Luke
"Bagsy this room," Sierra shouted from down the hall, "I put my suitcase down!"
"Looks like you're sorted," Calum laughed, helping me bring the shopping in.
"Guess so. This place is lovely,"
"It is, I bet the kids are so excited,"
"Oh they are," Ash said, "We are gonna have to go and make sure they don't burn the place down, I have not seen so many giddy teenagers in my life,"
"Glad they're having fun,"
Mike and Crystal came in with their suitcases and went off to find their own room, then I grabbed the last bag and locked the car.
"Let's get the hot tub on,"
"Crystal, come here!"
"You've been summoned," I said, watching her head towards Sierra, "Mike, get the hot tub on,"
"Give me a second,"
Cal and I organised the kitchen, then put some music on the speaker and both cracked open a beer. It was mid afternoon, but it was out holidays.
Sierra came out in her bikini, then followed Crystal to choose hers- I was glad she had her own best friend in this group. My friends embraced her, but it was always extra nice to have someone familiar.
It was a bonus that Mike seemed head over heels.
"Ash, what did their food shop cost?"
"None of your business,"
"What did you spend on alcohol?" Calum asked, "That's the real question,"
"A sensible amount. I owed Gabi, for yanno, stabbing her in the back with a huge ass needle,"
"Shit, do I owe her?" Sierra asked, coming for a drink.
"Not unless she said,"
"What if I forgot?"
"You don't owe Gabi. Even if she says," I said.
"Not true. If she says, it goes,"
"Ash, you're not helping,"
"I'm just saying,"
I changed into swimming trunks and joined the girls sat outside, shutting my eyes as I soaked in the sun. Sierra rested her hand on my thigh as she chat away, and I finally felt some peace for the first time in forever.
Without Gabi, it did feel quite empty- she kind of gave us all purpose.
However, we got to let our hyper adult guard down a bit and have fun.
I needed fun.
"Board game?"
"Cluedo!"
"I vote cluedo too,"
"And me,"
Mike brought it to the table and we set it up, grabbing a piece of paper and a pencil each. It turned out Gabi had taken all of Mike's good games, so the rest of us had teamed up and brought ours.
We played a couple of rounds, then the hot tub had heated up more, so we got in there. Sierra sat on my lap, and I put my arms round her, then we all just spoke.
Not about Gabi, or work - about our lives.
It felt like it had been such a long time since we all just spoke about our lives.
Granted most of it did revolve around Gabi and work, but it was nice to hear how everyone felt, and I felt so much closer again.
I guessed I had pushed people away, or at least their personal lives.
Sometimes it was easy to think you knew everything about your best friends, and that you could guess their every move; a lot of the time I could, but not totally.
"Who is on cooking duty?"
"Luke and I can," Sierra said, "Just pasta or something,"
"Sounds good,"
"Ash, did you get Gabi food she can eat?"
"Of course I did, Cal,"
"Good,"
"You know she is getting better though, right?" I said, wrapping a towel round me, "She's doing really well,"
"She still has to make sure she is doing the right things, like before,"
"Yeah, yeah,"
I followed Sierra to the kitchen and began to get pasta out, but Sierra took both my hands and looked at me.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah,"
"You looked a little sad,"
She pushed a curl out my face and I shrugged, scrunching my nose.
"Just nice to catch up with everyone,"
"Yeah... and talk about other things?"
"Mhm,"
"You miss Gabi, don't you?"
"No,"
"I think you do, just a teensy bit,"
"I guess, but I know she is having fun. I don't know, I think I just feel relaxed for once and my face muscles fell,"
She laughed and pushed me a little, then poured out a ton of pasta for us and got it cooking.
As we waited, we put the radio on and danced together, my hand on her waist the whole time. It was rather nice for our friends to walk through and not gag like Gabi did.
We put sauce in the pan, then dished up the pasta and took it out to everyone, watching over the view.
It was funny, actually, where we were. Our cabin happened to be the other side of Gabi's, just down the road. It definitely made me feel safer.
"So, I found this hike tomorrow. It's supposed to be really good, so I am gonna go and anyone can join," Ashton said, "We can take a picnic, it's nothing too long or hard,"
"I'd love to mate,"
"Me too,"
"Crystal and I will come,"
Sierra nudged my arm slighty and I looked at her, then back at Ash and nodded.
"Sure, why not. Do we wanna invite the teenagers?"
"Nope!" Calum said, "You need a break. We all need a break,"
"Don't be cruel,"
"I am right, they're a handful,"
Mike nodded and I couldn't help but crack a smile.
"They are, aren't they?"
"I thought they were lovely!"
"They wanted drinks from you, Ash," Sierra said, "Of course they behaved,"
"Well... yeah I guess. Don't bait them out,"
We finished eating and then went our separate ways, Sierra and I heading to the bedroom for a movie.
Tonight we would get to spend the entire night together, something Gabi often prevented. I wouldn't change our situation for the world, but I did appreciate the privacy.
After the film, we got ready for bed and said goodnight to everyone, then shut the door and got back in bed.
"Did Ash say a time to leave?"
"He will go when we are all ready, however he is an early riser so that means we have to be too,"
"So we need an early night?"
"Probably,"
"Good, I am exhausted,"
"From what?" I laughed, "Board games?"
"Cluedo was intense," she mumbled, resting on my chest as she shut her eyes, "I love you,"
"I love you too,"
"Wake me up for the hike with a tea tomorrow,"
"Yes madame,"
"Thanks. And breakfast,"
"Anything for you,"
"I think I'm gonna marry you someday," she mumbled, "I really do. But stick to the tea for now, I am sure Gabi would appreciate that,"