Camping Trip

Chapter Eight

Aiden understood how Lucas had felt; he also wanted to strangle Hugh and Kal. He wanted to talk with Lucas. He wanted to clear things up. Even if it wasn't what he wanted to hear, he didn't like having to wonder about what happened.

It had been three days since they'd arrived at the cabins, and he hadn't been alone with Lucas even once. And now the trio were taking a tent to go down one of the longer trails, that would be another two or three days gone.

If there was an upside to being avoided so absolutely, it was a lot of time left was to himself. As their guide, at every turn he was told that they'd handle it themselves. Mandy didn't mind if people wanted to things alone, the whole point was you were there if they needed you.

They'd been gone all day today. Aiden had been practicing the violin since he'd gotten up in the morning, and he was able to play the songs he'd picked out for the interview without looking at the notes.

All that was left to do was perfect it.

He heard the front door open, and the laughing voices of Kal and Hugh filled the cabin. Aiden stilled his bow. Lucas was joking with them too.

Apparently, their technique of forcing Lucas to be alone with them at all times was working well. Aiden sat there listening to their voices and felt more and more annoyed the more they laughed.

He put down his violin and picked up the biography.

There was a knock at the door. He opened it, hoping for Lucas, and his heart sunk when it was Connor.

"I was enjoying that song." Connor stated.

Aiden's eyes widened. "Sorry, I thought everyone was gone out."

"Sorry?" Connor repeated, "I'd make you apologise if you sucked. I'm heading out with Evie, want to come?"

Aiden had to stifle his embarrassment, but he was sure it still showed. "I wouldn't want to intrude on you too."

Connor snorted. "You're not intruding, and Evie told me to bring you too. I was going to invite you along anyway."

Aiden opened his mouth to object and heard a long bark of laughter from the main room. "I'll just grab my jacket."

Lucas's gaze snapped to them as they walked to the door. "You're heading out this late?"

"Yup." Connor got the door, "Later losers."

Hugh scowled at Connor, but Lucas just frowned at him. His eyes briefly met Aiden's, but he didn't say anything.

The silence pissed Aiden off.

Connor led them down a path that led to the gorge-walking river. "You still haven't cleared up that whole thing with Lucas?"

"I'm not allowed within five feet of him." Aiden replied.

Connor let out a long breath like he wanted to say something, but he didn't.

Evie was sitting on a blanket next to the river. There was strawberries, cream and wine set up. Not wine, Aiden saw as he sat down, champagne. He felt like he was intruding on their date even more.

Connor read the label of the bottle and with a shrug popped it open. The cork flew off into the river. Aiden followed it with his eyes until it fell into the river. "Monster."

Connor grinned and poured the champagne.

It tasted like bubbles and something fruity. Not at all like alcohol.

Connor sighed as he sipped it. "Ah, rich people wine. Delicious."

Evie smiled. "It's not an expensive bottle."