Page 7 of Kickoff

“Mase, I don’t know whose idea it was to go camping to celebrate the end of our junior year but remind me to thank him.”

“That would be me. Thank you very much. I appreciate the fact that you can admit it is the best idea. I checked the map yesterday, and we can go cliff jumping within a twenty-minute hike from where we are setting camp. There’s also an indoor karting track in the next town over if it rains and the ground gets too muddy to go to the campsite or if we’re bored and need a plan B.”

“See? This, right there, is why you’re the captain. You always plan ahead, unlike me, who just follows the parade.”

I clapped his shoulder with a snicker. “It’s okay. That’s why we’re friends⁠—”

“Best friends.”

“Whatever. Best friends. Because we complete each other.”

He tapped the steering wheel with his palm. “True. You’re the yin to my yang.”

“Chase, don’t say things like that. It’s…huh…cheesy. And weird.”

“Nah, it’s poetic. Would you prefer the up to my down or the puppy to my kitten?”

“Kitten, really?”

“What? You like me. And I know for a fact you like pussies. Pussies are cats, and kittens are pussies too. It all makes sense.”

I lowered my sunglasses over my eyes, flipped my cap forward, and slouched in my seat. “Gosh, this weekend trip is going to be sooo long.”

“Nah. It will be perfect, kitty.” He grinned at me. “Absolutely fantastic.”

Two hours later, Chase pulled onto a gravel road and followed a sinuous path between the trees leading to a clearing by the riverbank.

“We’re here,” my friend announced.

We had just climbed out of his truck when two cars pulled up behind us, both filled with some of my teammates.

“Paige didn’t hold you hostage?” I asked my brother when he came to stand beside me.

“Ha. Ha. Very funny. She’s spending the day with Mel before she leaves for the summer.”

“Wait, what?” I reeled in my surprise, trying to sound nonchalant instead. “Melinda is leaving for the entire summer?”

“Yeah. Going to her grandparents’ in Jersey or something like that.”

“Oh. Cool.” Nah. Not cool.

“Anyway, Paige was more than happy to kick me out because they had plans.”

Rusty joined us. “Hey, Cap. I was thinking of setting up the tents there.” He gestured to the clearing with a finger. “That way, we will have enough space for a bonfire in the middle. What do you think?”

I pointed my thumb at my chest. “What do I think?”

“Yeah. You’re the man in charge.”

“Nah, man. I’m in charge on the field. Not when the season is over. Find someone else to lead your sorry asses. I’m on vacation.”

“Too bad because all the guys voted and you’re the lion to our kittens.”

“Please tell me you didn’t ask Chase for his opinion.” Only my best friend could come up with such a ridiculous metaphor, and he had a weird obsession with kittens today.

“Too late. Anyway, what do you think?”

“Whatever, man.” I sighed, annoyance building inside me. I really didn’t want to manage our camping trip. “Do what pleases you.”