Forging Day (Crucible of Change Book 1) (3 page)

“…and the horse he rode in on,” Kat finished for me.

“Yeah.”

She still looked pretty upset. “Why don’t we call your doctor? I bet they’d fit you in. I know the guys wouldn’t mind waiting.”

“No. I hate going to the doctor. I just want to get out of here. You know what’s funny, except it’s not? He has a girlfriend, so he probably gets himself checked. How else would he explain if he gave her something? No wonder he asked whether I was on the pill, and the last time I was with anyone—and told me he didn’t like to share.”

She hugged me again and tried to paste a smile on her face—but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “In that case, the weekend is looking up. I don’t have to pretend to like Colby, and I can work on hooking you up with someone worth your time. Win-win.”

“If I don’t finish packing, I won’t be going anywhere—and I don’t want to hook up with anyone. With my luck, I’d fall for a nice serial killer or someone equally wholesome.”

“He wasn’t a serial killer, Olivia. As far as we know, anyway. He was just an asshole with a big dick.” She gave me a penetrating look. “You look like you need a minute, sweetie. Why don’t you take a quick shower? It might make you feel better.”

I was doing my best not to cry in front of her. “You’re right. A shower is exactly what I need.” I ran into the bathroom and closed the door. The shower at Colby’s house had been disgusting, and thinking about him made me feel dirty all over. I scrubbed and scrubbed, wanting every trace of him off of my body, and still couldn’t stop tasting him, no matter how many times I scrubbed at my mouth. I couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to be with me. He was right. I was a slut, and I drank too much. What was wrong with me?

And then Kat’s kiss popped back into my mind. We’ve been friends for so long. Sure, she’d flirted with me from time to time, but she flirted with everyone. I’d never thought about her that way, except that now I was. The only time I’d ever willingly kissed a girl was one drunken night in college with my roommate’s cousin…but from what hazy memories I had, we’d done a lot more than kiss.

I loved Kat. She was my best friend. I was not going to do anything to screw up my friendship with Kat over this. I couldn’t bear it. As the water ran over me, I thought,
at least when you cry in the shower, no one can see your tears
. I blinked the water out of my eyes, and determinedly thought about the weekend ahead. Maybe I should cut out the drinking—and the sex when I’m drinking—and just focus on archery while I figured out how to stop ruining my life.

* * * *

Kat was gone when I got back to my room, but my faire garb was laid out neatly on my bed. My travel bag sat open and ready on the desk. My sparkly makeup, pointy ear-tips, and long white wig were already packed. My favorite jeans and a T-shirt would do for the drive. We drew fewer strange looks when we stuck with street clothes until we arrived.

I finished packing as quickly as I could—doing my best to not think about last night, or this morning, or, for that matter, the last month. This weekend I would be an Elven archer, and we elves don’t let idiots ruin our weekend. Kat had picked out a few barely-there tunics, my most cleavage-inducing steampunk bodice, one long skirt, my matching tights—fuck you, Colby—and some breeches that would work better for archery. Nobody wants to tromp through the underbrush retrieving errant arrows wearing slippers and tights. She’d even set out my favorite blue silk teddy.

I hesitated a long time over packing that teddy, but my heart was hurt, and my body along with it. Maybe Kat was right and I’d meet someone special, but I wasn’t ready for that. I thought about the ugly bruises on my body, and the twinges I felt when I moved wrong, and put the teddy back in the drawer. I didn’t want anyone to see me this way. I did pack my fuzzy red robe, though.

As predicted, it was pretty close to lunchtime by the time the vehicles were loaded and everyone was ready. My personal things were safely stowed in my car, next to my stash of cowbells.

Kat made sandwiches for everyone for the road so we could finally get moving. Happily, no one begrudged me my shower time. Mikah and Berto had damp hair themselves, and Berto had a Cheshire cat grin that abruptly turned grim when he looked over at me. I had no doubt Kat had given him and Mikah both an earful about Colby.

Everyone else was already outside, talking to Ted—our best bud from across the street—when I finally joined them. He gave me a lazy wave and beamed that perfect California surfer boy smile, and then actually looked serious for a minute. “Sorry about introducing you to Colby. John brought him to poker night a couple of times and he seemed like an okay dude. I would have warned you off if I’d known he was such an ass.”

“Not your fault, Ted, but thanks.”

The sunny smile returned full force. Too bad he only dated men with well-defined six-packs and tight little butts. “No worries. Have fun. I promise to water the animals and feed the garden, or something to that effect. And I’ll keep an eye out for unwelcome ogre invaders.”

“Thanks, Ted. I think the ogre is in jail for the time being. And if we meet any hot elves, we’ll get you their numbers.”

“You’re the best,” he said with a smile. “You kids have fun.”

A breeze ruffled Mikah’s hair just then and he added, “One more thing, Ted. Please water the plants in Grammy’s room, too.”

Ted’s smile faded a little around the edges, but he kept his easy tone. “Sure thing.” He has always insisted the house isn’t really haunted, but he can’t explain why he’s always so reluctant to go into Grammy’s rooms. Methinks he doth protest too much.

It was my car, but Kat insisted on driving. “You look a little groggy, Olivia. You can nap on the way if you want.”

“Sure. You drive. A nap sounds like a good idea. Thanks for loading the car. I haven’t been much help today. I owe you a big one.”

She pulled out of the driveway, with the guys following. Mikah was driving for them. Ted swung the gate closed behind us, and waved again before heading across the street to his condo.

Kat gave me a quick smile. “You don’t owe me anything. That’s what friends are for. I know you’d do the same for me. And besides, you’ll owe me enough for all that great cooking you’re going to get this weekend. No need to add to your tab.”

Kat was an awesome cook. She happened to work at the Bakery Erotica, but she was in no way limited to the production of delectable baked goods. Ever since we discovered her cooking talents, the guys and I had paid her to do all our cooking at these events. It was worth it. She fed us. We cleaned up. Everyone was happy.

* * * *

Thanks to our midafternoon-on-a-Thursday departure, we managed to miss rush hour traffic. Once we got out of downtown Denver, we made pretty good time. Northward ho!

I loved that there were so many nearby places to camp in Colorado. We were headed to a sweet little campground, about twenty miles north of Estes Park. The campsites were close enough to socialize for the Faire, but far enough apart if you need to get away and chill for a bit.

We drove for a ways, just listening to the radio, while we ate our sandwiches. I tried to sleep after I finished eating, but it wasn’t going to happen.

“Do you want to talk about Colby, or anything else?” Kat finally asked.

“Not yet. I’m tired of crying today. How did you know he had a big dick?”

“I saw him coming out of the shower one morning. He forgot to lock the bathroom door on my side. Not that he minded me looking. He hit on me and suggested a threesome. He said he’d always wanted a blonde and a brunette at the same time.”

I couldn’t catch my breath for a minute while her words sank in. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I laughed it off, so he acted like it was a joke. You seemed to be happy. I didn’t want to mess things up for you.” She was quiet for a long minute. “If it’d been anyone but Colby, I would have said yes.”

That’s it. I’d work on my yet-to-be-accomplished sobriety next week. I was so going to drink tonight. “Kat?”

“Hmmm?”

“If we’re ever together, I don’t want it to be part of some threesome for a pervy boyfriend to get off. And please don’t say anything about Colby to Leo. I don’t want him to do something stupid and get into trouble.”

She sighed. “Okay. I won’t tell your brother, but I think you should.”

I queued up our driving playlist and closed my eyes to lose myself in the music. I guess I drifted off at some point, because when I woke up we were at our regular rest stop in Estes Park. We always pulled in here to top off the gas tanks and visit the local facilities. You learn to enjoy a nice flush toilet when you get the chance. With cold beverages and driving munchies in hand, we were back on the road in no time at all.

Arrival at the Sylvan Faire

We arrived at the campsite with plenty of daylight to spare. The sign at the entrance informed the world this was a private party. SYLVAN FAIRE ATTENDEES ONLY! I smiled. Finally it was time to leave the mundane world behind and escape for the next few days.

It was at camping events kind of like this where the four of us became such good friends. We’d all gone to these historical recreation events. They were fun, but something was missing. It turned out that we were all in agreement—we liked the camping and socializing and costuming, but were less enamored of the rules and overabundance of historical correctness. Berto heard about the Sylvan Faire from a friend. It sounded different, so we decided to give it a try and it was so much fun. Everyone came as whoever or whatever they wanted, and as long as no one got hurt, no one judged.

We found Wendy and her crew hard at work on the pavilion loop. Since she was in casual clothes, we could still call her Wendy. In a few hours, and until the end of the weekend, she’d be Queen Gwendolin to the rest of us fairy folk. Lori—Loralei—was posting the volunteer sign-up sheets to remind everyone what they’d agreed to do for the weekend. Kat, as usual, had volunteered to help with the community dinner on Saturday night. Berto was down for runner duties for the queen tomorrow. Basically, he got to deliver messages for her and make announcements as needed. Mikah and I had signed up for gate duty tomorrow morning. We’d get to remind the folks arriving of the few basic rules of the event and tell them their assigned campsites. It wasn’t a bad gig, as such things go, and it would be nice getting our volunteer shifts out of the way early.

“Need any help?” Mikah asked Wendy.

She shooed us off for now. “Go get your campsite set up and we’ll see if anything needs doing later.” She consulted her master list. “You all are in site seven this year.”

There was one main road that ran through the campground from east to west, paralleling the Middle Saint Vrain Creek to its south. The bridge across the creek was on the east end of the road, and the pavilion loop was north of the bridge. We were camping south of the road, just west of where it split to go north to the loop or east to the bridge.

We’d just pulled in at our site when my phone dinged for an incoming text. It was Leo. He was supposed to be on leave this weekend and joining us. Why did I feel that was about to change?

“Srry sis, leave cncl. Duty calls. Op Moo up 2 u. Have fun.”

“Hurry up and catch those aliens and get out here,” I texted back.

“Not fnny. Ttyl.”

“Leo’s not going to make it, again. I guess we don’t have to save him a spot for his tent.” It was just one more damn thing for this weekend. I hadn’t seen him in months. He said he couldn’t tell me what he’s doing or he’d have to shoot me.
Ha ha
. Leo and I had always been friends and partners in crime. I missed my favorite accomplice, and I really needed my big brother to make everything okay again. On the other hand, I saw my sister Cordelia way more than I wanted to. She lived in Denver and had plenty of time to harass me.

Leo was thirteen and I was nearly twelve when we lost our mom. Cordelia was the oldest at sixteen, and she took over raising us after that. Which wouldn’t have been horrible, except her interpretation of mothering was incessant nagging and expectations of scholastic perfection. At least Mom had understood that sometimes you just needed to have fun. I still couldn’t believe she was gone. Thirteen years later, and I still missed her like it was yesterday.

Cordie got even worse when our dad died five years ago. Fucking cancer.

While Mikah had been talking to Wendy, I’d managed to get a peek at the camping assignment list. I couldn’t implement Operation Moo if I didn’t know where to find my targets. They called themselves the Beast Lords, and drove up from Colorado Springs. They were, in my opinion anyway, the dark underbelly of our little group. They favored fairly elaborate animal masks, with furry upper body parts. Sometimes with tails, but not always.

A guy named Derek was their leader. He always dressed as a minotaur with huge horns. The first time I saw him, I told Kat he was obviously compensating for something. He was a big guy, and liked intimidating people, and hitting on every hot girl in camp, single or not. He was also a master of knowing how far he could push people without actually getting himself kicked out of the event. He absolutely hated when I
mooed
at him, which is why I couldn’t resist. I would have felt better if their campsite was a bit further away, but at least there would be another campsite between us and them.

Even though Leo wouldn’t be here to help, that didn’t mean I couldn’t stick with our plan. “I need to run a little errand,” I told Kat. “It shouldn’t take too long and I’ll be right back to help.”

She just shook her head when I retrieved my lumpy, slightly jangling bag from under my seat. Nobody paid me any mind as I sauntered toward the three campsites soon to be shared by Derek and company. It took a little longer on my own, but it was still easy enough to rig the practically invisible thin lines that would set off the cowbells that were carefully concealed up in the trees. Leo was a good teacher and wrote excellent directions.

Kat sighed when I got back. “I can guess where you went. Whatever you did this time, I hope it doesn’t come back to bite you. That guy is a jerk and a bully, and one of these days you’re going to push the wrong button with him.”