He laughed. “Ah, right. Got it.”
“So Kim really did book the nicest room available.”
She looked relieved.
“That makes sense,” he said. Then he added, “Sorry if I came across like a prosecutor. I didn’t mean to cross-examine you.”
“It’s okay. You’re a professional skeptic.”
“Yeah, but I try not to do it to people I just met, especially ones I like.”
Susan and Trip returned at that point, and the conversation turned to general pleasantries about camp and the weather.
“Well, we’d better get back to work,” Trip said after a few minutes. “It was nice to meet you,” he said to the new couple. He added to Susan, “We’ll stop by after dinner and go over those figures.”
He didn’t mean to make a pun, but I hid a smile nonetheless. The only “figures” he’d be going over were Wren’s and Susan’s.
We said goodbye and climbed into the truck.
“Damn,” Trip said as we pulled away.
“What?”
He shook his head and snorted in disbelief.
“What?” I repeated.
“You’re one lucky dude.”
“Why?”
“Kim.”
I thought back to the blonde and tried to figure out what he was talking about. “What about her?”
“Susan said that Carter asked about…” He pursed his lips and thought back. “How did she put it? ‘Couples activities.’” He glanced over to make sure I heard the quotes.
“Hold on. You mean… swinging?”
He mimicked a baseball announcer, “A long fly ball to center field… going… going… gone! Home run!”
“Are you serious?”
“Hell yeah, dude! And now I’m mad that we’re leaving. She’s totally hot. And I can’t believe you get to fuck her.”
“Maybe. Besides, it isn’t a competition.”
“Yeah, well, I’d be winning if it were.” He glanced over again. “No offense, but you’ve been totally weird about women lately. I thought it was Christy’s doing, but then Wren reminded me about all the ones you brushed off last year. I thought you might be getting back into the game with Terri or Lily, but… nothing. So, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I said with a shrug. “Maybe I’m just ready to settle down.”
He snorted derisively.
“Not like that. I don’t mean monogamy. I just mean I’m done sowing my wild oats.”
“Whatever.”
“Dude, I’m happy with Christy.”
“Yeah, but you still want to be a swinger, right?”
“Of course! But ‘being a swinger’ is different for everyone. Christy and I are figuring out what works for us.”
“Whatever,” he said again, with mild disbelief. “Anyway, you know what Susan was talking about, right? Tonight?”
“Yeah, I kinda figured.”
He nodded. “She wanted me to make sure you’re okay. She said you’re more than welcome to join us, but she wasn’t sure about Christy. Wait, lemme try that again. She wasn’t sure if Christy would want to. She likes Christy just fine.”
“I know,” I chuckled. “I understood what you meant.”
“Whew! Okay. I was worried that I might’ve offended you… or her… or someone.”
“Dude, chill out. Christy doesn’t like being taken for granted. That’s all.”
“No kidding. I mean, who does?”
“Right. So relax. You don’t have to walk on eggshells around her. Just don’t treat her like sex is a foregone conclusion.”
“No chance of that,” he said. “Besides, I’ll be too busy. I thought Susan was kidding about her ‘regular reports,’ but… um…”
“I know about last week too,” I said with a laugh. “I mean, it was pretty obvious when you and Wren came home. You’d had an orgy.”
“You don’t know the half of it, dude.”
“I can imagine.”
“I doubt it,” he said, although he didn’t elaborate. “Anyway, Wren’s keeping me pretty busy now that she’s recovered from school. We… um… also have plans while we’re in Atlanta.” He glanced at me to make sure I was okay with that too. I was. “And now Susan tonight,” he finished. “Sorry if that messes up your plans.”
“It doesn’t,” I said. “Christy and I’ll have a quiet night by the pool. We’ll be fine.”
He nodded in relief. “Thanks. I figured that’s what you’d do, but I didn’t want you to think we were sneaking around or anything.”
“Not at all.”
“I didn’t want you to think I was upset about Christy, either. I’m totally cool with it. Like you said, whatever works for you all. And… um… no offense, but I dunno how much energy I’ll have with all my other, ahem, commitments. But hey, at least you’ll have Kim as a consolation.”
I didn’t point out that he was taking her for granted now.
“That body,” he mused. “I bet she’s amazing in bed. Even if she isn’t, who cares? Right?”
I shrugged and kept my opinion to myself. I wasn’t entirely sure that Carter and Kim were looking for extramarital fun. They seemed like the right type, but nothing in our short conversation had given me the impression that they were swingers. Still, Susan had introduced us for a reason.
Trip changed the subject and put my speculation on hold.
“Back to business,” he said. “I have a list of things you need to do while I’m gone. Start with…”
* * *
Trip and Wren said goodbye and headed to the main camp after dinner. Christy and I sat by the pool for a while and then decided to go for a swim. I walked down the steps like a normal person, while she scampered around to the deep end like a manic water pixie. She dived in and swam underwater to the shallow end. She touched the wall, flipped around, and swam back, still underwater. I knew she could hold her breath longer than I could, but I was still impressed.
She broke the surface almost silently. Then she wiped her eyes and slicked back her hair. After a moment she swam toward me. I was standing in chest-deep water, and I caught her as she drew near. She crossed her arms behind my neck, wrapped her legs around my hips, and grinned impishly.
I was in one of my quiet moods—not a bad one, just thoughtful.
“I like when you’re like this,” she said. “I can read your mind and do all the talking for both of us.”
I arched an eyebrow.
“Your mom said you used to do it when you were little. You wouldn’t talk. You would, she said, but you wouldn’t. I knew exactly what she meant.”
I pretended to think back before I shrugged agreement.
“That’s okay. I know how you are. And I’m in a good mood, so I feel like chattering.”
The sun had sunk below the trees, and it filled the sky to the west with pinks and oranges and purples. The colors seemed to mirror my mood, and I decided that letting Christy chatter was exactly what I needed.
She followed my gaze and sighed happily. “What do they say? Red sky at night, sailor’s delight? We should have good weather for the fireworks. I hope you don’t mind that I want to stay here.”
I shook my head.
“I knew you’d see it my way. Hey, don’t roll your eyes when I say that. I want the same thing you do. Besides, I’m serious, I’m looking forward to a few days without Wren. Don’t get me wrong, I love her, but she’s been so happy lately that it’s driving me crazy.
“I’m really excited for her,” she continued, “but sometimes she’s a little much. Although… I think she’s disappointed that we don’t want to go to Atlanta with them. She has plans. With one of her friends, I mean.” It was her turn to roll her eyes. “One of the ones she tried to set you up with. I don’t know which one, so don’t ask. Besides, there are too many to remember. Ugh. Anyway, she has a new boyfriend. The friend, I mean. Duh, of course.
“Well, the new boyfriend wants to try swinging, although he didn’t call it that. At least, I don’t think he did. Wren didn’t say, but she laughed when she told me about it. Girlfriend exchange or something like that. The friend knew Wren was into that, so…” Christy faded off and turned thoughtful.