Chapter Six--The Devil Is A Woman

The homemade potato and macaroni salad filled the center of the picnic table, as I set out the plate of burgers I’d just grilled and prepared with melted mozzarella, Thousand Island dressing, lettuce and tomato.

Lola towel dried her freshly washed hair, smacking her lips. “I’m so starving, my stomach is eating itself.”

“Lovely visual, darling. Especially right before we eat. Which pie do you want tonight?”

She shot a skeptical look my way. “Just how many did you bring?”

“Apple, cherry and blueberry.”

“So many?”

“The summer berry rush is almost over. I have six more unbaked in the freezer at home. I made a few apples just for variety.”

“Ahh, gotcha. Cherry then. Lattice crust sprinkled with sugar?”

“You know it.”

“Fantastical. My favorite.” She scooped a hefty helping of potato salad onto her paper plate. “Did you invite Kalvyn and the kidlets? God knows, we got more than enough food.”

“No. I’m sure they have their own plans.” Though I’d wanted to. This afternoon with Kalvyn and his friends seemed a dream now. I didn’t get along with people, certainly not in groups. Ever. But my fellow campers had done everything possible to ensure I felt comfortable, and they’d succeeded. How weird was that? “Besides, we’re invited to their party, remember?”

“You’re such a ‘fraidy Kat,” Lola sang, a childhood saying I’d lived with since we were six, and her “brilliant” mind came up with it.

“I don’t want to impose on them. They’re here to hang out and have fun amongst themselves.”

“Oh, I think Kalvyn really wants you to impose on him. Dude, he already anticipates your needs better than I do. Have you not noticed the way he stares at you? Like he wants, no, craves to eat you—in a good way, of course.”

“Of course,” I said dryly. “And tonight, can you just chill on your warped sense of match making? I can handle myself, in my own way.”

“Ahh, I beg to differ, sweet cheeks. If it wasn’t for me, you’d babble and blush, never say a damned thing.”

“Be that as it may, focus on your own libido.”

“Ah ha! So, you admit it. You want to fuck Kalvyn.”

“Your own life. Stay out of mine,” I snapped.

“Fine. That Syber is looking mighty fine.” She licked her lips.

I raked a hand through my hair. “Just eat your dinner, will you?”

“You too, off Kalvyn’s rock-hard abs.”

I flushed.

“Mmhmm, I knew it. And I’m the horndog.”

I shoved the burger into my mouth to keep from replying.

Lexi bound into our campsite, in black shorts and tee that made her skin even more luminous. More pixie than womanly. “I have been sent to pick up our most honored guests.” She bowed from the waist. “You have been ordered to bring nothing but yourselves and an appetite for all things fun. Oh, pie!”

I choked on my burger.

I’m pretty sure people that laughed this much in one day would spontaneously combust. I didn’t bother to ask. I sliced a huge chunk, set the desert on a plate, and pushed it toward Lexi. “Sit, eat. There is a lot of food, if you’re hungry.”

“You are my best friend ever!” Lexi jumped onto the bench, plastic fork already in hand.

“We have to share her,” Lola mumbled between a mouthful of salad.

“Go figure,” Quinn muttered as he turned the corner. “Lexi sees something shiny she gets instantly lost. Oh, pie.”

I damned near spat out my apple juice. “Want some?”

He hip-checked Lexi down the bench and sat down. “You are the best.”

“She’s my best friend,” Lexi said. “Get your own.”

Lola waved her hand to dismiss them. “Both of you can take a hike. I had the domestic goddess first.”

Quinn grinned wolfishly. “Didn’t your mama teach you to share?”

“No,” Lola snag. “I’m an only child.”

“I like you.” Lexi pointed her fork at Lola. “You’re fun, unlike my babysitter.”

Lola frowned. “Ew, babysitting. Aren’t you like a million years old?”

“Blame it on my brother.” Lexi flicked an amused glance in my direction. “Just wait, you’ll see how bossy and overbearing he can be. Issues orders like…ow.” She glared at Quinn.

“You know, Kalvyn’s going to wonder where you are.” Quinn patted Lexi’s head.

“Then we better eat faster.” She punched his arm.

“Girl after my own heart. When you grow up, I might have to marry you.” He popped a cherry into his mouth, then pointed at me. “And hire you to be my personal chef.”

“I start at ten thousand a week,” I replied.

“Done and done.”

Not a crumb was left on the table. Lexi sped around, helping me clean up as Lola laughed at something Quinn said. I darted into the tent to check my make-up. Thankfully, I’d had the foresight to pack some. Why I’d chosen this trip to do so, I had no idea. I never had before. Perhaps I had possessed a touch of psychic somewhere inside, one my grandma had always insisted was there. I adjusted my scarlet spaghetti strap tank that made the most of my ample breasts and hid my not-so-flat stomach. The fringe of my cut offs tickled the backs of my thighs as I stepped out of the tent.

“Alright, let’s do this.”

“You sure I shouldn’t bring any beer?” Lola muttered.

I rolled my eyes. “Get off the beer already.”

“No worries. We got you covered,” Quinn said.

I trailed behind them we headed to Carmen’s site. A pearl painted red Mustang screeched around the corner and damned near ran us over. The car punched to a stop, a sheer inch from the tires of Kalvyn’s Ford Harley Davidson Edition F-150.

“Shit.” Quinn’s hands fisted.

“Why is she even here!” Lexi stomped her foot. “Sadie. I’ll bet money she ratted us out.”

A busty, cat-like brunette in spiked heels, a mini skirt and tube top kicked open her door, got out and slammed it shut behind her. “Kalvyn! Get your ass out here pronto.”

“Who is that?” I asked.

Kalvyn came out from behind his tent, his face an emotionless mask. His eyes glowed a feral emerald. His flat lined lips curved into a snarl.

“Nothing good.”