Page 35 of Let’s Be Real

Back in the room, Samantha took a shower while I changed into my pajamas, laughing as I slid on another pair of plaid pants. I’d never put much consideration into what I wore to bed, but now I’d always think of Samantha.

My group chat with my brothers was lively, so I leaned against the headboard, scrolling through their messages.

Ben: Has anyone heard from Nate?

Rome: Not me.

Adrian: Sammie sent me a picture this morning. She’s got him swinging from trees.

Rome: …

Ben: Like, on vines? That doesn’t sound like Nate.

Adrian: Vines in Colorado? Really?

Ben: I’m just responding to what you said. Do I look like a botanist? IDK where vines grow. They could be all over Colorado.

Rome: Have you ever seen a vine around here?

Ben: I haven’t been looking.

Adrian: Please, just stop. No vines were involved. They were rope climbing. On ropes! And zip lining. Also on ropes!

A picture of me traversing the rope course came through. I hadn’t known Samantha had taken it. I zoomed in and out, checking my expression and my grip on the rope, reminding myself how high up I’d been. It was a good picture. It’d been a really good day.

Ben: Aw, look at Natey. He looks so happy!

Rome: Seems fun. And, yeah, he does look happy.

Me: I’m here now. You can stop talking about me…and vines.

Ben: Hi, Nate! We moved on from vines.

Rome: Are you having a good time?

Me: Surprisingly, yeah. Samantha’s family is a bag of dicks, but the times in between family functions have been great. We spent yesterday and today outside doing resort activities.

Adrian: How about Sammie? Is she having a good time?

Me: Same answer. The family time sucks, but she was more prepared for that than I was.

Rome: They’re really bad, huh?

Me: I’m sure there are worse. Ours were no picnic. But yeah, they are. I can’t help thinking how much more awful growing up would have been for her without Adrian.

Adrian: Don’t spiral, Nate.

Me: Ah, you know me too well. Can’t help it.

Samantha stuck her head out of the bathroom door, steam billowing around her.

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Would you be offended if I didn’t wear sweats to bed tonight? I usually wear a T-shirt and boxers but covered up last night so it wasn’t weird for you, you know? I really hate being so confined—”

I held up my hand. “Wear what you want. I’m not going to be uncomfortable.”