes out of their rides at what seems like the same time.

“Surprise,” Karter says sweetly.

“I don’t understand.”

He laughs. “This is our family cabin. I thought you should experience it at least once. We are only staying here until tonight, and we’ll head back home.”

“It’s beautiful,” I say in wanderlust. The trees were tall, and I could smell the woodsy scent. I always wondered what it smelt like. The pines had an amazing scent. The air was so fresh, and I could see part of a dock that I hope led to a lake.

There definitely was a lake, but since none of us brought swim wear, we settled for a boat ride. When the sun set Buddy lit a fire, and I enjoyed my very first weenie roast. “We bought extra food, because we knew you were bringing Parker,” Joe teased.

“Shut up,” I laughed throwing part of my hot dog at him. “You’re just jealous I beat you.”

“Whatever. Buddy made you look like the wimpy girl you are.” Karter smacked Joe on the head, telling him to “Shut up.”

“Shut doesn’t—,” he started.

“Don’t even,” Karter warned causing us all to crack a smile. We hung out until nine that night, then headed home. I even fell asleep on the car ride back.