Chapter 3

Sarah

I was waiting outside when they all pulled up in their SUV. Joshua was super excited when I’d agree to go with him. I knew he wanted to spend time with me, but I think it was also because now he would have an excuse to stay away from Daniel and Nate. He told me Daniel’s brother, Oliver would also be at the lake house. I’d never met his uncle Oliver. Joshua told me Oliver was a lot like Daniel in that they were both stern and possessive. 

I’d made sure to wear my shortest dress; the one I knew drives Joshua crazy. Joshua was gleaming with delight when he got out to help me with my suitcase. I’m sure we were both thinking the same thing; that we were finally going to be together. After my suitcase was put in the back of the SUV Joshua went to get in when Nate yelled, “No way, little man, she gets the middle. I’m not having your scrawny ass pressed up against me for two hours!” 

“I’m not making her sit in the middle,” Joshua responded. 

“No, it's fine,” I said, “I really don’t mind.” 

Nate grinned from ear to ear and moved over and patted the seat next to him.  You could barely call it a seat. For some reason we were driving Joshua’s mother Honda CRV which was a smaller SUV. When Joshua finally got inside and closed the door I was wedged between the two boys. 

“Hi Mrs. Harris, hello Mr. Harris, thanks for inviting me. I’m really excited to see the lake house,” I told them. 

Daniel was sitting in the driver’s seat and had turned around to greet me. “Now Sarah, I’ve told you to call me Dad.”

“Oh…umm…sorry, thanks, Dad,” I said, as Joshua reached over and gave my hand a squeeze. 

     We left towards the mountains. I did the best I could to make myself comfortable. I put my head on Joshua’s shoulder and snuggled up against him. 

“Did you bring a bikini?” I heard Nate ask.

“Yeah, wasn’t I supposed to?”

“Oh, I guess Joshey-boy didn’t tell you how we like to skinny-dip,” Nate said with a grin.

“What?!” I responded.

“Oh, don't listen to him,” Mrs. Harris said. “You and Joshua will have a great time.”

“Well, thanks again for having me. It will be nice to get away for a few days. My mom has been driving me crazy trying to get everything ready for college.”

Mrs. Harris nodded, “I’m sure she’s going to miss you. It’s been just the two of you your entire life. Please tell her she’s welcome to call me anytime she’s lonely.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Harris.”

Joshua just gave my hand another reassuring squeeze. He knew that my father leaving when I was just a baby was a sensitive subject. As the SUV was moving down the highway Joshua started lightly rubbing my arms, filling me with warmth. It wasn’t long before I fell asleep.