Where The Summer Left Us

This is a new type of story I'm trying, and it is a solo story.

For those of you waiting for 'The Summer of Fuck', don't worry, that series is still ongoing. I decided to take a break from it for now until inspiration hits.

It goes without saying, but all characters are 18+ and any resemblance to real-life people is purely coincidental.

The story is told from multiple POVs, which will be indicated throughout the story.

This story definitely ended up going longer than expected, but I hope you all appreciate the effort I put into this story. I grew to love these characters, and who knows, based on the response, I could revisit them.

But for now, enjoy this story. Please comment and rate.

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***WES***

I stepped off the plane into a wall of thick Midwestern heat. It wasn't Georgia-humid, but it clung to my skin all the same, like the air remembered me.

After grabbing my luggage from the baggage claim, I stepped outside. Mason's beat-up Silverado was idling outside, the same sun-bleached red, still missing the passenger-side hubcap. He was leaning up against it like a stock photo for a small-town guy, hat pushed low, a grin waiting for me.

He hadn't changed much. Maybe filled out a little more. Still wiry and lean, but cut like someone who naturally stayed in shape. His face was all sharp lines and a crooked charm, with freckles across the bridge of his nose and that messy, dark-blond hair that somehow always looked intentional. His eyes were this pale, unreadable blue. The kind that looked like they either knew all your secrets or didn't care about any of them. Girls never knew what hit them.

He spotted me and lifted two fingers in a lazy salute. "There he is."

"God, I forgot what this air feels like," I said, slinging my bags into the truck bed and climbing in.

"Like soup and fertilizer?"

"Exactly."

He pulled out with a lurch, gravel pinging the undercarriage. "Everyone's already out at The Pit. "You're the last one to get back."

"Traffic leaving Athens was a bitch."

Mason glanced over. "So that's why you're late?"

I shook my head. "No. Finals week got extended. Nothing serious."

Mason wasn't the type to care unless it involved beer, boobs, or a win-loss record.

As we drove, the town faded into trees. Suburban sprawl gave way to old farmland and backroads. The same route we'd taken since high school. Eventually, the truck veered off the road and dipped into a hidden trail. Two ruts in the dirt leading into the forest.

And then, just like that, it opened up.

The Pit.

A clearing hacked out of the woods, lined with beat-up lawn chairs and crumbling benches. A sagging thrift-store couch still sat under the bigger tree, sun-bleached to hell. In the center, the fire pit, half-ringed in stone, was already crackling with fresh flames.

Voices floated up through the smoke. Someone laughed. A speaker played something with a thick bassline and cheap summer vibes.

I spotted them all, one by one.

Trey stood with a beer in one hand and his phone in the other, probably juggling three conversations at once. He looked like a damn athlete because he was. Tall, cut, with broad shoulders and an easy grin. Tight dreads under a backwards hat, eyes sharp, posture loose like he was always ready to move, or make a move. Women loved him. He let them.

Jules was perched on the edge of the couch, legs tucked under her, seltzer in hand. She looked angelic in the worst way. Shoulder-length dark hair parted in the middle, pale skin glowing in the firelight. Her smile was innocent, lips curled like she'd never said anything dirty in her life. But I knew her better. Everyone did. Jules could tell sex stories that made Trey blush. Her chest was full and high under a snug cropped tee, and she had this way of sitting like she wasn't even aware of how perfect her hips were, even though she absolutely was.

Ness stood near the fire, twisting a stick in the flames. Wavy black hair down her back, tanned skin from early summer sun. Her build was compact and strong, like she could probably out-hike all of us. Her tits were smaller than Jules's, but shaped like they belonged in a bikini ad, and her ass was a full, natural curve under tight jean shorts. She glanced up and smiled at me, calm and grounded, but with something unreadable behind it. Ness was always hard to place. That's what made her interesting.

Cass was sitting with her back to the fire, legs bent, arms braced behind her on the edge of a bench. Blonde hair spilled over her shoulders in soft waves. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, but she didn't stand. Just gave this small smile that was pure Cass. Shy, maybe. Or just cautious. She had a dancer's body. Long lines, toned without trying, and a chest that matched the rest of her understated look. Her breasts weren't huge, but her figure was tight, lean and her ass was round, perfectly snug in her denim cutoffs. She drew more stares than she realized.

"Wes!" Jules called, waving me over. "Took your sweet time, huh?"

"He was busy trying to escape the South," Mason said, grabbing a beer from the cooler. "Something about a late final."

I just shrugged. "They made us stay an extra week. Long story."

Cass stood now, slow like she wasn't sure if she should, then met me halfway.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey."

We hugged quickly, but not awkwardly. Her skin was warm. She smelled like something floral and faintly sweet.

"You look good," she said before she could stop herself.

I grinned. "You too."

She blushed, then ducked back to her seat.

We circled the fire, cans cracked open, laughter rising and falling like waves. Old jokes resurfacing like they'd never left.

Trey glanced over at Cass, who was holding her unopened drink with both hands, the tab still intact.

"You gonna stare at that White Claw all night?" he asked, already grinning.

Cass raised a brow. "I'm savoring it."

"You're avoiding it."

She narrowed her eyes. "I drink."

Mason leaned in. "Cass. Have you ever shotgunned a beer?"

"Technically, it's not a beer," she muttered, cheeks already warming.

That was all Trey needed. He whooped like he'd won a bet. "That's a no!"

"It's not a no," she said quickly. "I just haven't... done that specifically."

"Exactly!" Trey turned to the rest of us like a lawyer delivering his closing argument. "I rest my case. Still a freshman."

Jules laughed into her drink. "Let the girl live."

"No, no, this is a teachable moment," Mason said, already crouching by the cooler. "Someone get this woman a proper college education."

He tossed Cass a fresh can, which she nearly fumbled.

She turned to me, eyes wide. "You've done this?"

I nodded. "Plenty."

She bit her lip. "Okay... will you show me?"

The fire flickered across her face, softening the flush in her cheeks. She looked embarrassed, but also like she wanted to get it right.

"Sure," I said. "Come here."

We stepped a little away from the fire, onto a clearer patch of dirt. I took a key from my pocket and showed her how to tilt the can, punch the hole low and clean, angle it upright with her mouth over, and pop the tab at the top.

She nodded along, focused.

"You ready?"

"No," she said. Then added, "Yeah."

We counted down. "Three... two... one."

We both popped our cans.

Mine went down in a few smooth gulps. Hers hit her too fast, and she choked a little, sputtering and laughing. White Claw was dripping down her chin and onto her shirt.

"I knew it!" Trey howled. "Cass, you just baptized yourself!"

Cass wiped her mouth, laughed, and doubled over. "That was so much worse than I thought."

"You're supposed to drink it, not absorb it through osmosis," Mason added.

She threw the can at him. "Shut up!"

I handed her a napkin. "You did fine."

She glanced at me, smiled despite herself. "Thanks, Wes."

I smiled back. "Anytime."

Mason, who never let a moment rest, leaned back on his elbows and looked over at Jules. "Speaking of baptisms..."

Jules squinted. "No."

"... how's your church retreat life going these days?"

"Oh my god," Ness said, laughing. "Here we go."

"Don't act innocent," Mason said. "That little spiritual awakening you had over spring break. Church trip ring any bells?"

"Oh my god," Ness said, straightening up. "What did you do?"

"Wait," Cass added, eyes wide. "How come I never heard about this?"

"She didn't tell you guys?" Mason asked, clearly enjoying this.

Jules shot him a sharp look. "That was supposed to be off the record."

He held up his hands. "Hey, I kept it quiet. But I'm not a vault forever."

Ness leaned forward, grinning. "You better start explaining before my imagination runs wild."

Jules sighed, rubbing a hand down her face. "It wasn't even a big deal."

"So something did happen," Trey said, his eyes lighting up.

"It was one night," she admitted. "Last time I was home. I tagged along on this church volunteer weekend for community hours, and... let's just say, the worship leader had great hands."

Cass choked on her spit. "What?"

"In the van," Jules added with a smirk. "On the way back. Middle seat. Everyone else was asleep."

Ness let out a scandalized laugh. "You're actually insane."

Jules shrugged, unbothered. "God works in mysterious ways."

Mason raised his can, smirking. "And..."

Jules groaned. "You're such a child."

The group leaned in again.

"Fine," she said. "We didn't just mess around in the van."

Ness's jaw dropped. "No!"

"Oh yes," Mason said, grinning like the devil. "Tell 'em."

Jules took a sip, then added. "It started in the prayer circle. He sat behind me, real handsy during the closing song, and I didn't stop him. Maybe I grabbed him once or twice to let him know I wasn't exactly there to worship. Then after lights-out, he snuck into my bunk and found salvation."

Cass's face turned red. "Jules!"

Mason leaned forward, eyes wide. "DETAILS!"

Jules laughed, clearly unfazed. "Fine, you thirsty little freaks."

She leaned back on her elbows, eyes twinkling in the firelight. "Okay. So it was the second night. Everyone was wiped from painting the community center all day. We did this cheesy group prayer thing before bed, lights out by ten. I climbed into my top bunk thinking I'd sleep, but five minutes later, I heard the ladder creak."

Ness gasped, already covering her mouth.

Jules said. "He climbs up, this tall, scruffy worship leader with these calloused hands, and slips under my blanket. Didn't even say hi, just started kissing my neck."

"Holy shit," Trey muttered, grinning.

"He whispered, 'This is so wrong' like five times while grinding against me. But his hand was already in my shorts. Two fingers. Deep. I bit the blanket to keep from making noise."

Ness's jaw dropped. "You bit the blanket?"

"Girl, it was that or moan. We were surrounded by Jesus lovers."

Everyone burst out laughing. Jules didn't pause.

"He got super intense. I mean, whispering prayers while literally inside me. I was trying not to laugh and moan at the same time. Then he finished in me."

"Bullshit," Trey muttered, grinning.

I was frozen in awe. "And then?"

"He kissed my forehead and whispered, 'God bless you.' Like he'd just blessed me with dick."

The group howled.

"I almost lost it," Jules added. "I had to fake a cough just to stop from laughing."

Trey wiped a tear. "You're actually possessed."

Jules raised her drink. "Saved and ruined in the same night. I confessed the next morning," she said with a shrug. "So, technically, I'm good with God."

Trey let out a long, impressed whistle. "You're a damn legend."

"Thank you," Jules said sweetly, like she just got complimented on her GPA.

Ness shook her head. "You're lucky lightning hasn't hit you yet."

Jules smiled. "Not yet. But I keep it interesting."

Eventually, she stood up, brushing ash off her thighs.

"Alright. Time out. I've got something."

Everyone turned.

"I booked an Airbnb," she said, flashing her phone. "Big place. Lakeside. Three nights next week. Just us. A reunion getaway."

"Where?" Ness asked.

"Couple of hours north. You'll love it."

Trey frowned. "I've got stuff planned. People to see."

Mason snorted. "You mean hookups."

Cass looked skeptical. "I don't know. Three nights?"

Jules raised an eyebrow. "C'mon, Cass. You need this. We all need this."

Ness chimed in, "There'll be other people around. Girls. Trey won't be starving."

"Alright," Mason said, clinking his can to hers. "I'm in."

They looked at me.

I just nodded. "I'll go."

Of course I would.

Eventually, the fire burned low. People stood, stretched, and exchanged tired hugs. We piled into cars and trucks, peeling off into the dark. But the air clung to me even as Mason and I headed home. The forest still crackled behind my ribs. Cass's voice lingered in my ear.

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***CASS***

The car rumbled down the quiet road, headlights slicing through the dark trees as Ness chatted with Jules up front. They were talking about something dumb, probably a TikTok guy or that new espresso place that opened downtown. I barely registered it. I sat in the back seat, one knee curled up under me, arms hugging my stomach like it might calm the low buzz in my chest.

I kept thinking about Wes.

He looked... older. Not in a bad way. Just different. Filled out, somehow. His arms were stronger, his shoulders broader under that plain white tee, and his hair had gotten a little longer. Messy in this effortless way that made it seem like he rolled out of bed already perfect. His eyes were the same, though. That slow, dark kind of steady. Like nothing could really rattle him. Like he saw more than he said.

I don't think he knows what that does to people. What it did to me.

The way he hugged me tonight, firm but not showy, just long enough to make my breath catch. Just long enough to replay it twice already.

I bit the inside of my cheek and looked out the window. We passed the old gas station, the one that never changed. Everything felt like a memory right now.

"Cass," Jules said, half-turning in her seat, "you alive back there?"

"Huh?" I blinked. "Yeah. Just tired."

Ness glanced at me in the mirror. "Sure it's not something else?"

I smiled, but it probably looked like a lie. "Nope."

Jules smirked. "Girl's got secrets."

I tucked my face against the glass and hoped they'd let it go. My reflection in the window looked flushed. Great. Real subtle.

Wes hadn't changed much on the outside, but whatever had shifted in him was working. And now I couldn't stop wondering if he'd felt something when he hugged me, too.

We pulled into my driveway, and the porch light was still on.

Ness put the car in park and turned halfway toward me. "You sure you're okay?"

"Promise," I said, unclipping my seatbelt. "Just tired."

"Text us if you change your mind about the trip," Jules called out as I stepped out.

I gave a small wave and made my way up the path. The house looked exactly the same. The same flowerpots, same wind chimes clinking in the soft breeze. I didn't realize how much I'd miss it until I had gone away for a year.

The door creaked open before I even touched the knob.

My mom stood there in her robe, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. "Cutting it close to curfew, Cassandra."

I rolled my eyes, brushing past her. "Hi, Mom."

She followed me into the kitchen, flicking on the light. "How was it?"

"It was fun," I said, grabbing a glass from the cabinet. "Everyone was there."

She leaned against the counter, smiling that mom smile that knew too much. "Hmm. And Wes?"

I nearly dropped the glass.

I turned away too fast, filling it with water just to do something with my hands. "What about him?"

"Oh, nothing," she said, way too casually. "You just used to talk about him a lot."

I sipped the water, hoping it would cool my face. "He's fine. Same as always."

She hummed, which somehow said 'I don't believe you' more clearly than words.

"Okay, goodnight," I said quickly, ducking past her.

"You blushed," she called after me.

"I did not," I lied, already halfway up the stairs.

My room smelled like clean laundry and childhood. I closed the door and leaned against it for a second, heart still tapping faster than I wanted to admit.

Same as always? Yeah, right.

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***WES***

Mason's playlist thumped through the speakers. The windows were cracked, letting in the humid scent of early summer. We hadn't said much since leaving The Pit. We just existed in that comfortable silence only old friends could share.

He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, one hand lazily guiding us down the two-lane road. His hair was a little longer now, curls brushing the tops of his ears, and he wore that same smug grin that made girls forgive him for saying the dumbest shit.

"You know," he said finally, "you could've warned me you were showing up all grown-ass-man and stealing the spotlight."

I raised a brow. "Stealing the spotlight?"

"Cass looked like she saw Jesus," he smirked. "You didn't see it? Damn near dropped her drink when you hugged her."

I shook my head, leaning back into the passenger seat. "You're impossible."

"Don't act clueless. You show up all calm and mysterious, barely say a word, and suddenly everyone's listening when you talk. Meanwhile, I've been maintaining this group with charm and inappropriate jokes all year."

"That your official job description?"

"Chief Vibe Officer," he said with mock seriousness. "Tenure pending."

I laughed softly. "You never change."

Mason shot me a sideways glance. "You kinda have, though. I mean, you've always been chill, but you've got this... weight to you now. Like, college added something."

I didn't answer right away. Mostly because I wasn't sure how to. He wasn't wrong.

I looked out the window. "It's just been a year."

"Yeah, but a lot can happen in a year." His tone softened. "You okay though? For real?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Just had some... stuff come up near the end of the semester. Nothing major."

It was true, sort of.

Mason didn't push.

"Fair," he said, easing off the gas as we rolled through a yellow light. "Well, you're home now. So drink up, don't overthink it, and let your boy handle the logistics."

"What logistics?"

"Oh, you'll see," he grinned. "I've got plans, Mr. Callahan. Big ones."

I laughed again, but there was warmth in it. Being back felt surreal. The town looked smaller, the streets tigher, like it had shrunk while I was away. But riding shotgun in Mason's beat-up truck, with his cologne still a little too strong and his Spotify queue still unhinged? That felt exactly the same.

Whatever had changed in me could wait.

Tonight, I was home.

The tires crunched over my old driveway like they were stepping on memories. Same cracked pavement. Same floodlight that always flickered once before turning on. I sat there a moment, staring up at the house I'd grown up in.

Mason shifted into park. "Want me to walk you in like we're on a first date?"

I smirked. "Nah, I got it."

He leaned across the console and slapped a hand on my shoulder. "Welcome back, man. Summer starts now."

"Thanks for the ride."

"Always." He grinned. "Now go say hi to your folks before they disown you."

The front door opened before I even knocked. My mom stood in the doorway in her slippers and robe, arms crossed, but smiling so wide it softened the whole front of the house.

"There he is," she said, like I'd been gone for nine years instead of nine months. She pulled me into a hug before I could drop my bag.

I let it happen. Breathed in the faint scent of detergent and vanilla lotion.

"You smell like campfire," she said.

"Yeah, we stopped at The Pit. Everyone's back."

She pulled away, eyes glinting. "Even that Mason?"

"He's the one who picked me up."

She laughed. "That boy's going to end up mayor or in jail."

"Maybe both," I muttered.

"Dad's already asleep," she said, stepping aside so I could walk in. "He tried staying awake but lost that battle. He'll want to see you in the morning. Your sister's out, some graduation party."

I looked around. The house hadn't changed. Same beige couch. Same scuffed coffee table. But something in me felt slightly misaligned with it, like the walls had shifted half an inch while I was gone.

"You hungry?" Mom asked.

"I'm good," I said. "Just gonna crash."

She gave me a look that said We'll talk later and kissed the side of my head. "I'm glad you're home, Wes."

"Yeah," I said. "Me too."

Upstairs, my room was just how I left it. Posters still tacked up slightly crooked, a few books on the nightstand, even a hoodie I hadn't taken to college. I dropped my luggage in the corner and sat on the edge of the bed, letting the quiet settle over me.

This was where everything was supposed to feel normal. Safe. Familiar.

So why did it feel like I'd just stepped onto a stage, and everyone was waiting for me to say the right lines?

My phone buzzed. The boy's group chat.

Mason: Yo

Mason: Party tomorrow night at Carter's barn. Summer off to a good start

Trey: That kid still throws those?

Mason: Yeah. Just got back from boot camp or something. It's a welcome home rager

Wes: That barn still standing?

Mason: Barely

Trey: Who's all gonna be there?

Mason: Everyone from our graduating class. At least the ones in town

Wes: Guess we're going

Trey: Guess we are

I smiled a little and turned the phone face down.

Morning would come fast. But tonight, I was home.

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***JULES***

The soft chime of my phone alarm nudged me awake at 6:45 a. m. I didn't need it, I was already halfway conscious, my brain sifting through plans before my eyes even opened.

Stretch. Deep breath. Smile.

I slipped out of bed quietly, tugging on a pair of pastel cotton shorts and a tank top, then tied my hair into a neat ponytail. No need to wake my parents yet. They appreciated the peace in the mornings, and I liked being the daughter who didn't barge into the day like a wrecking ball.

Downstairs, the kitchen still smelled faintly of last night's kimchi jiggae. Spicy, rich, and clinging to the air like a memory. I opened a window to let the air in, then started the coffee. French press, of course. I was the only one who bothered with it, and I'd long since claimed it as my domain. The rice cooker light was still on. I popped the lid open and fluffed the warm white rice with a paddle before setting it to reheat.

With one hand on the kettle, I opened the girl's group chat.

Jules: Brunch today? I'm up. And yes, I'm judging you if you're still in bed.

I poured the hot water over the grounds and let it bloom, already putting together a mental checklist for the day. My planner, a leather-bound one with tabs and color-coded sections, sat on the counter, open to today's to-do list. Brunch, pack for the trip, confirm Airbnb check-in, and text everyone to make sure they're coming.

Simultaneously, I began boiling water for my mom's barley tea. She wouldn't touch coffee until she'd had her tea first. While the pot simmered, I grabbed a small plate and quickly made two gyeran-mari. Egg rolls with scallions and a dash of sesame oil, browned just right in the pan.

Dad came down first, still half-buttoning his white dress shirt.

"You're up already?" He squinted toward the kitchen, half-awake but smiling. It was more of a ritual than an observation. He asks it almost every morning I'm at home, like clockwork.

Another set of footsteps thudded on the stairs. My mom shuffled in, half-awake, robe cinched at the waist, hair still in curlers.

"Morning, honey," she yawned.

"Good morning!" I turned with a fresh smile, setting the food on a plate. "I made breakfast. Your tea's almost ready. I thought we could sit on the porch. It's gorgeous out."

She blinked. "You're too good to us."

I shrugged like it wasn't part of the brand. "Just trying to start the day off right."

"Any plans?"

"Brunch with the girls. And then I'll probably get a head start on packing for the trip."

"Where are you going again?"

"Oh, just a little cabin thing. Super tame." I smiled sweetly as I poured her coffee. "It'll be nice to unplug."

She smiled. "You're such a good influence."

"Don't tell them that," I said with a playful wink. "It'll ruin my reputation."

They both laughed. I basked in it for a moment. The warmth of a household that loved in quiet ways. My parents didn't always understand everything I did, especially the more American parts of me, but this was our rhythm. I gave them calm mornings and good grades. They gave me freedom. Within reason.

I slipped upstairs soon after, phone in hand, already thinking through outfits. Something light. Effortless but not lazy. Brunch worthy.

A buzz cut through the room.

Ness: Says the girl who hasn't slept alone since spring break

I smirked, shaking my head. She wasn't totally wrong.

Jules: Jealousy is loud this morning

My reputation had a life of its own with this group, and I wasn't exactly fighting it.

Ness: Hey I'm happy with my sex life

Ness: Quality > Quantity babe

Ness: So where are we blessing with our presence?

Jules: Tilly's at 10. And wear something cute. No hoodies

Cass: I'm awake. Barely. I'll come if someone gets me coffee first

Jules: You show up and I'll make Ness buy you one

Ness: Rude. But fine. One overpriced oat milk latte for our sleepy virgin

Cass: Not a virgin. You guys are just nosy

Ness: Pics or it didn't happen

Jules: Names. Dates. Positions. We need evidence Cass

Cass: You guys are actual demons. I'm blocking this chat

Ness: You say that every week

Cass: And yet I'm still here. Tragic.

I laughed, setting the phone down and stepping into the dress. This group never let up, and honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way.

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***CASS***

I stared at the message bubble for a beat too long after sending it.

God. Why did I say that?

The three dots pulsing below my message didn't help either. My heart thudded in my chest like I'd just blurted out in the middle of a lecture hall.

I wasn't lying. But it wasn't like I had a ton of stories to swap like Jules or Ness. Still, every time they joked about it, I laughed along, and every time it stung a little more. So this time, I said something. Probably too much.

I tossed my phone on the bed and flopped next to it, staring at the ceiling. The morning light seeped through the curtains, warm and a little too bright for someone who'd stayed up overthinking the way Wes smiled at me all night.

Wes.

He looked good last night.

Taller than I remembered, darker hair than in his sporadic Instagram posts, and that sleepy, slow smile he gave me when we hugged? It stayed lodged in my chest like a secret.

And now I was out here pretending I had a ton of experience. Like I hadn't spent most of high school dodging guys and hiding my nerves behind sarcastic comebacks.

My phone buzzed again. I ignored it.

Instead, I sat up and padded to my closet, pulling the door open with a sigh. I had no clue what to wear. Jules would be in something perfect and breezy. Ness would show up like she accidentally walked off a Pinterest board. And me? I still had my little cartoon strawberry pajamas on.

I tugged on a soft green sundress I hadn't worn since last summer. Simple. Not too much. I ran a brush through my hair and tried not to think too hard.

About brunch. About Wes. About what the hell I was doing.

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***NESS***

The AC hummed softly around me, cool air brushing over my body. Outside, the heat shimmered on the pavement like it had something to prove. No way was I stepping out into that until necessary.

Freshman year had been... a lot. Not bad, just big. Between labs, group projects, and that one borderline-sociopathic roommate, I hadn't had much time to breathe. But somehow, I'd kept my GPA intact, joined an org I actually liked, and learned that tequila and early lectures should never mix. Progress.

Still, coming home this summer had put me a little on edge. It wasn't the group. I'd missed them. It was him.

Liam.

We'd dated all through high school. First kiss, first everything. It wasn't messy when we ended things. Just practical. Different states, different schedules, too many unknowns. We promised to stay on good terms. And we did. But I still hadn't run into him since I got back, and every time I went out, I felt that tension in my gut. What would I even say? "Hey, remember all our formative years? Yeah, same. Anyway, enjoy your iced coffee."

I kept telling myself it wasn't a big deal. That running into an ex didn't have to mean anything. But I still checked the mirror before going into public places I knew he liked, just in case. I'd walk a little slower past his old street. Not because I wanted to see him, but because part of me needed to prove I wouldn't care if I did.

It was stupid. Or maybe just human.

My phone buzzed in the cupholder.

Jules: Just parked. Anyone here?

Cass: Me too. Walking up

I exhaled through my nose, stretched out the last bit of cool air on my skin, then opened the door. The heat hit like a slap, but I smoothed my dress and walked with purpose across the lot.

Till'ys was already busy, the scent of the syrup and coffee wafting out like a welcome mat. I asked the hostess for a table outside under one of the big overhead fans and slid into a seat, shooting a quick text back.

Ness: Grabbed a spot under the fan. Hurry before I melt

I leaned back, letting the shade and breeze do their thing, brushing a hand through my hair and settling into the moment. Brunch was about to begin. And with this group, that meant food, chaos, and probably someone bringing up sex way too early.

So, business as usual.

Jules arrived first, weaving between tables like she owned the sidewalk. She had that stupidly perfect balance of put-together and effortless.

"You already ordered?" she asked, sliding into the seat across from me.

"Just coffee."

She flicked her sunglasses down to the tip of her nose. "Respectfully, how dare you not wait for me to judge your order?"

"I figured you'd judge it either way."

She grinned, twisting her napkin into her lap. "True."

Cass showed up not long after, breathless but smiling, her tote bag slung low and her hair lazily thrown up in a bun. "Hi. Sorry. Mom interrogation. You know the drill."

"You're good," I said, scooting over so she could drop into the chair beside me. "We haven't even started roasting each other yet."

"Speak for yourself," Jules said, eyes already scanning Cass's outfit. "Okay, cute dress. But I'd like to see it paired with literally any other shoe."

Cass rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. That was the thing with Jules. Her roast always came with an aftertaste of affection.

We all caught up fast. The conversation leapt from roommate horror stories to lecture fails to late-night food runs we shouldn't have survived.

Jules clinked her glass. "So. Freshman year. On a scale from `'I'm thriving` to `I Googled how to fake mono,` how'd it go?"

"I only cried once. Like, real crying," I said. "Better than expected."

"Improvement!" Jules said.

"I only got food poisoning once," Cass added. "Although it was from a communal microwave, so that might've been on me."

We laughed. It felt like slipping on an old hoodie. Familiar, warm, slightly frayed at the edges, but still perfect.

"Any campus crushes?" Jules asked in that tone that pretended to be casual.

Cass made a face. "Pass."

"Hard pass," I echoed. "College boys are either overgrown high schoolers or pretending they're in a GQ spread."

Jules sighed dramatically. "Where have all the emotionally available men gone?"

"Probably still emotionally unavailable somewhere," I muttered.

No one had much to report in the romance department. We all said we were too busy, too focused on school, too whatever. But it was more than that. We weren't in a rush. At least, not yet.

The conversation meandered like it always did. Bouncing between teasing, support, and those in-between comments that meant more than they sounded like. Cass stayed quiet sometimes, but not in a bad way. She didn't fade, she just watched. Listened. Took it in. Jules and I had years on her, but that didn't mean she didn't belong. In fact, sometimes I forgot there was ever a time she wasn't part of us.

Our food came, and the real chaos began. Shared bites, complaints about portions, and a short-lived fork duel between Jules and Cass over the last piece of French toast.

And somewhere between the syrup and the sunshine, I realized I hadn't thought about Liam once all morning.

Maybe this summer wouldn't be so bad after all.

I leaned back, feeling stuffed from brunch. As the waiter started clearing plates and glasses away, I noticed Cass went back into her shell.

Jules noticed, too. "You're still on the fence about the trip, huh?"

Cass let out a sigh and collapsed back onto her chair. "Yeah. I mean, I want to go. Obviously. It sounds amazing. It's just my mom."

Jules and I both nodded. We knew that tone. Mrs. Monroe wasn't the 'no' type, more like 'are you sure about that' type. Protective, cautious, but with enough warmth to make you feel bad for sneaking around her rules.

"She's worried," Cass went on, tucking a strand behind her ear. "You know. New place, no adults, boys, beds. The usual mom list."

"Cass," Jules said, leaning forward with the confidence of someone who talked teachers into extra credit, "we are the supervisors. We've literally all seen each other cry. That makes us more official than camp counselors."

Cass laughed softly. "She's not going to see it that way."

"Then let me talk to her. I'll go over, wear something modest, and pretend I'm the most responsible one here."

"You kinda are," I said.

"Exactly," Jules grinned. "I'll throw in words like 'safe environment', maybe 'personal growth'. She'll fold."

Cass tilted her head. "You'd really do that?"

"Duh, I already have a speech drafted. With hand gestures."

The tension in Cass's shoulders eased a little, and she gave us a real smile. The kind that said thanks without saying it out loud.

Just like that, the day settled into its usual rhythm. Light, teasing, easy. We hadn't seen each other in person in months, but somehow, it still felt like coming home.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***TREY***

She kissed like she'd been waiting years.

Soft at first, just a brush of lips, but it didn't stay that way. I matched her rhythm, one hand skating along the curve of her waist while the other slid up her back. Her fingers hooked in my shirt, tugging it upwards like it had personally offended her. We were in her kitchen, of all places. The same one she used to grade papers in. Now, she was pressed against me, her mouth hot and needy, like she couldn't get close enough.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted this," she murmured against my lips.

Her breath ghosted over my cheek. She peeled off her sweater, slow and sure, revealing that same confident curve of a smile I remembered from senior year. My eyes roamed down her neck, across her chest, to the way her bra hugged tight around full breasts I definitely noticed in high school.

Ms. Hartwell looked good. Too good. Long blonde hair, a little tousled like she didn't care, and yet still turned heads doing it. Her skin was sun-kissed, smooth, with that golden glow people pay for in salons. Curvy in all the right places, but toned. Her hips flared, drawing my attention downward, and her legs bare and strong, wrapped slightly around mine without even trying. Her tits filled out that lacy bra in a way that made it hard to believe I used to sit through her class and not stare. Full and high, they moved just enough to tease. And her ass, round, firm, the kind that begged for both hands and a slow grind. She looked like trouble wrapped in a PTA mom fantasy. And I was definitely in the mood for detention.

"You mean... since graduation?" I asked, half-smirking.

She bit her lip. "Try before."

That was all I needed.

I kissed her harder, deeper, hands all over her. Hips, waist, ass, then up again to her boobs. She arched into me, gasping when my thumbs grazed just beneath the fabric. Her skin was hot, like she'd been wound tight waiting for this. When my fingers dipped down the waistband of her shorts, she didn't flinch. She just pulled me in closer.

We barely made it to the couch.

Her legs locked around my waist, pulling me in, her breath ragged in my ear.

We ripped whatever clothes we were still wearing off. She pushed me off her before slinking down to my dick. Her hand trailed slowly, gently tracing my body. Her face nuzzled against my erection, and she grabbed hold of it with her hand.

A few gentle strokes combined with her tongue licking it from bottom to top got me leaking pre cum. No time was wasted as she swallowed my dick whole, or as much of it as she could.

I hit the back of her throat, and the sounds of her gagging filled the living space. Tears streamed out of her eyes. She tried to get more of me into her mouth, but to no avail.

Ms. Hartwell came up gasping for air. Strands of precum forming a bridge between the tip of my dick and her lips. Her eyes looked determined, and in no time she was choking on my cock again. After a few more unsuccessful attempts, she resorted to giving me a normal blowjob. Slobbering all over my penis, teasing the head, sucking on my balls and fondling them. Her reward for a job well done was a mouthful of cum. Well, it was more than a mouthful.

The overflow dripped onto her breasts adding to the allure of the slutty teacher.

We were both far from done. She pounced onto my lap and lined my penis with her entrance before sliding down my shaft.

"Don't be gentle," she said. "I'm not fragile."

I wasn't. I laid her on the sofa.

We moved together fast, desperate, like we'd both been holding out way too long. Her fingers dug into my shoulders, her voice slipping out in soft, urgent gasps. I couldn't stop fucking her with a reckless passion. My hands mauled at her tits, leaving deep red prints. It felt like a reward, like a dare I finally cashed in on.

Our bodies thudded against each other loudly. There was no doubt that her skin would be deep red just like her tits. Her thighs trembled each time my full length penetrated her. Going deeper than she could take in her mouth.

Her nails raked down my back, enough to sting, to leave a mark I'd feel later. I liked that.

She wrapped her legs around me tighter, arching into each motion, meeting me stroke for stroke. The rhythm wasn't slow, but it didn't seem rushed either. Just hungry. She bit her lip, threw her head back, whispered my name like it tasted good in her mouth. I swore under my breath and dropped my face into the crook of her neck, losing the beat for a second, overwhelmed by the heat and the scent of her. Shampoo and something sharper underneath.

Her body trembled under mine. Not shaking, not dramatic. That tight little shiver that told me she was close. I kept moving, riding that edge with her until we both spilled over, breathless and tangled in a hot, sweaty mess on the couch.

For a second, neither of us spoke.

Her chest was rising fast against mine, her skin still flushed in that perfect, post-wrecked kind of way. I was barely catching my breath when she tapped me on my back.

"Hope you're not tapped out," she murmured. "I want another round."

Before I could respond, she somehow reversed positions so she was on top. Her leg swung over and settled onto my hips like it was second nature. Like she'd done this a hundred times before. Finally, she was calling the shots.

She kissed me again, deeper this time. Not rushed, not soft, but with intention. Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to make me grunt into her mouth. She rocked her hips, slow and taunting, like she knew exactly how to pull every last reaction out of me and wanted to savor them one by one.

I let her take the lead.

There was something different about the way she moved now. Confident, measured, like she was reading a song only she could hear. Her hands slid down my chest, nails raking lightly over skin still hot from the first time. She arched her back, head tipping back just enough for her hair to spill down over her shoulders, and I swore I'd never seen anything better than the way she looked in that moment. Wild. Alive.

Her pace built gradually. Each roll of her hips was more certain, more deliberate. I gripped her thighs, anchoring myself as she took everything she wanted, and gave even more. She whispered things I couldn't fully catch. Soft curses, my name, maybe a few memories tangled in breathless moans. And all I could do was hold on and let her wreck me in round two.

And she did.

With precision. With heat. With a kind of hunger that said this wasn't about romance or old high school fantasies. It was about claiming something we both knew had been off-limits until now.

She came first this time. Head thrown back, mouth parted, gasping out my name like it punched through her. And when her body stilled and shivered, I followed, letting the moment pull me under with her. I launched my seed into her.

It was different the second time. Slower. Sharper. Like a fire smoldering after the blaze.

She collapsed on top of me, laughing under her breath.

"Definitely worth the wait."

Collapsed onto the couch, catching our breath, the neighbourhood's distant noise filtered softly through the windows. She stretched out, one arm draped across my chest, a smirk tugging on her lips.

"Not bad for a reunion, huh?" she said, voice easy, like this was just another night.

I laughed, running a hand through my hair. "You've really been waiting for this for a while, haven't you?"

She gave a quick nod.

I glanced over, curiosity getting the better of me. "So... have you hooked up with a student before?"

She smirked, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Nope. You're my first. Thought I'd start off with the best."

We kicked back, talking casually. Some old high school stories, what we'd been up to, nothing heavy. Just two people who'd finally checked off a box that had been hanging around for years.

When I got dressed, she waved me off with a grin. "Don't be a stranger."

I gave her a grin back. "Yeah, yeah. We'll see."

The sun had started its slow drop by the time I left Ms. Hartwell's place. My shirt stuck slightly to my back, my jeans clinging in that post-sex way that made me wish I had a full change of clothes in my car. But I was grinning. Relaxed. Loose.

The drive was short but aimless. I wasn't in a rush. I just let the windows down, let the wind carry off the sweat and heat from the last hour. Eventually, I pulled into the nearest convenience mart. One of those old chains with sun-faded signs and that weird buzzing light by the entrance.

I grabbed a cold drink and made my way to the checkout. The cashier was young, probably a few years older than me, with a nose ring and honey-brown curls tucked behind her ears. She scanned the bottle, looked up at me, and smirked.

"Rough day, or just thirsty?" she asked.

I chuckled, tossing her a half-shrug. "Something like that."

Her eyes lingered just a second too long. "Well, whatever it was.. you look like you enjoyed it."

I smiled. Not a word. No follow-up. No flirting back. Didn't need to. I could feel the energy buzzing in the air. Sometimes it was more fun not to chase it.

Back in the car, I cracked the bottle open, took a long sip, and leaned back in the seat. Then I pulled out my phone and tapped into the boys' group chat.

Trey: Yo. Where we at?

Mason: Carter's barn party. Whole class has pulled up. Wya?

Wes: It's packed

Trey: omw

I set the bottle in the cupholder, revved the engine, and turned the car toward Carter's place. The night was just getting started.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***WES***

I'd been sipping on the same drink for the past fifteen minutes, standing by the snack table and trying to look like I wasn't dying to leave. The music thumped a little too loudly for casual conversation, and Carter's barn was packed wall to wall with people who thought high school stories were personality traits.

Somehow, I ended up talking to Owen, my neighbour who lived down the street. He was nice, just not someone I'd ever really hung out with. We were talking about his new truck, which he described in painstaking detail, when I caught sight of Mason.

He was moving through the party like he was the one who hosted it. Dapping people up, slapping shoulders, and throwing out jokes that had entire groups laughing. Effortlessly cool, but not in an annoying way. Just likable. He could jump between friend groups like he had been with them since Day 1.

It made me feel out of place somehow.

Then he spotted me. His eyes acknowledged me, and without missing a beat, he excused himself from a circle of old classmates and made his way over.

"Look who's still standing in the same spot," he said, grinning as he slid next to me and nodded at Owen. "What's up, man?"

Owen perked up. "Hey, Mason. Long time."

"Too long," Mason said, fist-bumping him before turning to me. "You good?"

"Yeah," I said, a little sheepish. "Just, y'know, settling back in."

Mason tilted his head. "I saw you talking to Owen and figured you were being held hostage."

Owen laughed, easygoing. "Damn. You wound me."

"I'm just saying," Mason said with a grin, "Wes looked like he needed a rescue."

"I was fine," I said, but I didn't really mind Mason stepping in.

Owen smirked. "Well, now I know where I stand."

Mason tipped his cup toward him. "Come hang with us. We're just floating anyway."

Owen blinked, surprised for half a second, then smiled. "Yeah? Cool. I was kind of just drifting."

"Perfect," Mason said. "We specialize in drifting."

Owen fell in beside us like he'd always been there, and the three of us moved deeper into the party. A few minutes later, Trey showed up, sunglasses still on, even though it was well past sunset. He clocked us immediately and made his way over.

"There they are," he said, giving Mason a half-hug and nodding at me. "Where are the girls at?"

Mason shrugged. "Jules and Carter are still weird with each other. I think it goes back to that prank senior year."

Trey furrowed his brow. "The one with the talent show?"

"Yep," Mason said. "Carter swapped out her slideshow with a meme reel of her old Instagram posts. Like deep cuts from middle school. It played behind her the entire time she was doing that serious spoken word piece."

I winced. "Oh damn, I forgot about that."

"She laughed onstage, but she was pissed for weeks," Mason said. "He never really apologized. Claimed it was 'school spirit.'"

Owen raised a brow. "Wait, Jules as in--"

"Yeah," Mason said. "That Jules. And yes, Carter Carter."

Owen let out a low whistle. "Yikes."

"Welcome back to town," Mason said with a crooked grin. "Some things change. Petty beefs? Eternal."

The music had gone from loud and hyped to background noise. A few people were still dancing by the barn lights, but most had splintered off into little tired groups. Some on the porch, others on hay bales, sipping on the last of the cheap drinks.

I leaned against the fence next to Mason, Trey, and Owen, nursing the end of a warm beer. Even Trey looked bored, spinning the bottle in his hand like a coin.

"This is dying," Mason said flatly. "Like actually flatlining."

"I thought this was Carter's big return," Owen muttered, scanning the crowd. "I've seen more energy at my grandma's book club."

"Give it ten minutes," Trey said. "Someone's gonna throw up in a planter and Carter'll start yelling about respect."

Mason pushed off the fence. "Nah, I'm not going out like this."

I raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

He smirked, like he'd just had an idea that made no sense and was definitely going to work. "Come on."

We followed, because of course we did, and ended up in Carter's open garage where someone had stacked leftover Fourth of July stuff in the corner. Mason dug around for a second, then pulled out two bags of fireworks and a pair of safety goggles like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Trey blinked. "No, Mason."

"Yes," Mason grinned, already tearing open the plastic.

"You're gonna light up fireworks now?" I asked. "In a backyard?"

"In Carter's backyard," Owen added, glancing toward the house.

Mason shrugged. "Party's dead. I'm just trying to revive it. Like CPR with gunpowder."

Someone must've told Carter, because he came running out yelling. But Mason had already set up a line of Roman candles along the fence. He struck the lighter and turned around with a wild grin. "Gentlemen," he announced, flicking the flame to life, "let's make some memories."

Fireworks erupted like chaos bottled in color, shooting into the sky, lighting up the yard in bursts of red, green, and blue. People poured out of the barn, whooping and cheering. Carter looked ready to combust, but even he couldn't help watching.

Mason stood in the middle of it all like a spark caught in human form, eyes bright and laughing.

The life of the party. Until the very end.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***CASS***

It was barely noon, and already I could feel a low buzz of nerves rolling through my stomach. I peeked through my blinds, watching Jules stroll up our driveway. Confident. Poised. Dressed like she was about to go wine tasting instead of convincing my mom to let me go on a trip that might as well be code-named 'Bad Decisions in the Woods.'

I heard the bell downstairs. A few beats later, my mom's voice chimed in that overly polite register she reserved for people she wasn't sure about.

"Jules! What a surprise."

"Hi, Mrs. Monroe! Sorry for showing up unannounced. I was in the area and thought, 'You know who I haven't seen in forever?' You." Jules' voice had that syrupy-sweet tone.

From the top of the stairs, I could hear them settling into the living room, and Jules launching into small talk about local bake sales and how she just started volunteering at a library for kids with dyslexia. I had no idea if any of that was true, but Jules was a professional at making adults fall in love with her in under five minutes.

Then came the pitch.

"So, the trip," she said casually. "It's really more of a nature retreat. We'll be doing hikes during the day, stargazing at night, and cooking our own meals. Basically, an elementary school field trip but with slightly better snacks."

My mom hummed. Skeptical, but softening.

"There'll be six of us, total," Jules continued, "and we already planned a grocery list and packed a first aid kit. Two of us are CPR certified. Trey, who's practically a lifeguard, and Ness, who's certified too. So don't worry. No guy is gonna be touching Cass if anything happens. God forbid."

My mom slowly said, "That's reassuring."

"We're just excited to unplug for a few days."

Pause. Beat. Then Mom's voice, a little lighter. "Well, it does sound harmless enough."

I didn't move. Didn't breathe. Until I heard Jules say, "Amazing. I'll help Cass pack. She'll be ready to go in no time."

I exhaled so hard I nearly blacked out.

Jules made her goodbyes shortly after, promising to drop off 'leftover cookies from church' next week, and as soon as the front door clicked shut, my phone buzzed.

Jules: Mission accomplished. Cass got the green light. Everyone's officially in

The group chat exploded in cheers, emojis, and fire gifs. Ness sent a champagne bottle.

Mason: Yurt!!!!

Wes didn't say anything in the group. Instead, my screen lit up with a private message.

Wes: Hey

Wes: Wanna go shopping for the trip tmrw? I need a few things

Wes: Thought we could go together

Cass: Yeah I'd like that

The next day, we ended up at this huge outdoor gear store on the edge of town, full of overpriced water bottles and tents big enough to live in. We each grabbed a basket and wandered through the aisles, pretending we knew what we were doing.

Wes held up a tiny bottle of biodegradable soap. "Is this what people take camping?"

I smiled. "Only if you're scared of bears judging your hygiene."

He grinned, slipping it into his basket. "Noted."

We kept walking, stopping now and then to poke fun at thermal underwear or the ridiculous price tags on hammock chairs. But there were these moments. Quiet little glances, the kind that lasted half a second too long. My shoulder brushed his arm when we passed each other in the narrow aisle, and I didn't move away.

At one point, I picked up a pack of marshmallows and he asked, "You like s'mores?"

"I love them," I replied.

He nodded, eyes soft. "Then I'll make sure we've got enough for you."

It wasn't a big line. It wasn't even clever. But it made my stomach flip.

He looked like he wanted to say more. I almost did, too. But we both just smiled, like we were standing at the edge of something and didn't quite know how to step off.

For now, it was enough.

After the last stop, some travel-sized toiletries and some impulsive buys, we wandered into a cozy little restaurant nearby. He held the door open like always, and we slid into a booth by the window. The menus were sticky, the waiter barely looked up, but it felt comfortable.

We ordered quickly. Burgers, fries, and root beers. The conversation picked back up where it always did when it was just us. Easy. Uncomplicated.

Mostly.

"So," I said, swirling a straw in my drink, "college. How was freshman year for you?"

Wes leaned back, fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Good. Different. I liked the freedom. Missed home sometimes, though. You?"

"Pretty much the same," I shrugged. "Classes were fine. I made a few friends. Nothing crazy."

He nodded, eyes scanning my face like he was searching for something underneath the surface. "Did you, uh... date anyone?"

The question made my stomach flip. I tried to keep it casual. "Not really. A few people were interested, I guess. But I wasn't. You?"

He scratched the back of his neck. "I went on a couple of dates. Nothing serious."

My chest tightened before I could stop it. "Oh."

"But," he added quickly, his voice softening, "it never really turned into anything. Just felt off, I guess."

I met his eyes, and for a second, neither of us looked away.

"Still single then?" I asked, my voice quieter now.

He smiled. "Yeah. You?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

The waitress dropped off our food without a word. For a moment, all I could hear was the soft clinking of silverware and the low hum of the diner. I popped a fry into my mouth and tried not to read too much into the way Wes kept glancing at me like he was thinking the same thing I was.

This felt like something. Maybe not quite a date, but not just friends either.

And neither of us seemed ready to name it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***NESS***

There was something about seeing everyone together again in the daylight back at The Pit. Half of us are still blinking sleep from our eyes.

Cass was the first person I saw when I stepped out of my car, hoodie sleeves pulled over her hands, sipping something iced and probably too sweet. Jules leaned against Mason's truck, sunglasses already on like she was waiting for paparazzi. Mason himself was hauling a cooler into the truck bed like it weighed nothing. Wes was helping, low-key quiet as always, but there was something about the way he looked at Cass that made me smirk.

Trey showed up late, naturally, pulling into the gravel like he was arriving at a music video shoot. Windows down, music loud, one arm slung out the driver's side like he was born behind a wheel.

"Morning, degenerates," he called out, flashing a lazy grin as he killed the engine.

"You're the last one here," Jules said, arms crossed.

"Fashionably," he replied, stepping out and giving her a wink.

Everyone was buzzing, double-checking bags, arguing over who forgot the sunscreen, taking group pics we'd probably forget to post. It felt easy. Like we hadn't spent the last year growing up in different parts of the country.

We settled on cars pretty fast. Jules called shotgun with Mason, and Cass obviously slid into the back with Wes.

Which left me and Trey.

He looked at me with a raised brow. "Guess it's just us."

I shrugged. "You good with that?"

He smirked. "Oh, I'm great with that."

I rolled my eyes, but I smiled too.

I tossed my duffel into his back seat, climbed in, and shut the door. As he started the engine, the others pulled out of the gravel lot ahead of us. Mason's truck leading the way.

And just like that, we were off. Four hours of road, woods, and whatever unpredictability.

The highway unspooled ahead of us in stretches of sun-bleached asphalt and tall trees. Trey had one hand on the wheel, sunglasses on, and a playlist that kept flipping between throwback rap and vibey R&B. Windows halfway down. Wind in our hair. Just chill.

It'd been quiet for a minute when I glanced at him. "Weird being alone with you."

"We've been alone before."

"Yeah, but not like... carpooling into the woods alone. Feels like the start of a horror movie."

"If I'm the killer, I promise to make it quick."

I snorted. "So generous."

We settled into a rhythm. Talking about classes, mutual friends, and the summer jobs we hated. He told me about a professor who tried to fail him over a missed quiz. I told him about a roommate who cried over scented candles. It was comfortable, honest. We didn't have to perform around each other.

A ping sounded from his dashboard. A text preview flashed on the display. A name I didn't recognize and a peach emoji.

I raised an eyebrow. "Friend of yours?"

He glanced at the screen and then at me, smiling sideways. "Depends on how you define 'friend.'"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help laughing. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Make girls throw themselves at you. Is it the playlist? The arm? The tragic little backstory you hint at sometimes?"

He shrugged, that smug glint in his eye.

"Maybe I've got good karma."

I tilted my head, unconvinced. "No, seriously. It's not just confidence. I've seen girls literally lose their minds around you. There has to be something else."

He didn't answer right away. Just kept driving, mouth curled like he was trying not to grin.

"I know what I'm doing," he said finally. "In bed, I mean."

I scoffed. "You really just said that."

"I mean, I wasn't going to. But you asked."

I hesitated, then said, half-joking, "That all?"

He shrugged again, a little too casually.

"That... and maybe I've got more to work with than most."

The way he said it, lowkey, not braggy, but certain, made me blink. The silence that followed wasn't awkward. It was heavy.

My curiosity got the better of me. I turned toward him, arms folded.

"Okay, now I want to see it."

He looked at me, not surprised, but amused.

"You serious?"

"No," I said immediately, then laughed. "I mean.. maybe? I don't know. You just give off this energy, and I'm like, is it actually that crazy?"

He grinned. "Only one way to find out."

I stared at him.

He leaned back in his seat, one hand still on the wheel. "But if you want it out, you're taking it out."

That surprised me. Even more than me asking in the first place. But before I could second-guess myself, my hand was already moving. Blame it on boredom. Curiosity. The calm confidence he carried like a scent.

My hands hovered for a moment before I reached over, fingering trembling slightly as they fumbled with his shorts.

The fabric parted with a soft rustle, and as I pulled it free, my eyes locked onto his 12-inch cock, thick and throbbing. Veins pulsing with anticipation. I gasped audibly, my hand wrapping around it instinctively. The warmth was sending electric shocks through me. I pulled my hands away quickly.

The silence stretched between us, broken only by the hum of the engine.

The thing was, he didn't put it back. Neither of us did. It just stayed there, out in the open like some unspoken dare hanging in the air between us.

I stared straight ahead, heat crawling up the back of my neck. "You seriously gonna let it sit out like that?"

He smirked. "What, now you're shy?"

"I'm not shy," I muttered.

"You know," he said, nudging the gear shift, "you've seen mine. Feels like the fair thing now is..."

I turned to him, brow raised. "You are not serious."

He gave a casual shrug. "Hey, I don't make the rules."

I rolled my eyes, fighting a smile. "You're the worst."

"That's not a no," he said, glancing over with that same crooked grin. "Which means I'm not wrong."

We drove in silence after that, but it wasn't awkward. Just thick. Charged. And somehow, the road ahead really did feel longer.

I don't know what came over me, but I reached for the hem of my top, yanking it over my head in one swift motion. I unclasped my bra with deliberate slowness, letting it fall away. My breasts bare and catching the morning glow, nipples hardening in the cool air.

He swerved slightly, the car veering as surprise gripped him, his eyes widening at the sudden exposure.

"Don't crash on me now, Big Guy," I said.

Trey's phone lit up with Mason's name. He tapped the screen and put it on speaker without thinking.

"Yo," Mason's voice crackled through. "We're about to stop and get gas, snacks, probably a bathroom run."

Trey opened his mouth. "We'll..."

"We'll keep going," I cut in, casually.

Trey glanced over at me, surprised.

"We just hit a good rhythm," I added, smiling like I wasn't referencing anything layered beneath the words.

There was a pause.

"... Okay," Mason said, clearly amused.

As we rounded a bend, I spotted a sign for a secluded viewpoint. Without hesitation, I commanded, "Pull over right there."

He hesitated, confused, but I pressed on. "I want to see if the other part of your reputation holds up."

The car slowed, gravel crunching under the tires as we veered toward the isolated pull-off.

We stumbled out of the car, the cool air hitting my bare tits like a slap of cold reality, nipples hardening even more against the chill. His cock bobbed free and defiant in the light, slick from precum.

The world felt like it was spinning with a mix of adrenaline and raw desire.

I grabbed his t-shirt, yanking him toward the hood, my fingers digging into the fabric as I whispered, "Come on, Big Guy. Show me what you've got right here in the open sky."

His eyes stood composed, breath hot on my face, and he shoved me back against the metal, the engine's warmth seeping through my shorts.

In no time, I was fully naked, the metal pressing against my ass as I pulled him between my thighs, his cock sliding against my wet folds with a slick, eager slap that made me gasp. He thrust in hard, filling me completely, the rhythm building fast and furious.

Fuck, he felt huge. Stretching me in ways that sent shockwaves up my spine, each pound echoing with wet, squelching sounds that mixed with our ragged breaths and moans.

My tits bounced wildly with every impact, the air amplifying every sensation, and I clawed at his back, urging him deeper, determined to fit all 12 inches in me.

As he hammered into me, I felt that familiar coil tightening low in my belly, every thrust pushing me closer to the edge. His grunts mingling with my cries in a symphony of lust.

He fucked me relentlessly, his cock slamming deep with a fierce, unyielding rhythm that made my whole body shudder, the hood of the car threatening to dent beneath us if it hadn't already.

His hands roamed greedily over my boobs, pinching and twisting in ways that heightened every thrust, his breath hot against my neck as he growled filthy promises of how he'd fill me up.

I arched my back, meeting his hips with desperate bucks, the pleasure building to a fever pitch that blurred my vision.

The wave of climax crashed over me, my eyes rolled back in ecstasy, the world fading to nothing but blinding stars and electric pulses racing through my veins.

It hit hard. My body convulses in wild spasms, muscles clenching tight around him in rhythmic waves that drew out guttural moans from deep within. He did't let up, driving harder, faster, his control slipping as my cries echoed into the openness.

Then, he exploded inside me, hot spurts flooding deep with a final, powerful thrust that left us both trembling, his roar of release combined with the aftershocks ripping through my body.

"If we stay like this, someone's gonna drive by and call the cops," I said.

He gave a low hum. "Worth it."

I laughed quietly and breathlessly. "You're going to dent your hood."

"Also worth it."

We stayed there another few beats, his weight grounding against me in a way that didn't feel heavy. Eventually, I tapped his side, more suggestion than protest. "Come on. I should probably clean up before I get dressed."

We didn't say much for the rest of the ride. The quiet felt earned.

When we finally turned down the gravel drive to the cabin, I spotted Mason's truck already parked out front.

"Well," I said, brushing my fingers through my hair, "guess we're not the first ones here."

I caught my reflection in the car's rearview mirror and gave myself a quick once-over. No messy hair, no obvious signs I'd just been fucked on the hood of a car out in public. Smooth enough to pass, I figured.

Trey gave me a sidelong look. "Think they'll notice?"

"Only if you talk."

"Guess I'll stay quiet then."

He grinned, and so did I.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***WES***

The drive up to the cabin was easy, the sun cutting through the trees in lazy beams as Mason's truck rumbled along the winding road. Everyone was in good spirits--laughing, joking, the kind of comfortable noise that comes with friends who haven't seen each other in months. The windows were down, the warm breeze carrying the scent of pine and fresh earth. I sat quietly, soaking it all in, feeling the familiar calm that comes from being out here, unplugged from everything.

When Trey and Ness finally walked through the front doo, each lugging a bag and looking a little too casual, the four of us were already spread out in the living room. Cass was curled up in the armchair, Jules had claimed the rug, and Mason was half-sprawled across the couch, tossing popcorn into his mouth like it was a sport.

"Finally, you guys got here," Mason said, sitting up. "We were about to call you."

Ness raised her hands like, 'what can you do', and Trey smirked, setting his bag down by the door.

Before anyone could say more, Jules clapped her hands. "Okay! Room game time."

"What?" Trey asked, confused.

"There are four rooms," Jules explained. "One for a lucky dude, one for a lucky girl, and the rest of us get to be roommates. You don't get to pick. Winner takes all."

"And how do we win?" Ness asked, arching a brow.

"Simple," Jules said, grabbing a deck of cards from her bag. "High card gets their own room. Guys play against guys. Girls against girls."

Mason was already reaching for the cards. "Let's go, baby."

It took all of two minutes to play out. Cass and I won.

"No way," Mason groaned. "This is rigged."

"Skill," I said, barely hiding a grin as I put the card back.

Cass beamed, clearly pleased with herself. "Guess I won't have to listen to Jules snore."

"Rude," Jules said, smiling as she shoved Cass's arm.

The whole thing settled faster than I expected, and just like that, the tone of the weekend was set. Easy, loud, familiar.

Night fell fast out here. One minute, it was all gold and blue, and the next, shadows were stretching long across the clearing. Mason got the fire going just as the last bit of light dipped behind the trees, and by the time we circled around it with blankets and camp chairs, the warmth hit just right.

Dinner was whatever we could scrounge together from the cooler. Sandwiches, chips, and fruits that someone's parents packed. No one minded. Everyone was too hungry or too content to care. The fire crackled, someone passed around graham crackers and chocolate, and it wasn't long before we were toasting marshmallows over the flames.

I looked over at Cass, and we shared a smile.

Conversation drifted. Teasing. College. Half-serious complaints about dorm life or classes. How nice it felt to be back home again. How weird it felt to be back home again.

Then Jules perked up from where she was sitting cross-legged on her camp chair, holding a half-melted marshmallow like a microphone. "Okay," she said with a gleam in her eye. "I have a game."

"Oh, no," Trey said, grinning anyway.

She ignored him, pulling out a deck of cards and her phone. "It's simple. We all draw a card. Lowest card loses. And the loser gets a truth or dare. Naughty edition." She wiggled her phone. "There's an app. It's very legit."

Mason leaned forward, clearly into it. "This better not be some middle school crap."

"It's not," Jules promised. "I tested it on my cousin's bachelorette weekend."

Ness raised an eyebrow. "You traumatize your family, too?"

Jules smiled sweetly. "You'll live."

Surprisingly, no one objected. Even Cass. Sweet, shy Cass. She just sipped her drink and shrugged. "Okay. Why not?"

I glanced around the fire. Everyone looked curious. Amused. Maybe just a little too eager.

This was definitely going to get interesting.

Jules started shuffling the deck with theatrical flair, the firelight flickering in her eyes. "Alright, people. Let's see who fate picks first."

Before she could pass the cards around, Cass cleared her throat. "Wait, uh, quick question."

Everyone turned to look at her, and she instantly looked like she regretted speaking up. "What happens if someone gets a dare or truth they don't want to do?"

Trey leaned back, hands behind his head. "Easy. You take a shot instead."

Mason snorted. "That's not punishment. That's a party."

"Well, we're not trying to traumatize anyone," Ness said, reaching for a bottle of tequila. "But to keep it fair, you can't skip two turns in a row."

"Unless the whole group agrees, the question's too much," I added.

"Agreed?" Jules looked around.

Everyone nodded, even Cass, who looked like she was already mentally bracing for whatever was coming.

Jules grinned, satisfied. "Perfect. Now draw."

She fanned the cards out, and we each pulled one.

"Three," Mason announced, holding up his card.

"Nine," said Ness.

"Ten," I said, relieved.

"Queen," Jules bragged.

"Seven," Trey shrugged.

Cass held hers up like it might burn her. "... Two."

A chorus of sympathetic groans echoed around the fire.

Cass flushed, already shaking her head. "Oh god."

"You can still take the shot," I offered.

She hesitated.

"Hold on," Jules said. "Let's see what it is first." She tapped her phone and read out, "Truth. 'What's the dirtiest thought you've ever had about someone in this group?'"

The fire popped like it was in on the moment. Everyone stared. Cass looked like she wanted to melt into the dirt.

"Okay, yep, nope." She reached for the shot glass with a nervous laugh, tossing it back with a wince.

Everyone cheered anyway.

"See? Not so bad," Jules said. "Next round."

She gathered the cards and shuffled again, and already, the mood had shifted. Like everyone knew, things were going to unravel just a little more with each round.

And no one seemed ready to stop it.

Jules passed the deck again.

Cards were drawn in quick silence, flicks of firelight bouncing across amused, curious faces.

"Looks like Trey's the loser this round," Jules announced. "Dare."

He leaned back on his hands, looking almost bored. "Hit me."

Jules scanned her phone and looked up slowly. "Give someone here a thirty-second kiss, no hands allowed."

A slow, knowing hum rippled through the circle.

Trey's gaze bounced from person to person, all smirks and calculation. "Wes, c'mere," he said sarcastically.

Laughter erupted. I blinked.

"Not happening," I said, holding up both hands.

"Coward," Mason muttered around a grin.

Trey finally turned to Ness. "Guess you're up."

She didn't hesitate. She just leaned in and kissed him, slow and deliberate, her hands folded in her lap the whole time.

When she pulled back, she didn't say anything.

The circle went quiet for a breath.

Jules broke the silence. "Well, damn."

"Next round," Mason said quickly, grabbing the deck.

Another shuffle. Another draw.

"Cass again," Jules said, wincing. "Truth."

Caass gave a miserable little groan. "You've got to be kidding me."

Jules held up her phone. "If you had to pick someone here to hook up with, who would it be?"

Cass didn't even pretend to think about it. She reached for the bottle and poured herself another shot, tossing it back fast.

"Uhm, you can't do that," Mason stated. "You still got to answer."

Cass blinked after the shot, exhaling like it burned more than just her throat. "Okay, fine. I'll play." She glanced at everyone, face flushed but determined. "If I had to..." Her voice dropped, eyes following too.

A pause. A breath.

"... Wes."

Silence.

My eyebrows went up. Mason turned his head so fast I thought he might get whiplash.

Cass shrugged, folding her arms like she was daring someone to make a big deal out of it. "He's quiet. Respectful. Doesn't talk about himself in the third person."

"Guilty," Mason admitted, holding up his hands.

Jules smirked. "Well, now the game's actually getting fun."

I didn't say anything. Just gave Cass a small nod. She didn't look at me, but I saw the way her lips twitched like maybe she was fighting a smile.

Mason passed out the cards again. The night wasn't slowing down.

The next round came fast.

"Mason. Dare."

Mason grinned, already smug. "Lay it on me."

Jules tilted her phone. "Pick someone to sit in your lap for the next two rounds."

"Cass," Mason said instantly.

"No," she said, already moving away. "Nope."

He turned. "Jules?"

She shrugged. "Sure. But I'm not responsible for what you do with your hands."

She plopped into his lap without ceremony. Mason gave the rest of us a triumphant look.

Cards passed again.

"Ness," Jules said this time. "Truth."

Ness tilted her head. "Alright. Let's hear it."

"What's your favorite way to be touched when you're turned on?"

Trey gave a low whistle. Cass made a choking sound.

Ness's answer came without hesitation. "Slow. Teasing. Hands first, then mouth."

It was quiet again.

The fire cracked, and the deck came around again.

The tension? Still rising.

The game kept rolling, heat rising as the cards got passed.

Mason lost and revealed he hooked up in the DJ booth during prom. Jules had to let someone give her a hickey, and she chose Trey. He made a show of it, but kept it brief. Ness described her last orgasm in detail, but left out who was responsible for it. Cass had to whisper something dirty into Mason's ear, who had to rate it. He rated it nine out of ten, saying it was unexpectedly filthy.

The fire had died down to low flames, the shadows stretching long behind us. Most of the group was a little buzzed, skin warm from the heat and drinks, laughter coming easier now.

I'd managed to dodge every round so far, pure luck. A few jokes had been thrown my way about how I was 'playing the long game', but I wasn't complaining. I was more than happy to stay a spectator.

Then I drew the lowest card.

Jules grinned like shit. "Oh, finally."

My stomach sank. "Do I wanna know?"

She held up her phone. "Take off a piece of clothing every time someone says your name... for the next ten minutes."

Groans and laughter erupted around the fire.

"You're kidding," I muttered.

"Nope," Jules said, smug. "And we're setting a timer."

"Y'all are evil," I said, already counting my clothes.

"Wes," Mason said sweetly.

"Dude."

"Wes!" Jules chimed in immediately after.

I pulled off each shoe with a sigh. "This is gonna be a long half hour."

The group was thriving off my misery.

"Wes," Jules said again, totally unprompted.

I narrowed my eyes at her, yanking off my sock and tossing it next to my shoes. "You're abusing your power."

Mason grinned. "That's what power is for, bro."

I flipped him off. Which, of course, led to.

"Wes!"

"Goddammit." I slipped off my other sock.

By the time the next round rolled around, the timer was still ticking, and I was down to my shirt, shorts, and underwear. And the worst part? Everyone seemed to forget about the dare, only to suddenly remember and shout my name.

Cass was laughing so hard she was practically crying, her face buried in Jules's shoulder.

"Alright," Jules said, wiping her eyes. "Next round."

Everyone picked a card. Trey groaned.

"You good?" Mason asked, smiling.

Trey leaned back against a log. "Yeah, just loving life."

Jules checked the app. "Okay, Trey. Your dare is... 'Act out your hottest makeout fantasy with the person opposite you."

A collective oof passed around the fire.

Opposite Trey was Cass.

She blinked. "Oh. Nope."

Trey raised his hands innocently. "I can pass if you all vote yes..."

"Nope," Mason interrupted, shaking his head.

"Trey can't pass," Jules agreed. "He passed the last round."

Cass was already blushing, but she didn't stop him. Just stared at the fire like she was bracing herself.

Trey, playful and trying to defuse the tension. "No pressure, Cass. We can make it funny. Bad high school movie vibes."

Cass let out a breath. "Fine. But if you try to grab my ass, I'm biting you."

That got a cheer from the group.

They both stood, facing each other awkwardly, well, Cass was. Trey stepped in slowly, hands resting lightly on her hips. He waited for a subtle nod from her before leaning in.

The kiss started carefully, politely, but not nothing all. It grew more urgent, teeth and tongues briefly clashing as Cass didn't pull away. Her fingers dug into the front of Trey's shirt, gripping tight as she let herself get pulled into the rush.

Her breath hitched, and she pressed harder, her lips parting as she matched his intensity. The world blurred around me, heat spiking with every rough, hungry movement. For a few seconds, she fully surrendered to him. Letting go of control and just riding the wild, chaotic rush.

Finally, they pulled off each other.

Cass sat back down, cheeks burning, and grabbed a marshmallow like her life depended on it. "Well. That happened."

Trey gave a dramatic bow and dropped back into his seat. "10 out of 10, Cass."

No one said it out loud, but the energy between them had shifted.

"Timer check?" Jules asked as she reset the deck.

"Uh, five minutes," I responded.

Ness grinned. "Plenty of time, Wes."

I took off my shirt.

Jules's eyes swept over me, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "Damn, Wes," she said, her voice playfully teasing,

Ness let out a whistle as her eyes scanned me.

The next draw was complete, and I had lost again.

Jules grinned like a cat that had just cornered its prey, her fingers lingering on her phone screen as she glanced up at me. The group was silent, anticipation hanging in the air.

"Wes," she said, voice dropping to a lower register, almost a purr. "This one's for you."

My pulse skipped. I was barely holding it together as I tried not to show my nerves.

She cleared her throat. "Your dare... 'Pick one person here to give you a lap dance. But they can do whatever they want, as long as it stays within the 5 minutes. And you can't move.' Also, if you didn't notice, I said your name, meaning, you're down to your underwear."

The air shifted immediately. Everyone looked at each other, a mix of shock, amusement, and something else, something darker.

"Whoever's brave enough to go through with this, you're the one calling the shots," Jules added, her voice thick with excitement. "Once it's done, Wes gets to decide if he wants you to take a shot or give you a dare."

Trey raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued. Mason just smirked.

But the air fell quiet, and the reality of the dare settled over everyone.

Cass and Ness exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable, while Jules and Mason's faces lit up with the idea of it all.

I shifted, my breathing a little faster than before. My eyes flicked between the three girls. The conflict was playing out in my mind. I looked at Ness apologetically. It felt like the right choice.

"I choose Ness."

My heart hammered, but it wasn't from nervousness. It was from the tension that suddenly pulled taut between Ness and me.

Ness had transformed the teasing atmosphere into something electric, and I felt the tension in the air shift. As she moved closer, I couldn't help but notice how her body fit against mine. Each time she swayed her hips, I felt a tightness in my stomach, the excitement building with every movement.

As she leaned in closer, her boobs brushed against my chest, and a rush of warmth shot through me. My breath quickened. I could feel the heat radiating off her body. She was tantalizingly close, and the way she looked at me made my heart race even faster. With each roll of her hips, I could feel myself responding, the fabric of my underwear becoming tighter as my arousal grew.

Ness shifted again, grinding her ass against my lap, and a jolt of pleasure surged through me. The sensation was intoxicating. Her round curves pressed against me, every movement deliberate and sultry. I could hardly believe how good it felt, and I found myself leaning into her rhythm, completely lost in the moment.

With her laughter ringing in my ears and the firelight flickering around us, it felt like nothing else mattered. The world faded away, and I was lost in the intoxicating dance she was weaving, drawing me deeper into the heat of the night.

Ness caught my gaze and flashed a playful smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She took my hands, her skin warm and inviting, and guided them to her hips. "Go ahead," she encouraged softly, her voice a sultry whisper that sent shivers down my spine.

With my hands resting on her curves, I felt both exhilarated and nervous. The fabric of her shirt was soft against my fingers, and I could feel the warmth radiating from her body. She leaned back slightly, giving me the unspoken permission to explore, and I couldn't help myself. I let my hands glide along her sides, feeling the way her body responded to my touch.

As I traced the outline of her waist, she leaned into me more, pressing her chest against mine. Her soft breasts pushed against my skin, and I felt a rush of heat flood my cheeks. Ness encouraged me further, guiding my hands up to her stomach and then back down to her hips, each touch igniting a fire inside me.

"Just feel," she murmured, her breath warm against my ear as she ground against me again, the movement causing my heart to race. I reveled in the sensation, the way her body felt under my hands, soft and inviting, yet electrifying all at once.

I could hardly think straight as I explored, my fingers brushing against her curves, feeling every contour. The fire crackled behind us, but all I could focus on was her, lost in the heady mix of desire and excitement that enveloped us both.

Mason's voice cut through the atmosphere. "Hey, just a minute left!" he called out, a teasing grin on his face.

The laughter and cheers from our friends faded into a background hum as she put everything into those final moments. She added spins and hair flips, transforming the playful dare into a full-blown performance. The energy was palpable, and I leaned back, completely captivated by her.

As the minute ticked down, Ness delivered one final move. She dropped to her knees in front of me, looking up with a wicked smile. With a swift motion, she rose back up, pressing her body against mine one last time, her warmth enveloping me as she planted a teasing kiss on my cheek.

And just like that, the moment burst into a climax of laughter and applause from our friends, the night forever etched in my memory as a thrilling whirlwind of excitement and unexpected intimacy.

I took a shaky breath, still trying to ground myself in the present, but the words came out a lot less steady than I intended.

"Yeah... uh... you've definitely... passed," I muttered, my voice hoarse, like I couldn't quite catch my breath.

My mind was a mess. I couldn't quite wrap it all together, what I'd just felt, what had just happened between us, and how fucking close it had come to tipping into something I wasn't ready for.

Ness gave me a knowing smirk, as if she had just taken me to the edge and left me there.

I blinked a few times, still flustered. "Fuck, that was... I don't know how you... Yeah, that was definitely a pass," I finished, barely making sense of my own words.

Jules, looking way too pleased with herself, tapped her phone and pointed to me with a sly grin. "Alright, Wes," she said, "your strip dare is officially over. I think you've suffered enough for one night."

I gave her a clumsy thumbs-up, too flustered to argue. The group chuckled, and I finally let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Now," Jules said, her tone shifting to something almost mischievous, "how about we make this the final round?"

Everyone agreed, some more eagerly than others, but no one really cared enough to protest. This was the last round, and no one wanted to be left out of whatever was about to come next.

Jules leaned back with an amused glint in her eyes, holding her phone up like it was some kind of weapon. "I'll keep the dare a secret. Let's see who's going to be unlucky enough to take it."

We all drew our cards one last time, the air tense, thick with anticipation. The minutes dragged, and I could feel the unease building as Jules quickly scanned the app, the game on the verge of pushing the boundaries even more than it already had.

"Well..." she said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy, "looks like I'm the loser."

Her announcement hit with the force of a freight train. The rest of the group, wide-eyed and silent for a moment, quickly let out a mixture of laughs and shocked murmurs.

Jules wasn't one to back down, though. If anything, she was grinning like she'd just won some kind of sick game.

"Alright, Jules," Mason teased, "you're the one on the chopping block. What's the dare?"

She bit her lip and tossed a glance around the circle, looking every bit as eager for the challenge. "Strip completely naked in front of the group. Then, choose someone to give you a full-body massage. No limits. No stopping until the ten-minute timer goes off."

The words hung in the air like a challenge, and the silence was almost palpable. This was no longer just a game. This was something else entirely. Intimate, exposing, and pushing boundaries.

The group was still, the weight of the dare sinking in. Nobody said anything at first, but I could tell this would be a major turning point.

Mason broke the silence, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, I guess we're gonna have to get comfortable with this."

Jules raised an eyebrow, but there was no hesitation in her voice. "Let's do this. But can we take this inside? I'd rather not freeze my tits off."

The idea of going inside had some merit. At least, we'd be warm for what was about to go down.

"Agreed," Trey said with a chuckle, already getting up to stretch.

We all stood, and without further word, we put out the fire, the crackling embers fading into the dark as we walked inside. The living room was cozy, warm, and the dim light made the atmosphere feel even more charged.

Jules moved to the center of the room, looking around at each of us.

"Alright," she said, a little quieter now, "who's going to do it?"

The group took a moment to look at each other. No one answered right away, but it was clear that we were all taking in what had just happened. It was happening. And no one was backing out.

Trey shifted on his feet, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I mean, I'm more than happy to step up. I think I'd do a pretty solid job."

Mason immediately shot him a look. "Oh, come on. You're just gonna volunteer yourself? You're not even that great at giving massages, man. Besides, I've got the hands for it."

"Really?" Trey shot back, eyebrow raised. "You think your hands are better than mine? I've been told I give the best back rubs around."

"I know my hands are better than yours. I got the magic touch," Mason retorted, crossing his arms. "But I'm still calling dibs."

"I want in, too," Ness chimed in, laughing. "Let's just share the responsibility. It's ten minutes of massaging, you guys. I'm not gonna let either of you hog the whole thing."

"I agree," Jules added, her voice a little steadier now. I'm cool with everyone taking a turn."

The debate went on for a few more moments, but eventually, everyone just agreed that the fairest way to handle it was for each person to take two minutes.

"Perfect," Jules said with a sigh of relief, giving a slight nod. "Now, let's get this over with. Who's going first?"

We decided on the order of Trey, Ness, Cass, me, and Mason.

Jules stripped naked in the center of the room with no shame at all. Not like she needed any with her body. Holding everyone's attention, she said, "Alright, Trey. Let's get it started."

"Nice tits, Jules," Mason said. "And your ass is insane."

Jules smirked, flicking her hair back, and lying face down on the rug.

"Don't make me beg," she says, her voice muffled by the pillow.

Trey knelt beside her, rubbing his hands together like he was warming them over a fire. "You know you're my favorite," he said. He started on her shoulders, kneading his knuckles into her back, working his way down her spine. He's loose with his hands, fingers slipping to the sides of her breasts, thumbs grazing the top of her ass. He didn't hold back, digging into her muscles with enthusiasm.

Jules lets out a low groan.

"Feel good?" Trey asks, his smile audible in his voice.

"You're an asshole," she says, but she's smiling into the pillow.

"Time," Ness says, already standing.

"I'm next," Ness said, sliding next to Jules with an exaggerated sigh.

Jules rolled onto her back, exposing her tits once again to the room.

Ness winked, moving to Jules's feet. She started with just her thumbs, working them in slow circles.

"Better than Trey?"

Jules moans softly. "Miles better"

Ness grinned, leaning into it, moving her way up to Jules's calves. "You're just saying that to get me in bed."

Jules laughs, a bright, relaxed sound. "Is it working?"

"Always does," Ness said jokingly, her hands gentle but firm, fingers spreading wide, palms hot against skin. She made her way to Jules's thighs, slow and deliberate, teasing.

Jules shivered, eyes closed, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're putting him to shame."

Ness nodded, focused, her movements rhythmic, almost casual in their intimacy. "That's the plan," she says, her voice light, joyful.

Mason watched from the floor, his back against the wall, drink in hand. "This is kind of hot."

"Jealous?"

"Obviously."

Ness finished up by giving Jules a peck on the lips before getting up and making way for Cass.

When it was Cass's turn, there was a brief moment of hesitation. She approached Jules, her gaze flicking between the group and Jules herself. I could tell that Cass was always the one to hold something back, never fully revealing all of herself, never letting herself be too vulnerable in front of others. She had the confidence, but it was often tempered with an edge of control, of keeping things just out of reach.

"Cass," Jules says, her voice soft but clear, "can you do my front? And maybe pay special attention to my boobs?" A slight laugh followed, a sound like wind chimes, and Cass, cheeks flushed, nodded.

She was unsure what to do with her hands. After a brief moment of uncertainty, she gripped onto Jules's tits. A bemused smile appeared on Jules's lips as Cass began playing with Jules's tits rather than massage them. She was kneading them, pawing at them, even tracing her nipples with her fingers.

Jules's body visibly relaxed under Cass's hands, but there was something else behind the scenes. Something in the way Jules kept her eyes closed, the way her lips parted just slightly, like she was processing something deeper than just the physical relief.

Fortunately, for Cass, the timer went off. Jules then flipped over onto her stomach.

Next, it was my turn. I stood, my hands almost instinctively reaching for Jules's shoulders as I stepped closer. The air between us seemed to thicken, like there was so much unspoken in that moment. As I started, my fingers pressing carefully into her skin, I couldn't help but notice how she was still, so still, under my hands. Almost too still.

I took my time, letting the minutes stretch as I worked the muscles in her back, the weight of the previous dares hanging between us. Jules didn't seem uncomfortable anymore, but I could sense the edge of something. The way her posture held itself in place, like she was bracing for something that wasn't coming. It wasn't just the massage. It was the pressure of the situation, of the boundaries we were toeing.

I could feel her skin under my fingertips, the warmth of her body, and I was acutely aware of the tension in my own chest. There was a closeness to this, a proximity that was hard to ignore.

Finally, Mason stepped forward. I could tell the whole group was watching him closely, waiting to see how he'd approach the last part of this strange, almost intimate game. Mason had never been one to shy away from attention, but there was something different in the way he approached Jules now. Maybe it was the lingering silence that filled the room. Maybe it was the way we all seemed to hold our breath as he bent down to begin.

But as Mason's hands worked into her back, I couldn't help but notice the way his touch had a distinct sharpness to it, not as soothing or gentle as the others. It was methodical, almost impersonal. And Jules's reaction to it, her jaw tightening slightly, her shoulders tensing under his hands, was the most noticeable one yet.

She wasn't completely comfortable anymore, not like before. Her muscles were tight again, as if her body was bracing for something. Something about Mason's hands on her didn't feel as... relieving as the others. It wasn't the physical sensation. It was the emotional weight of it.

I caught a glance between Jules and Mason, and she then let out a laugh. "Mason! I can feel your boner! Get off me!" There was no seriousness to it, but the timer went off as the dare and the game came to an end.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***JULES***

The warmth from the night still hung in the air, but the game was over, and I couldn't help but feel the sense of release that came with it. No more awkward moments or forced excitement. It had been fun, chaotic, and ridiculously intense, but I was glad to be done with it.

I stood up, stretching my arms above my head, the blanket Ness tossed to me draped over my shoulders like a makeshift robe. I didn't mind the nudity. Didn't even phase me. Hell, I liked being the center of attention. But now, the blanket felt like a comforting little shield, something to hold onto as the tension of the game faded into the night.

"Well, that was... something," I said with a grin, glancing at the group, who were still chuckling about the game's most memorable moments.

Mason snorted. "Cass whispering in my ear was definitely top-tier. But, hey, nothing beats Ness's lap dance."

"I still don't know how I managed that," Ness said, rubbing her neck with a laugh, though her cheeks were tinged red.

"You totally crushed it," Trey teased.

"I don't regret any of it," I declared, letting the blanket fall around my waist, finally taking a seat back down. "Best night ever."

The others chuckled, agreeing in their own way.

We slowly started to move toward our rooms, laughter trailing behind us as the night began to wind down. No one was rushing, but there was a sense of closure to the evening. Each of us retreated to our spaces, knowing tomorrow would be just another day. But tonight... well, tonight was unforgettable.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***CASS***

Lying on the bed, I stared up at the ceiling, replaying the game over and over in my head. The laughs, the dare, the moments when the tension between us all felt almost too thick to breathe through. But there was one thing that kept creeping into my thoughts. The kiss with Trey.

I hadn't expected it to affect me like it did. Sure, we were friends, and the game was pushing us all out of our comfort zones, some more than others. But still, when his lips were on mine, it felt different. More intense. I felt more alive, more excited than the two times I had sex. That made me feel guilty, like maybe I shouldn't have enjoyed it so much. Trey and I never had that kind of tension, so why did it feel so real?

But that wasn't even what was bothering me the most. It was Wes.

I could tell he was a little off after that moment. His eyes had lingered for a second longer than usual when he looked at me after the kiss, and I could feel the shift between us. It wasn't obvious, but I knew something was different. I should've picked up on it earlier, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was... hurt? Disappointed? I couldn't even explain why I felt like that, but I just knew.

And then, when the lap dance came around and he chose Ness instead of me, I couldn't help but feel a stab of disappointment. Why not me? It had stung.

Would I have done it? Danced like Ness did? I wasn't sure I wanted to go that far yet, not in front of everyone, anyway.

The thought of Wes kept swirling in my head as I turned onto my side, pulling the blanket tight around me. I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was between us had shifted tonight. I just didn't know where it was headed. Or where I stood in all of this.

The next morning, I woke up early.

The cabin was quiet, wrapped in that early morning stillness. My head was a little foggy from the drinks.

I sat up and rubbed my face. The air was chilly, so I threw on a hoodie and padded into the hall, making my way to Jules and Ness's room. I knocked softly. No answer. When I peeked in, both were out cold. Jules was buried under the blanket, Ness starfished across the mattress like a cartoon character.

I closed the door quietly and turned toward the stairs, hesitating when I heard movement below. Cabinets. The gentle clatter of a mug.

I found Wes in the kitchen, his back to me, stirring coffee with his careful calm. He looked tired, not just physically.

"Morning," I said, trying to keep it light.

He glanced back at me, but didn't smile. "Hey."

Flat.

I felt my stomach dip. I walked a little further in and leaned against the island. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep," he said, still not looking at me. "Figured I'd make something."

I watched him in silence, unsure how to bridge this weird gap between us. Everything felt off.

So I just said it.

"I want to say something about last night."

He didn't respond. Just kept stirring.

"That kiss with Trey, it was part of the game. I didn't plan it, and I wasn't trying to..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "It was exciting, but that's all it was. It didn't mean anything."

He gave this tiny shrug like he didn't care, but I saw the tension in his jaw.

"I don't feel that way about him," I said, a little more firmly. "I never have. He's Trey. That's all."

Finally, finally, he looked at me.

And maybe it was reckless, maybe it was too much too soon, but I wasn't going to walk away from this feeling without saying it.

"I don't feel about Trey the way I feel about you."

There. It was out.

Wes didn't say anything right away. He looked at me, really looked at me, like he was trying to figure out if I meant it or if I'd take it back. I didn't blink. I wasn't going to run from it.

He set his mug down. And then, in two strides, he was standing in front of me.

"Cass," he said, his voice low. Like he wasn't sure if he was about to do something stupid or something important.

I barely had time to breathe before he leaned in and kissed me.

Soft at first. Hesitant. Like he was testing the water and bracing for the cold.

But I kissed him back.

God, did I kiss him back.

I curled my fingers into his hoodie and leaned up into him, and that was it. Whatever hesitation had been there disappeared. The kiss deepened, turning warm and urgent. My back pressed into the counter. His hand found my waist. I felt him exhale through his nose like he'd been holding it in for weeks.

We lost track of everything.

Time. Space. The quiet creaks of the cabin. All of it fell away.

All I knew was Wes's mouth on mine and how right it felt. How terrifyingly right.

When we finally pulled apart, neither of us was sure who stopped it first. We stood there. Breathing. Staring. My lips still tingled. My heart felt like it had moved into my throat.

He looked at me like he was trying to say something, but didn't know what words to use. I knew exactly how he felt.

Because the truth was, I didn't know what this meant. Or where it was going. I only knew one thing with absolute clarity. The kiss didn't answer anything. It only gave us more questions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***NESS***

I woke up with the sun sliding across the ceiling and the kind of soreness that made me grin before I opened my eyes.

Was it from the lap dance? Or getting wrecked by Trey on the hood of his car?

Probably both.

Either way, it was a good kind of sore. The kind that reminded you summer wasn't meant to be quiet.

I rolled onto my back for a minute, letting the night replay like a montage. Specifically, me grinding on Wes like it was nothing.

Because it was nothing.

Not that Wes seemed to think so at the time. The boy looked like someone had unplugged his soul and left it twitching. Cute. But I knew better to mistake wide eyes for actual interest. The lap dance had just been fun. No strings, no fallout.

Jules was still dead asleep when I swung my legs out of bed and stretched. I pulled on a t-shirt and shorts and headed down the hall, mostly for coffee but partly out of boredom.

Halfway to the stairs, I heard voices. Low, hushed ones coming from downstairs.

Cass and Wes.

I slowed instinctively. Not to eavesdrop, just to clock the tone. Cass's voice had that guilty softness to it. Wes wasn't saying much.

By the time I padded into the kitchen, Cass was standing by the counter, mug in hand, looking like she'd just stopped talking. Wes leaned against the island, his jaw tight, his eyes on his coffee like it had insulted him.

I grabbed a glass and filled it from the fridge, acting like nothing was weird.

Just three people in a kitchen, pretending nothing happened last night.

Cass didn't say anything. Wes didn't look at me. But I felt it.

It was funny. In a room with Cass and Wes, I wasn't the messy one.

"You guys sleep okay?" I asked.

"More or less," Wes replied. "You?"

"Yeah, same."

After a bit more idle chat, I excused myself to get ready. Upstairs, the house was still quiet. I took a long, hot shower, letting the water work through my shoulders and thighs. I took my time with everything. My hand moved to my vagina and I slipped a finger in, but it didn't feel the same. Trey may have ruined sex for me forever.

When I finally came back down, towel-dried hair hanging loose and smelling faintly of sunscreen and citrus, the rest of the group was already milling around.

Jules clapped her hands. "Alright, bitches. Here's the plan."

We all turned.

"There's this short hiking trail just off the road," she said. "Nothing wild, but it opens up to a clearing with a stream and some space to chill. I figured we'd pack a lunch, hang there, maybe nap in the sun. Nature vibes. Then we come back, clean up, and hit that little town for dinner."

"Cute," I said, grabbing a water bottle.

"I'm in," Trey added.

Within the hour, we were loading backpacks with sandwiches, chips, fruit, and a few barely-chilled drinks. The trail was breezy and scenic enough that no one complained. At the clearing, we laid out a few blankets, shared food, and traded memories. Jules narrating a hilarious story we had all forgotten about. The boys had a stone skipping contest.

Cass wandered off to collect wildflowers. Wes eventually joined her. I caught Jules watching them with the same thoughtful curiosity I had.

Back at the house, we sprawled across couches and rugs, still sun-warm and half-drowsy. Music played low from someone's phone. It felt like the kind of afternoon that could stretch forever.

But around six, Jules re-rallied the troops. "Dinner, remember?"

By the time we were all dressed and out the door again, the weirdness from last night had dissolved. We were once again just a group of friends. Loud, teasing, ridiculous. Our memory bank grew over dinner. Mason trying to flirt with the server who flirted with Trey. Jules dramatically rating every dish like she was a Michelin critic.

Whatever last night had stirred up hadn't broken us. If anything, it brought something unspoken to the surface. We were still here. Still together. And that counted for something.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***JULES***

By the time we got back from dinner, everyone was full and half-drunk on comfort food. The living room felt cozy in that slow, post-evening way. Blankets everywhere, someone's foot always accidentally touching someone else's, and the TV murmuring some forgettable movie none of us were watching.

Trey was sprawled out on the floor using a throw pillow for cushioning for his back. Ness sat back on one end of the couch with her legs curled under her, flipping absently through her phone. Mason had claimed the recliner, holding the remote like it made him king.

I sat in the middle, blanket tucked around my legs, sipping water and letting my eyes drift between the screen and the people around me.

Cass stood up at one point and quietly said, "I'm gonna head up."

No one questioned it. She didn't make a show of it, didn't stretch or yawn or do the fake 'I'm tired' voice. She just disappeared up the stairs.

Wes didn't move right away, but a few minutes later, right after the commercial break, like clockwork, he stood too.

"I'm gonna get some water," he mumbled.

Sure.

We all watched him walk off. He didn't head to the kitchen.

The sound of his steps creaking up the stairs was subtle, but we heard it. And then, just like that, they were both gone.

None of us said anything for a beat. Just sat there, eyes shifting. I caught Mason's glance, then Trey's, then Ness's. It wasn't awkward. It was confirmation. No one was surprised. No one made a joke.

Mason smirked like he wanted to make a joke, then thought better of it and sank back into the recliner.

The movie kept playing. Someone coughed. Outside, the crickets started up again.

I leaned back against the cushion and pulled the blanket higher over my chest.

There were so many things we could've said. But sometimes, the silence says enough.

The movie had been background noise for the longest of times. Mason was the one to finally say it.

"Alright, this movie blows," he muttered, turning the TV off without warning. "I say we skip the fake entertainment and make our own. Something less PG."

Trey lifted an eyebrow. "You mean like another game?"

Mason smirked. "Not exactly. I was thinking we could take a less detoured route. We just go around and tell the wildest sex story we've got. As crazy as you want it to be."

Ness laughed, tossing her phone aside. "Basically, an excuse to show off some of your crazy stories."

"Of course," Mason said, raising his eyebrows.

I snorted. "You're such a degenerate."

He put a hand over his heart, mock-wounded. "I'm a storyteller, Jules."

Trey sat up, intrigued now. "Alright, I'm game. But if we're doing this, someone's gotta start. And it can't be Mason. He's too eager."

Mason threw a pillow at him. "Jealousy's a bad look, bro."

I glanced between the three of them, suddenly curious. We'd done a lot this weekend, more than expected. This was different. No dares, no games, no pressure. Just a couch, some stories, and a little too much leftover tension in the air.

Ness leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Alright, screw it. I'll start. But only if you promise not to look at me differently after."

"Oh, please," I grinned. "You guys don't look at me any different after all the debauchery I've told you."

We all laughed. Honest, easy laughter.

And as Ness began her story, I leaned back with a quiet smile, already bracing myself for whatever chaos was about to unfold.

She leaned back into the couch cushion, her fingers toying with the hem of her top like she was debating how far to go. "Okay," she said, glancing between us. "This is... kind of ridiculous, but whatever."

Trey raised his brows. "That's the whole point."

She laughed under her breath. "So this was like six months ago. Right before I went home for Winter break. I was seeing this guy, more like a situationship with a countdown. We're at his place, his parents are out of town, and things are getting kind of hot..."

I grinned. This already felt promising.

Ness's smile tilted, wicked now. "We're hooking up in his bedroom, clothes are coming off, it's great, I'm on the brink of cumming, until he stops. He says, dead serious, 'You ever done it on a yoga ball?'"

That made Mason bark out a laugh. "Wait. What?"

"Yeah," Ness said, hands raised like even she couldn't believe it. "He had one of those giant stability balls. One of those you see at a rehab clinic or a gym. Apparently, this was a bucket list thing for him."

I blinked, biting down on a smile. "Did you do it?"

"I wouldn't be telling this story if I didn't," Ness said, nodding slowly. "Except no one tells you that sex on a yoga ball is so much harder than it sounds. You need core strength. Balance. The flexibility of a Cirque du Soleil performer."

We all cracked up at that.

"We tried to make it hot, but I kept bouncing off him. And the ball made this horrible squeaking noise the whole time."

I covered my mouth, trying not to choke on laughter. "Please tell me you gave up."

"Oh, we powered through," Ness said proudly. "I was not about to get out-bounced. But yeah, my body hurt for three days."

"What positions did you do?" Trey asked, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.

"We did our best version of missionary, doggy, and cowgirl. Whatever it is, we both came a lot."

I shook my head, still laughing. "Was that a one-time thing?"

"Nope, happened one more time," Ness said, smirking. "The ball popped through. We fucked a little too hard. Tragic accident."

The four of us were still recovering from that one when Mason sat forward, eyes gleaming. "Alright, alright. Great start. I'm gonna up it, though."

I leaned back into the cushion, still smiling, bracing for whatever nonsense Mason was about to unleash.

He sat back with a smirk that screamed trouble.

"Alright," he said, glancing between us. "Y'all want unhinged? I got one. It wasn't love. It wasn't romance. It was pure chaos. In the university gym."

"Oh god," I muttered.

"She was a gymnast," Mason continued, holding up a hand like he needed that fact to land the weight. "Full scholarship. National-level. Could fold herself in half like origami."

Ness cackled.

"We'd been messing around for a while. Late-night texts, flirting, you know. But one night, she hits me up out of nowhere and goes, 'Meet me at the gym.'"

I blinked. "That's either really sexy or deeply threatening."

"Both," Mason grinned. "I show up, the place is closed obviously, but she's got the master key from her coach. Lights are dim, and music is playing from a portable speaker. She's barefoot, in these tight compression shorts and a sports bra, already stretching like she's warming up for a meet."

"Was this seduction or a competition?" Ness asked.

"Again, both," Mason answered. "She pulls out a springboard, pats it, and says, 'Lie down on the mat. Let's try something acrobatic."

He paused, eyes gleaming. "Now... I don't know if you've ever had sex while someone is literally performing a routine, but let me tell you, it's a religious experience."

Trey raised a brow. "Wait, you were on the floor?"

"On the mat. She runs at me, full speed, does a roundoff, lands straddling my chest, giggling like it's a game. She kisses me, then rolls forward into a handstand with her legs on my shoulders."

Ness was staring at him like he was speaking tongues.

"She lowers herself slowly while upside down, her face inches from mine, and just says, 'Don't move.' And then, she slides down. Onto me. While still upside down."

"Oh my god," I said, completely stunned, struggling to visualize it.

"It was like doing it inside a live-action Cirque du Soleil, to quote Ness. She used the uneven bars to spin, flipped off them, and landed on the beam in a split. Mid-sex. Like, who even does that?"

"You're lying," Trey said, even though he sounded like he half-believed it.

"No, I am not. She finished on the pommel horse. Literally, mounted it. Told me to hold her waist from behind while she grinded."

"And you did?" Ness whispered.

"Like my life depended on it."

We were all losing it. Ness was doubled over, Trey was shaking his head in awe, and I couldn't breathe through the laughter.

"But here's the kicker," Mason added, holding up a finger. "After we were done, she just walked over to the vault, vaulted over me naked, stuck the landing, and said, 'Gold medal performance,' Then left."

Trey clapped. "Legend."

"She gave me shin splints and an identity crisis," Mason said proudly. "Best workout of my life."

We were still reeling when Ness finally waved a hand through the air like she was trying to clear smoke.

"Okay, hold up," she said, trying not to laugh. "There's no way that's real. You expect us to believe some bendy Olympic-lite chick just flipped onto your dick? You're telling me she did a roundoff into sex?"

"Yes."

"Mid handstand?"

"Correct."

She wasn't letting it go. "You know how insane this sounds, right? It sounds like straight-up erotica fanfiction with no imagination."

Mason grinned. "She was a reserve on the U. S. Olympic team, Ness."

That shut us up for a second.

"No way," I said, watching him closely for any breaks. "For real?"

He shrugged like it wasn't the craziest flex ever. "She didn't make the final cut for Tokyo, but was on the shortlist. Got the letter and everything."

We all just looked at each other for a second, then dissolved into laughter again. Even Ness cracked a smile, even if she still clearly didn't believe a word of it.

I swirled the drink in my hand, knowing it was my turn next. "Okay, so all you know I started volunteering at that arts foundation, right?"

A few nods.

"Well, there's this donor. Let's call him Mr. C. Mid-50s, sophisticated, soft-spoken, the type who knows his way around. We didn't flirt exactly, but there was tension. So, after this big arts gala, he asks if I can help him with something in a private room. And I know what that means. I'm not naive."

I took a sip, letting the beat hang before I added, "I went."

Now they were all paying attention.

"It was quiet. Dim. He closed the door and said nothing. Just walked up, looked me over like I was art. We started slow. He barely touched me, but it felt like a full-body experience. We kissed. He had his hand in my hair."

I smiled to myself. "He undid my dress, turned me around, and bent me over some antique table. Everything about him was deliberate. No rushing. He made me feel like I was on display, in a good way."

I gauged the room, and all of them were invested. "And then, as we're having sex, the door opens. Another donor walks in casually. Younger, probably late 30s. Kind of cocky. He sees us and asks, 'Mind if I watch?'"

That got a few raised eyebrows.

"But Mr. C doesn't even blink. He's still going and says, 'It's up to you.' I glance back, and I'm like, yeah. Sure."

I chuckled. "We keep going. And when Mr. C finishes, slow and intense, he kisses me and tells me I'm the best fuck he's ever had. Dead serious."

Someone muttered something under their breath. I didn't stop.

"And the second guy? He's standing now, and he goes 'Mind if I have a go?' And Mr. C looks at me again. Same vibe. 'It's your choice.' I said yes."

Trey looked like he was trying not to blink. Scared he might miss something if he did.

"Totally different style," I said. "Mr. C was a soft jazz, candlelight dinner. The second guy was loud music and sticky club floors. Fast. Handsy. No finesse, just raw desire. Like he was testing me to see what I could take."

I glanced around at them, grinning. "It was hot. Chaotic. My legs were shaking during and after. In a good way."

Trey cleared his throat. "Okay... I have a question. I don't know if I should ask it, though."

I tilted my head. "Try me."

"If they'd asked to... You know, both, at once. What would you have said?"

I held his stare. "If they asked? I would've said yes."

He blinked, then gave a slow nod. Nothing else.

I sat back, satisfied. "Also? They offered me a summer job whenever I wanted. And before this trip, they introduced me to another board member. We hooked up in his car. That was the sole purpose of the meetup."

Ness made a sound, sort of a laugh-sigh. "You're actually unreal."

I shrugged, finishing off the rest of my drink. "I don't bluff."

I was still grinning, warm from the drink, and even warmer from retelling the story. My legs were crossed, but I shifted in my seat slightly, the couch squeaking beneath me.

"Okay," I said, lifting a brow at the others. "Am I the only one who's kinda turned on right now?"

Ness raised her hand. "Nope. I'm wet wet." She gave me a lazy smile. "Honestly, I've been low-key squirming since the gymnastics story."

I laughed, biting the inside of my cheek. "Right? I didn't know we all had this kind of heat to tell. But now I'm over here like, do I take care of myself real quick?"

Mason leaned forward. "I mean, we're all adults. Nothing wrong with a little arousal, but some of us can still keep it together." He said in his usual cocky-dry tone.

Ness rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. I can see you're pitching a tent so obviously."

Mason's smirk twitched. "It's the blanket, thank you very much."

"Uh-huh," I said, refilling my drink. "Sure it is."

He chuckled, adjusting how he was sitting. "Trey, you're last one up. Don't let us end on a bummer."

Trey leaned forward and rubbed his hands like he was warming up for a performance. "Alright, alright. Y'all want something wild, let me bless you with something."

He cleared his throat before he began. "Freshman spring, around midterms. My reputation had... escalated. I wasn't even trying, but somehow the phrase 'Trey Throne has God-tier dick' was floating around campus, especially among the girls."

"Modest," I muttered, already grinning.

"I'm just reporting the fact," he said, straight-faced. "So one afternoon, I get two DMs. Two girls. Identical profile pics. I think it's a scam at first. But then they send a video."

Mason raised an eyebrow. "Of...?"

Trey smirked. "Them. In cheer uniforms. Matching ponytails. Perfectly in sync. They said they wanted to see if the rumors were true. And then they give a quick flash."

Ness blinked. "Wait, twins?"

"Twins," he confirmed. "They were from a rival school. They were nearby and said they had one free night, and an opening for a 'practical performance test.' I swear to God, their words."

I let out a low whistle. "You met them?"

"Damn right I did," he answered. "Hotel near campus. I get there, they're already in uniform, stretching. Like full splits and toe touches."

Mason groaned. "Bro."

"I walk in, and it's like they rehearsed it. One of them pulls out a measuring tape. Says they need to verify if the rumors are exaggerated."

Ness dropped her head into her hands, laughing. "You are not serious."

"Oh, I am," Trey said proudly. "She measured me. The other took notes on her phone. I asked if I should be worried. They said only if I was scared of a good time."

I shook my head. "You were treated like a science project."

"Yeah," Trey said, completely unfazed. "But a really fun one. We tried different positions, each twin getting a go. One was more dominant, the other was the instigator. They kept whispering to each other about who was better."

Ness, now blushing but leaning in anyway, asked, "Did they get competitive?"

"It was definitely a competition between them," he said. "Each round had a 'winner.' One got points for making me moan, the other for how quick she made me cum. We ended on the floor at one point, one twin riding my dick, the other riding my face."

I clutched my side. "You're lying."

"Swear on everything," he said. "It was gymnastic. Athletic. I didn't know which muscles I pulled until the next morning."

Mason shook his head, trying not to smile. "So, what happened at the end?"

"They gave me a score. 9.7 out of 10. Disappointed I didn't cum after 6 rounds of sex."

Ness howled. "You're kidding! Was it worth it?"

He shrugged, grinning. "Every pulled muscle. Every point deduction. I'd do it again tomorrow."

Mason wiped a tear from his eye. "You're actually a menace."

Trey raised his glass.

The room was buzzing. Not just from laughter, but from stories still hanging in the air, thick with heat and shared glances.

I hadn't meant to let the thought slip out, but when Trey mentioned the measuring tape, something in me lit up. Old curiosity reigniting.

"Speaking about rumors," I said, eyes narrowing at him. "Back in high school. I didn't know if it was real or just guys hyping each other up."

Trey looked smug. "Told you. My rep preceded me."

Ness looked at me. "You heard the rumors?"

"Everyone did," I said with a shrug, still eyeing Trey. "I always wondered if they were true."

"Well, now you know they are," said Trey.

"I don't know," I said, tilting my head. "The twins could've been exaggerating. You could be lying."

Before Trey could reply, Mason scoffed from his recliner. "Please. If we're talking dick sizes, mine is bigger."

Trey turned toward him, amused. "Bro, with all due respect, you're not."

Mason stood up. "Why not have a proper comparison?"

Ness choked on her drink. "Are you two seriously about to have a dick-off?"

"I'm just saying," Mason said, gesturing between them. "We've all been tossing stories around, but let's not pretend like Trey's got some unchallenged throne."

"You want to make it a contest?" Trey asked, clearly amused now, jaw shifting like he was ready to rise to the challenge.

Mason pointed between Ness and me. "Let the girls be the judge. You two up for it?"

I raised an eyebrow, heart racing a little. "Wait, you want us to decide?"

Trey shrugged, confident as ever. "Only fair way to settle it."

I looked at Ness. She looked just as caught off guard, but intrigued.

"You're actually serious?" I asked them both, trying to hold back a grin.

Mason, eyes gleaming, said, "Dead serious. What's it going to be, ladies? You judging?"

I sat back and gave Mason a long, exaggerated once-over. Then did the same to Trey. "You're both really going to put yourselves on the line like that?"

Treu just spread his arms. "Hey, I've got nothing to hide."

Mason smirked. "The only thing I'm worried about is one of you fainting from awe."

Beside me, Ness laughed. "God, you two are so full of yourselves."

"Are we wrong?" Mason asked.

Ness looked at me. I could already tell we were both thinking the same thing. How ridiculous this was, how hot it had gotten so quickly, how neither of us wanted to back down.

I bit the inside of my cheek, then gave a small nod. "Screw it. Drop your pants, boys!"

Ness nodded.

Mason rubbed his hands together.

Trey gave me a look that sent a slow heat crawling up my neck. "Guess we're doing this."

"Guess so," I said, feeling my pulse in my ears.

I couldn't tear my eyes away as Trey and Mason stood there, their pants pooled around their ankles, baring it all in the dim glow of the cabin's light.

Trey's cock, fuck, it was a goddamn monster. A full twelve inches of raw, veiny power, thick as well, swinging heavy between his thighs.

Mason wasn't far behind, maybe nine inches, but the girth on him was wider than I'd ever imagined a cock could be.

Both of them made my breath hitch. My heart slammed against my ribs, heat creeping up my neck as I glanced at Ness beside me. Her lips were parted, eyes wide as saucers, a faint flush staining her cheeks, her fingers twitching against her thighs.

She let out a whistle, breaking the charged silence, her voice a little shaky but laced with awe. "Holy shit, both of you! Unreal." Her legs crossed tightly, and I could feel the tension radiating off her.

I nodded, swallowing hard, my mouth dry as I forced myself to speak. "Yeah, Trey, you've got the length. No contest. But Mason, fuck, that thickness? That's a point for you."

We stared for a while longer before giving our final verdict.

"Mason, don't feel bad, okay? You're still packing serious heat."

He smirked, scratching the back of his neck, a mix of pride and playful defeat. "Guess, I'll take second place. Still not bad, right?"

Trey just grinned, cocky as hell, giving his hips a little shake that made his massive dick sway, and I felt my core clench at the sight.

Ness turned to me, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Jules, I don't know about you, but I'm fucking soaked right now."

Her confession sent a jolt straight between my legs, my arousal undeniable as I squeezed my thighs together as if that would help.

We looked at each other, a wicked spark passed between us, and I knew we were both teetering on the edge of something dangerous.

The silence was shattered when Mason's voice cut through, low and rough, dripping with audacity. "So, ladies, gonna help us out with these hard-ons?"

My heart slammed even harder against my chest as I flicked my eyes to Ness.

Her lips parted, a silent gasp, but the hunger in her stare mirrored mine.

Without a word, we moved, drawn like moths to flame. Me toward Mason's thick, throbbing cock, and Ness toward Trey's monstrous length. Each step felt heavier, the cabin's dim glow licking at our skin.

I watched Ness peel off her sweater first, the fabric sliding over her flushed skin, revealing the black lace bra clinging to her curves. My fingers tugged at my shirt, letting it drop to the floor.

Ness kicked off her jeans next, her hips swaying enough to make Trey groan under his breath, and I followed suit, shimmying out of my shorts, feeling the heat of anticipation.

Every piece of clothing shed felt like a barrier crumbling, the distance between us shrinking until I could smell the musk of Mason's arousal. My bra hit the ground, nipples hardening under his stare, and I saw Ness slide her thong down her thighs, leaving her bare and glistening.

I dropped to my knees before Mason, the rough wooden floor biting into my skin, but I didn't care. His cock loomed, thick and veiny, a challenge I couldn't resist.

Ness knelt in front of Trey beside me, her breath hitching as she reached out, her fingers trembling just inches from his massive shaft.

The light caught the sheen of Mason's chest, every muscle taut, waiting, and I felt my body pulse with need, wet and aching between my thighs. My hand hovered, then gripped the base of his girth. A low, guttural grunt escaped his lips, echoing in the cabin.

I leaned forward, my lips brushing his swollen head, tasting the salty bead of precum before taking him in, inch by thick inch. My tongue swirled along the underside, feeling every ridge, every pulse, as his hips twitched with barely restrained need.

The wet, sloppy sounds of my mouth working him filled the cabin.

I couldn't help but steal a glance at Ness. Her head bobbed eagerly over Trey's monstrous length, her hands gripping his thighs, cheeks hollowed with effort as she sucked him deep, her eyes half-lidded with lust. The sight of her, so fucking shameless, sent a fresh wave of heat through me. My pussy clenching as I doubled down, taking Mason deeper until he hit the back of my throat, gagging just enough to make my eyes water.

His hands tangled in my hair, not pushing, just holding.

"Fuck, Jules, just like that." His voice spurred me on, my lips tightening, sucking harder.

Another quick look at Ness, and she was a mess. Hair wild, moaning around Trey's cock. "Gluck, gluck." Her hands stroked what she couldn't fit in her mouth.

"That's it, Ness, choke on it. Fucking love that sound." Trey rasped, his voice thick with lust.

I felt Mason's control shatter, his cock pulsing violently against my tongue, and with a ragged groan, he came hard, spilling hot and thick cum into my mouth. His grip on my hair held me in place as I swallowed every drop.

In the background, Ness's choked gasps and Trey's grunted curses built a filthy symphony around us.

Mason's chest heaved as pulled back slightly, his spent cock slipping from my lips, a thing string of cum and saliva connecting us for a fleeting, obscene moment.

He walked backwards and sat down on the couch. I sauntered over to him. His cock somehow already standing proud once again. I grab it roughly, feeling the heat pulse in my hand as I stroke it fast, my breath hitching with that familiar impatient need.

"Fuck, you're big," I mutter. My pussy was wet and throbbing. I ignored the moans and slurping sounds from Ness and Trey across the room.

I straddled him without waiting, slamming down onto his shaft with a sharp gasp, the stretch burning deliciously as I rode him hard. My hips grinding in furious circles, each thrust making me grunt in annoyance at how good it feels.

Mason's hands clutch my tits, squeezing them hard, and I lean in, biting his lip as I whisper, "Is that all you've got?"

I glanced over at Ness to see her bouncing on Trey. "Oh yes, fuck me harder!"

The room was filled with wet slaps of skin on skin, my body trembling as I ground deeper, feeling every inch of him hit that spot inside me, building to an explosive climax. My pussy clenched around him tightly, my nails digging into his shoulder as waves of pleasure crash over me, forcing out a moan.

Trey's grunts and Ness's screams just faded out into the background.

I slid off of him, thinking we would be taking a break, but I was wrong. He grabbed me, spun me around, and bent me over the sofa. Ass in the air, exposed and eager.

He rammed into my from behind, his cock plunging deep into my soaked pussy, each thrust slamming me forward with brutal force, making me gasp. "Fuck. Harder."

The sofa creaked under us as he pounded away, his hands gripping my hips like vices.

I looked over my shoulder, catching sight of Trey and Ness. He had her flipped upside down in a piledriver, her legs hooked over his shoulders, her body folded almost in half on the floor, ass up and head down. He drove into her from above, letting gravity pull him deeper into her with every downward stroke. Her face contorted in a mix of good pain and ecstasy as she yelped, "Oh God, yes!"

Suddenly, I felt empty. He had pulled out of me.

His voice was gruff and demanding. "I want to cum on your face." HIs cock still slick and throbbing in his hand.

Trey, overheard, paused his thrusting into Ness, and chimed in with a smirk, "Yeah, me too."

I rolled my eyes at the cliche, but proceeded to get on my knees anyway, right in the middle of the room. Ness dropped down beside me, our bodies still flush and sweaty from the frenzy.

The boys towered over us, stroking their hard cocks furiously. The room filled with the slick, wet sounds of their self-pleasuring.

I looked up at Mason, my expression bored, but my heart racing.

"Fuck, almost there," he said through gritted teeth.

Then it happened, they both erupted. Mason first, shooting thick ropes of cum across my face in hot, sticky bursts. The warm fluid splattered my cheeks and lips.

Trey aimed his load at Ness, similarly spraying over her, groans escaping them both.

Ness and I locked eyes through the haze, a spark of unexpected connection hitting us, and without a word, we leaned in and kissed deeply. Our lips pressed together hungrily, tasting the saltiness and sharing a silent, dramatic acknowledgement of the wild night.

By some unspoken signal, Ness and I finally stood up. My legs felt wobbly, warm, and a little numb. I glanced once more at the boys on the couch. Neither of them said anything, but Mason gave me a slow, knowing nod. Trey raised two fingers in a lazy peace sign.

We padded upstairs without a word, footsteps quiet on the wooden steps. The hallway felt cooler than the living room. Ness nudged the bathroom door, and I followed her in, letting it click shut behind us.

Ness turned on the water without asking. We didn't need to ask anymore. I leaned against the counter while she stepped in. I followed, the water hot and immediate, rushing over us like it could wash away the weight of what we'd done.

But there wasn't any weight. Just sensation clinging to my skin. A buzz I couldn't shake.

She didn't say anything at first. Just stood under the stream with her eyes closed, head tilted back, like she was letting it sink in. I reached for the body wash and lathered some into my hands, scrubbing slow circles over my arms, stomach, my thighs. Washing away the thick mess Mason had left on me.

"I still can't believe that actually happened," Ness said after a minute, voice barely audible over the water.

I laughed, low and soft. "I know. I keep thinking we're gonna wake up and realize none of it was real."

She opened one eye, looking at me. "But you're not freaking out."

I shook my head. "Are you?"

A pause. Then she shrugged. "I thought I would. But I'm not. I don't know. I feel weirdly okay. Like... proud of us?"

I smiled at that. "Same."

As we stepped out and wrapped ourselves in towels, I caught our reflection in the mirror. Damp hair, flushed skin, eyes a little dazed but clear. We looked like girls who had crossed some invisible line together and were standing on the other side, unsure of what came next. But not scared of it either.

We headed back to our room and climbed into the big bed, our damp limbs tangled under the blankets. No more words. Just breathe, and the soft sound of the fan spinning overhead.

I was just about to drift off when Ness shifted beside me. "There's something I should probably tell you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah?"

"That wasn't the first time I fucked Trey. We did it on the ride up here."

I didn't flinch. Didn't tense up or sit up. I smiled to myself. "Good night, Ness."

"Night, Jules."

And then we slept. Side by side. Still warm from everything.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***CASS***

I woke up to golden light seeping through the windows, soft and hazy. The cabin was quiet, peaceful.

Last night had been exactly what I needed.

Wes came up to my room after I texted him. Nothing intense happened. We just lay there, curled up under the blanket, our limbs tangled and warm. I told him I wasn't ready for anything more, and he didn't even flinch. He just held me, like it was natural.

We talked for a long time. One of those late-night conversations that drifted between topics. There was a weightlessness to it, like we were graduating beyond a friendship to something more. And for the first time in my life, I felt like I didn't have to brace for heartbreak.

Now, the morning air was cool against my skin as I sat up. Everything from last night lingered like a warmth I didn't want to shake off. I stretched and glanced at the door.

Wes had left just before sunrise, after I gently woke him. I didn't want any weird questions or assumptions from the other. People loved to talk, especially when it involved two people who had not-so-secret feelings for each other.

I pulled on a sweater and made my way to the door, still yawning. I padded downstairs, embracing the quietness.

The living room was a mess of blankets and pillows, but not a soul in sight. The four of them were probably knocked out cold after going heavy on the drinks last night.

I grabbed a glass of water, then peeked into the hallway just in case, but nope. Dead asleep. No movement. No voices. Nothing.

Back in the kitchen, I pulled myself up onto the counter, sipping slowly, legs swinging beneath me. My phone buzzed softly beside me.

Wes: You up?

I smiled and quickly replied.

Cass: Yeah come down

A couple of minutes later, I heard his steps on the stairs. He looked half-asleep, his hair rumpled. He gave me a sleepy smile that made my chest flutter, and without saying anything, walked over and sat on the counter beside me.

He bumped his knee against mine gently. I bumped back.

Eventually, he tilted his head. "Looks like the others won't wake up any time soon? Wanna do something? Just us?"

I blinked. "Like a date?"

He shrugged. "Yeah."

I giggled and hopped off the counter. "Alright. Let's do it."

The morning air was crisp, and I tugged my sweater tighter around me as Wes and I walked side by side down the gravel path. Neither of us had said much, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The quiet felt earned after everything that's happened this trip so far. Just being near him was enough.

The town was barely waking up. A couple of storefronts were opening. Someone swept the sidewalk in front of an antique shop. It all felt like a movie set. Quiet, sleepy, a little too quaint.

We found a coffee shop tucked away in secrecy. It was tiny and warm, with wooden beams, soft lighting, and the kind of smell that made you want to stay forever. We ordered lattes and agreed to split a blueberry muffin. As he waited for the order, I picked out a corner table by the front window.

He came to the table, lattes and muffin in hand.

Wes took a bite of the muffin and grinned like an idiot. "This is insanely good."

I smiled.

We sipped in silence for a second, watching a dog try to drag its owner into the bakery across the street. Then Wes leaned back in his chair. "This is nice," he said simply.

I nodded, brushing crumbs off my fingers. "It's weird how normal it feels. Like it shouldn't after that game."

"Maybe it's just us," he said. "Maybe we're the normal part."

That made me pause. I liked the way that sounded. Easy. Certain. Like we didn't need a big moment to define what we were.

Later, we wandered through the town, poking our heads into shop windows, talking in circles about nothing important. He tried on a beaded bracelet just long enough to complain about not having the wrists for accessories.

I rolled my eyes, laughing as I walked off.

Eventually, we found a quiet park and sat on a creaky old bench by a pond. I leaned into him, his arm stretched casually behind me, and let my eyes drift shut for a second.

With Wes, everything felt simple.

By the time we made it back to the cabin, the sun had climbed higher, burning off the chill. My coffee cup was empty, my legs pleasantly sore from walking, and Wes's hand had found my mind somewhere along the way and just stayed there.

The front door creaked when we stepped inside, and the air was still warm and a little heavy. Just the soft hum of the fridge and the sound of our shoes on the wood.

"Well, look who finally decided to come back," a voice called.

I looked over and saw Jules, curled up on the couch, hair piled into a messy bun, a mug in her hands. Her legs were tucked underneath her, and she had that lazy, smug expression.

Wes glanced at me, his ears already turning red. "We just, uh, went for coffee."

She tilted her head, clearly amused. "Sure. And accidentally wandered into a meet-cute while you were at it?"

I could feel my face heating up. "It wasn't like that."

"Right," she said, smiling into her mug. "Totally normal to come back glowing."

Wes let out a quiet breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "We were just walking around."

Jules nodded slowly, drawing it out. "Mhm. Must've been some walk."

I bit down a smile and tugged Wes toward the stairs. "Okay, we're done here."

As we passed her, Jules called out, not even looking up. "Glad you guys had a good morning."

There was no malice in it. Just a simple observation. She didn't say anything else, and honestly, I was grateful for that.

We barely made it into my room before I shut the door behind us and leaned back against it, trying to hold in a laugh. Wes looked over at me, his smile pulling wide, and suddenly we were both laughing like idiots.

"Okay," I whispered, voice still caught in that half-laugh. "That felt like getting caught sneaking in past curfew."

He dropped down onto the edge of the bed, still smiling. "Honestly? I think we did."

I crossed the room and sat next to him, our shoulders brushing. There was something weirdly comforting in how nervous we both were. It made it more real. Whatever this was between us wasn't just in my head.

"She didn't even really say anything," I said.

"She didn't have to," he replied, looking over at me.

We sat there in a quiet kind of buzz, the way kids do after their first dance or their first time holding hands at a movie theater. My chest felt light. My fingers ached to reach for his, but I didn't want to rush it.

He nudged his knee against mine. "So... we're a couple now?"

I rolled my eyes playfully but couldn't hide the blush creeping up my neck. "Guess so."

We were official. No publicity. No posts. In a quiet, just-us kind of way.

The uncertainty from a few seconds before no longer existed. I inched my hand across the space between us. My fingers brushed his, tentative, until he turned his palm to meet mine. Our hands fit together easily.

He glanced at me.

I met his eyes, and for a second, neither of us said anything. Then, without really deciding to, we both leaned in. Our lips met softly, unhurried. It wasn't about heat or urgency. Just closeness.

When we pulled back, I let out a quiet breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. He gave me a small smile, thumb brushing against mine where our hands were still laced together.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***JULES***

Footsteps creaked down the stairs, slow and uneven. It was Trey.

"Morning," he mumbled as he stepped into view, cracking his back. His eyes squinted from the light coming through the windows.

"Morning," I offered back, casually. I stayed where I was on the couch, legs tucked under, blanket pulled tight. He wandered toward the kitchen, yawning as he opened the fridge and poked around without much urgency.

It was weird how normal it all felt. Like this could've been any other morning. Like four of us hadn't just had the craziest sexual experiences of our lives.

"Sleep okay?" I asked after a beat, my voice lighter than I felt.

He pulled out a carton of orange juice and watered it into his mouth. "Yeah," he said. "Didn't even toss around. You?"

"Same."

A pause. The kind that wasn't awkward but still carried something in it.

He leaned against the counter, scratching absently at his arm. "Are we the only ones awake?"

"No. Cass and Wes went out for a walk earlier and just got back."

He raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. He grabbed a granola bar from the pantry and wandered into the recliner near me, dropping into it with a soft grunt.

I watched him for a second, the silence stretching out again. I could feel the question bubbling up before I even knew I was going to ask it.

"So, last night?"

He looked at me, chewing. "Yeah?"

"What do you think?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but the edge in my voice snuck in.

"I dunno. It was chill."

Chill?

That word sat wrong. I couldn't explain why, not really. Maybe because it hadn't felt 'chill' to me at all. It had been intense, vulnerable, and beautiful in this raw, messy way. And hearing him sum it up like it was another one of his conquests stung.

I didn't say anything. Just nodded, lips pressing into a neutral line.

"Didn't think too much of it," he added, like he could feel the weight of my silence. "It happened. It was good. Not trying to overthink it."

"Right," I said, keeping my tone breezy. "Makes sense."

He didn't catch the shift in my voice. Or if he did, he didn't let on. He kicked up the recliner and closed his eyes, about to drift back to sleep as the sun warmed his skin.

I sat there, trying to stay calm, but the calm had begun to disappear.

"Seriously?" I blurted, the words slipping out sharper than intended. "Chill?"

Trey cracked his eyes open, a frown starting to form. "What?"

I tossed the blanket off my legs and stood up, heat rising in my chest. "You just called last night, chill."

He blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Jules, I didn't mean it like..."

"No," I cut in, standing now. "You don't get to shrug it off like that. Like it was nothing. Like it was just another hookup with one of your sluts."

He stayed quiet, eyes following me warily, like I might attack him. I wasn't planning to, but I wouldn't rule it out either.

"You and Mason sprayed your cum all over Ness and me like we were nothing but cheap whores," I went on, voice rising. "You remember that? Does that even fucking register with you?"

His mouth opened, but I kept going.

"You guys fucked us senseless. That was the horniest and most depraved thing any of us had done. And you're calling it chill?"

He exhaled hard, standing now too. "I was trying not to overcomplicate it."

"Well, congrats," I snapped. "Mission accomplished."

The silence that followed buzzed. Not empty. Not calm. Full of tension.

He ran a hand through his dreads, suddenly less sure of himself. "I didn't mean it like that," he said, voice lower. "I just didn't know what the hell to call it."

"You certainly don't call it chill," I said emphatically.

"I thought we were all on the same page. That it wasn't a thing, like no strings attached. No weird fallout."

"Look, I know it wasn't romantic," I said, calmer, but still heated. "I'm not asking for you guys to take us out to candlelight dinners or anything like that. But acknowledge what happened last night."

He let out a long breath, rubbing his temple. "Yeah, I get it. Sorry, my bad for calling it chill."

"Well," I muttered, grabbing the throw blanket and folding it harder than necessary, "maybe next time, don't fuck your close friends if you're planning on it being nothing special."

I walked upstairs into my room, jaw tight, and heart pounding.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

***NESS***

I was half-asleep when the door flung open and slammed shut just as quickly.

I blinked, groggy. "Jules?"

She didn't answer right away. Just let out a frustrated exhale and paced around the room for a minute.

"What happened?" I asked, sitting up and pushing my hair out of my face.

She dropped onto the edge of her bed, hands tangled in the blanket. "Trey," she muttered.

"What about him?"

Her head snapped toward me, eyes sharp with disbelief. "He said last night was chill. Like we didn't just do something that might've changed the entire dynamic of our group."

I blinked. "Wait... chill? He actually said that?"

She nodded, lips pressed into a tight line.

Okay. That was dumb of him.

"Damn," I muttered, rubbing my eyes. "I mean, I get why that hit you wrong. It hit me wrong, and I'm hearing it through you."

She didn't say anything, just started tying and untying knots with the corner of the blanket.

I hesitated. "Look, I'm not defending him, okay? But I don't think he meant it dismissively. Guys do that thing where they act casual when they're trying not to freak out."

She shot me a look.

I held up a hand. "Not saying it's the right move. Just maybe he's trying to protect himself from overthinking it. The way we all are."

Jules's shoulders softened a little. Barely.

"I mean," I went on gently, you're right. It wasn't just casual. It was something. Even if we didn't label it. But I also don't think he's walking around without a clue. He probably just said the wrong thing at the worst possible time."

She didn't answer, but the tightness in her jaw eased just a fraction.

"You want me to talk to him?" I offered.

She shook her head. "No. I just need a minute."

I nodded.

I padded out of the room in my tank top and down the stairs.

The smell of coffee hit me before I hit the bottom step. Mason was leaning against the counter, sipping from a mug. Trey sat at the table, head in his hands, knowing he fucked up.

They both looked up when they heard me.

"How is she? Trey asked, voice low.

I poured myself a cup before answering. "She's fine," I said, meeting his eyes. "But she's gonna need some time to cool off."

He nodded slowly, as if he already knew that, yet still hated it anyway.

Mason passed me the creamer, his gaze drifting to my chest with a playful smirk. "Gotta say, your boobs are looking damn amazing in that tank top, especially braless."

I snorted.

He chuckled softly, adding, "Just trying to brighten up the morning a bit."

The day was already halfway over by the time we admitted it had started. The vibe in the cabin was quiet, like everyone agreed without saying it that we were all a little worn out.

I sat curled on the couch, nursing my second mug of coffee. Mason was nearly passed out in a chair. Cass and Wes sat nearby, a little closer than normal.

Jules hadn't come down.

"We should stay in today," I said. "Movies, takeout, no plans."

Everyone nodded. No pushback. No debate.

"Cool," Mason mumbled without opening his eyes.

Wes grabbed the remote and flipped through options until we landed on something easy, an old comfort movie. Trey didn't say much throughout the day.

I texted Jules.

Ness: Watching a movie. Come down if u want

No response.

We ordered Thai food that showed up a while later. We passed cartons around, made fun of Mason for not being able to handle any spice, and settled in.

Cass eventually leaned into Wes, subtle and quiet, like it was second nature now. He didn't move.

No big sendoff. No wild last-night energy. Just a slow, quiet wrap-up.

Almost like we were returning to ourselves, just a different version.

The morning air was crisp, and everything was damp with dew. I stretched out my arms, yawning as I stepped onto the porch. Everyone was already in some stage of packing up. Doors slamming, bags being dragged, and car trunks popping open.

"Okay," I said, clapping my hands once to get everyone's attention. "Let's switch it up for the ride home."

Mason looked up from strapping the cooler into the back of his trunk. "Switch it up how?"

"I'm thinking..." I pointed. "You, me, Trey, and Jules in your truck. Wes and Cass can take Trey's car."

Cass glanced up from loading a bag, eyes meeting Wes's. Neither said anything right away, but I saw it.

"I like that plan," Cass said quietly, brushing hair out of her face.

"Same," Wes added.

Jules, standing by the porch railing with her arms crossed, gave me a look. "Really?"

I stared right back at her, making it clear I wasn't going to back down.

She sighed. "Alright. Whatever works."

Cass gave me a small smile as she walked towards Trey's car.

And just like that, the seating plan was settled.

I purposefully slid into the front next to Mason. I glanced back at Trey and Jules in the backseat. It was quiet. The silence between them was loud, but controlled so far. Not dramatic, just restrained.

We'd been driving for a while, fields and empty roads blurring past the windows, the music low and mostly ignored. No one had said much since we left the cabin. Just a few mumbled comments about gas stations and playlists. The tension in the truck was like static in the air.

I shifted in my seat, then reached forward and turned the music off completely.

Mason glanced over at me. "Everything good?"

"We should probably talk about that night," I said.

A beat of silence followed. Then Jules let out a sharp, humorless laugh from the backseat.

"You mean Trey's chill night?" she said, the word practically dripping.

Trey exhaled hard, his head leaning back against the seat. "Jules..."

"No," she snapped. "You don't get to Jules me."

"I already said I was sorry," Trey muttered, sitting up straighter now. "But if you keep pushing this like I'm some villain, I'm done apologizing."

"Wow," Jules said, folding her arms tighter. "Okay."

"It's not about making anyone the villain," I cut in before Jules could fire back. "But pretending it wasn't a big deal isn't helping. None of us expected that night to happen, but it did. So let's talk about it now, while we're still all stuck in the same vehicle."

The car went quiet again, but this time it was loaded.

I turned slightly in my seat, looking back at Jules. "Just tell us what's bothering you. Like actually."

She stared at me for a long second. And even though her mouth was tight and her arms were crossed like armor, I could tell she wasn't shutting down. She was bracing.

"Fine," she said. "You want honesty? Let's go."

I didn't flinch. "Good."

She sat forward a little, arms still crossed, but her voice dropped a notch. "I know it wasn't romantic. I didn't expect Mason to fall in love with me or whatever. But it wasn't nothing. That's the part I can't get past."

Trey shifted beside me but didn't interrupt.

"You looked at me," she continued, "not like some hookup. You were present. We all were. It was messy and intimate and honestly kind of beautiful in a weird, what-the-hell-are-we-doing way. But when you brush it off as just a 'chill' night? It makes me feel stupid for even thinking it meant something beyond sex."

"It wasn't just sex," I added quietly, backing her up. "We were all in the same space, doing something none of us ever expected to do together. There were moments, Trey, moments when it felt like we were taking care of each other. You checked in on me constantly. Mason kissed Jules's shoulder like it meant something. And in the middle of it, there was this moment where everything just paused. And we all kind of breathed at the same time. Like we were in it together."

Trey rubbed his jaw. "I did all of that because I care. But caring doesn't mean I know what label to throw on what happened."

"It's not about a label," I said gently. "It's about not shrinking it down to something casual when it wasn't. Maybe it didn't change everything for you. That's fine. But at least respect that it hit differently for the rest of us."

Mason had been quiet in the driver's seat, but I saw his eyes flick up in the mirror. "I mean... Ness is right. I didn't walk out of that room thinking I'd just had a foursome or something. I was weirdly okay the morning after because I thought we all understood what it was. Not love, sure. But definitely not nothing."

"Exactly," Jules muttered.

Trey looked between us, his shoulders finally sinking. "Okay. Okay. I get it."

"Do you, though?" Jules said, not with venom, just tired honesty.

He nodded. "Yeah. I do now. I guess I was trying to downplay it so it wouldn't feel as heavy. But that was the wrong move. I'm sorry. Really."

There was a beat of silence. Then Jules let out a long breath and leaned back into her seat again.

I turned to face forward, satisfied but drained.

"Thanks," I said softly. "For not shutting down. All of you."

Mason cleared his throat from the driver's seat, his voice cutting through the lingering quiet with a tentative lightness. "You know how we end this on a good note?"

I turned slightly, curiosity getting the better of my exhaustion, and asked, "How?"

He paused, as if weighing his words, then replied, "We each share our favorite moment from that night. You know, to put it out there without all the heavy baggage."

There was a brief hesitation in the car, the air thick with unspoken nerves, but I nodded first, figuring Mason was right and would eliminate the remaining tension. "Alright, I'll start," I said, my voice steady despite the flush creeping up my cheeks. "My favorite moment was when Trey had me folded on the floor, pounding into me hard and fast. His hands were gripping my hips so tightly that they left marks. I could hear Jules moaning in the background as Mason thrust into her."

Jules shifted in her seat, her tone guarded but reflective as she went next. "Mine was when Mason flipped me onto the couch and rammed into me from behind, his cock hitting that perfect spot that made me scream."

Trey followed, rubbing his neck awkwardly but with a hint of sincerity. "For me, it was when Ness was on her knees, taking me deep into your throat, gagging but not stopping."

Mason wrapped up with a small chuckle. "And for me, it was Jules riding me, fucking me so hard the pictures rattled. And glancing over at Trey and Ness, like damn, we were all in on this secret together."

Not long after, I couldn't help but notice the obvious bulge in Mason's sweats as he drove, his arousal straining against the fabric. "Looks like someone's got a situation going on down there," I said, my voice light but laced with underlying intent.

He shifted, his hands tightening on the steering wheel, but before he could respond, Jules piped up from the backseat. Her tone was dry and knowing. "Oh, he's not the only one. I've got a pretty clear view back here of Trey's situation."

I turned in my seat to meet Jules's eyes. Our glazes locking in that silent understanding we'd developed, a flicker of shared intent passing between us.

She gave a small nod and then said softly, but with resolve, "Consider this my olive branch to you, Trey. Let's make this right."

I faced forward again, my hand already moving toward Mason's lap, pausing just before I reached to say, "Mason, don't you dare crash this car." My words a mix of jest and genuine warning, delivered with a smirk.

As I slipped my hand into his sweats and pulled out his hard cock, feeling its warmth and thickness in my grip, I heard Jules doing the same to Trey. Her movements mirrored mine in the confined space. I wrapped my lips around Mason's shaft, taking him deep with a slow, deliberate suck, the salty taste flooding my mouth as I began to bob my head, letting out soft, wet slurps that echoed in the car.

Jules muffled moans and the sound of her eagerly working on Trey filled the air, creating a rhythm of shared, explicit apology that pulsed with raw, unspoken emotions.

My lips slid up and down Mason's thick shaft with wet, sloppy slurps. I felt him tense under my touch, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as his hand left the wheel to tangle my hair.

With a guttural moan, he erupted, hot streams of cum flooding my mouth in thick pulsing waves. I swallowed greedily, the salty warmth coating my tongue as I milked every last drop.

As I pulled back from Mason's cock, my lips glistening and my breath coming in ragged gasps, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

Trey, his face flushed and eyes dark, locked gazes with Jules for a moment that stretched taut with unspoken words. He shifted closer to her, his voice low and gravelly as he murmured, "Alright, Jules, let me make this even."

He gently pushed her back against the seat, sliding down between her legs, his hands sliding up her thighs to part them. The confined space made every move intimate and intense. With deliberate care, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of Jules's pants, tugging them down just enough to expose her, and dove in.

His tongue flicking out ot trace her folds before plunging deeper, lapping at her with eager, rhythmic strokes that elicited a sharp gasp from her lips.

Jules arched her back, her fingers threading through his hair as she moaned, "Oh God, Trey, just like that. Don't stop!" Her voice was a blend of plea and command.

Mason gripped the wheel tightly, his eyes flickering to the rearview mirror, a mix of surprise and arousal crossing his features, while I bit my lip.

Jules gasped with a shuddering climax, she came hard against Trey's face, her orgasm ripping through her in waves of pulsating ecstasy, juices flowing freely as she gripped him tightly. A mix of release and unspoken apology hanging in the heated atmosphere of the car.

The truck crunched over the gravel as we finally pulled into The Pit. The trees opened just enough to reveal Cass and Wes already there, leaning against Trey's car, finishing off what looked like the last of some snacks.

Wes lifted his hand in a lazy wave. "Took you guys long enough."

Cass raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," Mason said smoothly, already climbing out. "Trey left his phone at a gas station. So we turned around."

Cass gave a soft laugh, skeptical but not enough to press. Trey just shrugged and shot a glance at me, then Jules, and then Mason. Quiet understanding passed between us. Not everything needed to be said out loud.

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***WES***

It had been a few weeks since the cabin trip, but it already felt like something out of the past. We hadn't all hung out since, not as a full group. Group chats here and there, some failed plans, but that was it. I think we all needed a minute to breathe.

Except Cass and me. We hadn't needed space. In fact, we'd closed it.

Since we got back, we've been together. Like, fully. Official in the way that mattered to other people, not just the two of us. We'd gone on actual dates. Movies, late-night dinners, walks that turned into make-out sessions in her car or mine. It was easy. Effortless. And every time I looked at her, it still surprised me that we were real. No confusion. No guessing.

Right now, we were in my room, sprawled across the bed with some random playlist going and the ceiling fan clicking overhead.

She was lying on her stomach beside me, lazily scrolling on her phone, and her hair was tied up in a messy twist that kept falling apart. I wasn't doing anything really, just watching her. Like I'd been doing for most of the last half-hour.

Downstairs, my mom's voice called up the stairs. "Wes, we're heading out! Don't burn the house down!"

"Got it!" I yelled back.

The front door opened, a muffled exchange between her and my dad, then the familiar click of it shutting behind them. I glanced back toward Cass.

She'd paused, her phone lowering slightly, expression unreadable for a second. Then she turned her head toward me, propped up on one elbow. "I think I'm ready," she said quietly, but not unsure.

I blinked. "For?"

She didn't smile, didn't flinch. Just looked at me, steady and warm and calm.

"To have sex. With you."

The words settled between us like a lit match. Not rushed. Not nervous. Honest.

I felt my heart stutter in my chest, the words hanging in the air like a secret finally spoken aloud. Her gaze held mine, unflinching, and in that moment, a rush of emotions flooded through me.

I reached out, my hand trembling just a little as I brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, feeling the warmth of her skin against my fingertips.

"Are you sure?" I whispered, though I already knew the answer from the way her eyes darkened with desire.

I leaned in closer, as I cupped her face in my hands, our lips meeting in a slow, deepening kiss that tasted of shared promises and unspoken devotion.

Cass responded with a soft sigh, her body pressing against mine, her fingers tracing the curve of my back under my shirt.

"I love you," she murmured against my lips, her voice a velvet whisper that wrapped around me like a promise, and I felt that love pulse through every touch, every breath, as we slowly explored the familiar yet still new territory of each other's bodies.

My hands slid down to the hem of her shirt, gently lifting it over her head, revealing the soft curves of her body that I was still learning to worship with every fiber of my being.

She arched her back slightly, a breathy moan escaping her lips. "Ohh, Wes," as my fingers trailed along her sides, making her shiver with anticipation and vulnerability that mirrored my own.

"You're beautiful," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion, before our mouths met again, more urgently now as I felt her hands fumbling with my jeans, freeing me with a tender grip that sent waves of pleasure rippling through me, our bodies pressing closer in a dance of hesitant yet passionate exploration.

With our clothes discarded piece by piece, the room felt charged with an intimate heat. Our bare skin brushing together as I pulled Cass closer, her breath hitching in a soft, eager gasp.

My hands roamed over her breasts, thumbs circling her hardened nipples, drawing out a series of delicate moans that vibrated against my lips. She paused for a moment, her eyes locking onto mine with a mix of love and practicality, whispered, "We need to be safe, Wes. Condom. In my bag."

I nodded, my heart swelling with respect for her foresight, quickly reaching for it from the nightstand, tearing the packet open with careful fingers before rolling it on.

The latex was on my throbbing cock, heightening the anticipation as she watched me with adoring eyes.

As I positioned myself above her, she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me in with a gentle urgency, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "I want this with you."

I eased into her slowly, feeling the tight, warm embrace of her body enveloping me, inch by inch, both of us letting out mutual groans. "Oh God, yes."

The sensation was overwhelming in its emotional depth, our movements syncing in a rhythm that spoke of our growing familiarity and profound connection. We moved together in a tender push and pull. Her hips rising to meet mine with each thrust, the bed creaking softly beneath us as I delved deeper.

Her fingers were digging into my back, but slowly, evoking a blend of pleasure and emotional vulnerability that made my chest tighten. Our breaths ragged, building toward that shared peak where love and desire intertwined seamlessly.

As the intensity built to an unbearable peak, I felt the surge overwhelm me. My body tensing and releasing in a powerful climax. "Fuck, Cass! I'm there."

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to keep moving, thrusts slowing yet deliberate, driven by a deep-seated love that wouldn't let me stop until she was right there with me.

Cass's eyes widened, her breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps. "Ohh, Wes. Don't stop!"

Her body arching beneath mine, fingers clutching at the sheets as I pushed through the haze of my aftershocks, focusing on the rhythm that made her walls tighten around me, her moans escalating into cries of ecstasy.

Finally, she shattered, her orgasm rippling through her in shuddering spasms. "Ahh, yes. Oh God! I love you!" her voice breaking with emotion.

I held her close, our bodies slick and entwined, riding out the last tremors together before collapsing side by side on the bed, the air thick with the scent of our shared passion.

We lay there, hearts pounding in sync, my arm draped over her as she nestled against my chest. Her fingers traced lazy patterns on my skin as we basked in the warm, lingering glow of our love.

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***CASS***

I hadn't planned to tell them today. But we were at brunch, the sun was soft on our faces, and the vibe was just too good to keep something this big from my best friends.

Ness was swirling her straw through melting ice. Jules was mid-rant about something only she cared about.

And I just couldn't hold it in anymore.

"I have news," I said, trying to sound casual.

Both of them immediately froze, like I'd just announced I was pregnant.

Jules narrowed her eyes. "You're glowing. Are you glowing? Ness, she's glowing."

I laughed, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. "Okay, relax. It's not that kind of news."

Ness leaned in. "It's Wes, isn't it?"

I smiled and dropped my eyes to my plate. "Yeah."

"Oh my God," Jules gasped, slapping the table. "You finally did it?"

I nodded, half-embarrassed, half-floating. "Yeah. A couple of weeks ago. At his place."

Ness squealed and reached across the table for my hand. "Cass! Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"I don't know," I said, grinning. "I kind of wanted to sit with it for a bit. Make sure it wasn't just a one-time thing."

"And?" Jules asked, wiggling her brows.

"And... it wasn't," I said, laughing. "It was really good. Like surprisingly good. He was nervous, but sweet. Gentle. It feels real every time."

Ness made a soft, dreamy sound. "He's always been that way with you. You just bring it out of him."

"I think I was more nervous than he was," I admitted. "But once it started, everything just clicked. I don't know. I didn't expect to feel so close to him after."

Jules sighed dramatically. "God, that's so soft. I'm going to throw up. I love it."

We all giggled, my heart beating a little too fast. Sharing it with them made it feel even more real.

Then Jules and Ness exchanged a look. And my stomach dropped a little.

"What?" I asked.

Ness toyed with her napkin. Jules cleared her throat.

"Okay, since you're being honest... we should probably tell you something too," Jules said.

Ness gave me a nervous smile. "It's about the cabin."

My chest tightened. "What about it?"

Jules shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "After you and Wes went upstairs early that one night, we kind of hooked up with Trey and Mason."

I blinked. "You what?"

"We were just hanging out," Ness said quickly. "Just talking, drinking, sharing sex stories. It got a little flirty. They wanted to compare their dicks. Then it snowballed from there."

I stared at them. "So... both of you? With both of them?"

There was a pause.

Jules didn't look away. "Me with Mason. Trey with Ness. But we were together in the same room."

My jaw actually dropped. "Are you serious?"

Ness looked sheepish. "We weren't going to say anything, because we thought it might weird you out. But then you told us about Wes, and it just felt wrong not to come clean."

I sat back in my chair, trying to process.

I wasn't mad. Not exactly. The image of them tangled up with Trey and Mason, the four of them together, was a lot.

"We didn't plan it," Jules added. "It just happened. One of those wild summer nights."

"Are you guys, like, still doing stuff with them?" I asked.

"We blew them on the car ride back from the cabin, but nothing since then," Ness answered. "We just didn't want to keep it from you."

I nodded slowly, my fork dragging through the edge of my plate. I didn't really know what I felt. Surprised, definitely. Maybe a little disoriented.

"I'm glad you told me," I said finally, even though my voice sounded smaller than I meant it to.

Jules gave me a soft smile. "We're glad you're happy with Wes. That's what matters."

I smiled back, but something in me had quit.

I'd come to brunch feeling light. Now I wasn't sure what to do with the weight they'd handed me.

The day after the brunch, Wes and I were on his back porch on one of those slow summer evenings.

I had been sitting with Jules and Ness's revelation, not knowing what to do.

I hadn't told Wes yet. I wasn't sure why. Maybe I'd been waiting for the right time. Maybe it was because it wasn't my space to do so.

Nonetheless, I decided to anyway. "Hey, can I tell you something kind of weird?"

He turned his head toward me. "Always."

I hesitated, eyes on my hands. "Jules and Ness told me something at brunch the other day. About the cabin."

He was quiet for a millisecond too long. "Yeah?"

"Apparently, the night we went to bed early, they stayed up with Mason and Trey. And things got... kind of wild."

"Craziest sex stories?" he asked.

My eyes snapped to his. "You knew?"

He gave me a small, sheepish smile. "Yeah. Found out yesterday. Mason told me. Trey backed him up."

I blinked. "Wait, what? You didn't think to tell me?"

"I figured if Mason and Trey told me, Jules and Ness would tell you," he said, shifting in his seat. "And I didn't want to be the guy who starts drama over something that doesn't involve me."

I stared at him for a second, trying to process that.

"So you weren't surprised?" I asked.

"Oh, I was definitely surprised," he said, exhaling a laugh. "I think I just sat there blinking at Mason like an idiot for a full minute."

I huffed. "Same."

Wes leaned toward me slightly. "Does it bother you?"

I paused. "I don't know. Not in the 'you betrayed me' way. It's not like anyone did anything wrong. I just didn't expect that. You know?"

"Yeah," he said quietly. "Same."

A beat passed between us. The cicadas were buzzing now.

"I think it weirded me out more because it made me realize how fast anything can change," I admitted. "Like we were a bunch of awkward high schoolers a year ago. And now it's this."

Wes reached over and laced his fingers through mine. "Yeah. It's weird. But not bad, right?"

"No," I said. I looked at him. "Not bad."

He smiled. "You're the only part of all this that doesn't feel confusing."

That got me. I squeezed his hand.

"I'm glad they told you," he added after a minute. "It's kind of wild, but I respect them for owning it. Even if Trey described it like a deleted scene from Euphoria."

I laughed, the tension finally loosening. "So basically porn?"

Wes grinned. "You don't even want to know how Mason described it."

"Please don't tell me," I groaned.

He laughed, leaned in, and kissed my cheek.

The weirdness I'd been carrying dissolved right there on the porch. Not because it didn't matter, but because Wes made it feel okay that it had happened.

That we were happening, too.

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***WES***

The sun was already starting to dip by the time Cass and I pulled up to The Pit. Golden light filtered through the trees, catching on the leaves and throwing long shadows over the gravel turnout. I parked next to Trey's car and killed the engine. For a second, neither of us moved.

"I wonder what this is even about," Cass said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

I shrugged. "It's Jules. It could be a bonfire. Could be a dramatic group intervention."

Cass laughed under her breath. "Honestly, both sound equally likely."

We climbed out and made our way down the familiar dirt path, the kind of trail our feet had memorized over years of wandering out here. The air smelled like dirt and smoke and the tail-end of summer. Like everything was holding its breath before the season changed.

The clearing opened up ahead, and everyone was already there. Mason lounged in one of the busted-up chairs with a beer, and Trey crouched near the fire pit, coaxing a flame to life. Ness and Jules were sitting on a blanket, and Cass gave a small wave as we approached.

Jules stood up immediately.

She had one hand on her hip and the other curled around a water bottle, her expression unreadable but amused, like she already knew she had our attention. Which, to be fair, she always did.

"You guys ready?" she asked, lifting her brows.

"For what?" Trey called over, tossing another twig into the fire.

She took a deep breath, her gaze skating across all of us. "I have an idea," she said slowly, clearly, like she was trying to keep a straight face. "And I need everyone to actually listen."

I settled onto a log next to Cass, elbows on my knees. She sat close enough for our shoulders to brush.

"Go ahead," I said.

"You're all free to say no," she continued. "Seriously. No pressure, no weirdness after if someone's not into it."

The Pit went quiet. The fire popped. I saw Cass glance at Jules, then at the others, then back down at her hands.

"I want to end the summer with something... unforgettable," Jules said. "Something that's just ours. No social media, no outside world. Just us."

She paused, and this time her voice carried something heavier.

"I'm proposing one night," she said, "where we drop the act. No judgement. Just honesty. Emotionally, physically, whatever that means for each of us. We've all been circling things all summer, some of us pretending not to care, others pretending it didn't happen."

I felt Cass shift beside me. My throat felt suddenly tight. She wasn't wrong.

"If even one person's not down, that's fine," Jules said, eyes scanning each of us. "But if we are all on the same page, I think we can make this summer something none of us will ever forget."

Then she turned to me and Cass specifically.

"I know you two weren't there that night," she said. "So, I want to make it really clear. In my mind, everyone's available to everyone. No weird rules, no silent boundaries. But if you two want to stay exclusive to each other, that's okay too. You just need to say it."

Everyone looked at us. Even the fire seemed to wait for our decision.

Cass leaned into me slightly. "Can we talk about this?" she whispered, and I nodded.

We stood and walked a few steps away, just enough to be out of earshot.

"What do you think?" she asked softly, crossing her arms, eyes searching mine. "You okay with it?"

I hesitated, not out of fear, but out of the weight of it. This summer had already cracked me open more than I expected. But looking at her, I could see the same uncertainty, the same curiosity. And the same trust.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm good with it if you are."

Cass gave a small smile. "Then let's just let go a little for the night."

We walked back together, sat down, and I spoke. "We're in."

Cass nodded beside me. "Yeah. It's fine."

Jules gave a slow, knowing smile. "Good," she said. "Then we're all in." She didn't say anything after that. She sat back down on the blanket beside Ness.

For a second, no one spoke. No jokes, no teasing. Just the sound of firewood crackling and the how lum of crickets waking up in the trees.

Mason reached for the speaker and switched the playlist. The next song set the mood, hazy and pulsing, something that sat low in your chest and didn't try too hard.

Cass shifted beside me. Her thigh brushed mine, but she didn't move away. I glanced over, and she gave me a soft look, open and unreadable, but not nervous.

Trey leaned back in his chair and took a long pull from his drink. "Do we just sit here now?" he asked, mostly to himself, the word hanging between us like the smoke.

Jules grinned. "I said no pressure. Doesn't mean we're gonna dive on each other."

Mason stretched his arms overhead and cracked his knuckles. "Right. It's a vibe, not an orgy. Got it."

That broke the silence a little. Ness laughed quietly, and Jules rolled her eyes, but there was something behind her smile. Something coiled and waited.

No one got up. No one left.

We just sat in it.

Trey eventually moved from his chair to sit behind Jules without a word. She didn't look at him, but her body eased against his like it had been waiting for the contact.

Mason moved to sit next to Ness on the blanket. She didn't react at first, then leaned back slightly so their arms touched.

I felt Cass' fingers slide into mine.

"You okay?" she asked quietly.

I nodded. "Yeah. You?"

Her lips curved. "Yeah."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wes turned to Cass, his heart pounding with a mix of nerves and desire that had been simmering all summer. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep, urgent kiss, his hands sliding up her sides to pull her closer. She responded with a soft moan, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pressed against him, their breaths quickening in the cool night air.

Across the fire, Ness and Mason locked eyes. Ness bit her lip, a flush creeping up her neck as Mason reached out, his hand grazing her thigh before pulling her onto his lap.

Trey and Jules moved to the sofa. They moved with deliberate intensity, Jules arching her back invitingly as his hands roamed over her curves, their connection igniting quickly. Their movements syncing into a rhythmic dance of passion.

The night air grew thicker with anticipation as hands began to tug at clothes, shirts, and shorts slipping off bodies in a shared rush of vulnerability and excitement, the firelight dancing over newly exposed skin.

Wes and Cass deepened their kiss, their mouth moving hungrily against each other as Wes's fingers worked her soft breasts pressed against his chest. She arched into him, a soft whimper escaping her lips.

Ness shifted closer to Mason, her eyes emanating a mix of playful challenge and raw hunger, her hands sliding down his chest to the waistband of his shorts, tugging them open with slowness. She wrapped her fingers around his hardening shaft, her breath hot against his skin as she leaned in, taking him into her mouth with a wet, slurping sound that made him groan deeply.

Trey continued roaming eagerly over Jule's bare skin, his fingers tracing the swell of her breasts with a firm yet teasing grip, cupping them fully as he felt their weight.

His thumbs were circling her hardened nipples in slow, deliberate motions that drew out a sharp gasp from her lips. He slid one hand lower, his fingers finding her slick warmth, sliding inside her with a wet sound that made her hips buck involuntarily.

As the fire's glow illuminated their entwined forms, Wes guided Cass gently onto the ground, his eyes locked with hers in a tender gaze that spoke of trust and affection. His hard cock pressing against her wet entrance with a slow, deliberate thrust that made her gasp. Her voice trembling with emotion as he slid inside her, their bodies moving in a rhythmic dance of passion, each deep stroke eliciting soft, wet slaps and her moans.

Nearby, Trey flipped Jules onto her back, his hands gripping her hips firmly as he aligned his throbbing shaft with her dripping pussy, plunging in with a forceful entry that drew a loud, ecstatic cry from her. Her nails digging into his shoulders as he thrust wildly, the sounds of their bodies colliding in a frenzy of slaps and grunts, her pleas for more adding a raw edge to their heated connection.

At the same time, Mason rolled Ness beneath him, his erection still slick from her earlier attention, driving into her with urgent need, as she wrapped her legs around him, their hips grinding together in a chaotic rhythm. Her cries echoed through the night.

The group's shared ecstasy creating a tapestry of interwined desires and unguarded emotions under the starry sky.

As the embers of the fire settled into a warm glow, signaling the end of the first round, the group paused for a breath, exchanging knowing glances before shifting partners with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

Cass turned to Trey, her eyes widening as she took in his impressive size for the first time, her hand hesitantly wrapping around his thick, throbbing cock. "Oh my god, Trey, you're so huge. I'm actually scared it won't fit," she admitted, her voice trembling with a blend of fear and wonder.

Ness and Jules quickly chimed in, their voices supportive and reassuring. Ness leaned over, saying, "Don't worry, Cass, you've got this. It's intense but amazing. Just breathe through it."

Jules added with a wink, "Trust me, your body will adjust. It'll feel incredible once you start."

Their words emboldened Cass as she dropped to her knees, taking Trey into her mouth with tentative licks before sucking deeper, her lips stretching around his girth with wet, slurping sounds and muffled moans.

Mason pulled Jules close, his hands exploring her curves with urgent need as he entered her swiftly, their hips slamming together in a frenzy of slaps and grunts. "You're so tight for me, Jules,' he growled. She responded by telling him to go harder.

Across from them, Wes and Ness intertwined, his cock sliding into her with purposeful stokes. "God, Ness, you feel perfect," he murmured, as she arched beneath him.

With Cass's mouth still wrapped around Trey's massive cock, her lips sliding up and down with obscene sounds and muffled gasps. She slowly pulled back, strings of saliva connecting her to him as she looked up with a mix of determination and lingering fear. "Okay, Trey, I want you inside me."

The group's encouragement echoing in her mind, he guided her onto all fours, positioning himself behind her, his huge shaft pressing against her entrance before thrusting in deeply, stretching her with an entry that made her cry out. Her body adjusted as they found a pounding rhythm, each stroke sending jolts of pleasure through her.

Jules and Mason shifted their intensity as he withdrew from her pussy and applied a slick of their combined juices to her tight back hole, easing into her ass with careful but insistent pressure. He groaned, her body tensing then relaxing into the new sensation. Moans spilling from her lips as he thrust steadily, the taboo act heightening their connection.

At the same time, Ness decided to switch things up. She straddled Wes in a cowgirl position, lowering herself onto his hard length with a slow, grinding motion that made her gasp. Her hips bucking wildly as he gripped her waist, their shared moans and sounds of their union adding to the group's unrestrained passion.

As the second round wound down, the group caught their breath amid the fading glow of the fire. Bodies glistening with sweat and hearts racing from the night's escalating intimacy, before eagerly shifting into the final round with the final pairings.

Mason grinned at Wes as he walked toward Cass, "Hey, bro, we're going to be Eskimo brothers now, sharing more than just stories." His joke was laced with camaraderie and a hint of awkward humor that made Wes chuckle, the shared laugh underscoring the group's new unbreakable bond.

"Cass, I'm going to make you feel things you've never felt before," his voice deep and reassuring, igniting a spark in her. Her heart raced as she nodded, the drama of stepping into the unknown making her pulse quicken.

Mason started by kissing her deeply, his hands roaming her body with purpose, guiding her into a new position where he had her straddling him, slowly lowering onto his hard cock. He thrust up with powerful, rhythmic strokes that hit deeper angles.

"Feel that, Cass. Let go and just take it. I've got you," he groaned.

Her moans elevated into cries. "Oh fuck, Mason, it's so good." Her building gasps pushing her toward uncharted ecstasy.

As their pace quickened, Mason's hands gripped her waist, introducing a raw edge with faster, more forceful movements that made her body tremble before crashing over her own climax. "Yes, Cass, cum for me. Feel how good sex can be," he urged.

Breathless and eager, Cass looked down at Mason with a fiery glint in her eyes. "I want more, Mason. Show me everything," her voice full of desire and boldness.

He grinned wickedly, "Oh, Cass, after this, you'll hate going back to vanilla sex with Wes," he joked.

Mason guided her into a standing position against a sturdy tree, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist as he lifted her. She guided him into her pussy and he thrusted upward with powerful strokes that hit new depth. "You like this?"

"It's so deep like this," was all she said.

The position's raw exposure and the thrill of being held aloft amplifying every sensation. Mason quickened his pace, driving into her with unrelenting force, their bodies slick, crashing together in a frenzy until he finally released inside her. "Fuck, Cass. I'm cumming."

The hot rush triggered her most explosive orgasm of her life. "Ahhhhh." It left her utterly spent and transformed the world into an unfiltered bliss.

Trey pulled Ness close, her hand wrapping around his girth as they began anew. "God, Trey, I still can't believe how big you are," she murmured. He entered her with powerful thrusts, their bodies colliding in a rhythmic chorus of moans and groans. She gasped as their connection heightened.

Ness turned to Trey with a bold glint in her eyes, her voice steady despite the exhaustion. "Trey, I want to try anal, right now, with you," she declared.

Trey paused. "Are you sure about this, Ness? It's your first time, and I'm big. I don't want to hurt you," his tone protective and earnest.

Ness met his gaze with unwavering resolve, "I'm sure, Trey. I want this and I can handle it," she insisted.

With that, Trey carefully positioned her in doggystyle, applying their natural lubrication to ease his way, slowly pressing his cock against her tight ass, inching in with precision as she gasped, "Oh fuck, it's stretching me so much. Keep going."

Her body tensing, then relaxing into the intense sensation, powering through the initial pain with determined moans, "Yes, deeper, Trey."

It didn't take long for waves of pleasure to hit her. Her body shuddered in multiple climaxes. "Oh God, I'm cumming already."

She cried out repeatedly, each orgasm building on the last with wet sounds and loudening screams, before Trey finally succumbed. His release exploded inside her with a deep groan. "Shit, Ness, you're amazing. I'm there too," their shared feeling marking a triumphant end to her resolve.

Meanwhile, Jules turned to Wes with a seductive whisper, "What's your wildest fantasy, Wes?" Tell me, and I'll make it real for you." Her promise hanging in the air like an invitation to bare his soul. He hesitated before sharing, leading them to explore it together.

Wes hesitated for a moment, his usual shyness making his cheeks flush as he leaned closer to Jules, whispering with embarrassment and excitement. "I want to tie you up and just lose myself in you. Having complete control," his voice barely louder than the crackle of the fire. He revealed a hidden depth to his reserved nature that surprised even him.

Jules's eyes opened in genuine shock, her confident demeanor cracking for a second as she processed shy Wes's bold desire. "Wow, Wes, I never expected that from you. It's so out of left field, but I promised I'd fulfill it, and I always keep my word."

With that, Wes gently but firmly guided Jules to a nearby tree, using whatever he could find to bind her wrists above her head, the binds secure yet not too tight. Her body exposed and at his mercy as he trailed kisses down her neck, his hands groping her tits before thrusting into her with passionate intensity.

"God, Jules, you feel incredible like this, just for me," he groaned, their bodies slamming in sync.

She moaned, "Yes, Wes, take me. Own me. Don't hold back."

The act pushing them both to new heights of pleasure. Wes's motions grew more frantic and deep, Jules's bound body straining against the rope, her breaths ragged signaling the peak of their ecstasy.

"Oh God, Wes, I'm so close," she cried out. Her voice laced with raw emotion and desperation, her inner walls clenching around him in pulses that drove him wild. With a final powerful surge, Wes felt the wave crash over him, his cock releasing deep inside her. "Fuck, Jules! I'm cumming hard," the intensity of his orgasm shaking his usually reserved facade.

Jules followed suit, her body convulsing in waves of pleasure. The dramatic release washing over her in shuddering spasms, their voices intertwining in uninhibited bliss.

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***WES***

As the wildness subdued, I stepped forward, careful as I untied Jules from the rough bark of the tree. My dominant edge softening into protective concern. "Alright, Jules, let's get you free. You were incredible. Thanks for doing that."

She exhaled deeply, a grateful smile playing on her lips as the ropes fell away, revealing faint red marks on her skin. Her eyes met mine with a vulnerable warmth.

Cass with wide-eyed surprise, her voice cutting through the lingering silence as she asked, "Wait, when did that even happen?" her tone a light-hearted shock.

I lay on the damp earth of The Pit, my body aching in the best way possible, covered in a sheen of sweat that made everything feel sticky and raw. The air was thick with the heavy, musky reek of sex.

My heart pounded from the intensity, the exhaustion, and the exhilaration as I tried to catch my breath.

Around me, bodies were tangled in a haphazard mess, limbs intertwined like we'd all collapsed in the same heap, the moonlight casting eerie shadows on flushed face and disheveled hair.

Jules caught my eye. Her fingers gently probing the faint red marks on her wrists, a mix of pride and vulnerability flickering across her face as we shared a knowing look. The silent exchange carrying the weight of what we'd just shared, a quiet drama of connection that left me feeling more alive than ever.

Trey and Ness were nearby, her head resting on his broad chest, both of them breathing heavily, their bodies shining. A satisfied smile on their lips as they murmured something low and playful.

I glanced over at Mason and Cass, seeing her cuddle up against him, her body pressed close in a way that should've stirred jealousy in me, but instead it just felt like another thread in the tapestry of the night. It felt liberating, knowing she was discovering new parts of herself, her cautious nature blooming into something bolder right before my eyes.

"Hey, Cass," I said.

She looked over at me. "Yeah?"

"There's a lot of cum in you."

She didn't even flinch. She kept tracing lazily on Mason's chest. "I'll get the morning-after pill."

I blinked. "You sure?"

She looked at me, calm as ever. "Yeah."

After a few moments of catching our breath, I watched Jules rise gracefully despite the exhaustion etched into her. Her voice cut through the hazy night air, with a playful sway as she turned to Cass. "Hey, Cass, have you ever been cummed on before?"

Cass's cheeks flushed as she shook her head. "No, I haven't. I haven't done most of what I did tonight," she admitted.

Jules grinned wider, issuing a light-hearted challenge to us boys, "Alright, boys, think you can get it up one more time and give us a proper coating? Let's see what you got left," she teased.

The girls knelt together on the blanket. Ness leaned in to whisper to Cass. "You'll love this feeling. It's warm and messy. It feels like earning a reward for a job well done," her words dripping with enthusiasm.

We towered over them, our cocks in hand, frivolously stroking ourselves back to hardness amidst grunts and heavy breaths. The tension building until one by one we erupted, streams of hot cum shooting out and splattering across their upturned faces and bodies, the sticky warmth eliciting laughs and giggles from the girls as ropes of it landed on their skin.

Jules looked utterly debauched, her skin glistening with streaks of cum that traced paths down her cheeks and pooled in the valley between her breasts.

Cass's face and shoulders were spattered with thick, warm globs that made her eyes sparkle with a mix of shock and excitement. Cum slowly dripping from her hair onto her collarbone.

Ness wore it like a badge of her enthusiasm, with ropes landing across her lips and chin, trickling down to mix with the sweat on her tits in a chaotic pattern. Her playful grin beamed as she licked her lips, savoring the saltiness.

Jules stood up once again with that signature spark in her eyes, wiping a bit of the mess from her face. "Time to make sure we never forget this night," with a dramatic flair. She bolted towards her car, her bare boobs bouncing freely with each step. She rummaged inside and pulled out a small digital camera.

Once back, she quickly positioned the camera on a nearby stump, fumbling a bit with the timer setting and framing it.

She rejoined us, dropping to her knees beside Cass and Ness, their bodies still marked. Trey, Mason, and I moved to stand tall behind the girls. A surge of camaraderie and raw emotion in that moment as the camera's timer beeped and flashed, snapping a single, unflinching picture that immortalized that night.

It was the final week of summer, and the airport felt quieter than usual. Cass and I were the last ones to leave back to college. We sat side by side, each with a ticket back to our separate lives. Her's to Washington, and mine to Georgia.

We talked in low voices, holding hands, promising to make long-distance work. No grand speeches, just quiet understanding.

"The flight to Seattle, Washington, is now boarding," the PA boomed overhead.

Cass stood, eyes already misty, and I rose with her. We leaned into a final hug, one that lingered, knowing it would have to carry for a while.

Our phones buzzed simultaneously in our pockets.

A notification from the group chat. Jules changed the icon.

Cass opened it first and laughed through her tears. The new photo was from that wild night at The Pit.

I smiled too. "Of course it's that picture," I said.

She kissed me quickly. "See you soon?"

"Count on it."

She turned and walked toward her gate. I stood watching her for as long as I could before I walked toward my gate in the opposite direction.

As I sat at my gate, I couldn't help but think that the summer had rewired something in all of us. We walked into it as kids chasing fun, and walked out knowing a little more about love, and who we are when no one's watching.

"Now boarding for flight to Atlanta, Georgia. All passengers, please proceed to the gate."

And just like that, the summer closed its arms. Not as an ending, but as a memory we'd carry forever. Forever warm, forever wild.