My Anchor (Trio Series Book 1) (8 page)

“Alright, I will ask him. Who invited you?” I look over at Dez. Getting chastised from Shana, I wasn't being mean, really. He just laughs.

“Well, Rick did actually, came in to talk to me about a new piece he wants done. Said you guys were thinking of hiking the M, asked me to come along.” I bet he asked him, I think to myself watching Dez as he continues to watch Cristal intently.

“Oh cool, so Cris, you’re going tomorrow right?” I'm a stinker I know but I can't help myself. She turns a little red and just nods her head.

“Alright then.” Shana gives me a look that tells me to leave her the fuck alone. “Let's figure out who is going to bring what shall we.” She says picking up a pen and paper.

We are all at the starting point of the trail getting ready to start our hike, it is five in the morning and really too early for me to be awake let alone climbing a damn mountain. I'm waiting for Lee to get back to me, he was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago, like we were. I asked him last night if he wanted to come and he sounded excited to go but now I'm not so sure. I just have a feeling today is going to suck for sure and when my text alert chimes it’s confirmed.

Lee: Not going to make it

He didn't even give me a sorry or an explanation? What the hell? I put the phone in the car and don't even respond to his text, he isn't getting shit from me today. Now I'm in a foul mood, climbing the damn mountain sounds like a good way to work out my frustrations.

“Lee isn't coming let's just go,” I tell everyone, Shana and Cristal give me a concerned look but quickly drop it.

“Alright guys lets get going then, Linn you want to walk with me for a bit?” Rick asks me, I tell him okay and we all start up the mountain. The further we get the more exhausted I get, out of shape doesn't even come close to what I am. I'm panting and sweating in places that I didn't even know existed when Rick suggests we all take a break. Thank god. Water is passed out and I plop down on the side of the trail. Shit, I am done for. We are only half way there and I already want to quit, it’s kind of a trend for me.

“We should go rafting next weekend,” Dez says, I just roll my eyes.

“Why didn't we do that instead of this? Damn this sucks.” I'm bitching, I know but I'm a baby, I whine about everything.

“Oh shut it, Linnie, you never want to do anything unless it involves drinking.” Oh ouch, she is bringing out the big guns right off the bat.

“Oh fuck off Shane, you know my fat ass isn't in as great of shape as your’s is, miss ‘I run every morning so I can bounce a quarter off my stomach’ of course this is a piece of cake for you.” Crap now I want cake. We aren't really meaning these things we are saying but the looks that the guys are giving each other are so worth it.

“Oh hush you two, you are acting like a couple of babies.” Cristal says to try and stop our bickering.

“Yeah Linnie stop being such a bitch.” Shana almost gets out without laughing but falters when she says bitch. The guys are still looking at us like we are crazy because we have started laughing so hard.

“Did I miss something here? Weren’t you two just fighting?” Dez asks.

“Dude just ignore them, they are all completely crazy.” I throw my empty water bottle at Rick.

“Oh shut it, crazy needs company why do you think you keep coming around?” I take my hand and make loops with my finger on the side of my head. “Crazy,” I say in a sing-song voice and get everyone laughing.

Laughter and good friends are the best medicine for a shitty day, even if I have to climb a fucking mountain.

I'm still pissed at Lee for standing me up yesterday. So when I see him walking up to me while I'm having lunch with Rick my heart starts pounding. I hate confrontation of any kind and having him come up to me in public is even worse.

“Can we talk Linn?” If just ignore him will he go away? Childish yes, but like I’ve said before…

“You haven't answered my texts, please talk to me.” His tone isn't sweet it isn't pleading it’s just… Lee. Oh and don't even get me started on the texts, that man must like to use his thumbs because he sent me thirteen texts, I didn't read any of them not a one, yes I was a little mad. Am a little mad.

“What do you want Lee? I have to get to class.” I try my best to sound bored just to annoy him a little more than he already is for ignoring him this long, texts included.

“She got classes, Rick?” Now he is involving Rick? I start to tell him to fuck off but Rick answers first.

“Naw man she is all yours, we are actually done for the day. Just grabbing something to eat before I had to head to work.” Oh, that asshole. He is on my list now too, right at the top with this motherfucker. Did I mention I'm mad?

“Good let's go, Linn.” Lee gestures for me to get up but I just shake my head and cross my arms like a petulant child. “Don't Linn.” He warns. “Let's go, we are going to talk.” Oh, big bossy man is going to tell me what to do now? I don't fucking think so.

“Nope, not interested.” He just sighs then looks at Rick again.

“You got her stuff?” My stuff, Why would he need to get my stuff? Rick gives him a puzzled look then seems to have an understanding because he says yes. What. The. Fuck. “Good, Linn one last chance.”

“No.” I will not get up.

“Alright, screamer you asked for it.” What is that supposed… oh fuck. Before I know it I'm being hauled up and thrown over Lee’s fucking shoulder. Fucking asshole. I start kicking my legs and smacking the only thing in front of me, his ass.

“You asshole put me down,” I demand but it falls on deaf ears, he just keeps walking and people keep looking. We get to his jeep and he opens the door setting me down on the seat. I automatically try to get up and out.

“No babe you stay right there.” He straps me in the seat for good measure, then gets in himself.

We take off driving not seeming to be going anywhere in particular, just driving. The top is off and the wind is loud but relaxing, that’s when I realize what he is doing, calming me down. He pulls up to a small park with a large swing set and alone slide. It’s vacant and quiet. He parks getting out without a word and goes over to the swings. I slowly follow him.

“I'm pissed at you,” I tell him sitting down on one of the swings. He comes up behind me and starts to push me. I don't remember the last time I was on a swing, it had to of been elementary school for sure. The playground only had three swings and they were always taken at recess, you had to get out there early to get one or be standing there waiting for whoever was on one to get off. The kids complained so much that the recess monitors started timing the kids on the swings, telling them to get off after a few minutes if there were others waiting. I hated that because I had no friends, swinging was alone activity, and it made me happy.

“I know babe, I'm sorry, did you read any of my texts?” He asks taking me from my reminiscing.

“No, I didn't.” I'm in a better mood now, calmer. “What did they say?” I have gotten pretty high now and he has stopped pushing me. While I'm slowing down he starts talking.

“I had some shit happen the night before, after I talked to you, I don't really want to get into what that was but let's just say I didn't handle it well. I got pissed and drank my weight in Jack. I was hung over maybe still too drunk to even get there yesterday. For that, I am so fucking sorry.” I have completely stopped by now and he is now standing in front of me. Looking up at him I can tell now that he looks tired as hell and maybe even still a little hungover. He takes a couple steps forward and I welcome him wrapping my arms around his waist. Laying my head on his stomach.

“I was so pissed at you, but I can understand, been there before myself a time or two.” This breaks the moment and we laugh a little. “I had to climb a mountain.” He just laughs more. “A mountain! This is no laughing matter. My ass is too fat to be climbing mountains.”

“Babe your ass is fucking perfect, don't you ever insult your ass, tits, stomach, or anything else on this fucking amazing body of yours in front of me again. Or I will have to spank that ass of yours.” Tingles everywhere.

“Okay.” I squeak out and he reaches down to grab my ass. Squeezing hard he pulls me up and I wrap my legs around him.

“Feel that screamer?” I nod feeling his rock hard erection between my legs rubbing against my core. “That is what you ass does to my cock.” He runs his nose up my neck trailing behind my ear and grazes it across my cheek, then pulls back slightly and looks in my eyes. Right, there is where I think I fall for him, in the middle of an empty park. “Only you Linn.” He says then kisses me softly like he is trying to tell me with that one kiss that he feels the same way.

“Let's get out of here before we end up getting arrested for indecent exposure.” He tells me setting me down softly.

It’s starting to get dark now after we left the park we drove around for a while longer stopping at a drive through to get a couple burgers. Now we are sitting outside the apartment and I feel like a teen that has a crush on a boy and doesn't want to leave.

“Better go, babe, you got class tomorrow and I have kept you out long enough.” Reluctantly I get out of the jeep groaning.

“You aren't going to walk me to the door?” I say playfully.

“Can’t, if I do that I'm taking you inside to your room and fucking the hell out of you.” And my panties are done for. I just gawk at him.

“Get going or I won't be responsible for my actions screamer.” Oh damn.

“Alright then, goodnight Lee,” I tell him then slam the door shut making sure to put a little extra sway in my hips on the way to the door.

When I get inside my text alert chimes.

Lee: see you this weekend. Make sure you bring sunscreen it’s supposed to be a hot one.

This weekend? I think to myself what are we doing this week… oh shit, I was so pissed at him I totally forgot about sailing.

Linn: yes will do, can't wait

Lee: you forgot didn't you?

How the hell could he have known that? Damn mind reader.

Linn: I did no such thing, see got my sunscreen already.

I send him a picture of my bottle of sunscreen, that I did actually buy just for this trip.

Lee: alright you didn't forget, I will see you then screamer

He probably still doesn't believe me.

“You bring PB&J again today?” I ask Lee. He just picked me up and now we are on our way to get Rick. His ‘slutty’ friend is hella hot. Shawn is his name and dang. He has that surfer boy hair, blond, and wavy. Tanned skin and hard toned body. He’s tall but I don't think he is as tall as Rick. God, I hope this goes well and he doesn't think he is being set up. I already filled Shawn in on the situation. He was very understanding and promised not to push too hard.

“Not today sorry I know you were looking forward to it. Shawn, back there is some kind of fancy chef or something so I had him handle the food this time.” A chef… hmm.

“That’s cool, what are we having?” I direct my question to Shawn in the back seat. I have to shout a little since the cover is off the jeep again today.

“Not telling.” I stick my tongue out at him.

“Fine, oh turn here, sorry forgot to tell you,” I tell Lee, whoops wasn't paying attention to where we were.

We pull up to Rick’s building and see him waiting outside. Walking towards us I can see the look on his face the moment he sees Shawn. He is checking him out it’s slight but there. Good, he’s interested.

“Hey Linnie, Lee.” Rick tips his head in greeting.

“Rick.” Lee gestures his head towards the back. “This is Shawn, wanted to check out the boat today.”

“Yeah thinking about getting one myself,” Shawn says. That’s a decent cover I guess.

“Alright.” Is all Rick says while getting into the back next to Shawn.

The conversation is minimal the whole way up there due to the cover being off. Oh well, I guess they will talk on the boat or something.