“I’m hoping today’s one of the best days of your life, too.”
Opening the screen door, I step through just as a baker carries a tray of fresh croissants and pain au chocolat to the display case.
“I think it could possibly be a very good day,” I tell Zoe before ordering enough buttery pastry for the entire group. Not that I plan to share the whole dozen, but I will if pushed.
Fresh coffees and breakfast acquired, we still have time for a quick pee in the bakery’s restroom, perhaps our last proper toilet access for hours, before walking to meet the group.
The vans and trailers full of kayaks are parked in a row up ahead, and I immediately begin scanning for a familiar mop of brown hair and a beard that resembles an otter hugging a man’s neck. Piles of overnight bags are stacked on the curb and I feel like I under packed. I spot Twyla standing in a group of women. She’s hard to miss, dressed all in white and pink, and wearing a tiara with a veil. I return her enthusiastic wave and grin.
“This should be interesting,” Zoe says softly beside me. “At the very least it will make a good story we can tell for many years to come.”
“If we don’t die,” I add as we cross the street to join the rest of the ladies.
“No one is going to die.” Aiden steps from behind me. “Not on my watch.”
Welp, I guess that answers the big question of the day.
He’s dressed in what I assume is the finest in rafting guide clothing. He’s wearing a T-shirt that clings to his shoulders and pecs, along with cargo shorts in a material that screams wicking and water resistance. Chacos cover his feet. A black fabric cord loops around his neck and secures his classic black Wayfarers. Even with the sun-bleached, faded navy baseball cap, I would be able to pick him out of a lineup of other guides.
“Were you following us?” I lead with an accusation to distract him from my staring.
“Only from the corner. I ran over to Clarks for some lip balm.”
“Planning to be doing some kissing today?” I ask.
“You never know, but I needed it for the sun protection. We’re at high altitude and will be on the water. Recipe for sun damage.” He holds out a new tube of balm. “You can borrow some if you need it.”
“I have a whole kit of stuff in my bag.” I pat one of my shoulder straps. “But thank you.”
There are better ways to share lip balm than sharing the same tube.
Now I’m thinking about kissing his full lips. That’s when I notice his beard isn’t nearly so swamp dweller and much neater.
“You trimmed your beard?” I ask without thinking.
“I did. You like it?” He strokes the remaining beard that no longer hangs past his chin like Spanish moss off of a tree branch.
“Much better. Although you might want to put away the lip balm around this group,” I caution him while subtly pointing to Twyla and her acolytes. “Wedding fever. It’s contagious when unmarried women of a certain age are around a bride. Turns level-headed, rational, kind women into raving lunatics, solely focused on getting a ring on their own finger, come hell,” I pause for dramatic effect before saying with a straight face, “or high water.”
His eyes are wide with disbelief, or horror—it’s hard to tell. I stare up at him, keeping my face as serious as possible.
He tips his head back and laughs. “Nice pun on the high water.”
That’s it? I’ve warned him of a potential mauling today and he laughs at my pun ability?
“Okay, everybody,” he says to the group, raising his voice loud enough to be heard over the chattering, “listen up.”
“I’m Aiden and I’ll be your leader today. I have Mitch with me as a secondary guide and photographer. And last but not least, meet Steve, who is our hospitality and safety liaison. He’ll be in the big raft with our food and supplies. Anyone who needs a snack or a Band-aid on the river, Steve will take care of you.”
“Will he kiss it and make it better?” a petite and curvy redhead asks, causing the other women to giggle.
Aiden twists his head to face me. “See?” I mouth at him in a triumphant told you so moment.
A small, baby smile curls his full lips before he continues speaking. “The plan is to drive down valley to our launch area. After a short training session, we’ll put out boats in the river and get acclimated before paddling together as a group so we can guide you through the rapids. Today’s run has class two and class three whitewater, but there will also be stretches of calm water. Be prepared. You’re definitely going to get wet.”
This earns more giggles from all the women present and Mitch.
Poor Aiden.
“What’s that Kevin Bacon rafting movie? With the family and evil Bacon?” Zoe whispers into my ear.
“River Wild,” I whisper back. “I think Aiden could be played by a young Kevin.”
Aiden chuckles. There’s zero chance he heard her, but I think he’s finally catching on to the vibe of today’s group. I doubt we’re the first group of women he’s had to deal with, but we might be the worst.
“What if we’ve never gone rafting before?” Zoe asks, and several women nod in agreement.
“You should be fine. If anyone decides being in a kayak isn’t for them, you can ride with Steve. I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you join him.” Aiden pats Steve’s shoulder like the poor guy has pulled the short straw.
I giggle and cover it with my hand, pretending to stifle a yawn, which then turns into a real yawn because it’s too damn early to be an attentive listener.
“Everyone should’ve filled out the release of liability form. If you didn’t, or you forgot it at home, or the dog ate it, I have more here. Grab one if you need it.” He points to the ground where the forms poke out of a plastic bin. “Once we have your paperwork, feel free to get in one of the vans.”
Zoe steps forward to grab two. “I know you forgot.”
I accept it because she’s right, but I still stick my tongue out at her. I’d flip her off if both my hands weren’t full of coffee and the bag of pastries.
“Anyone need a pen?” Aiden holds up a handful of ballpoints and faces me.
It’s like he knows me so well already.
Forced to put my coffee and pastries down, I accept a pen from him.
“Here, you can use my back as a clipboard.” He steps in front of me and rolls his shoulders forward to flatten his back. No big deal.
I gently smooth out the wrinkles of his T-shirt. The cotton is super soft under my fingers and thin enough I can feel the warmth of his skin underneath the fabric. He smells of laundry detergent and sunscreen, clean and fresh. Beneath my hand, his muscles bunch and ripple over his ribs. The man is ripped—not in the big, bulging biceps and giant quads way like his brother, but in a sleek, fast way of a mountain lion.
Sweet heavens above. I’m comparing him to the cousin of the king of the jungle. Snapping out of my haze, I realize I’m now touching him with both hands. One presses the paper flat and the other is resting on his waist. Why? For balance? His or mine?
My worst fear is realized when he twists his head to stare at me. “Doesn’t the pen work?”
Zoe snorts from somewhere to my left. I can’t look at her right now or I’ll turn bright red.
He must know I haven’t tried to write anything because the hand holding the pen is on his waist and he can probably see it if he glances down.
“I, uh,” I stutter as I try to come up with a reason I haven’t filled out the short form. “I forgot my address. Brain freeze.”
Wanting to die or at least run down the street away from him, I quickly scribble out my name, address, and phone number before signing the form.
“There you go. All signed.” I hand him the paper. “You’re in charge of my life now. If I should die today, know I don’t hold a grudge.”
Zoe hands him her paperwork, too. “We’re all set. Thanks.”
I can’t even look at Aiden as I tug Zoe over to the van.
“Wh
at’s wrong with you?” she whispers as she climbs inside.
“Mae?” Aiden interrupts her.
I’m on the first step, bent forward at the waist with my head ducked to avoid slamming it on the door opening. My ass is hanging out of the van, right near where Aiden is now standing. Essentially, it’s right in his face. Fantastic.
“Yes?” I step down so I’m no longer mooning him.
“You forgot your coffee.” With a smile, he hands me my cup, his fingers brushing over mine. “No coffee or kayaker left behind.”
“Uh, thanks.” I stare at my hand where his fingers touch mine for a second longer before he pulls back.
“You’re welcome.” He steps away. “Okay, load ’em up, people. We’re burning daylight. Sooner we’re on the road, the sooner we’ll get in the water.”
With only eleven total in our group, we have room to spread out between the two vans. Twyla comes over and declares herself the co-pilot, taking the seat up front. A couple of her friends I recognize from the bridal shower, Amy and Amanda slip past us to the back row.
Zoe and I claim the middle seat. I still can’t look at her because I know she knows I’m being ridiculous over Aiden.
Instead, I open the bag from the bakery. The scent of butter and sugar fills the van.
My phone pings with a new text. From Landon. I twist in my seat so my phone is toward the window. I don’t want Zoe to know I’ve been texting with him. She’ll have me committed.
*Hope you have a great day on the river.*
That’s nice.
*Thanks. You too.*
*Next weekend’s Rugby Fest. Come cheer me on.* He adds a bicep, a trophy, and the clapping hand emojis.
Okay, a little focused on him but it’s nice he’s inviting me. And he didn’t use an eggplant again. Hopefully, he forgot about the accidental sexting.
*I’ll be there.*
*Excellent. Be sure to send me a pic of you and Twyla in your bikinis. I’m stuck at the gym all the day and need motivation.*
For what? Wanking in the locker room? Oh, Landon. Every time you’re ahead, you go and ruin it.
I decide to ignore his last text and pretend I forgot to respond.
Aiden climbs into the driver’s seat and closes his door. He turns in his seat to face the back. “What smells so good?”
“I have pastries,” I tell him. “Croissants. Pain au chocolat. Almond croissants.”
“You brought an entire selection of French baked goods with you?” His smile widens when he stares at me. I can’t see his eyes through his sunglasses but I’m sure they’re amused.
“Seemed appropriate. Want some? I bought enough to share.” I hold out the bag to him.
“I’m good, thanks,” he says, laughing.
“I’ll have one. I probably shouldn’t because I need to fit into my wedding dress, but they smell so good.” Twyla takes the bag from my hand.
Everyone but Aiden munches on pastry as we drive out of town. Even though his sunglasses block his eyes, I swear he keeps glancing at me in the rearview mirror. Then again, I’m sitting right behind him and he’s probably checking on the trailer behind us. That makes more sense.
Chapter 9
Mae
When we arrive at the launch point, Aiden directs his crew in the logistics of preparing for our trip. The rest of us pick out our life vests and helmets. In our matching blue helmets, we look like a brigade of Smurf sperm. Twyla manages to slip her tiara through the holes in her helmet, the veil fluttering over the back, in case anyone forgets she’s the bride.
Stripping off my leggings, I hop around on the rocky shore in a demonstration of grace and balance. Reluctantly, I slip off my sweatshirt. In just my rash guard and bikini bottom, goosebumps cover my cold skin and my nipples tighten into small buds. Glancing around, I see I’m not the only one nipping out in my bathing suit. We’re all Team Nipple. I hope the padding of my vest creates some warmth. There’s no way the water isn’t icy cold.
Helmet on, vest strapped closed, sunglasses secured, and my water booties covering my feet, I’m finally ready.
“Should we do a group before pic?” Twyla suggests. “While we all still look hot?”
Speaking of hot, Aiden is shirtless under his vest. I missed the moment of seeing his bare chest when he changed. Sadly, it’s for the best. I can’t spend all day ogling him. For many reasons including his questionable life decisions. The worst being is he’s Landon’s brother.
I glance at the other two men among us. Mitch is all bare-chested and tan, but I swear he’s like nineteen, twenty at most. Steve still sports his shirt under his vest and looks like he’s in his forties or fifties. Maybe it’s because he’s wearing a canvas hat with a chin strap like my dad would.
Too young. Too old. Just right but not mine.
I’m Goldilocks.
Not that this matters because nothing is going to happen with any of them. Not today. Or any day.
We huddle into a clump around Twyla. Mitch holds out his GoPro on a stick to take the pic.
Aiden goes over some safety information while we’re still on land. Holding our paddles, we practice our strokes before getting into our inflatable kayaks, aka the duckies. Guess this makes Aiden our momma duck.
This spot on the river has a calm pool to one side, which allows us a place to practice paddling before being carried away by the current to roaring rapids.
No one capsizes or fails the basics, so Aiden declares us good to go.
Zoe and I stick together near the front of the group. The first stretch of river is pretty low key and we all paddle along like happy ducklings, chatting and laughing at random things. So far, we’ve had small sections of choppy white water but no major challenges.
“This is nice,” I tell Zoe. The sun’s warmed up my skin to the point where the occasional splash of water feels refreshing. The banks flanking the river stretch high above us as we enter a canyon.
Aiden and Mitch have been trading off between being at the front of the pack and the back, checking in on us and giving tips. Ahead of the kayaks, Steve handles the larger raft on his own, sitting on the back edge, holding a large paddle in each hand. According to Aiden, Steve will go ahead and get lunch set up for us.
“Glad you’re enjoying yourself. We’re about to hit our first set of class three rapids,” Aiden shouts so the entire group can hear him.
“What happened to class two? Shouldn’t we ease ourselves into this?” I glance around us to see if anyone else thinks this is a bait and switch.
“You’ve already gone through three sections of those. Follow me and you’ll be fine. If you capsize, get your feet facing down river as quickly as possible, and enjoy the ride.” Aiden grins at us, before paddling ahead.
“If I capsize? Don’t you mean when?” I ask nervously while frantically paddling to keep up with him.
Blocked by a curve in the river, I can’t see the impending rapids, but I can hear the roar of water.
I glance around to see if anyone else is worried about what lies ahead. Spotting Zoe slightly behind me, I twist to face her. “You okay?”
“Ask me in about five minutes.” She smiles, but her shoulders are tense.
“Face front, Mae,” Aiden shouts at me. “Rule number one, don’t hit a rapid going sideways.”
Hearing the urgency in his voice, I pay attention to what’s coming.
My kayak bumps and dips through the water as I’m sucked forward in the speeding current. Aiden navigates boulders and small drops with ease. Meanwhile, I’m frantically paddling from side to side, desperately trying to follow his path through this watery hell-scape.
“Oh shit,” I scream as the water begins churning around us. Ahead, mist rises in the air and roaring drowns out any other noise.
“No turning back. Here we go!” His enthusiasm fails to comfort me.
Somewhere behind me, someone else screams. It’s a woman, or Mitch has too much icy water near his balls.
Water churns in every
direction and I fight to keep the nose of my kayak pointing downstream. I’m being tossed around like a leaf in a hot tub with the jets at full blast. My head feels like someone is shaking it while giving me a tequila shooter.
A gigantic, tsunami-size wave crashes over me and everything goes watery for a few seconds until I pop back up and see the sky again.
“Waterfall straight ahead!” Mitch or Aiden or God’s voice carries over the roar.
We’re going over a waterfall? That sounds like something only crazy people try to do at Niagara Falls.
When Aiden disappears over the drop, I realize it’s too late to reverse this terrible decision
Approaching the falls, I flex my feet under the safety strap and hold my paddle in a death grip. Even I know the expression up a creek without a paddle is a bad thing.
The next few seconds are a blur of white water, fear, and the certainty this is how I’m going to die.
At the bottom of the falls sits a wide pool of frothy water. I get stuck in an eddy for a moment, too stunned by recent events to remember how to get myself out.
“Out of the way, Mae. Or Zoe’s going to land on your head.” Aiden’s voice carries over to me from the side.
I quickly paddle to where he’s floating in a calm spot of water and wait for the others to join us.
“How was it?” he asks, grinning as if he’s just had the best sex of his life.
Adrenaline makes my heart thrash around in my chest like it’s dancing to speed metal. I’m breathless, too.
“I’ll let you know when I’m on solid, dry, not moving land again.”
His smile widens even more. “Good thing our lunch spot is close.”
Aiden directs us to pull the kayaks onto a rocky sandbar where he promises us time to dry off, warm up, and have lunch. I guide my ducky until the bottom slides against the shore. Using my paddle to brace myself, I cautiously swing one leg over the side into the icy water, which is somehow even colder than the deep puddle inside of my kayak.
Up to You Page 8
