Sweet Little Nothing

"Retract your claws, kitten," Zach says, slinging his arm around Stella's shoulders. "You know Gabe can't help himself. Every now and then he has to prove how big and manly he is."

Gabe puffs out his chest. "I'll show you big and manly."

Zach's eyes widen and he licks his lips. "You don't have to prove anything to me, babe."

"And that's enough of that," Sterling says, approaching our little group with both of our backpacks slung over his shoulder. "Let's go."

We hike about a mile through the woods, down a well-marked trail, until we come to a circular clearing. The guys immediately set to work pitching our tents while Stella and I gather wood for a fire. Ever the gentleman, Sterling sets up Stella's for her as well.

"Are you sure about sleeping out here?" she asks, glancing around like a bear's going to pop out and gobble us up.

"We're gonna be fine, Stell."

"Says you! You and Sterling get to share a tent together, and Zach and Gabe have their tent together. Where does that leave me?" She throws her hands in the air. "Bait! That leaves me as bait!"

"I'll sleep with you, and Sterling can sleep alone."

Judging from the pained sound Sterling makes, he must've overheard me and is not a fan of the decision, but I know he won't fight me on it because my happiness means more to him than a night of sleeping alone.

After our camp is set up, Stella asks, "Okay, so who brought food?"

I snicker, knowing that she has an entire pantry of snacks in her bag.

Gabe looks back at her with comically wide eyes. "What do you mean brought food?"

Stella tilts her head to the side. "You know, that stuff you eat?"

Sterling moves in closer behind me, bringing his lips to my ear and whispers, "You've got something I want to eat."

I elbow him in the ribs, but I'm laughing.

Gabe continues giving Stella a blank look, somehow keeping a straight face as he says, "I thought we were gonna like hunt and gather...you know, everyone gets their own food."

"Like on those TV shows," Zach says, catching on to his boyfriend's plan. He begins pulling his shirt over his head. "You know, like Naked and Afraid!"

Stella's cheeks blush brightly at the sight of Zach's abs. "You stop right there!" she shouts, but it's no use.

Gabe joins in and whips his shirt off as well, despite the fact that it's cold outside. "What's wrong, Stella? You don't want to play with us?"

My best friend is now the color of a tomato, and if I know her like I think I do, she's wishing the ground would swallow her whole.

Finally, I can't take watching her be tortured any longer. "Y'all leave her alone."

"Spoilsport.” Gabe rolls his eyes, but he's smiling. "I brought the stuff to roast hot dogs over the fire."

"And s'mores," Zach pipes up.

"Thank God. How long until we eat?"

"Girl, we just got here. Slow your roll, enjoy the fresh air."

Stella huffs, causing both Gabe and Zach to laugh.

"You really don't like nature, do you?" Gabe asks.

"I like nature just fine, thank you very much. I just happen to prefer it to be on the TV screen."

"Okay, city girl. Think you can handle a hike?"

Stella tilts her chin defiantly. "Of course I can!"

"All right, let's go."

The three of them immediately set off toward one of the trails while Sterling and I hang back a little. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" he asks, his voice strained. God love him, while Stella has grown on him, he's still getting used to spending time with Gabe and Zach. But he’s friendly…for the most part.

"I'm sure everything will be fine."

"Remind me why your friends came with us?"

"Because I wanted to do this, and those three are the best friends a girl could ever ask for. Simple as that. Plus, I don't think you get to complain, Ster. You bullied me just because your friend wanted you to. My friends, on the other hand, come camping with me."

A resigned sigh leaves his lips. "Touché, little mouse, touché."

"Now, let's go." I start walking after the others.

"Okay, but first—" He snags my hand and pulls me back into him, pressing his lips to mine in a sudden but passionate kiss.

But before it can heat up too much, Gabe interrupts us. "Come on, lovebirds!” he shouts from the tree line.

"So," Sterling hedges, drawing out the word. "Are we gonna talk about that nickname you just called me?"

"What nickname?"

"You called me Ster."

"Oh. It just slipped out."

"I like it."

I link my arm with his and rest my head on his shoulder as we approach my friends. "Good."

"I've camped here before," Gabe says, "and if we take this path, there's a really beautiful waterfall."

We all nod our agreement, and Gabe leads the way. We talk and bicker collectively as a group, generally just having a good time as we traipse down the trail.