bonding

Friday after school the team decided to head to the lake before it got too cold. We drove through the town in Joey's truck. The only one not showing up until later was Kyle. Apparently, he had a date. I felt bad or Freddy, he was crammed between me and Joey he was practically sitting in my lap the entire ride. Sucks being the smallest.

While we rode up to the lake there were a few landmarks they felt were important to point out. The strip club, the bar that didn't check for IDs, the best burger place, the abandoned military base which was where you went for a good time. The cabin we were staying at was just beyond the base. It was a for real log cabin, my mom would've loved it. She's always talking about how romantic log cabins are. I didn't get it, it seemed pretty ordinary to me.

"Hey Joe," I called out into the hall from my room, "there's something wrong here."

"What?" Joey stepped out from his room into mine already wearing just a speedo.

"Uh...There's only one bed."

"Yeah? So?"

"You said I was rooming with Freddy, so where's the other bed."

"There's only three bedrooms in this cabin. Everyone doubles up dude. Anything more than that and we couldn't afford to rent it for a night let alone the weekend. Be thankful you're not rooming with Roger like me. He hogs the covers something fierce." Roger was six foot four, probably good for beating people to the finish line not so much for a bedmate I'd imagine.

"I guess."

Joey punched my arm, "That's the spirit. When you're done we'll be at the pier." Joey left and I quickly set out my essentials and changed into my swim trunks before heading out. When I arrived at the pier most of the guys were already in the water.

"Hey, Bri." Joey offered me a beer without getting up from his chair.

"Hey," I took the beer and sat next to him on the other wooden chair. "Why aren't you swimming?"

"Just enjoying the view for a bit first."

Sipping at my beer I took in the scenery, forest surrounded the lake much in the same way the mountains surrounded the town, few trees were already turning brown standing out against the evergreens that never would, the lake was crystal clear had Freddy not been splashing about with Kevin and Roger you could see to the bottom. Joey, however, didn't wasn't looking at the surrounding nature.

"Water's not getting any warmer!" Roger shouted from the water. He had the same lustful look in his eyes that Joey had.

"I just like hearing you beg!" Joey sat his beer down and leaped off of the pier cannonballing beside Roger with a huge splash hitting even me.

"Gonna pay for that!" I laughed and flipped into the water making sure most of my splash hit Joey.

"You got me wet!" Joey yelled in mock anger, "You bitch!" He splashed water in mine and Freddy's face, we splashed back hitting both him and Roger, soon out splash fight turned into chicken, with me carrying Freddy on my shoulders and Roger carrying Joey. Which given their height made it really unfair.

We put up a good fight but ultimately size won out and Freddy was thrown into the water. "Man down!" I yelled, "I'll save you, buddy!" I dove underwater and lifted Freddy above the water in my arms like a rescued damsel. "You're safe now Freddy!"

"My hero!" Freddy threw himself around my neck and kissed me. It was not a quick peck on the lips but a passionate kiss full of desire.

I threw Freddy back in the water, "The hell man!"

"Oh, Brian you can't deny our love!" Freddy pounced on me dunking me under water which started another fake fight until it got dark when Kevin fixed us some of the best burgers I ever had. After I finished eating I sat on the pier by myself until Freddy sat next to me. "Hi lover."

"Cut it out."

"You're right. I'm sorry. It's just..." His smile dropped and he looked heartbroken, "you were my first kiss."

"What?!"

Freddy started laughing loudly, "No way! What kind of loser hasn't had one kiss by now?"

"You play too much." He walked back along the pier still laughing loudly.

Later that night after the food and video games I went up to bed where Freddy already was in bed waiting for me. "Come to bed lover."

"I'm gonna sleep on the couch."

"Sure, if you like freezing to ****. It gets really cold here at night." Just great, I didn't bring a blanket. "Look, I promise no more jokes. Okay?" I could already feel the chill on my bare legs. If I slept on the couch my night might suck but I won't have to deal with Freddy's jokes. But Freddy looked sincere about no more jokes and I really hate the cold.