Change of heart

 

 

 Chapter

2.

 

   They pulled into the Mt. Shasta national park later that evening. The sun was low over the mountains to the east and the daylight was quickly fading into darkness. Brian followed Jake up a small hill towards a small campsite with two parking spaces a picnic table in front of a giant pine tree and a campfire pit. They parked their vehicles next to one another; and exited them in a disorganized fashion.

   Lisa went to the back of the Transam to unload their stuff throwing it towards Destiny as she caught each item and placed it by the picnic table. The boys walked over to Jake’s truck and began to unload the camping equipment. Vickie stood by Jake staring loathly at everything that had to be removed from its place of storage. She looked towards Jake and touched him gently on the shoulder her look of disgust never leaving her face.

 “I have to go to the bathroom.” She announced.

 “I saw a building marked restrooms down the hill towards the entrance.” Brian pointed down the gravel road to a brick building.

 Vickie glanced at Brain than looked back at Jake who was trying his best to ignore her and tossed her long red hair over her right shoulder, huffed in disgust and stormed off down the gravel road. Mumbling to her self about breaking her nails unloading that crap.

 “What was her problem? Did she need you to hold her hand or something?” Brian took his eyes off a pissed off Vickie and looked at Jake.

 “No, she wants to get out of doing some work and wanted me to entertain her as well. Basically leaving the three of you to do the work by your selves.” Jake grabbed one of the tents and cared it over to the clearing that was provided for the purpose of setting up tents.

 “What a bitch!” Brian said under his breath than grabbed the other tent and took it over by Jake.

 Destiny and Lisa unloaded the back of Brian’s car. They had a pile of sleeping bags and duffle bags on the ground by the table and the cooler on top. Both girls were sitting on the bench drinking a pop and watching the guys unload the last tent and Jake and Vickie’s stuff. They walked over to the clearing where the boys were and stood by them as the boys stared at the stuff piled on top of one another. Lisa offered Brian a drink of her pop for which he gracefully accepted. Destiny offered her drink to Jake who smiled at her and took a drink than handed it back.

 “Thanks.” He said as she reached for the can. Their fingers touching briefly, the familiar shock traveling up his arm. She was obviously not pissed at him anymore. He thought.

 Destiny smiled. Watching him ignore Vickie had sent a wave of triumph through her. She had decided that being mad a Jake was stupid and instead resolved her self to pissing off Vickie which was more satisfying than staying mad at Jake anyway.

 Jake turned towards Brian, “So where should we put Dessie’s tent?”

 “Well I was thinking we could put it between our tents. I think it would be safer and I wouldn’t have to worry about her being out here by her self.”

 Jake agreed.

   Brian and Jake set up the tents while Destiny and Lisa started to make Dinner over by the picnic table. Destiny’s tent went up easily, however the men had to recruit the girls when it came to their tents. They were way to big and required at least four people to raise the giant canvas pyramids. When everyone had finished wrestling with the tents they all stood back and admired their work.

 “Why don’t you guys go get some fire wood for tonight and we’ll load the tents up with the bags and get lunch…” Destiny paused briefly and looked at her watch. “Well I guess it’s dinner not lunch.”

 “Come on Jake lets get going before it gets too dark and we can’t see.” Brian started off down a trail that was close by with Jake in tow.

 Destiny watched them disappear into the forest among the trees and then turned and walked to where Lisa had started to pull out dinner stuff. Destiny walked over to the pile of stuff they had left on the ground and proceeded to carry them to their perspective tents. When she was done she walked over and began to help Lisa with preparing dinner.

 “Is all the stuff put away?” Lisa asked.

 “I just put the stuff in side. I didn’t put anything away because I didn’t know where you guys wanted your stuff. But I got my stuff put away. I just through Jake’s and Vickie’s stuff in side in front of the door.”

 “Well I got everything set up but I can’t finish until everybody gets back here. So how about we go set up my tent while we wait for everyone.”

 “Better than sitting and waiting.” Destiny shrugged her shoulders and followed Lisa to her tent.

 The two girls went inside Lisa’s tent and made the bedding and placing the duffle bags on their designated sides. How wonderful it would be to have someone to cuddle up with at night. Destiny sighed quietly as she mused herself with her thoughts. Lisa and her were sitting on the sleeping bags and looked at each other smiling and without speaking they both got up and went back over to the picnic table and opened the bag of chips.

 Vickie came trotting up the hill and noticed Destiny and Lisa doing something by the table. She walked over to them and peered over their shoulders and saw them placing the dinner items strategically on the table in the order people would need to make a sandwich. She looked around the camp sight and noticed the fire pit and a huge log lying down beside it. Vickie went over and sat down, she pulled a nail file from her pocket and started to manicure them. Lisa turned towards her and crossed her arms in animosity towards her friend.

 “Hay! How about some help?” Lisa asked.

 “You two look like your handling it very well.” She looked up at Lisa and smiled.

 “Get off your ass and help.” Lisa said more sternly.

 “God Lisa, blow a gasket.” Vickie said angrily.

 Lisa grabbed a butter knife that was near by and was preparing to throw it at her when Destiny grabbed her wrist to stop her. She shook her head slowly the corner of her lip turned up in a half smile.

 “Never mind Lisa, she’s not worth it.” Destiny turned back towards the table and placed the stack of paper plates next to the bread.

 Vickie got up from were she sat and walked over to the table and reached under it and into the cooler, she pulled out a can of pop. Vickie walked to the end of the table and sat down placing her back against the edge of the top of the table and placed the rim of the can to her lips.

 “If you don’t want to help than move your skinny ass. Where trying to get your dinner ready.” Destiny lashed out.

 Vickie’s eyes flashed as the color in her cheeks reddened. No one ever talked to her that way, not her friends and certainly not some little girl. She dropped her pop can and bolted from the bench. She grabbed Destiny’s hair pulling her away from the table and knocked her on the ground.

 “You whore! Don’t you ever talk that way to me again!" Vickie screamed.

 “Why don’t you come over and make me.” Destiny shot to her feet and glared at her attacker.

 Vickie flung herself at Destiny as Destiny moved to the side and pushed Vickie to the ground with one arm. Vickie grabbed Destiny’s leg and pulled it out from under her causing her to fall on her belly. Destiny flipped to her back as Vickie moved on top of her pinning her to the ground. She started scratching at her chest and face, what ever she could reach, than punched her in the side when she realized Destiny was covering her face. Destiny reached up grabbing her hair and pulling her off of her and to the ground than jumping on her, straddling her waist.

 Lisa rushed towards them and attempted to pull Destiny from Vickie. Destiny pulled back her hand that was balled into a fist getting ready to strike Vickie, when her elbow struck Lisa on the side of her face and knocked her down. Destiny jumped off Vickie and went to her friend. Vickie sat up and got to her feet and rushed at Destiny.

 “Watch out!” Lisa yelled grabbing her face with her hand.

   Destiny turned around just in time to see a fist coming towards her and ducked, it grazed her hair. Destiny stood to her full height taking a defensive posture and looked towards Vickie. If Vickie wanted to play, than she was going to play. Vickie charged at her, Destiny stood waiting for her to get close enough so she could deliver her kick. Suddenly something tackled her from behind and pulled her to the side as Vickie went flying past her and into Brian’s arms he grabbed Vickie and held her tight.

 “Enough!” Jakes voice rang past her ear.

 Destiny realized she was still close enough she could probably get a good punch in. She squeezed her hand into a fist and started to pull back; she was just about to strike when she felt the strength of Jakes hand around her wrist.

    Vickie saw her opportunity open up as Jake grabbed Destiny’s wrist. Now or never she told her self than with all her strength she pushed against Brian and took a swing at her rival; only something was wrong. There was no flesh on flesh contact instead she felt a breeze of air as she suddenly turned away from her opponent.

   “Nope, no freebies for you.” Brian took her from the scene and put her in Jake’s truck than went over to Lisa who was holding her cheek. He bent down and inspected her face.

 Destiny twisted in Jake’s arm struggling against him. His arms were like a vice. She couldn’t get him to let her go. She thought she would try the old fashion way.

 “Let me go!” She commanded and continued to struggle against Jakes grip.

 “Stop it!” Jake said calmly. He turned her towards him and forced her body against him holding her arms tightly her against her back as he held her wrists.

 “Let me go Jake!” She looked at him eye to eye. Matching fury with brut strength.

 “Not until you calm down.” He spoke softly.

 “I’m calm.” She said between clutched teeth. He had no right to hold her like this. Her anger was slowly moving from Vickie to her fiancée.

 “I don’t believe you.” Jake smiled slightly as he spoke calmly to her.

 “Damn it Jake,” Her voice rose slightly, than lowered. “I said I was calm.”

 Jake looked at her admiringly. But still did not release her. He could not make himself let her go. He had hardly believed it when him and Brian had turned the corner to see her in an attack stance ready to kick Vickie half way across the campsite. If they hadn’t have gotten there in time Jake knew Destiny would have inadvertently caused Vickie to miscarry. To his surprise he was more worried about Destiny beating her self up over the death of a baby than anything else. After all it wasn’t her fault no one knew about the baby. However he did loosen his grip slightly, that’s when he noticed the red lines at the base of her throat and followed it down to the edge of her bra were her shirt laid folded back from her breast. He saw the hideous wounds wet with blood.

 “You’re bleeding!” He released one of her wrists and touched the gentle slope of her chest with two fingers.

 “Thanks for noticing Einstein.”

 She pulled back from his touch. It was hot like fire and made her insides melt with the longing for him. Desire welled up inside her, making her dizzy and unsure of her self. She looked up at her captor. Hoping to see it in him as well, but didn’t know why it was so important to her. His eyes fogged over as his lips parted slightly. Suddenly the realization of were they where and who they where with, broke through the haze that engulfed her.

   “Now will you please let me go so I can cover my self.”

 There was no way he was going to let her know that having her body so close to him drove him beyond desire for her. He could not get his body to obey him when she was around. His heart speeded up and his head felt light and his whole body surged with electricity at the slightest skin-to-skin contact. He had no choice but to let her go. Jake released his grip.

  “Thank you!” Destiny reached up and pulled the piece of hanging cloth over her half exposed breast. She turned away from Jake and walked over to were Brian sat pressing a cold cloth to Lisa’s cheek. She crouched down on her knees and looked at her friend.

 “I’m so sorry.” Destiny reached up and gripped Brian’s hand gently and pulled it away from her face reveling the soft glow of a newborn bruise. She winced noticeably and than placed Brian’s hand back to her friends face.

 “It wasn’t your fault, I should know better than to get in the middle of your fights.” She smiled.

 Destiny touched her friends shoulder and smiled back at her than turned towards Brian, he did not look at her. Boy was he pissed. Destiny turned away and stood up on her feet. She glanced towards Jake. Than turned and went to tent.

 Jake walked up to Lisa and hunched down on his feet. “What happened?”

 Lisa slowly told the men how Vickie had come back to camp and had refused to help with dinner and how she attacked Destiny. Than how Destiny had accidentally knocked her in the face when she was trying to hit Vickie.

 “The next thing I new was that I landed over here and I saw you two show up and stop them from killing each other. I’ll tell you something Jake…” She paused briefly, taking the washcloth from Brian and holding it to her own face. “ Vickie’s lucky you two showed up. Destiny’s would have seriously hurt her.”

 Brian and Lisa watched as Jake went over to his truck and pulled a sobbing Vickie from the passenger side of the vehicle and took her into his tent telling her to ‘Stop crying that it wouldn’t get her out of this one.’ Lisa turned towards Brian and looked up into his worried face.

 “I should go see if Dessie’s okay. I thought I saw some blood.” She reached up softly touched his cheek with love. “Will you tell everybody they can go ahead and eat. Destiny and I will join you in a minute.”

 “Sure sweetheart.” He kissed her gently on the cheek that wasn’t hurt and got up and went over to the table yelling at Jake to grab Vickie and come eat.

 Lisa got to her feet and walked over to Destiny’s tent, she paused momentarily at the entrance and listened to make sure Destiny had calmed down. Lisa knew that if she wasn’t calm yet there would be no since in talking to her. Lisa heard a sound like someone punching a sleeping bag or something. She decided it would be better if she announced her presence first.

 “Destiny?” She called to her friend. “Can I come in?”

 “Yeah! Come in.”

 Lisa opened the flap of the tent and stepped inside. She saw Destiny sitting on her sleeping bag only in her bra. She had the sleeve of the discarded shirt to her chest and was trying to mop up the dried blood. Lisa went to her side and put the damp cloth that she had used for her cheek and started to wipe the dried blood from Destiny’s skin.

 “Did you eat yet?” She took the cloth from her friend and finished the task at hand.

 “No.” Lisa turned her body as she sank down on the corner of the sleeping bag.

 Destiny brought her legs up and rested her arms on her knees, the washrag dangling from her fingers. She looked at her friend and sighed deeply.

 “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.”

 “I know. It’s okay, don’t worry I’m not mad.” She threw her arms around Destiny’s neck and hugged her friend tightly.

 “No, but Brian is.”

 “He’ll get over it.”

 Destiny patted her back than stood up pulling Lisa’s arms from her neck and stood. She walked over to the side of the tent were her duffle bag sat, bent over and took a gray sweatshirt with the caller cut out. She placed it over her head pulling it down over her body the bottom reached her knees. She walked back over to her friend and helped her to her feet.

 “Hungry?” Destiny asked.

 “Ya, lets go eat before those guys eat everything.”

 

 

 

 Jake walked to the truck and opened the door. Vickie looked up at him crying hysterically. Jake grabbed Vickie by the arm and dragged her from the truck. He slammed the door and led her towards their tent. He was angrier than a mad dog.

   “Stop that damn crying. It wont get you out of this one.”

   He pulled her past Brian and Lisa to their tent and deposited her on the floor in the center of their tent. Jake looked around and noticed their stuff off to one side of the door. He realized nothing had been done. More than likely, his lazy girlfriend wasn’t even the one who brought their stuff inside. He had to thank the girls when he was done. Jake’s fury rose as looked at his fiancée who was looking at him with loathingly.

 “So what happened?” Jake struggled to keep his voice low.

 “What do you mean? She attacked me Jake, she started it.” Vickie said matter of fact.

 “That isn’t what I heard.” Jake stared at her.

 “Look at my hair.” She grabbed her hair and shook it at him. “And my nails, the bitch made me brake my nails do you know how long it takes to grow these things?”

 “From what I saw you broke those things on her skin when you scratched her.”

 “So, I had to defend my self and our baby.”

 “Like you care.” He said sarcastically.

 Than realizing he didn’t want to get in it with her about the baby and how she almost caused it to die with her stupid shenanigans He decided to change to something else that was bothering him. Besides no one had known about the baby he realized. For some reason Vickie wanted that little tid bit of information not to get out.

 “How come our stuff isn’t laid out?”

 “Because Jake, your little pet hit me before I could get in here and do anything.” Vickie shimmed out of her dirty shirt revealing a white tank top.

 Jake rolled his eyes. If he had to listen to one more lie he was going to loose his temper. “I don’t know for sure what happened, and frankly I don’t really care. As fare, as I’m concerned you both started it and you both deserved what you got. However I expect our stuff to be laid down and set up in our tent within 15 minutes. I also expect you to clean up after dinner since you were gone when everyone else was helping to get this place set up.” Jake crouched down so he could meet her gaze directly. “Do I make my self clear?”

 “You bastard!” She said between clutched teeth. “Your little whore almost killed me and you expect me to carry out wifely duties, now.”

 “It looked to me like you were holding your own.” Jake smiled smugly.

 “So! I was lucky.” Vickie returned his smile.

 Jake stood up and walked over to the front of the tent. He had one foot out the flap when he turned slightly to look at the woman sitting on the plastic floor.

 “I expect this stuff done before you eat.” As he turned to leave he heard her muttle something under her breath. He ignored her and continued towards the picnic table were Brian and the other two girls were sitting eating there sandwiches.

 “Come on Jake, dinners ready.” Brian called.

 Jake went over and sat next to Brian. He made a sandwich while Destiny reached under the table and pulled a pop from the cooler. She offered it to Jake with a smile.

 “Thanks!” He took the cold drink from her. “Dessie, I’m sorry about having to…”

 Destiny interrupted him. “It’s okay Jake, I’m actually glad you stopped me. I was ready to kill her at any cost and jail doesn’t seem as appealing as a ranch.” She smiled trying to ease his anxiety.

 The four heard a sound coming from Jakes truck as the front door slammed shut. Vickie had a couple of duffle bags that were left behind in her arms. Vickie made her way back to the tent. They watched as she stumbled over the lip of the entrance and fell inside, her feet sticking out the door.

 “Are you okay?” Brian yelled.

 “Like you care.” She snorted back at him. Than drew her feet inside the tent.

 

   “Now that kind of reminded me of that scene in the ‘Wizard of Oz’ when the house fell on the wicked witch and only her feet were sticking out than after the ruby slippers were removed how they curled up and went under the house.” Destiny smiled at Brian who smiled back at her.

   “What is it with you and movies anyway?” Jake asked.

   “When you have no life Jake, movies kind of fill in the void.” She turned her attention back to her sandwich.

 Jake couldn’t help but wonder what Destiny life was like. She almost painted a picture of her life being like that princess that was locked in a tower. God now he was capering life with movies. Amazing.

 They had returned to their meal with no further conversation. Vickie soon joined them planting her self next to Jake. Destiny looked at her from across the table and felt shameful for what had happened. No not shameful but she defiantly wanted to make amends for Lisa’s sake. Destiny put her hand on Vickie’s; everyone at the table stopped what they were doing and looked at both of them. Jake and Brian getting ready to intercept if another fight broke out. Destiny smiled. Was she really that threatening? Well, she supposed she was. Good! She smiled even more.

 “Vickie I’m sorry. That fight should have never happened. And I shouldn’t have said those things.”

 Vickie yanked her hand away from her and stared at her for a long moment. Than smiled. “I forgive you, but next time, you’ll have to work much harder to receive my forgiveness.”

 “That’s it, no apologue for the way you acted?” Lisa blurted out.

 “For what?” Vickie couldn’t believe her ears. Did they actually expect her to apologize for something she didn’t even start?

 Jake opened his mouth to say something when Destiny interrupted him.

 “Don’t waist your breath Jake. I wasn’t expecting anything from her.” Destiny turned lifting her legs up and over the bench than stood and walked to the garbage sack by the cars and dumped her plate. She went back to her tent disappearing inside. The three turned towards Vickie and looked at her in disbelief.

 “What?” Vickie asked her voice highly pitched.

 “Sorry Jake.” Brian looked at his friend. “I lost my appetite.” He stood and walked over to the garbage, dumped his plate than went over to the fire pit and started building a fire.

 Lisa shook her head at Vickie than shrugged her shoulders at Jake in apology. She stood up from the table and grabbed her plate she started to walk to the garbage.

 “Wait I’ll go with you.” Jake stood up as well and him and Lisa went and dumped their plates. They both walked over to Brian, Lisa sitting herself on the log and Jake helping with the fire.

 Vickie glared at her so-called two friends and fiancée. How dare they think she owed that man stealer an apology, after all she was the one that started it, telling her to move her ass. If it weren’t for her wanting her so called friends to come on this trip, she wouldn’t have had to put up with their crap, that’s for sure. And another thing Jake would be catering to her rather than dictating orders. She knew who was at fault there, that little hussy that Lisa insisted on bringing. She knew she should have said no but she was trying to be considerate of Lisa’s feelings. Well that just goes to show you how not to go out of you’re way for somebody; because you might just get dumped on. She turned back to her sandwich and ate in peace just like she liked it.

 Jake stood and looked at his two newfound friends, he wondered what the hell they saw in Vickie to become her friends in the first place, hell he wondered what he saw in Vickie to become her lover in the first place. Must have been one of those beer nights when he was six sheets to the wind. He reasoned with him self. No she was the sexiest girl on campus and his stupid pride wouldn’t allow him to have anything less, the voice in his head yelled at him. Now he was going to be stuck with this she devil for the rest of his life and for what, so he could say he had the prettiest girlfriend on campus.

 “I think I’m going to go for a walk.” He announced to his companions. Maybe fall off a cliff. He added to himself.

 “Are you sure? It’s getting dark?” Lisa pointed out.

 “I need to cool down before I really do something I might regret later.” He replied soulfully. “ Don’t worry about the dark, I have a flash light in the truck.”

 He had never come so close to hitting a female in his life. It was wrong and immoral, not to mention his dad threatened to kick his ass if he ever did. Nope, until Vickie, he had never even wanted to, they never gave him a reason to. Now… he needed to cool down before things got out of hand.

 “That’s a good idea Jake I know exactly what you mean. See in a while.” Brian agreed.

 “See ya!” Jake said as he headed down a trail that was close to there camp.

 “What the hell was that?” Lisa asked angrily.

 “Honey, I only said that so the poor guy didn’t twist him self up in knots over wanting to kill his fiancée, after all I’ve been wanting to do it for years.”

 Lisa’s anger disappeared to a smile, giggling with pleasure. They both laughed quietly. Careful not to let Vickie over hear them. They saw Destiny coming from her tent dressed in nothing but a sweatshirt and had a towel draped over her shoulders. She approached them with a grin.

 “What’s so funny?” She asked.

 Lisa looked up at her friend. “I’ll tell you later. So where are you off to?”

 “I’m going swimming in that lake down there.” She pointed to a brown sign at the bottom of the hill. “I need to relax after today.”

 “Okay sweetie, if you think that’s safe?” Brian said.

 “I know how to swim,” She said with a smile, “Besides if I drown Vickie will be happy.”

 “I got a better idea how about you take Vickie with you and drown her?” Brian teased.

 Lisa nudged him harshly. Than turned to look at him. “What are you doing putting ideas in her head for?” She turned back towards Destiny with a smile.

 “Have a nice time dear. Don’t forget to grab the flashlight from the car. It’s under my seat”

 “Yes mother.” She replied sarcastically at her friend’s motherly tone.

 Destiny walked by Vickie who looked at her for a few minutes.

 “Are you nude underneath that shirt?”

 “No.” She lifted her shirt and revealed a black bikini. A few seconds latter she dropped her shirt and after grabbing the flashlight, headed down the hill to the lake.

 Lisa and Brian burst out laughing as they saw a disappearing Destiny round the corner. They scooted closer to one another and Brian’s arm draped Lisa’s shoulder as they stared at the fire hypnotically. The romantic interlude was broken by the pouty voice of Lisa’s friend as she sat down.

 “I don’t know what every ones problem is? After all she’s the one trying to steal my man.”

 “She’s not trying to steal Jake.” Lisa sighed. “And it started because you wouldn’t help any of us get set up today.”

 “So I invited you guys to come. You wouldn’t even be here with out me.” She turned towards the couple and gave them her most ‘feel sorry for me look’.

 “We didn’t come to be your slaves we came to work on Jake’s ranch.” Brian said angrily.

 “Well guess who’s going to be the owner of that ranch in August?” Vickie retorted.

 “Jake!” Brian exclaimed.

 “No, me.” Vickie said matter of fact than stood and walked to her tent were she disappeared.

 “Thank goodness that’s gone.” Brian huffed.

 “Sweetheart?” Lisa put her arm around his back and started to trace his spine with her finger. “After the sunset, I’ll take you in our tent and make you forget all about Vickie.” Lisa said intimately.

 Lisa leaned her head against his shoulder as they both turned towards the sky. The sun had painted the clouds a beautiful pink and orange that was slowly slipping into a purplish blue. The backdrop was the sky and mountains. It was the most beautiful sunset they had ever seen. When the sun had finely faded behind the giant mountains they stood and walked hand and hand to there tent were they made a scene of beauty them selves.

 

 

                                                            

 

 

   Destiny walked down the narrow path and to the lake, the sun was setting and she was beginning to have second thoughts about going into the water. Dark water wasn’t really that appealing especially when you didn’t know what was in the water. But her muscles hurt and she needed to do something to get rid of her anger and swimming was usually what did it.

 She saw a tree close to the lake with a low branch, she walked over and hung her towel on the branch than pulled her sweatshirt over her head and hung it next to her towel. Destiny walked to the edge of the lake and stuck her toes in. It was cold. She walked back to the shore and looked at the water wondering if maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

 Destiny threw caution to the wind and ran up to the water closing her eyes she slowly sank into the liquid. Ice fingers nudging her to go further, she was waist deep in the frigid water now. Might as well get the rest of you wet. The little voice in her head replied to her hesitation. Destiny leaned forward and let the water in gulf her body, supporting her with its cold hands. She began to glide in the gentle current, doing the breaststroke as the sun seeped over the mountains and the landscape was plummeted into darkness.

 Destiny stopped at the buoy line indicated that to go further would mean curtain death by getting hit with a boat. Of course that was only the danger during the day, who knows what dangers lay out there during the night. Destiny decided to stay in the designated swimming section. She smiled at her self and started to swim the other direction back to shore.

 Her pain had melted away from her muscles and her mind was clear of sadistic thoughts towards Vickie. She no longer wanted to kill her, just maim her a little. She tried to direct her thoughts towards the beautiful scenery and how nice it would be if she could share it with Jake. But Jake didn’t belong to her and she knew it was wrong for her to want him she just wished she could make her body understand what her brain already knew.

 Destiny came closer to the shore with every stroke until she could stand than she walked slowly to the sandy edge. Suddenly she noticed a figure standing on the beach watching her as she reached the edge of the water. Her pulse quickened and her blood ran cold as she prayed the figure was Brian or Lisa. If it was Vickie she was sure to go back to camp with some damage equaling the damage she would afflict of coarse. But if it was a stranger, God help her. She would not be able to hold off an attack with a knife or worse a gun.

 “Brian is that you?” She asked through the fear welding up inside her.

   Destiny stopped and waited for an answer. ‘You could always go back into the water and swim to the other side.’ She told herself. It wasn’t that far and she’d swam further. The cold sank deep into her skin and she began to shiver uncontrollably.

 

 

 

 

Jake had been walking for what seemed like hours but he knew it had only been maybe fifteen minutes. He had finally came to a point on the trail were you could continue on the same path and go further up towards the mountains or take a new path that went down. He did not know were the new path went, but it did go down and Jake knew he was tiered of going up. Besides it was getting dark and he would have to head back soon. Thank goodness he had his flashlight. That thing come in handy more times than he could remember. He turned and walked down the new path.

 He was beginning to wonder if maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to stray from the other path after all. He had been walking for several minutes through a rough and unkempt trail He knew he should have just turned around and headed back the way he had come. It was dark now and he had to use his flashlight to see where he was going. He cursed him self as he stumbled his way through the trees and brush.

 “You just had to go exploring at night you stupid idiot.” He spoke out load to himself.

 Jake saw a clearing up ahead and was so ecstatic of being free from the trees he had to make a conscious effort not to run. He emerged from the brush and noticed a beautiful lake in front of him. He calmed instantly as he realized were he was. This was the lake they saw through the trees as they drove into the park. He was only a few minutes from his campsite.

 As Jake made his way towards the trail that led back to the camp grounds he noticed a towel and sweatshirt hanging on a near by tree. He walked over and inspected the article of clothing.‘ It looked very similar to the one Destiny was wearing at dinner’ He thought. ‘What the hell is she doing out here alone?’

 Jake turned and began to scan the landscape for her when his eyes fell upon a beautiful creature coming out of the lake. Her skin glittered in the moonlight like it was covered with silver speaks all over, her beautiful long hair clung to her body like a sleek silver glove. She was walking out from the water so eloquently Jake could swear she was some mythical creature emerging from the water. ‘A water sprite’ He thought. ' Or a mermaid’ She stopped as she reached the edge, as if she could not step on land or she would fade from existence.

 “Brian is that you?” Destiny’s silky voice rang out from the waters edge.

 Jake’s breath caught as he realized who it was and his heart flipped in his chest as he came to the realization this vision was reachable and very attainable all he had to do was reach for her. He knew she wanted him he could see it in her eyes every time she looked at him and they touched. Damn he had felt the same liquid fire rush through his own body when ever she came close to him.

  “It’s me, Jake.” He reached behind him and grabbed the towel from the tree as Destiny began to walk towards him.

 “You scared the hell out of me.” She said through chattering teeth.

   He met her half way down the beach and threw the towel over her shivering body. They walked together to the tree where her sweatshirt still hung. Jake turned and grabbed the shirt from the limb than turned towards Destiny to hand her the article of clothing he held it out for her to grab when she was ready.

 Destiny let go of her towel allowing it to slither down her body and hit the ground. Jake gasped as the moonlight hit the scratch marks ripped into Destiny’s skin. She looked like a cougar had attacked her, but it was no cougar that blemished this lovely women, it was his she devil that looked like a human and went by the name of Vickie. His anger flooded every part of his body all over again.

 Jake reached up and touched the hideous marks with his fingers tips as anger and anguish appeared on his face. He looked down into the face of elegance in front of him. The smile she gave him was like an angel telling him that everything would be okay. He bent down and kissed the marks gently with his lips. Her cold skin warmed under his touch.

 Destiny gasped with astonishment as she felt the now familiar fireworks go off in her head. She reached up with her hand and touched his cheek. He looked up at her through long black eyelashes that should be a sin for any man to own. Her lips parted in silent invitation for him to come up and kiss her. She saw his eyes close briefly than he stood straight and looked at her.

 Jake stepped back and handed her the sweatshirt. He watched it slip down her body. Than she reached up behind her pulling her silver gold mane from underneath the shirt and brought it over her shoulder as she leaned forward and rung it out. She stood straight up and put her hands under her shirt and removed her bathing suit top. She dropped it next to her towel than crossed her legs as she sank down and sat cross-legged.

 “I didn’t mean to scare you when I kissed you chest.” Jake sat beside her.

 Destiny swung her legs in front of her and leaned back on her hands. Her hair falling back away from her shoulders. She looked at him seductively. Than tipped her head back and looked up at the stars.

 “You didn’t scare me.” There was no way she was going to tell him that she was hoping he would kiss her. After all he had a beautiful woman waiting for him in his tent why in the world would he want to kiss her for? He had only kissed her chest out of some strange need to sooth her. He was probably going to end up like Brain, The lost older brother she never had. She sighed deeply, imagining what it would be like to be wrapped in his arms, to feel his lips on hers. Than cursed her brain for even going there.

 Jake studied her body, her curves, her perfect little feet, and her hair that shown silver gold in the moon light. The water droplets glistening like diamonds as the beams of light hit them. A light fog descended the beach from the lake. The mist surrounding her body giving her an image like a dream. Like she could disappear suddenly. Jake cursed him self, as his desire swelled in every cell of his body and he grew hard under his jeans. “Damn it Jake!” He murmured under his breath.

 “What?” Destiny’s head turned sideways to look at him.

 “Uhhh… I said I’m sorry about what Vickie did to you.” Jake recovered quickly.

 “Don’t apologize for her, Jake.” She turned her head back to the sky and closed her eyes as the cool wind rushed over her body.

 Jakes heartbeat quickened and his blood ran hot with desire. Oh Yeah, he was going to do something stupid. He could all ready feel his body moving like he no longer commanded it. He crawled over her straddling her legs, her head slowly moved down to meet his eyes; He took a breath and froze waiting for her reaction of disapproval. It never came.

   Destiny looked in his eyes, her father always said they were the windows to a person’s soul, and she wanted to see Jakes, they glistened silvery blue and were misted over. The look on his face was enough to cause her blood to race at a fevered pitched through her body. The tip of her tongue dragged across her bottom lip as she felt the desire moving with in her. 

 This last movement with her tongue made Jake loose total control of him self. He leaned forward and captured her lips with his, softly kissing her. They melted together, her body coming up to meet his. Her tongue probing his lips just at their edge tasting him. She leaned back slightly, her eyes heavy with hunger.

 Destiny eased her self down to her elbows and than to her back, she reached up and placed one hand on the back of his neck and the other on his side than gently pulled him to her. Her knee bent as his leg feel between her legs. She could feel him hard on her inner thigh. She groaned uncontrollably as her flesh heated under Jakes body, desire filling her so completely. As the tingling grew in the feminine part of her body.

 Their kisses grew deep and heavy as Jake moved his hand under her shirt and cupped her breast with his palm. Destiny moved her hand to Jake’s back pressing him against her body.

 Jake released her lips and buried his face in her hair he moaned softly. “God why do I want you so much?” He said huskily in her ear.

 Suddenly Destiny found her self-waking up from her trance and she moved her hands to his chest and gently pushed him away from her. Was she crazy, he only wanted to get back at Vickie, It had nothing to do with her, yet here she was willing to risk everything, her friendship with Lisa, her summer away from her well meaning but suffocating parents. For what? A one night romp in the moonlight.

   ‘ Why the hell did she do that for?’ he thought. How dare she bring me this close to the edge and than just stop? Doesn’t the damn fool woman know what that does to a guy? She had to know; she sure in the hell was experienced enough to know. Jake had no doubt about her experience level no matter what she had said in the truck about not being around guys. Any woman who could bring him to full arousal just by looking at him seductively had to be experienced. That wasn’t even including the way she kissed him. He was angry and he didn’t care if it showed in his face or not. What right did she have to do that to him? He suddenly realized he was mostly angry because he had finely felt what it would be like to be with her, and she had taken it from him before he was ready to give it up. She was like a toy he couldn’t have.

 The forbidden fruit.

   “No, Jake we can’t.” Destiny sat up and pulled her sweatshirt down just above her knees.

 “Why the hell not?” He asked angrily. He was confused and a little hurt. He didn’t understand why all of a sudden she turned so cold against his touches.

 “Because you belong to someone else.” Destiny hoped she sounded calm. If he thought he was the only one hurting over this crazy attraction, than fine.

 Jake moved the rest of the way off of her and sat beside her, his legs hanging over hers. She sighed deeply than laid back on the ground and placed her hands on her belly weaving her fingers together. She watched the stars in between the leaves of the trees that covered the forest floor with darkness. She laid there for fifteen minuets just staring at the stars as Jake sat and looked at her. Trying to reason with her body that these feelings were wrong. She felt him watching her. She finely sat up and raked her hands through her hair; her eyes lifted and met Jake’s. Destiny could read the desire and hurt still lingering on his face.

 “God! Does everything you do have to be so damn sexy.” He reached up and touched her cheek. Jake realized why she couldn’t make love to him and he couldn’t blame her, He didn’t want this to be a one night stand either, But he knew deep down that that’s what it would have to be either that or summer affair, but neither of the scenarios wouldn’t do. She wasn’t that type of girl.

   Destiny moved her hand to his and gently removed it from her cheek, she kissed his palm than guided it down to the ground. She sighed heavenly than grabbing his ankles, she lifted them off her legs.

 “Come on Jake time to go.” She stood up and grabbed her bathing suit and the corner of her towel; she looked at Jake waiting for him to get off the end of the terry cloth so she could bring it the rest of the way up. He twisted off the towel as Destiny pulled on it and brought it up to her; she finished rolling it into a neat tube and stuck it under her arm. She stepped into her tennis shoes, folding her arms in front of her chest and waited for him to rise.

 Jake stood and dusted his jeans off. “Thank you!” He said softly.

 “For what?” She chuckled. Relaxing her arms.

 “For not freaking out on me.” He took the towel from her, than reached down and took her hand lacing his fingers in hers, she went to pull away but Jake gripped her hand tighter. “Please Dessie, just let me hold your hand?”

 Destiny nodded in agreement. Her recognizing the familiar surge of energy. What would be the harm in it anyway? He was just holding her hand for god’s sake. Probably afraid she fall or something.

 They walked silently to camp following the flashlight beam of Jakes flashlight. Jake walked her to her tent than bent down to capture her lips with his when she stopped him with an index finger to his lips.

 “Please don’t do this to me.” Her voice shaky. “ I can’t handle this. I want you to much. This can’t happen again.”

 He looked at her begging with his eyes. He just wanted one last kiss before she went to bed. He paused briefly before the reality of what he was asking hit him like a ton of bricks. What the hell was he thinking his fiancée was in the tent next door. If Vickie saw them together she would freak out. Jake noticed the tip of one of Destiny’s wounds peaking out from the sweatshirt. She would hurt Destiny all over again. No Destiny was right this could not happen right now.

 “This can never happen again. Do you understand?”

 It was as though she read his mind. Jake kissed the back of her hand and held the flap of her tent open for her. “Go to bed.” He said softly.

 “I mean it Jake.” She paused before going inside her tent.

 “Good night.” ‘My destiny.’ Jake added the last part to himself as he closed the flap to her tent and zipped it up for her.

 Jake walked over to his tent and unzipped the flap than slipped inside and zipped it back up. He turned off his flashlight than crawled into the sleeping bag he shared with Vickie. Vickie turned to him and put her arm over his waist and pulled him close to her. He turned over on his other side and looked into her face.

 “I’m sorry honey, I was wrong to have did what I did and I’ll apologize to Destiny first thing in the morning.” She reached up and touched his cheek with her hand.

 Jake leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. They embarrassed each other as Jake closed his eyes and tried to forget the images of Destiny that were running through his mind. He finely gave up and just pretended to be making love to the girl who had turned his world upside down.

 

 

 Destiny laid in her sleeping bag looking up at the blue ceiling of her tent. She had been tossing and turning all night long. Ever since Jake dropped her off at the tent. She could not get Jake out of her mind no matter how hard she tried. It was like he crawled into her skin and took up residence in her brain. And he was damn annoying! Her body still tingled from the memories of her dream about him and the lake.

 Destiny sat up as the smell of bacon hit her nose, her tummy grumbled hungrily. She quickly jumped out of her sleeping bag and threw on her sweatshirt that she had worn last night. It brushed by her nose as it slipped past her head; it still smelled like Jake. Destiny grabbed the matching sweatpants out of her bag and put them on. She slipped her shoes on and unzipped her tent and went out side.

 She saw Lisa standing over a Coleman stove a few feet from the fire pit. Lisa was stirring some eggs on one side of the stove and bacon sat sizzling in another pan on the opposite side. Brian sat on a log in front of the fire tossing little twigs into it. Jake stumbled out of his tent and glanced up at Destiny momentarily than sat down next to Brian and began to engage him in conversation.

 Destiny walked over to Lisa and stood there watching her for a few moments. The smile was planted on her face telling Destiny exactly what kind of night she’d had. Destiny just smiled at the vision of her and Brian trying to get it on with Vickie in the next tent throwing a fit.

 “I don’t know how you do it?” Destiny asked her.

 “Do what?” Lisa put some eggs on a plate and cracked some more eggs in the pan and began to scramble the yokes vigorously.

 “Have sex at night and get up early in the morning and make breakfast.” She smiled at her friend.

 “Destiny Carol Donavan.” Lisa pushed her chest gently with the end of the spatula.

 “It’s only as obvious as the smile on your face.” Destiny smiled than stolid a piece of bacon and walked off to sit next to Brian.

 “So I hope your night was just as pleasant as Lisa’s?” Destiny shoved him playfully.

 “How do you know what we did last night?” Brian shoved back playfully.

 “It’s elementary, dear Brian.” She smiled while pretending to hold a pipe in her hand.

 Brian stood and picked up Destiny and laid her down on the ground, straddling her hips and tickling her until she burst with laughter. Destiny tried to push him off her mockingly as she rolled on the ground with uncontrollable laughter. Brian smiled as he continued to torture his victim joyfully.

 Jake watched, a smile growing on his face. ‘Vickie would never allow me to do that in a million years. How fun it must be to have Destiny around you all the time. She’s witty, she’s fun, not to mention very sexy.’ Jake still remembered the kiss from last night, the way it had made him feel to have her wrapped in his arms. The way she responded to him as if it was the first time she had ever been touched that way. Was she a virgin? No, she was so beautiful there was no way she had gone so long with out being touched by a man. Besides she knew how to get his blood boiling and no virgin would now those tricks.

 “Hay when you two are done playing, breakfast is ready.” Lisa fixed her plate and went over to the table and sat down to eat.

 Brian stood up than helped Destiny to her feet. They walked over to the stove with Jake and filled up the paper plates that where sitting on the little wood shelf next to the stove. They left enough over for Vickie than they walked over to the table and sat down with

Lisa. Not very long after, they heard Vickie stumble out of her tent. She began to walk towards them.

 “There’s some breakfast on the stove if you’re hungry.” Lisa pointed to the little stove.

 “Thanks!” Vickie replied. Than she headed to the stove and grabbed her plate than walked over to the table and sat down next to Jake.

 “Last night was wonderful honey.” She said looking at Destiny briefly before she leaned over and kissed Jake lightly on the cheek.

 Jake looked at Destiny to gage her reaction to the commit. She only looked at him briefly. Than turned back to her plate and began to eat again. Jake turned towards Vickie and smiled at her in response to her enquiry. When Vickie turned away from him and started to talk to Lisa. Jake glanced at Destiny once more and when he realized she wasn’t going to look up at him. He looked down at his food and forced him self to eat what was on his plate.

 Destiny sat in silence trying to force her self not to cry. She couldn’t understand how Jake could go from wanting to make love to her, to making love to Vickie. Obviously she was right along. Jake just wanted to get back at Vickie and when she wouldn’t put out he went to the one thing that would. She finished her meal than stood up to go throw it away when she heard someone talking to her.

 “Destiny,” Vickie chimed. She waited until Destiny turned to look at her. “I’m sorry about yesterday I was just in a bad mood and was taking it out on everybody, I guess. In fact… I’m sorry to everyone.”

 She turned and looked at everyone at the table. The shock in their eyes was enough to almost put her over the edge with laughter. Her mother always said she was a great actress; she turned back towards Destiny and stared at her waiting for a reply.

 “Thanks Vickie I know that took a lot for you to say.” Destiny smiled than turned and left the table.

 Dumping her plate in there make shift garbage can, Destiny walked down the gravel road towards the bathrooms she was half way there when she heard heavy foot falls behind. She glanced back and saw Jake running to catch up with her. Oh great, what the hell does he want? Destiny kept walking not even slowing down. Maybe he would go away.

 “I need to talk to you.” His husky voice came from the side of her as he slowed down beside her.

 “What do you need to talk to me about?” Destiny paused briefly and turned to look at him. “Jake!” She added in a tone that she hoped would discourage him.

   But it didn’t.

 “I can see your upset.”

 Destiny stopped out side the door to the restroom and looked at him. “I’m not upset. You can screw your fiancée anytime you want to. That is why you’re marrying her?”

 “Look, if it makes you feel any better, all I could think about when I was with Vickie last night was you. It may not of been your body I was with but I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”

 “And that’s supposed to make me feel better? Gee babe, sorry I screwed with someone else because you wouldn’t put out, but at least I thought of you.”

 “Damn it Destiny,” Jake grabbed her on top of the shoulders and backed her into the L shaped doorway. “I didn’t sleep with her because you wouldn’t put out.”

 “Than way Jake? Couldn’t get me out of your head?”

 “I walked in that tent fully attending to go to sleep when Vickie asked me to have sex with her. What am I supposed to do? Tell her ‘sorry dear but I have this other girl stuck in my mind since this afternoon and we just shared a mind blowing kiss and that’s why I’m as hard as a rock, it has nothing to do with you.’”

 “You were still aroused when you went to your tent?” Destiny asked in a low voice.

 “Yes, in fact I’ve been walking around partially stiff since I met you.” He brought up his hands and placed them on the wall on either side of her head effectively trapping her.

 “Really?”

 “Is it really that hard to believe?” Jake hooked his finger under her chin and brought her head up so he could see her eyes. Smoky storm clouds swirled around and the color turned a deeper shade of gray.

 “Yes.” She whispered.

 “ Why?”

 “Because Vickie’s beautiful,” She paused swallowing as the electricity ran through her body. “And I’m… just me.”

 “Honey, you’re just as beautiful as Vickie. More in fact because you don’t have to ware all that make up or sexy cloths to pull it off.” He paused moving closer to her so she could fell how hard he was. “You can even get me hot and bothered wearing a baggy sweatshirt and sweatpants.”

   Jake saw her lips part as she let out a gasping breath when he pushed his hips against her abdomen. He lowered his head and kissed her using just his lips. He was afraid to let it go to deep, afraid he wouldn’t be able to stop. However this kind of kissing was becoming just as dangerous. He lifted his head and kissed her on the nose.

 “I better be getting back before they start wondering where I am.” He reluctantly stepped back from her. “So beautiful.” He whispered as he allowed his eyes to sweep over her body.

 “Jake,” Destiny reached out a hand as he went to turn away. He stopped and looked at her again. “I think you’re beautiful too.”

 He smiled at her than turned and walked away back up the hill. Destiny leaned back against the wall. ‘I think you’re beautiful too.’ What the hell was that? God, your an idiot. You don’t call a guy beautiful. She chastised herself than turned and walked into the bathroom.

 

    By the time Destiny had returned from the bathrooms. It had taken her longer than normal because she was trying to get a grip on all her new found feelings. Everyone was sitting by the fire chatting away. Destiny picked a spot by Brian and sat down than glanced up at Jake who smiled than winked at her. Destiny felt the color rise in her cheeks and leaned forward putting her elbow on her knee, resting her head in her hand and looked to the side where Lisa was chatting away about something. Brain leaned close and whispered in her ear she moved her head slightly to look at him.

 “What?” She whispered back.

 “Why are you blushing?”

 “I’m not blushing.” She whispered angrily.

 “Little sister, I know when you blush and trust me your blushing.” He whispered back.

 “I am not!” Destiny forgot to whisper and realized Lisa had stopped talking and every one was looking at her. She sat up and looked over at Jake briefly seeing him still smiling at her than moved her head so she could look at Lisa. “I’m sorry.”

 “You aren’t what?” Lisa asked.

 “Bored.” She blurted out. “Brian was saying I looked bored.” She glanced at Brian than looked back at Lisa. “I was just telling him I wasn’t.”

 “Stop teasing her, Brian.” Lisa scolded. “Especially when you’re supposed to be listening to me.”

  “I was doing both, sweetheart.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

 “Hay!” Jake addressed the group. “While I was out walking last night I ran into this trail that took you up towards the mountains. I was wondering if you guys wanted to go exploring? You know see what’s up there.

 “Sure.” Lisa spoke up. Brian nodded his head in agreement.

 “That sounds fun, darling.” Vickie agreed.

 “Well how about you?” Jake looked at Destiny.

 “I don’t….”

 Lisa interrupted, “Of course she will.” She looked at her, daring her to contradict her.

 “I guess… I’m coming than!” Destiny didn’t want to go anywhere right now. She just wanted to sit at the fire and try to figure out what she was going to do about Jake. These new found emotions were driving her crazy.

 “Good!” Jake smiled at her.

 Good! Destiny thought. I’m going with two couples and I’m about to become the ultimate third wheel. Not to mention the newfound feeling of haltered towards Vickie every time she saw her around Jake. This was becoming ridiculous. ‘Get a grip on your self, Dess. God, this trip is becoming depressing.’ She told herself. She walked over to her tent and went inside to get a pair of shorts and a shirt on. She had noticed the guys putting out the fire as she emerged from her tent. She put on the best smile she could manage and joined her companions at the pit.

 “Okay, we’re all here. Lets head out.” Jake turned and began the trek up the small trail he had been on just hours before.

 The group headed up the windy path through the trees and brush. Jake led the group followed by Vickie who constantly needed Jake’s help. Destiny thought it was just her way of getting as much attention from the group as possible. Than again she never did seem the wilderness type. Destiny remembered as she followed Vickie, but not to close. Followed by Lisa, than Brian, who wanted to be behind incase one of the girls got into trouble? Is what he had said. Destiny thought it was so he could look at Lisa butt. They finely came upon the fork in the road that Jake said he had happened upon last night. Jake stopped to give everyone a chance to catch up.

 “This path leads to the lake. This one leads up to the mountain. I think.” Jake pointed out both paths than turned towards his group. “So which way, gang?”

 “Do you think it would be okay for Brian and I to take the opposite trail you guys take so we can spend some alone time together.”

 “Can I come with you?” Destiny asked, almost pleading. The last thing she wanted was to be left alone with Jake and Vickie.

 “Dessie we would love for you to come, but we were kind of counting on some private time.” Lisa winked at her friend hoping she would understand what kind of private time.

 “That’s okay!” She smiled.

 Brian and Lisa said goodbye to every body than walked hand and hand down the path. The rest of the group watched them leave. When they had slipped from sight Destiny turned towards Vickie and Jake.

 “Well we know what they’re up to.” She said with a smile.

 “Must be nice.” Vickie sighed.

 “Why don’t I head back and get lunch started. That way you two can be alone for a while.”

 Jake looked at Vickie angrily, “You don’t have to go.” He turned towards Destiny and smiled.

 “It’s okay, I’m kind of tiered anyway. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She looked at Jake his eyebrow arched inquisitively.

 “Than we’ll go back with you.” Jake took Vickie’s hand than grabbed Destiny’s hand too. Jake began to walk forward when he was jerked back by the two girls. Both girls refused to move. Jake released their hands than turned to look at them. “What’s wrong?”

 “Thanks, but no thanks.” Destiny smiled up at him. She didn’t want Vickie’s suspicions raised higher than they already were. “I think you and Vickie need some time alone.”

 “Vickie tell her you don’t mind returning to camp.” Jake said lifting his hand to point at Destiny.

 Vickie just stood there. Not uttering one word. She had crossed her arms and stared at him. Her facial expression was one of anger and disbelief. Jake looked back at the woman with the same anger.

 “Well a man knows when he’s beat.” Jake threw his hands in the air and started to walk back up the trail with Vickie running to catch up.

 Destiny turned and walked down the trail. She was pleased with her self for avoiding another crisis. Besides it would do Jake good to spend time with his fiancée so he could remember what a pain in the ass she was. She wasn’t watching were she was going her white tennis shoes slid out from under her and she fell to the ground. A branch broke her fall but killed her butt.

 “Perfect!” She yelled out load as pain shot up her right thigh. “Why me?” ‘Because you were thinking bad thoughts.’ She answered her self.

 She sat there fighting back tears that threatened to consume her. Destiny thought how stupid she was to let Lisa bully her into coming on this stupid hike in the first place. If she had just stayed at camp she wouldn’t be in this predicament.

 Destiny gently leaned forward and to the side, supporting her upper body with her hands so she could stand up, when the soil gave away from under her feet. She went down on her belly hard her arms flung out in front of her. Destiny franticly grabbed at weeds, roots and grass trying to keep from sliding down the cliff. Her foot finely caught a tree root sticking out of the soil, keeping her from slipping further down the side of the hill.

 Destiny tried to get a foothold and climb up the loose soil but it was no use, her foot kept slipping back to the root. Destiny felt the grass starting to give under her weight. She grabbed for another hand full of the foliage hoping it would hold until some one could find her.

 She laid her head against the cool earth and began to cry as her ankle throbbed with pain. There was no way out for her now. Jake and Vickie would be to far up the mountain to here her cries for help and Lisa and Brain were probably at the lake by know. Her tears flowed hard as the hopelessness overwhelmed her.

 

 

 

 Jake walked up the mountain with Vickie following. All he wanted to do was get to the damn top and get back to camp. The idea of Destiny being down there by her self was driving him crazy. What if someone stumbled on to their camp and he wasn’t a very nice guy. Destiny being a young and beautiful women, she would be irresistible for a guy like that. The more he thought about it the more his stomach turned at the thought of her being down there by her self.

 “Damn it, Jake. What is wrong with you?” Vickie yelled.

 Jake stopped, his back still facing her. “Trust me you don’t want to know.” Even though his voice was soft there was an angry undertone. Jake could not possibly tell Vickie that he was worried about Destiny and could not stand to imagine her down at the base of the mountain by her self. That he was trying to hurry to the top so he could get back to her. He especially didn’t want to tell her that he would rather be with Destiny than her.

 “Turn around and talk to me, now!” She demanded.

 Jake spun around on his heels and faced her, eyes blazing with anger. “You just don’t know when to quit, do you?”

 Vickie stepped back and stared at him with utter amazement. Never before had anyone looked at her that way; so full of anger and resentment. His eyes, his stance everything about him at that moment was frightening and erotic. Vickie wanted him more know than ever.

 “God I want you so bad right now I can taste it.” She breathed heavily.

 This time it was Jake’s turn to step back, he was caught of guard by her response and just stood there watching her begin to unbutton her blouse and walk towards him swinging her hips sexually, like a cat ready to pounce. Her eyes blazing with desire. Vickie reached out for him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She was preparing to pull his head down so she could reach his lips. Jake realized he hated 

this woman with every cell of his body and her selfish acts had disgusted him beyond anything he had felt before. He grabbed her arms and threw them off his shoulders.

 “You’re the most selfish thing I have ever met.” He said between clutched teeth. “That girl has no one here and if that means you might have to sacrifice a few things than so be it.”

 “Fine if you want to go back than we can go back.” Vickie turned and began to head down the trail with Jake at tow.

 She was so angry she could spit nails. How dare he refuse her need for him. No man ever refused Vickie Santinee. Ever! Fine if he wants to play protector to that little brat so be it, she had better things to do, like going to that party she was invited to yesterday while she was down at the bathrooms trying to waist time while everyone else was doing the manual labor thing. Yeah, she’d go to that party and show him how desirable she was than maybe he wouldn’t be so quick to call it quits.

   Jake walked behind Vickie, he could not believe anybody could be that selfish. He had news for her though, once they got married she was going to learn some manners and grow up, that was for sure. If he was going to have to be with this woman for the rest of his life he was at least going to make her be descent to other people. Jake froze as he heard faint sobs coming from in front of them. All at once panic overwhelmed him, he knew it was Destiny.

 Jake took off down the trail with Vickie running behind him. He could hear her protests for him to stop in the background of his brain as he strained to hear Destiny. Jake stopped and held out an arm to stop Vickie as well, he held his finger to his lips motioning for her to be quit. Jake’s heart sank as the realization that the sound was coming from over the side of the trail. He looked down at the freshly turned soil as his breath caught in his throat.

 Jake lied on his belly and looked over the cliff. Destiny was clinging to anything her hand could grab. Jake was nervous about calling out her name he didn’t want to startle her and cause her to let go. He took a deep breath and spoke to her softly.

 “Dessie honey, its okay baby. I’m here, just hang on.”

 Destiny looked up to see the face of her angel that had come to rescue her. Her heart soared to see Jake reaching out his hand to take hers. She grabbed the wrist with one hand than the other holding on for her life. Destiny pushed at the soil with her feet as Jake pulled her up towards him. When she had reached the top she sank into his arms and cried.

 Jake had never been so happy to have his arms around a woman. She had reached for him as soon as her legs where pulled up over the ledge. She had wrapped her arms around his waist and began to sob. Jake stroked her hair gently as he held her close to him. To his amazement even his cold-hearted girlfriend bent down next to them and started rubbing Destiny’s back.

 “We need to get her back to camp.” Vickie said softly.

 Jake stared at her in bewilderment. ‘Now what was she up to?’ He wondered.

 “Just because I don’t like her, doesn’t mean I want to see her killed.” Vickie responded to his look. That would mean they would have to go back to Eugene and she was counting on this trip to seal their engagement.

 Jake gently pushed Destiny from him and stood up than reaching down picked her up in his arms. He followed Vickie down the trail and back to the camp he saw her go into Destiny’s tent and come running back out with her sleeping bag and a pillow. She laid it on the ground in front of the fire pit and looked up at him. Jake nodded his approval and gave her a smile. Than he bent down and placed Destiny on the blanket, and sat beside her.

 “I’ll go get some ice from the freezer down by the rest rooms.” Vickie grabbed a pot sitting on the camp stove and took off down the hill.

 “Jake I’m so sorry about ruining your walk with Vickie but I’m glad you came back I didn’t know how much longer I was going to be able to hold on.” Tears were still fresh on her cheeks as she spoke through ragged breath.

 “What happened?” Jake put an arm around her and held her tight to him. “I thought I had lost you.”

 “I feel down and when I went to go get back up the trail gave away and I slide down the slope.” She took a deep breath. “Jake I was so scared, I didn’t know how long you and Vickie were going to be. I couldn’t climb back up every time I tried I would just slip again and my ankle hurt. The only thing I could do was hang on and hope to god you guys would come back down in time.”

 “Anything else hurting?” He twisted over on one knee and laid her down flat as he searched for injuries.

 “Just may ankle and my pride.” She reached up and wiped a tear from her cheek.

 Jake turned and looked at her foot it was visibly swollen. He reached down and gently took off her shoe and sock. It didn’t look broken. But he couldn’t be for sure until the swelling went down.

 “We’ll have to wait until the swelling goes down before I know if it’s broken.” He turned to look at Destiny as she looked up at the sky her left arm draped over her belly as the other was lying across her forehead.

 “As soon as Vickie gets back with the ice I’ll put some on your ankle.” He walked on his knees up to the other end of her.

 “What got into Vickie?” She shifted her eyes to look at him as a smile of confusion crossed her face.

 “I have no idea.” He stretched out along side of her propping his upper body up on one of his elbow and resting his head on his hand.

 They stayed in that position for a few moments until they heard Vickie coming up the hill with Brian and Lisa’s voices ringing out behind her. Jake sat up on his butt just as all three of them crested the top at a run. Brian was the first one by Jake, He practically pushed him out of the way, than Lisa who went to the other side of her friend and knelt down by her head. Vickie handed the ice to Jake as he pushed him self on his knees and knelt down by Destiny’s ankle.

 “Can you go get a sandwich bag, please?” Jake asked Vickie.

 “Sure honey, be right back.” Vickie walked over to the brown bag sitting on the picnic table and pulled out a small box with a picture of a sandwich wrapped in a bag on it.

 When she returned she handed the bag to Jake who filled it with ice and laid it gently on Destiny’s ankle. He did not miss the sharp intake of breath as the weight of the bag sat on her delicate foot.

 ‘Sorry!” He looked up at her.

 “What happened?” Lisa turned and looked at him accusingly.

 Before he could answer her Destiny caught her attention as she began to explain how she wanted to go back to camp and how she fell down the cliff and how Jake and Vickie rescued her from curtain death, she exaggerated. They were looking down at her shacking their heads in disbelief.

 “Sorry Jake.” Brian looked up at his friend. He didn’t miss the look of confusion the appeared on his face. “Forgot to tell ya that our little Destiny is a klutz. Usually can’t walk two feet without doing something to her self.”

 “Brian!” Lisa hollered at him.

 “What!” Brian turned to look at her.

 She looked down at Destiny than back up at her boyfriend and cocked her head to the side, a stern look crossing her face.

 “Sorry little one,” Brian leaned down and kissed Destiny on the forehead. “But I had to tell him.”

 “Okay everybody stop hovering over me like I’m going to die or something.” She sat up than gently turned, holding her leg with the hurt ankle and leaned back against the log, she bunched up the sleeping bag in front of her before placing her ankle down again.

 “Jake you and Vickie go a head and finish your hike. Lisa and Brian finish what ever you guys were doing. I’m fine I just need to rest for awhile.”

 “Hope your feeling better Destiny.” Vickie ran up to Jake and put her arm around his arm. “Come on honey!” She gently pulled.

 Jake looked up at her his face confused. But he new he needed to go with her if for no other reason than to express his gratitude to her for helping with Destiny. He still didn’t know why she did, but he was willing to give her the benefit of doubt. He got up and stood next to her.

 “I was going to tell you about the dinner party we were invited to, yesterday.” She hoped her kindness towards Destiny would make him more willing to join her.

 “What party?”

 “Well yesterday when I was at the restrooms a guy invited me to a party he was throwing tonight. Any way I told him we’d be there, he said not to worry about dinner they were going to have a barbeque.”

 “Okay, lets go.” Jake allowed him self to be led down the hill towards the other side of the bathrooms.

 

 

 “We were done anyway.” Lisa answered her friend, than stood up and stepped over the log and sat down on it. Brian plopped on his butt and sat down Indian stile on the ground.

 “Looks like your stuck with us.” He smiled.

 “ Oh great, Curly and Moe.” Destiny rolled her eyes and smiled at her friends.

 Lisa stood up and went to the cooler and grabbed some hotdogs and baked beans. Than pulled out the coat hangers, hotdog buns, plates, and ketchup. She walked over to were Destiny was and sat down beside her. Brian was busy getting the fire started. When he

had succeeded they poked the metal rods through there hotdogs and roasted them over the fire.

 They played charades with Destiny characters always staying on the ground of coarse. They told ghost stories and roasted marshmallows and made smores. She watched Lisa and Brian tease one another and found her self-wishing she had someone she could be with. Usually their antics never bothered her but ever since she had met Jake her life and feelings were turned up side down. Brian and Lisa sat next to each other holding hands and looked over at their friend.

 “Well it’s getting late. How about we turn in for the night.” Lisa smiled at her.

 “Come Dess, I’ll help ya to your tent.” Brian stood followed by Lisa.

 “No thanks. I want to set here for awhile.” She smiled at them. “Go a head and turn in without me I’ll be fine.”

 “Are you sure?” Lisa said with concern.

 “I’m fine will you two please go to bed.” She wasn’t tired, besides she wanted to see how Vickie and Jake returned, weather they were lovy dovy or at each other’s throats. She couldn’t say why it was important for her, but it was.

 “Okay. If your sure.” Brian looked down at her.

 She nodded.

 They said good night and turned towards their tent hand in hand. Lisa looked back briefly at her friend before ducking inside the door. Destiny heard the zipper slid down closing them in from the out side world. She didn’t know how long she sat out by the fire but it was long enough that Brian’s snores drifted to the outside of his tent. Destiny smiled to her self, wondering how Lisa could possibly sleep with all that noise.

   She was about to stand and test her weight one her ankle when she heard footsteps coming from the bottom of the hill. She looked towards the directions of the sound and saw Jake approaching her, without Vickie. He sat beside her on the log his lips flat, his eyes burning with anger as he stared at the fire. If he didn’t look so miserable she would have been happy he returned alone.

 “Are you okay?”

 “What?” He snapped at her.

 “Nothing.” She snapped back. Destiny couldn’t believe he would snap at her like that. Maybe Vickie and him did belong together after all. Her temper seamed to be matched by his. She shook her head and decided it would just be best to go to bed. Destiny placed her hands behind her, up on the log, and pushed her self up so she could sit on it, than reached down to get her sleeping bag.

 Jake turned towards her his voice soft and gentle. “What are you doing?”

 “I’m going to bed.”

 Jake turned off the log and crouched in front of her he took her hand in his. “Dessie, I’m sorry. Please don’t go.”

 “What do you have to be sorry about?” She looked up at him.

 “I know you were just concerned about me. I didn’t mean to jump on you.” His head sagged, his chin touching his chest. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

 Destiny dropped the sleeping back and brought her hand up placing them on both sides of his cheeks. He moved under her touch and looked up at her. His eyes were moist with

tears that would never fall. She smiled at him and ran one hand up and over his head before resting it on his shoulder.

 “Do you want to talk about it?”

 He shook his head.

 Destiny knew she was asking for trouble but she gently guided him to turn around and sit in front of her, between her legs. She reached down grabbing his shirt and pulling it up over his head, taking it off. She heard his breath catch as her fingers touched his back and began to gently move them up along his spine.

 The tips lightly touching his skin as they moved closer to his neck, up under his hair, to the soft downy strands at the hairline. The tips of her fingers came up to just behind the ears than glided down his neck over his shoulders and down his chest, her breath staggering as her lips came close to the soft flesh of his neck. Destiny paused there for a few moments. Than moving her hands back over his shoulders and down his back to the denim barrier that would not allow her to go any further.

 Jake had swelled with desire when she pulled his shirt off and started to slowly move her fingers up and down his body. He told him self that he would not let it go any further than this, as her fingers stopped at his jeans. Then he felt her hot breath on his neck moments before her velvet lips touched his skin, setting him on fire; he leaned back slightly and let out a moan of desire. Suddenly he felt the moist warmth of her tongue as it touched his skin than the velvet softness of her lips following soon after.

 Jake had lost total and complete control of his body. He was shocked once again by how fast she could bring him to arousal. Usually it took much longer and more effort on his female counter parts. His mind spun as his body became hot and his desire filled him completely. He needed her now, wanted her now. He did not care about anything but her and him.

 “God girl, what are you doing to me?” His voice was deep and husky with desire.

 “I’m loving your body.” She whispered in his ear.

 Jake’s breath caught in his chest as her silky voice wrapped around him like a blanket. He pulled away from her and turned so that they were facing one another. His heart pounding out of his chest as his eyes caught hers, they were swirling deep dark gray as the storm inside her rose to its full intensity. Her hair blowing gently around her as the light from the fire bathed her in a golden mist.

 Jake leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she moved off the log and to her knees, pressing her body against him. There kissing became deep and hard as their hunger for each other grew with in them both. He moved his hand up her shirt and gently caressed her breast touching the velvet bud that had swelled for him.

 Destiny gasped as her body went rigged. Fear overwhelmed her. No man ever touched her like this, she was way over her head and she knew it, but she found her self relax as he deepen the kiss and stroked her arm with his other hand. She didn’t care if this was wrong or if this man that could make her burn with wanting for him. That he was only in it to get back at Vickie. She felt him wrap his arms around her waist and lift her up briefly before he turned their bodies and placed her on the sleeping bag, never once releasing her lips. Destiny felt her world disappear as shock waves of desire ran through her body. Her heartbeat pounded hard in her chest trying to escape the prison it was incased in.

 He straddled her legs as his kisses moved down her neck and towards her chest were the point of the v of her shirt stopped. Than moved up her neck kissing it as he found his way to her ear and nibbled on the lobe. Jakes hand reached up and placed a hand on her cheek and lifted his head and looked at her. “Make love with me?”

 Destiny’s eyes filled with tears as she realized what she was doing. She was overwhelmed by her desire for him, yet her conscious was screaming at her to stop. Destiny new what she had to do no matter if she wanted to or not? She gently placed her hands on Jakes chest and pushed him off her. She could see the pain in his eyes as he got up on his knees.

 “I’m sorry, I can’t.” Her voice was filled with regret.

 “We don’t have to stop. I wouldn’t have let it go beyond kissing if you didn’t want it to.” He looked at her confused.

 “But I wanted to.” She looked up at him. “I can’t do this, Jake. I can’t give my self to you just so you can turn around and be with Vickie again.” Destiny bent down and grabbed her sleeping bag than started off to her tent. Her ankle still throbbed with pain, but she didn’t care. Destiny had to get away; the pain in her heart over showered the pain in her ankle. She could not stay were her heart was so venerable.

 Jake stepped out in front of her. “I have to be with her. I have no choice.” He didn’t understand what had just happened. And here she was walking away from him, again. He was more pissed than he had ever been with Vickie. How could she start this and than act like it was his fault when it ended up going as far as it did. For gods sake what did she aspect him to do just sit there and ignore his desire while she filled her own fantasies.

 “Your right Jake, you have no choice.” Destiny said between clenched teeth.

 His eyes felt with anger. “How can you stand there and pretend I started this when it was your damn witch fingers and those kisses on my neck. What were you thinking? That it wouldn’t drive me crazy?”

 “I don’t know what I was thinking Jake. I lost my head.” She raised her voice.

 “If you can loose your head than why can’t I loose mine?”

 “Because you’re engaged. I’m not.” She paused briefly. “And your experienced, and I’m not.”

 “Oh don’t give me that I’m a virgin crap. You know to much in seduction to be a virgin.”

 Destiny was so mad she wasn’t even going to grace him with an answer. But before she could turn to walk away Jake opened his mouth again. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. Not even Vickie and it’s a confusing as hell. If you don’t want me to touch you like that again than don’t give me anymore back rubs, or kisses, and don’t touch me my skin lights up every time you touch me. Hell Destiny maybe I’m just going crazy.” He turned from her and walked down the gravel driveway.

 Tears fell from her eyes as she watched him walk away from her, she turned and hobbled over to the log and sat down, picking up his shirt, and she held it to her face and wept. Not touch him, how could she not touch him. It sounded like he didn’t even want to be friends anymore. She had to do something to fix this. She wanted to at least be his friend. Hell at this point she was starting to wonder what was so wrong with a little affair. No one but her and Jake would know. Several minutes passed when she decided she had had enough wallowing in self-pity. She walked over to Jake’s tent and folded his shirt and left it on his sleeping bag. She glanced over and saw some paper and a pen sitting on Vickie’s pillow. She fell to her knees and grabbed the paper and pen and wrote Jake a note.

  

          My sweet Jake,

                I am so sorry if I made you fell like it was your fault. That was not my    

          Intentions. I just seem to loose control of my body and my head when I’m        

          around you. Don’t ask me why because I can’t tell you. Maybe I’m crazy?       

          Everything goes hazy and all I can think about is us lying together, being together     

          always. I just couldn’t keep going, know matter how much I wanted to, I could  

          have never forgiven my self if something had happened between us. Especially 

          when it’s what I want more than anything. I can only hope you understand. And

          that you have no regrets for kissing me. Please don’t be mad.

                                                               

                                                                     Love,

                                                                   Destiny

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                       

 

 Destiny tore the paper from the pad folded it and placed it on Jakes shirt. She stood and walked out of the tent. Than hobbled over to hers stopping briefly to pick up her sleeping

bag. Than continued on into her tent. She laid down on the cool fabric resting her head on her pillow and began to cry. This trip was not turning out like it was supposed to be and it was all her stupid fault for falling in love with someone she had no right to fall in love with. Fall in love? She wasn’t in love. Was she? Now she knew she was crazy.

 

 

 Jake calmed down as the cool breeze hit his bare chest. He knew that Destiny was not blaming him, if anything she was blaming her self, which was stupid it was his damn hormones that flew off the Richter scale every time he saw her. He walked back towards the campsite and noticed that Destiny was nowhere around and that his t-shirt was missing. He sighed deeply and went inside his tent.

 Jake saw his shirt folded neatly on the end of his bed and a small folded piece of paper laying on top. He sat down on the flannel cloth and opened the letter and read it to himself. When he was done he folded it over again, clutching it in his hand. He lied down on his sleeping bag resting his head on his pillow and tried to get a hold on his emotions. He wasn’t exactly sure what he felt for Destiny but it was stronger than he had ever felt for any one before, including Vickie. How did his life become so out of control?

 

                                                           

 

 The next morning Lisa and Brian were up at the crack of dawn like always. Lisa cooking, Brian building a small fire. Destiny hobbled out of her tent wrapped up in her sleeping bag. Her ankle was still sore but nothing like the day before, she knew she had just sprained it. Destiny Smiled as she heard Lisa singing to her self. She walked over to her friend, the scent of bacon filling the air around her.

 “God girl, don’t you sleep?” She said in-between a yawn.

 “I guess I’m just a morning person.” Lisa smiled and flipped an egg.

 “You need any help?”

 “Nope!”

 “You want me to build a fire?”

 “Sorry Brian’s beat ya to it.”

 “Than what can I do?”

 Lisa pointed to the log. “ You can go sit down.”

 “Okay, Lees. Okay!” Destiny hobbled over to the log and sat down.

 A few minutes later Brian had a fire started, the red orange flames lapped at the wood making it pop with preasure. Brian stood up, a gratifying look across his face. He winked at Destiny as he headed towards Lisa. He sneaked up from behind her and stolid a piece of bacon than ran for his life as she spun around to hit him with her spatula. Brian sat next to Destiny and smiled.

 “She falls for it every time.” He stuck the whole piece of bacon in his mouth and chewed with a grin still on his face.

 Destiny chuckled lightly than stood up. She walked over to her tent and went inside leaving her sleeping bag on the floor in a heap and grabbing her make up bag and a white pair of shorts and a lavender tank top, she went back out in the cool morning air.

 “I think I’m going to go use the bathroom.” She said.

 “Nice sweat suit.” Brian pointed at her purple outfit that was much too big for her.

 “Hay! At least it’s comfortable.” She said over her shoulder as she limped down the hill.

 Soon after Destiny left Jake came stumbling out of his tent. He was hopping on one leg trying to put his shoe on, when his toe caught the lip of the tent and he had to put his foot down half in and half out of the shoe.

 “Have a nice trip?” Brian walked up to him chuckling.

 “Yeah! It was great. Want to buy a ticket?” Jake smiled at his friend. He finished putting on his shoe than stood up.

 They both walked over to the log and sat down next to one another. Brian smiled at his friend than slapped his shoulder. Jake looked up at him with confusion on his face. Brian leaned over and whispered in his friend’s ear.

 “ I don’t know about you, but man, this is the most sex I’ve had consecutively at one time.”

 “Oh! Glad to hear it.” Jake looked at him stunned.

 “So how was last night?”

 “Well besides the fact that the woman who is supposed to be in love with me was kissing some other guy, Fine.”

 “Why do you stand for that? Damn Jake, you could have Destiny in a heart beat all you have to do is tell Vickie to take a hike.”

 “Don’t remind me.” Jake looked up and saw Destiny coming up the hill, she was drenched her hair damp with water. The shorts and shirt she was wearing accented her curves as she made her way to them. He stood, than walked towards her, Brian following closely behind.

 “What happened? Don’t tell me you went swimming.”

 “No! I took a shower,” she paused and looked at Jake. “A cold shower.” She teased. Than turned away when she saw the deep circles under his eyes, marking his inability to sleep.

 Jake stared at her the beginning of a smile crossing his face.

 “ Hay sis, you fall in?” Brian laughed.

 “Ha ha, forgive me if I don’t laugh.” She smiled. Than glanced back at Jake, ‘Sorry’ she mouthed as Brain put his arm around her and led her away.

 Jake watched as Brian wrapped his arm around her shoulders and walked with her to her tent. Jake saw the look of regret in her eyes as she looked at him. Did she regret what they did last night? Or did she regret stopping? It didn’t matter he could not afford taking kisses from her any more. He was hurting her and driving himself crazy. He turned and walked back to Lisa and sat down at the picnic table opposite of her.

 “You want to go wake up Vickie and come eat some breakfast.” She turned towards him with a smile waiting for him to answer.

 “I would love to but she never came back.” He picked up a piece of bacon and stuck it in his mouth.

 “What?” she looked at him in bewilderment. “Why aren’t you out there looking for her.”

 “She’s fine.”

 “Who’s fine?” Brian asked as he sat down at the table with Destiny joining them.

 “Vickie’s missing. She never came back last night.” Lisa turned to him, anger in her voice.

 “I’m sure she’s fine.” Brian looked up at her.

 “We’ll let me enlighten you boys.” She smiled cynically at both of them. “No Vickie, no breakfast.”

 “So what your saying is that if Jake and I want to eat we have to go find her?” Brian said sarcastically.

 “Bingo!” She turned back towards her creations sizzling in there pans.

 Jake and Brian looked at each other briefly and than stood up and headed down the hill. Destiny and Lisa watched them as they disappeared from sight. Destiny looked up at her friend and shook her head slightly.

 “What?” Her friend looked down at her.

 “Jake came home last night very upset, I don’t think it was a good idea to send them for her. I’m pretty sure she is okay and will come back when she wants to.”

 “I don’t care. I can’t believe he would just leave her down there.”

 “Did you ever think that he might not have wanted to?”

 Lisa didn’t respond to her question, however she had a good idea Lisa was thinking about what she had said. Destiny helped dish up the separate plates and place them on the table when she saw the boys returning, Brian a few steps behind him. Jake walked up to the girls and sat down at the table across from Destiny. Brian sat down next to him.

 “Where’s Vic?” Lisa turned towards the boys.

 “Not now!” Brian spoke up.

 They sat down and began to eat there breakfast in silence. Destiny wanted to ask Jake what had happened but she new better than to bring it up. Obviously from the look on his and Brian’s faces something had gone terribly wrong. When they were done they all pitched in and helped Lisa clean up.

   Soon afterward Vickie came strolling up the gravel road looking half drunk, swerving and stumbling slightly. She was holding her head with one hand moaning in pain. Brian put an arm around both the girls’ shoulders and ushered them down the hill until they got out of sight of the camp. Lisa turned and looked up at him as Destiny followed her lead.

 “What’s going on?” She asked confused.

 “Jake and I stumbled across Vickie in bed with another guy.” Brian whispered even though he didn’t have to.

 “Poor Jake.” Lisa looked over at Destiny pity filled her eyes.

 Destiny couldn’t believe what she had heard. My god, Vickie had the most wonderful, patient guy in the world and she still had to run around like a damn cat in heat. Well if she didn’t want him than Destiny would be more than happy to take him off her hands. Now if she could only get Jake to realize she would be better than Vickie. Suddenly she heard Brian speaking again as his voice invaded her thoughts.

 “Jake just stood there, His hands falling to his sides. He looked totally defeated Lees, just absolutely crushed. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. All of a sudden I looked up towards where he was standing and he was gone. I practically had to run just to catch up with him.”

 “He didn’t yell at her or anything?” Lisa asked.

 “Nope, just silence.”

 “What did Vickie Do?” Asked Destiny.

 “Nothing really she just looked up at us and asked us what the hell we thought we were doing barging in on her. That she wasn’t married yet and Jake had no right to be there. The guy she was with, I swear he turned four shads of white.” Brian ended with a chuckle.

 

 

 

 Vickie stumbled towards Jake; she reached the picnic table and sat down resting her elbows on the worn wood and placing her head in her hands. She was planning to be up and out of there before daybreak, before Jake woke up. Now she was going to have to deal with Jakes belly aching at seeing her with that guy and her head hurt.

 Jake walked up to her and stared at her, arms crossed across his chest, his anger reaching the boiling point. “What the hell was going on Vickie?”

 “Please Jake, you’re not stupid,” She looked up at him, shielding her eyes from the sun. “Leave me alone, my head feels like it’s going to explode.”

 “I want to know what you were thinking. Doesn’t this relationship mean anything to you? And what about our baby?”

 “I don’t know Jake. Does it to you? I mean I haven’t been able to tell with all that flirting you’ve been doing with that little girl.” She stood and walked over to their tent Jake following behind her.

 Vickie stepped inside while Jake was yelling something about walking away from him when she noticed a small piece of paper laying beside his pillow. She reached down and grabbed it than turned and sat on her sleeping bag. She opened it and read the contents.

 Jake walked in after her steaming to the top. Her walking away from him sent him over the edge. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the letter Vickie held in between two fingers. Jake walked closer to her and tried to grab for the letter when she yanked it from him. A smile crossed her face.

 “No, no, you bad boy. Looks like I’m not the only one with my hand in the cookie jar.” She flung the letter at Jake. It fell by his feet.

 Jake reached down and grabbed the letter, stuffing it in his pocket.

 “Obviously you forgot about our baby as well.” Vickie pointed a finger at him.

 “You started this crap last night when you decided to act like a whore.” He pointed his finger at her.

 “I kissed one guy to get your attention away from the brat and back on me and the first thing you do is run back here and have sex with her.” Vickie yelled.

 “Let’s get one thing straight, right now. Destiny and I never made love; we may have kissed but it never went past that. And number two if you don’t start acting a little more like my fiancée instead of a steady sex partner, that’s it Vickie, there will be no more chances.”

 “Fine Jake just go ahead and remember what you said when you force my hand and make me abort our unborn child. Just don’t forget your roll in that decision.”

 “I have never wanted to hit a woman more than I want to hit you at this moment.” His voice was strained as he tried to control his anger.

 “Go a head nothings stopping you.” She egged him on.

    Jake stood and walked towards the door of the tent than turned and looked at her. “We have to be at my dads in three hours I want this stuff packed up and in the truck by the time I return. Brian and I still have to take down the tents.” Than he stepped out side.

 “I hate you Jake Ryan.” Vickie yelled as a shoe went flying by him.

 

 

  

 

     Brian lead the girls back just in time to see a shoe fly past Jake as he walked away from his tent. They froze waiting for some retaliation from Jake. He just kept on walking with out even glancing back. The group met him half way into the campsite. He paused and looked at the group and gave them a reassuring smile.

 “We are supposed to meet my dad in a few hours so we better start packing up.” He looked at Brian. “I need to go for a little walk I’ll be back in time to help with the tents.”

 “You okay bro?” Brian asked concern seeping through his voice.

 “Yeah, I just need to go for a walk.”

 Brian and Lisa walked away to their tent and went inside.

 Jake reached out and touched Destiny’s arm as she started to walk past him.” Please wait?”

 “I’m sorry about what happened between us last night. I didn’t mean to start something without finishing. I just don’t know where I fit in your life Jake. And than when Vickie pulls this crap… I just don’t understand why you’re with her.” She spoke fast and quick not wanting him to break in and interrupt her.

 “I know. Please don’t worry about last night I wanted to just as much as you did.” Jake lifted his hand to her face and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “I don’t know what I want any more. All I know is that I need you in my life and I want us to stay friends if nothing else. I know it’s not fare to you Destiny but I just can’t walk away with nothing. I need you. Is that something you think you can do?”

 Destiny looked up at him confusion showing in her eyes.

 “If you can’t be that to me right know, I’ll understand.”

 “I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a problem, especially do to recent events. But if that’s the only way I can be with you than I guess it will have to do.” She spoke honestly.

 Jake new the sacrifice she was making for him, he was making the same one. Both there feeling would have to be held back so that he could save his unborn child from an early death. The more he tried to justify what he was asking her to do the angrier he became with him self. But he couldn’t help it, he needed her with him right now, maybe at the end of the two months his heart would grow cold of the need for her and he could let her go. But right know she was the only thing keeping him sane, her and his unborn child. “Do you think you could ride with me when we leave, I can’t be around Vickie right now.”

 “Sure!”

 “Thanks Dess.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek were his hand had been just moments before. Than walked away down the hill to be with his thoughts by himself.

 

 

 

 By the time Jake had returned. The campsite was cleaned up and every thing including the tents where put away. The group was standing together in silence. Destiny and Brian staying clear of Vickie. He couldn’t help but to see murder in Destiny’s eyes as she looked at his fiancée. He couldn’t blame her, he’s had that same evil desire these past 3 days him self. Jake suddenly realized why he would never be able to tell her a bought the baby, it hit him when he saw the pure hatred in his angels eyes, he would never survive her looking at him like that.

 “Brian!” Jake approached the group.

 “Yeah?” He looked up at his friend.

 “ There’s a small restraunt off the highway, I think it’s called Heidi’s or something. If we get lost I’ll meet you there. We can eat and than head to the airport.”

   “Sure but you wont loose me.” He smiled.

 “I have one more favor.”

   “Yeah?”

   “Can Vickie ride with you I think it’s best if we didn’t spend time together right know.”

   “Not a problem.” Lisa spoke up.

   “Good, Dess can ride with me.” He didn’t miss the flash of anger in Vickie’s eyes when he announced that little tid bit. And it made him feel good.

   Destiny flashed Vickie a look of triumph as she walked over to the passenger side of Jakes 4-Runner and got in. Lisa held the door open for Vickie and lifted the passenger side seat so she could crawl in to Brian’s car. Lisa let the seat fall back to its regular position than sat down on it and shut the door. The boys walked to their sides of the cars and got in and started the engines, the cars roared with life than headed out of the campground. Jake in the lead.