The Other Fish in the Sea by Jenn Cooksey Read Free Book Online Page B

and while Melissa’s parents were very “disappointed” in their son for “spoiling” their trip, they were willing to let their daughter out of the sick house for the remainder of our break. With that settled so easily, Melissa packed up her stuff in a jiffy and was at my house within the hour.
    Yeah, you can probably tell I’m not terribly fond of Melissa’s parents… Over the last couple months, I’ve come to discover that Melissa’s mom and dad are what you might call socialites, which sounds way cool until you actually get to know them and realize that in their case, socialites is actually just another word for elitist snobs. They’re very big on maintaining a certain kind of image that they expect their children to project as well and without question. They nit-pick everything Melissa wears, says and even what she freaking eats. Plus, she’s always having to attend formal dinner parties and fancy-schmancy social events with them at the country club they belong to. She doesn’t ever complain, but I tend to think Melissa’s parents treat her and her brother like freaking show ponies, which just makes me more grateful that my parents couldn't care less if I opt for the baked potato with bacon on it over the couscous when we eat out. Not that we even go to restaurants with couscous on the menu very often in the first place, but you get my point.
    “Okay man, if you’re goin’ we should get out to the lake, grab your bike, swap the tires for paddles, and then get the oil changed and stuff…hey Kate, want us to bring my mom’s quad for you?” Tristan asked, yawning a little and getting up off the floor where he’d been sitting in front of me while I’d been absentmindedly playing with his hair.
    Tristan’s got great hair. This is also one of the only safe forms of physical touch for us. I say safe because me playing with his hair doesn’t really turn either of us on. It’s more of a soothing thing for both of us…I wouldn’t doubt that if he could, he’d purr like a big cat.
    “Sure,” Kate replied with a shrug.
    “Wait. Our trailer is totally packed, isn’t it?” I asked, thinking there’s no way another bike and quad will fit on my family’s trailer.  
    “Yeah, but my parents have one at the lake we can use,” Tristan answered and then frowned as he thought of something else. “Uhh, oh, wait…is your tow hitch still broken?”  
    “Aw damn it, yeah it is…I forgot about that. What about your dad’s Land Rover?” Jeff replied with a little bit of irritation, but not much. He’s really just pleased as punch with being able to share Kate’s plans so even if he can’t ride a whole lot out in the desert, I have a feeling he’ll still be a happy camper.
    “Yeah, I suppose I’ll have to take that…I just hate sleeping in tents and I’m not sleeping in the damned Rover.”
    “Well, I can drive the bus and then the problem’s solved…”
    “That’ll work…oh wait, no it won’t. My dad garaged the Rover at the airport today when they left and I don’t have the keys…”
    “My truck has a hitch,” Pete reminded both Jeff and Tristan who’d become oblivious to everyone while discussing tow hitches and sleeping arrangements.
    “Oh yeah! Perfect…okay you guys, let’s get goin’ before it gets dark,” Tristan said before getting up to leave and giving me a kiss that he kept pretty G-rated for my mom’s benefit. Not that she doesn’t know better, but we try to keep up appearances.
    Kate left soon after the guys to get herself packed and when my dad got home, my mom told him about the last minute addition of two boys and two girls. She then had him make sure our old, three-room, family sized tent we upgraded from a few years ago and all the spikes and stuff for it were packed in the motor home while she sent Melissa and me to the store for additional food and drinks.  
    We left early Wednesday afternoon the second my dad got home and changed his clothes , and about an