Single, Not Alone Ch. 01

How soon after a breakup do you change your Facebook status? Does it depend on the length of the relationship?

When my girlfriend of five years and I broke up, she changed hers almost immediately. Then unfriended me a day later. It was almost like she wanted me to see it as one final way of saying we were done.

Myself, I waited six months. It wasn't me hoping we would get back together or anything like that. I just didn't even think about it. I wasn't much for social media, at least posting on it. I would share a funny meme now and then, a political statement every few weeks, or upload some pictures maybe once a month. Changing my status just didn't occur to me.

When I finally did change it, I wasn't really thinking about it. Just, "Oh yeah, I'm single now." I figured most of my friends and family already knew, so they wouldn't say anything. A few might make fun of me for changing it so late.

And then, I got a message from Aubree.

I hadn't seen Aubree in nearly ten years, so naturally, I was curious when she messaged me. Looking through her pictures, I realized she'd grown into a pretty attractive woman.

She had long, wavy blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and a round face sprinkled with freckles. Her nose piercings, soft cheeks, and slightly crooked, playful smile gave her a cute, almost mischievous look. She had a naturally curvy, full-figured body, with a generous bust, soft stomach, rounded hips, and thick thighs. Her colorful floral tattoo sleeve added to her appeal.

She wasn't some skinny Instagram model, but there was something genuinely sexy about her natural appearance and confidence.

What really caught my attention, though, were her pictures hiking, fishing, and paddleboarding. She was adventurous, outdoorsy, and clearly enjoyed getting out and experiencing life. I could easily imagine spending weekends camping with her, exploring mountain trails, and relaxing together beside a fire.

And suddenly, I was pretty damn glad she'd messaged me.

"Hey Danny, sorry to see that you're single. Hope you are doing OK!"

I messaged her back, telling her that I had been for a few months, had just gotten around to changing my status, and that I was doing OK. We continued to message, eventually switching to texting after exchanging numbers, and set up a time to go hiking together that next weekend.

It was early spring in Utah, so we picked a trail that wouldn't be too muddy from the melting snow. We wanted something easy enough to talk along the way, but challenging enough to make the hike worthwhile.

As we hiked that morning, we talked about past relationships. When we worked together, I had been dating another girl that also worked with us and Aubree was curious what happened to that relationship.

"Honestly, she was Mormon, I went for a while, but it just wasn't for me. So, we ended things before getting too serious, even if it did take us a couple of years to figure out," I explained to her.

"How did you meet your last girlfriend?"

"Through some friends. We hit it off pretty fast. She moved into my house after six months. But, after five years, she apparently decided that I wasn't enough," I told her, not going into too much detail.

"I'm sorry, Danny," Aubree said softly.

"Her loss. How about you? You've had a few relationships over the years, right?"

"Yeah, a handful. Only a few that I would consider serious," she said. When I asked what happened, she went on, "A couple didn't like how independent I am. They wanted a woman to stay home, wait for them, and basically be their server and mom. They didn't last very long. The first serious relationship, the guy was like fifteen years older than me. We lived together, got along great, but then I found out he was lying about a bunch of stuff. That one hurt."

"I'm sorry, Aubree," I said as we continued to hike, walking side-by-side.

"Yeah. I learned a lot from it, thankfully. The second serious relationship, we actually did get engaged. Then he told me that I would have to lose fifteen to twenty pounds in order to be his dream wife. And take out my piercings. And stop being so outdoorsy. Basically, change everything about me."

"Are you serious? What an asshole! He asks you to marry him, then said you needed to lose weight?"

"Right? Apparently, I was good enough to marry, just not as I was. I dumped his ass, bought a little trailer that my tiny car could tow, and went camping for three months."

"That's awesome. I actually think I remember that," I told her and we started talking about camping trips we had been on.

As we reached the top of our hike, we took a short break, eating some snacks, drinking water, and taking a few pictures. As it was starting to warm up, Aubree took off the jacket she was wearing and stuffed it in her backpack, leaving her in just a tank top. I quickly noticed that she wasn't wearing a bra, and had to pull my eyes away more than once.

On our way back down the trail, we talked a little about our jobs. I was working as a manager for a wholesale distributor, while she worked for the IRS. That led into a conversation about the job we had worked together (a grocery store), our experiences there and some of the people I worked with.

"I swear it was like somebody was always out to get you. Like the only way to get ahead was to get somebody else in trouble," she said, making us both laugh.

"Seriously. It was like a bigger version of high school. All the drama," I agreed.

Back in the parking lot at the trailhead, we chatted for a few more minutes, both agreeing that we had fun and should do it again. I debated on asking if she wanted to come to my house, but I knew that I only had one thing on my mind and, so far, she had shown no indication that she was thinking the same thing. So, I left it alone. We said goodbye with a hug and a promise to plan a hike for the next weekend.

We went hiking again the following weekend. And every weekend for the next month. Usually just on Saturdays, although twice we went out again on Sunday. We talked during the week too, of course, about life and anything else, but mainly just planning hikes.

"So, I got a question for you," she sent me on a Monday after a weekend that featured two hikes. "How would you feel about coming on a backpacking trip with me this weekend? I know it's last minute, but I'm itching to go and stay somewhere under the stars for a few nights. What do you say?"

I said yes and we spent the rest of the night planning the specifics of it, including where to go, how long, and everything else involved.

I hadn't been backpacking in years, so Aubree was nice enough to come over the next night, look over my equipment, and make sure it was still good to go. The next day, we went shopping together, getting our food and other supplies we would need. By Thursday night, I was completely packed and ready to go, with Aubree planning on picking me up from my house the next day when I got off work and driving us to the trailhead where we'd start.

As we drove away from my house the next day, Aubree asked, "So, how is it living in that big of a house by yourself? Mine is half the size and I have three roommates. I couldn't imagine having all that space to myself."

I laughed and said, "I don't know. Some days, it's great. Other days, it's lonely. I have one bedroom with literally nothing in it, but I still gotta vacuum and dust it once a week."

"Have you thought about selling? Downsizing a bit?"

"A little. But, I love my backyard too much, the location, and my interest rate. As crazy as it sounds, I've actually thought about either doing an addition to the house to make the kitchen bigger and add on an actual master bedroom with a master suite, or tearing it down and rebuilding."

"Really? That would be interesting," she said and we continued talking about my house, future plans for it, and what she envisioned for her future home as we made the drive to our destination.

When we arrived at the trailhead, we loaded up our equipment, made sure her car was locked, and started the five-mile hike to our campsite. Aubree and I had always gotten along really easily, going back to when we worked together, and had become friends over the past month. She still gave no indication of wanting anything more or having any interest in me besides a hiking buddy, but as we walked, with her in front, those sexual thoughts still filled my mind.

She was wearing black leggings, her round butt easy to watch as we hiked, along with a light black jacket. Her blonde hair was braided down her back. Over the last month, I had seen her in everything from a hoodie to a sports bra, and I was pretty sure she had caught me staring a few times, although she never reacted.

And I couldn't help but have those thoughts, knowing that we would be sharing a tent for the next two nights. It was her idea to share a tent, saying it would let us carry more supplies if we only had one tent.

"I don't bite. Promise. Hard, at least," was the last text she sent me about it the night we talked about tents. That was the closest we had come to flirting so far.

When we arrived at our campsite, we quickly pitched the tent, set out our sleeping bags and pillows, ate an early dinner, then explored the area around us. Aubree had taken off her jacket, hanging out in a black tank top with a deep cut to it, and I thought more than once that she was going to slip out of it as she bent over, looking at a flower or a bug.

As we explored, her personality really came out, pointing out different plants and insects, telling me what uses they could have. Her face really shone as she talked and I told her a few times that she belonged in nature.

As the sun started to set, Aubree went into the tent and changed, coming out in thicker pants and a hoodie. "Man, there's not a lot of room in that tent. Hopefully you don't kick," she said, coming back to sit by the little fire we had made.

"Not hard," I said, throwing back to her joke about not biting hard and making her laugh.

"Thank you for coming with me," she said as we sat next to each other. "It's been fun getting to know you the last month."

"Yeah, it has been," I said, tossing another log onto the fire. "And thanks for inviting me."

We stayed silent for a moment until Aubree asked, "So, how are you liking being single? Is this the longest you've been single?"

I thought for a moment before saying, "Yeah, I actually think it is now that you mention it. As for if I like it... yes and no. It's refreshing not having to always tell somebody what is going on or where I'm at or what I want to do. I can just do it. Not that she was controlling or anything. It was just about being respectful to each other. But I do miss just having somebody around. Saying that, I'm definitely not rushing into a relationship."

"Same here. I do miss the... physical aspect of it. But being in a relationship and everything that goes with it... yeah, I can wait," she said.

We sat in silence again for a few minutes, just enjoying the cool air, the fire, the sounds of nature, and the quiet company.

"I have a question for you and I'm hoping it's not too much," she said quietly and I asked what it was. "Did you come with me expecting something to happen between us? Or just as friends?"

I didn't answer right away. I wasn't sure what to say. Before I could answer, she said, "Because I wouldn't be opposed to it."

I looked over at her, her blue eyes looking into mine. I smiled softly and said, "You wouldn't be?"

She shook her head as we moved closer to each other.

"Me either."

Our eyes closed and, for the first time, we kissed.

The kiss lasted for only a second before we pulled away, smiled at each other, then kissed again, a little longer this time. We both giggled as we pulled away and sat up straight, but our bodies remained close together.

"That was unexpected," she said after a moment.

"Was it really after your question?" I teased her, bumping my arm against hers.

She laughed and said, "Yeah, I guess not. And I guess that answered your question."

"Actually, I did not come up here expecting anything to happen between us besides two friends having a good time."

"And now that we've kissed?"

I smiled, hesitated for a very brief second, and said, "I would be OK doing it again."

"Me too," she said, a little quicker than I expected. "I've caught you checking me out a few times, you know. Didn't bother me. Actually, I kind of liked it."

"Should we go in the tent so I can really check you out?" I teased her, placing my hand on her thigh and gently rubbing it.

"Really? That's the lamest pickup line ever," she teased me, but not moving.

"Yeah, you're not wrong about that. It's been a while."

"How about we go inside the tent and change that?"

My hand was getting closer to her groin. She put her hand on my leg and moved it slowly upwards.

"And you said mine was lame."

We kissed again.

"I like lame."

Her fingertips touched my hard cock through my jeans and stopped moving. I briefly touched her groin through her pants, feeling the warmth through them.

We didn't say anything else. We just stood up, put out the fire, and went into the tent.

I sat down on my sleeping bag as Aubree zipped the tent shut, then sat down on hers. The tent was just big enough for our two sleeping bags and our hiking packs, and I looked around it, as hard as it was to see in the dark.

"If you're nervous, we don't have to do anything," Aubree said, seeing me looking around.

"Nervous? Nah. Just getting my bearings so we don't ruin the tent," I said with a smirk, moving closer to her.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes," I said, leaning in to kiss her.

She eagerly returned my kiss, placing her hand on my cheek as I placed my hand on her side. I moved my hand down to the bottom of her hoodie and started to tug up on it, briefly pulling my lips away from hers as I pulled the hoodie off, tossing it on top of her bag. As we resumed kissing, I placed my hand on her breast, squeezing it through her shirt, and causing her to moan into my mouth.

It didn't feel like she was wearing a bra as I brushed my fingers across her nipple and felt it hardening at my touch. I moved my hand over to her other breast, squeezed it, and felt something different as her nipple brushed my palm.

"Do you have a nipple piercing?" I asked as I ended the kiss, glanced down at her chest, and moved my fingers over her nipple.

In the dim light in the tent provided by the stars and moon, I saw Aubree smile and say, "Why don't you take off my shirt and find out?"

She was sitting on her legs, her feet tucked under her, and lifted up her arms, as best as she could in the tent, inviting me to take off her shirt, which I gladly did. As I threw her shirt on top of her hoodie, I saw that she had one nipple pierced and one not. I cupped the underside of her breasts and squeezed them softly, and ran my fingers across her nipples.

"Why only one?" I asked, listening to her moan softly as I tweaked her nipples with my fingers.

"I had them both pierced but my right tit is way too sensitive, so I took it out," she told me.

"Oh... so I shouldn't do this?" I teased as I leaned down, licked her right nipple, then sucked it into my mouth.

"Fuck," she moaned, taking a few deep breaths. I continued to suck on her nipple, squeezing both breasts with my hands, and listening to her moan as she closed her eyes.

"Oh my God, Danny," she said, grabbing my head, pulling it away from her breast, and moving it up to kiss me.

As we kissed, she moved her hand down to my groin, quickly unbuttoning and unzipping my pants. We kept kissing as we lay down on the sleeping bags and she slipped her hand inside my boxers, wrapping around my shaft. Her other hand started to pull my clothes down, briefly stopping the kiss to take my shirt off, then I helped her take off my pants and boxers.

I moaned into her mouth as she jacked me off, her hand going up and over my tip, spreading my precum down my shaft. I moved one hand down her body, squeezing her breast again then going down to her groin. I hooked my fingers into her pajamas and underwear and pulled them down and she quickly aided me, kicking them off her legs and leaving us both nude.

We quickly adjusted so that I was on top of her, with her legs spread around me. She guided my cock toward her pussy, rubbing my tip up and down her slit. I could feel a tiny bit of hair around her vagina as she worked me inside her, and let go. I pushed the rest of the way in as she moved her lips away from mine, letting out a loud moan.

"Oh fuck yes, I needed this," she moaned, softly rubbing my sides as I started to move back and forth, sliding my cock in and out of her.

I continued to fuck her, working up to a hard and fast pace, pushing myself up as high as I could in the tiny tent. In and out I went, listening to her moan, looking down and watching her breasts moving up and down with every deep push of my cock.

"Yes! Yes! Fuck me, Danny! Harder!"

Aubree wrapped her legs around mine, using them to keep me in tight and close to her. I leaned down, kissing her neck, moving my lips all over it, her moans coming right into my ear. Over and over we went, making the tent shake around us. I could feel the door of the tent against my feet as we fucked.

"Hmm... yes. Fuck. Danny. Feels so fucking good."

I kissed down to her breast, running my tongue around the unpierced nipple. Aubree moved her hands to my head, running her fingers through my hair, and keeping me at her breast as I wrapped my lips around her nipple and sucked it into my mouth.

"Oh fuck, Danny, you're going to make me cum. Don't stop."

I kept fucking her as hard as I could, my movements becoming shorter, keeping most of my cock inside her. I continued to lick and suck on her nipple as her moans got even louder and her breathing more shallow.

"I'm going to cum."

"Me too."

We continued to move back and forth, our bodies melting into one. She started to orgasm first, moaning loudly, as her pussy clenched around my cock, her legs tightened around mine, and her fingers grabbed my hair, her fingertips scratching the back of my head.

"Oh, fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!"

I started to orgasm as well, pushing deep inside her and letting out a long, loud grunt, quickly turning into a moan. I felt my cock pulsing inside her, a quick thought flitting through my head if I should have asked to finish in her, but it quickly being pushed out as the pleasure took over.

She moaned as every pulse of my cock sent another stream of cum into her. She finally let go of my head and I moved up, kissing her passionately as our orgasms finished, leaving us both breathless.

"Wow," she said as my cock went limp and slipped out of her. I gave her one more kiss, then rolled off her, catching my breath.

"Aubree..." I started to say, but she quickly cut me off.

"Nope. Don't ruin it. That was great, leave it at that," she said, pushing her body against mine and laying her head down on my shoulder.

I didn't say anything else. I just wrapped my arm around her as we lay still and silent for a bit. We eventually got dressed, slipped into our sleeping bags, and fell asleep.