Outdoor Gear Rental Counter Chapter 1
Disclaimer: This story contains graphic depictions of sex between males over the age of majority. Characters in this story are fictional, real-life resemblances are purely coincidental. The author claims no affiliation with the University of Colorado Boulder.
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Chapter 1: Checking Out
Most of my shifts at the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder REC are predictable. As a junior and manager of the Outdoor Desk, I handle everything from checking out and maintaining equipment to supervising the climbing wall. It’s a job that seemed tailor-made for me when I first applied—after all, I’m an Eagle Scout, and in my Venturing Crew, I was the Quartermaster, the scout responsible for all the gear. So here I am, spending my afternoons and evenings loaning out kayaks, sleeping bags, tents, and climbing harnesses to students and staff eager for weekend escapes into the Rockies.
I’m Joey, a 21-year-old Environmental Studies major from Centennial, Colorado—a suburb just south of Denver. Boulder’s queer scene has been incredible; as an openly gay guy, I’ve found it easy to meet people here who share my interests. But when it comes to finding something serious? That’s been harder to figure out. I like to think I’m not unattractive—My 6’ frame is fit from years of scouting, climbing, and hiking, and my scruffy, outdoorsy vibe usually goes over well. I’ve got deep-set blue eyes, and golden blonde hair that’s kept short and messy, and I almost always sport some stubble on my long chin.
Between supervising the other staff on the climbing wall and waiting for rental customers, I don’t have much else to do on this late September Friday afternoon; so I pull out my phone from the charger and load up TikTok. Throughout the usual Reddit stories split into 3 parts with Minecraft visuals, there’s always that one TikToker, Hayden. Yes THAT Hayden, with over 900k followers, also goes to CU and is on our track team. Probably the only more famous at CU is the Buff’s QB Shadeur Sanders, and Sadeur doesn’t even have as many followers as Hayden.
I’ve had this huge crush on Hayden even before he came here as a Freshman this year and got Tiktok famous. Of course, he’s out of my league, younger, and has a girlfriend; but that hasn’t stopped me from thinking about him while getting off in the privacy of my apartment. Between his tall athletic body in those short gym shorts he wears, and the effortless smile when he’s dancing in his silly videos, who wouldn’t gush whenever you see him on screen?
Today he’s doing that latest viral trend, dancing to Olly Alexander’s ‘Breathe’ after the prompt “What do you have to offer my daughter?” Hayden’s wearing a blue Nike Dri-Fit shirt and black Gymshark shorts to show off his muscular arms and legs. His smile is infectious as he does his silly moves, and his fluffy blonde hair sways with every beat. I can’t help but watch the video a few times, mesmerized by his dance, and that easy, playful charm he seems to radiate. It’s weird knowing we go to the same school, yet he might as well be in another world. To him, I might be just another face, a random Junior or Senior. I’ve never seen him yet here at the REC, as all the athletes have their own practice and workout facility next door in the athletic complex.
Just as I’m rewatching the video for what seems to be the 12th time, I see someone coming through the entrance from the corner of my eye. I glance up, put down my phone, and my stomach does a little somersault. Standing there, looking as casual as ever, is Hayden, and he’s looking right at me wearing the same outfit as in the video. For a second, I think I’m seeing things, or maybe I’ve somehow manifested him here by repeatedly watching his TikToks. But it’s him, all six feet two of his confident energy.
“Hey is this where I can rent some camping gear for the weekend?” Hayden steps closer.
My mouth goes dry, and I can feel my heart rate spike. I manage to nod, trying to act as if I’m not starstruck by the TikTok-famous athlete standing at my counter. “Yeah, you’re in the right place. What are you looking to rent?” I ask, keeping my tone as steady as possible.
“A sleeping bag, pack, pad, tent, and maybe cooking stuff? Just for the weekend.” His voice is friendly and low, and he leans in slightly, hands resting on the counter. He’s even taller up close, and those pale blue eyes look way better in person than on a screen.
“Gotcha,” I say, standing up a little straighter, hoping I don’t look like an idiot. “Doing some backcountry camping? We have some nice lightweight tents. Are you going solo, or...?”
“I’m going to Golden Gate Canyon State Park with my friend Brendan for the weekend. He has a pack and sleeping bag already, so he’s making me get everything else since it was my idea.” Hayden says Brendan's name as if I should know who that is, and of course I do. Brendan is another TikToker from our school who has a similar follower count and plays on the basketball team. He’s somewhat dreamy too, but given a choice between the two, I’d take Hayden any day.
“Okay, we can do all that. If you’re doing some backcountry stuff I’d recommend you get a stove too as they only allow campfires at designed sites up there.”
“Oh wow, good thing you’re here, uhh Joseph!” Hayden chuckles, looking at my name tag.
“You can call me Joey. I’ll just need your OneCard and we’ll get a 2-day rental contract for everything started. For the sleeping bag, I’m guessing you’ll need a longer one right? There’s no extra charge.”
Hayden smiles and I catch a flicker of appreciation as he nods. “Yeah, good call—I'm definitely not squeezing into a regular one.”
I try not to be obsessed with his picture too long as I take his ID, quickly entering his student number into the system, though my fingers feel like they’re on autopilot. As I check off '20-degree sleeping bag’ and make a note ‘long size’ on the tablet, I feel a rush of heat to my cheeks. I have an affinity to one mummy-style sleeping bag in particular by The North Face called “The Cat’s Meow”.
During my time in Venturers, it was the bag my crew leaders recommended we get because it was lightweight, durable, and warm enough for most of our trips. It’s also etched into my memory because I happened to lose my virginity inside my Venturing Crew President’s Cat’s Meow sleeping bag at McNeil Scout Ranch when we shared a tent.
I can’t forget how the soft, cool nylon surrounded us as he slipped into my hole from behind. With the two of us inside it, there wasn’t much room to move, and we were dripping with sweat as Travis’ hips slammed into me. I’m pretty sure I’m the one who came first, overwhelmed by the new sensation inside of me and my bare cock pressed up against the buttery soft nylon lining of the bag. “Oh, Joeeeey” was all Travis could mutter as his load filled me shortly after. Travis’ Cat’s Meow looked pretty nasty after that weekend and I tried to get my parents to get me one too, but it fell on deaf ears.
Travis eventually joined the Air Force and left the crew, but I earned enough money mowing lawns to get my own Cat’s Meow bag that I still have. When the REC Outdoor Program Director Ethan asked me for suggestions to replace the 3 season bags this spring, I jumped at the chance to get us the newer Cat’s Meows. He was initially hesitant about the cost, but I won him over saying we should have lightweight bags if we are charging more for the lightweight tents. Now, here is Hayden renting out a Cat’s Meow he will fall asleep in tonight, and I wish I could be there for every moment inside his tent.
“Do you still have everything in stock?” Hayden asks me as I realize I’m taking longer than required with the tablet for this transaction, reminiscing about the times with Travis.
I snap out of it, still feeling lightheaded. "Yeah, we should have everything," I say, focusing back on the screen and double-checking the recommended gear list. "I’ll make sure you guys are all set for the weekend."
I hand him a list of items he needs with the prices. Hayden leans in to scan it, and I catch a hint of his cologne. My thoughts drift back to those camping trips being so close to Travis, moments of self-discovery that, even years later, feel surprisingly raw. CU might be worlds apart from my Venturing days, but there’s something familiar here—a mix of nerves and excitement that I haven’t felt in a long time.
"Looks good to me, thanks for the heads-up on the stove," Hayden says, grinning as he taps the counter with a cheerful, casual rhythm. "How long have you worked here Joey?"
“Three years, I started in Freshman year and I’m a Junior now,” I say, trying to keep my tone cool. "It’s a fun job—watching people go up on the climbing wall and making the outdoors accessible to everyone with rentals. Fits my major, too."
“Oh, what’s your major?” Hayden asks, genuinely interested.
"Environmental Studies," I reply, surprised that he’s asking. “Figured I’d combine my love for nature with something…you know, meaningful.”
He nods, clearly impressed. "That’s awesome, man. I mean, we only have one planet, right?"
"Exactly," I say, glad to find common ground. I print off a form to sign, and he takes it, looking at me in that easy, open way he does on his posts. “Okay,” I nod taking it back after he signs it. “I’ll get that all from the back. Do you want to pull your vehicle around Stadium Drive and back into the loading dock? Better save your energy for this evening!”
“Oh man, almost like you’ve been reading my mind! Sure I’ll pull it around.” Hayden nods his appreciation and I leave the desk to get his rental gear.
I grab a push cart and pile onto it a sleeping pad, stove, 2-person tent, cooking set, and backpacking pack. The last on the list is the Cat’s Meow sleeping bag and take out one of the half dozen long ones we have. Since we just got them in the summer, most of them are brand new, and I take one of those just for Hayden. I have an incredible desire to look at it and imagine Hayden's athletic body zipped up fully inside it, so I quickly pull it out from the stuff sack.
As I look at the brand-new sleeping bag at my feet, I caress the plush insulation and nylon exterior in my hand. The top of the bag is white with the North Face written on the left, while the bottom is a cobalt blue color that matches the inside lining. My fingers linger on the bag’s surface, tracing the soft fabric. Feeling the familiar texture transports me back to those nights alone with Travis.
My thoughts are interrupted by a buzzer from the loading dock. I quickly stuff the Cat’s Meow back into its compression sack and race down the corridor with the cart to meet Hayden where I promised he could pick up his stuff.
Hayden is waiting by his dark Hyundai Elantra, leaning casually against the back bumper as he scrolls through his phone while I open the roll-up door. He glances up when he sees me, flashing his easygoing smile. I steady my breath again, trying not to let my nerves show as I push the cart outside.
“Just remember to have it all back by here before we close at 10 PM on Sunday.” I remind him as he carries the tent into his trunk.
“Sure. Thanks for all your help, Joey!” he calls back.
As Hayden finishes loading the gear into his trunk, he turns back to me. There’s a moment where it seems like he’s going to say something else, his eyes lingering in a way that makes my pulse quicken. Instead, he gives me a friendly wave and climbs into his car.
“See you Sunday!” I call out, trying to sound casual, but my voice wavers a bit. He waves again out the window as he drives off, and I’m left standing by the loading dock, watching his car disappear around the building.
The rest of Friday night is a bore compared to Hayden’s visit. A couple more people come in for camping equipment, and I help a pair of girls with the whole suite of mountain climbing gear. When I leave work at 11, I don’t have the energy to head up to The Hill, so I just hop into my car and head home alone.
Saturday is a big day on the CU campus, a home football game against Baylor. The Buffs are off to a great start to the season and I’m lucky to have tickets for the game on my night off. Before the game, I have grocery shopping, meal prep, and laundry to do, and between those chores, I keep checking TikTok and Snapchat for anything Hayden might have posted with Brendan, but he hasn’t posted since Friday.
As the day rolls on, excitement builds around the city for the big game. The evening rain doesn’t dampen the mood as CU fans are everywhere—decked out in white and gold, pouring into Folsom Field, chanting, laughing, the energy contagious. I get to my seat just in time for kickoff, barely paying attention to the chatter around me as I refresh Hayden’s profile again—still nothing. Part of me feels silly, but I keep thinking back to our conversation at the Outdoor Desk.
The game goes down to the wire with Shadeur Sanders completing a Hail Mary pass in the dying seconds to force overtime. With the Buffs on the board first in OT, the crowd rushes the field after Travis Hunter delivers a hit on Baylor’s running back on the goal line.
The field is a sea of white and gold as more students pour over the barriers, the energy in the stadium is over the top, and something I haven’t felt in my three years at a D1 school. I’m caught up in the adrenaline, cheering with the crowd, high-fiving strangers, and feeling that raw thrill of the Buff’s first Big 12 Conference win in over a decade. For a while, I forget about everything else—Hayden, work, and even my unfinished Environmental Justice paper due on Thursday.
After the game, I walk down from the stadium with my friends, heading toward The Hill where everyone is spilling into bars and pizza joints, the buzz of victory fresh in the air. My phone chimes with a new notification, and my heart skips a beat. It’s a TikTok from Hayden.
I pause in the middle of the sidewalk, ignoring the crowd moving around me, and click on it. The video is classic Hayden—a scenic shot of a lake with the pines reflected on the water, then a close-up of him grinning into the camera. "Out here enjoying all that Colorado has to offer!" he says, panning the camera around to show the mountains, his tent set up behind him. His voice is cheerful, but as the video goes on, he sounds more thoughtful, talking about how he’s “taking some time to recharge,” away from the pressures of social media. That last bit is ironic, given how remote Golden Gate State Park is with cell coverage, he must have gone out of his way to find a signal to upload this video.
I rewatch the video a few times, noticing every detail—the subtle way he runs his hand through his hair, the cozy look of the rented tent, his slept-in Cat’s Meow sleeping bag just barely visible through the door. It’s a little thrill, knowing I helped make that experience happen.
“Hey, what’s with you tonight Joey?” My friend Alex slaps me on the back. We were dorm mates in Freshman year, and while he has a girlfriend now, we used to fool around. Alex is about my size with straight blonde hair and glasses. If it weren’t for Aisha, Alex and I would probably still be friends with benefits.
“Just checking my messages,” I say, pocketing my phone and trying to downplay it, but Alex catches the slight smile I can’t hide.
“Uh-huh,” he smirks, nudging me with his shoulder. “Come on, who’s got you all dreamy-eyed? Did that hot mountain biker from Mines finally agree to hook up?”
I shrug, feeling my cheeks warm up. “No, it’s nothing. You know Hayden Latimer right? He came to work yesterday to rent out some gear and just now he posted a Tiktok from Golden Gate Canyon State Park.
Alex raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. “You help someone rent gear every day Joey. You meet our track star celebrity in person and you can’t help but fall for him?”
I push his arm, laughing. “Come on, man, it’s not like that. I mean, he’s way out of my league and he has a girlfriend. Besides, he’s like an influencer.”
“Maybe, but that didn’t stop you from giving him the VIP treatment, right?” Alex teases, nudging me again. “Anyway, girlfriend or not, I think all those dancing influencers are a bit fruity.”
“Yeah, you want me to get his number for you then?” I tease Alex back.
“Oh F U Joey, you’re the one who follows him!” Alex turns his head away and I follow him down the street.
I have a couple of drinks with Alex and some other friends before walking back with him to his dorm by the lake. My place is just across the turnpike and I still feel somewhat safe walking there alone as I still see people making their way off campus in my direction.
The air is still thick with that post-game excitement, and even though the crowds have thinned, I can still hear cheers and bursts of laughter from nearby dorms. I glance at my phone one last time—no new updates from Hayden, just that lone video from earlier. It still feels like a private message to me, though I know deep down it’s not.
Back inside my apartment, I collapse onto the couch, exhausted, but not drunk enough and too wired to fall asleep. My thoughts drift back to Hayden, likely asleep in the Cat’s Meow sleeping bag I picked out just for him. Feeling nostalgic, I find the energy to get back off the couch and dig out my Cat’s Meow from my bedroom closet shelf.
My sleeping bag is the previous model to the ones we ordered for the Rec. It has a dark gray hood and dark blue body, with the same buttery soft nylon interior as the current model, only in a lighter blue. I lay it on my bed, strip to my REI boxers, and get in, instantly imagining myself sharing it with Hayden clad similarly only in his Nike Pro or Under Armour compression shorts.
As I lie back in the hood, the soft nylon surrounding my almost naked body, I poke my hard cock out of the fly of my boxers, to begin steadily jerking myself off to Hayden. The vivid memory of him standing by that serene lake, the playful glint in his eyes as he spoke directly to the camera, sends a rush of heat through me. I try to picture him in the sleeping bag with me, our bodies pressed close together, sharing warmth under the stars. I lean in to kiss him in this fantasy, the stubble on my chin rubbing along the smooth skin of his beautiful face.
My left hand reaches outside the bag and finds my throbbing dick through the nylon and synthetic insulation, grabbing at the material and stroking through it. My right hand reaches under my body, slipping into my crack through my microfiber boxers, imagining Hayden probing me with his rigid cock.
With the sleeping bag cocooned around me, I grip my erection firmly through the material. I stroke in rhythm with my fantasy, the nylon of the bag gliding over my cock, mimicking the smoothness of Hayden's skin. The coolness of the material sends shivers down my spine as I imagine his hands touching me, exploring my body. I can almost feel his breath on my neck, his chest pressing against my back as we spoon together in the cramped space of the tent.
My imagination takes over, and I visualize Hayden whispering sweet nothings into my ear, his breath tickling the sensitive skin. His hand reaches around and starts to play with my nipples, teasing them to hardness. I bite my bottom lip to stifle a moan, my hips bucking slightly into my hand.
I slide my other hand under the elastic band of my boxers and graze my fingers around the asshole. It tightens at the touch, and I think about Hayden’s cock, thick and hard, pushing into me like Travis’ did. I ease a finger inside, feeling the heat build as I mimic his potential touch.
My strokes become more erratic, my breath hitching as the pleasure intensifies. The tension in my body tightens, coiling like a spring about to release. The vision of Hayden’s face, contorted with ecstasy, fuels me as I push my finger deeper, feeling the head of my cock throb.
As the smooth nylon slides around my penis with ease, I feel myself teetering close to the edge. I desperately want to release into the soft material for Hayden, just like I did my first time with Travis. The finger I want to be his cock slips deeper into my hole I let out “Hayden” with a sharp gasp.
My orgasm hits me like a ton of bricks, stars exploding in my vision as hot white cum shoots out of the tip of my cock, splattering onto the inside of my Cat’s Meow as I draw it back. Afterward, I lay there panting, my heart still pounding in my chest, cum soaking into the material of the bag and dripping onto my boxers.
With a contented sigh, I pull the top of the sleeping bag off me and clean myself up. The reality of the situation settles in—I’m alone in my bed, Hayden is out there, miles away with Brendan, oblivious to my desperate longing. But for a brief moment, in the retreat of my memories and imagination, it felt like I had him right here. Hayden’s girlfriend lives in South Carolina, where he is from, so there’s a possibility he hasn’t seen any action since he left home and he is going to be desperate for something soon. Not wanting to get back out of my sleeping bag, I fall asleep in my Cat’s Meow on my bed.
Sunday afternoon rolls around, and I’m back at the Rec Center for my shift, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable post-weekend rush. As I stack up some of our coolers in the storage room, I wonder if Hayden will come by today, even though there’s no reason I should care this much when he returns his gear. The usual string of returns starts coming in—mostly students unloading climbing gear, tents, and even kayaks with exhausted, content smiles.
I’m halfway through inspecting a backpack when I hear the buzzer again and look at the loading dock security camera feed on a monitor. I instantly recognize Hayden’s Hyundai and run toward the loading dock before anyone else can greet him.
“Hey, man! Got everything back safe and sound,” he says after I have the door up, sounding relaxed and grateful. “And seriously—the best weekend I’ve had in a long time.”
“That’s awesome to hear,” I reply, smiling back as I check his items. “Did you get rained on like we did at the game yesterday?”
He laughs, nodding. “Oh yeah, it wasn’t too bad, but the tent kept us dry, I think Brendan is jealous of my sleeping bag because he just had a cheap Target one and he said he was cold.”
I feel a little surge of pride hearing him praise the gear I picked out. “I’m glad everything worked out for you.”
He gives me that easy smile, the one that makes me feel like he’s looking right through any mask I might be putting up. “Thanks, Joey, you hooked me up. I’m already thinking about doing another trip soon. I’m just scratching the surface with all these places to explore in the Rockies. You can’t experience anything close to this in the Carolinas.”
“Totally,” I say, my excitement rising at the thought of sharing more spots with him. “There’s so much to see around here, especially with fall starting and cooler temps. I know a few trails where you can catch incredible colors. Brainard Lake, for one, is amazing in October. You know where to find me if you need more recommendations, even for just a day trip.”
“Oh yeah, I’ll be sure to come back. I need to make these trips before Track and Field starts in the spring. You do winter stuff too right?” he asks.
“Yeah, we have snowshoes and winter gear. Anyway, just sign here and you should be all good, pending any damage other than normal wear and tear.” I hand him a clipboard with his form and he signs it, then we both quickly unload his stuff from his car onto a waiting cart.
We shake hands and he says “Thanks again, Joey.” before getting into his car and driving off. I’m left to roll the cart back inside and start organizing the returned gear, but my mind keeps drifting back to his smile, the warm clasp of his hand as we shook, and the way he seemed genuinely interested in planning another adventure. The thought that he wants to go to places I spent my summer in, feels surreal.
After inspecting and restocking his tent and gear, the last thing left to do is wash the Cat’s Meow. I can’t shake the urge to look it over more closely for any trace of Hayden, so I sneak it into Ethan’s empty office—he doesn’t work on Sundays—before pulling it out of the stuff sack.
The outside of the bag still looks brand new, and the insulation shows no signs of compression, expected for a high-quality sleeping bag that's only seen two nights of use. I sit back in Ethan’s office chair and hold the hood of the Cat’s Meow to my nose. There’s a distinct smell of Hayden’s cologne, probably rubbed off after the first night. Unzipping the bag, something falls out from the inside, it’s a light blue
pair of Hayden’s Nike boxer briefs. I instantly bone up as I grab them and hold them to my nose, the incredible musk of Hayden’s unwashed body filling my nostrils.
I realize I need to take everything here to the privacy of my apartment before I have an accident in my pants. Looking for a way to get out of the building without arousing suspicion from my co-workers, I dump out a Nalgene shipping box with some forms and quickly stuff the bag back into the compression sack to hide inside the box. The other thing I need to conceal is the boxer briefs, so I ball them up and tuck them into one of the pockets of my cargo pants.
Exiting the office, I glance around to make sure no one sees me slip out, then hurry toward the loading dock. I open the door, dash to my Camry parked around the corner, and toss the box inside my trunk. Since I'm responsible for inventory, I figure a missing sleeping bag won’t raise any flags for a couple of days—plenty of time to wash it before returning it. With the bag safe, I slip the underwear into my backpack on the front seat.
For the rest of the evening, I’m a bit unsettled wondering if anyone noticed what I did. The scout in me feels guilty about the risk of losing my job over what might look like theft, so I check the bag out of the system under my student account and pay the rental fee myself.
After I finish my shift and drive back to my apartment, I drag the box and my book bag upstairs. I don’t need time to unwind as I’ve been waiting for this all night and immediately take the bag back out of the compression sack. After examining it even closer I notice several splotches of what might be cum around the crotch area. I pick at it and put my nose to it, it most definitely is dried cum, and the thoughts in my mind are going a mile a minute. Was Hayden fooling around with Brendan in their tent? Why else would there be cum all over this otherwise brand-new sleeping bag? I have so many questions I want to ask Hayden now, but I am afraid he will just ignore or block me if I try. He sometimes posts videos replying to his creepy comments where he brushes it all off with a joke or some silly lipsync.
I look at my backpack and instantly come up with something that might at least get his attention. Taking out the Nike boxer briefs, I strip naked in my bathroom and put Hayden’s underwear on. I’m visibly hard in them, and they are somewhat loose, but I think I look spectacular under the bright light.
Stroking myself through the underwear, I love how the stretchy material feels on my dick, and it’s even better knowing Hayden’s junk was in there just a day before. Feeling brave, I take out my phone and load up his Snapchat. I take a picture with the mirror, cutting the top off just above my well-defined happy trail, and give it the caption Hey Hayden, are you missing these?
There’s a moment before I hit send when I think it’s a bad idea, I have mostly just lurked on his Snapchat and he hasn’t added me back, so I don’t even know if he will read it. I take a deep breath and hit send, then put my phone down to brush my teeth and get ready for bed.
I take Hayden’s Cat’s Meow sleeping bag from the living room and put it on the bed next to mine. They look surreal together, almost like a pair of scouts just woke up inside them at camp. Lying back on top of Hayden’s meow, I scroll back to Snapchat to see him typing a reply: Dunno who this is, but sorry I’m str8 dude.
Before he can block me I type back: Found them in the bottom of a rented sleeping bag. But that’s not all. We can ignore the excessive cleaning charges on the bag if you tell me what’s going on between you and Brendan, you guys definitely made a mess of it.
My heart races as Hayden's reply appears: What, who is this? You're Joey from the REC, aren't you, r u into that sorta stuff? It’s not what you think man.
Hmm, what else is it then? I reply. It seems like there’s some truth to those rumors floating around, wouldn’t it suck if they made their way back to your gf?
I wait for Hayden's response, my heart pounding as I imagine what kind of adventure he might have had with Brendan in the tent. His message pops up almost immediately: Can we talk about this in person? Like tomorrow?
Yeah, that’s what I was hoping for. I only have a half-day shift tomorrow since we close at 7 and have a short meeting after. We can talk here at my apartment, it’s just on Aurora half a block from campus. Add me back on Snap so I know you’re serious about coming.
Hayden takes a bit longer to respond this time, but I see him add me back followed by: Fine, there, please do not tell anyone. If Ava doesn’t kill me, Brendan would. Just let me know when you are home and where to go.
The revelation sends a thrill down my spine, and my mind races with the thought of Hayden and Brendan tangled together in the same sleeping bag that’s now in my possession. The idea of them sharing such an intimate experience is almost too much to handle. I spend the rest of the night picturing the scene that unfolded in that tent, wondering if I’m crossing a line with what I just did. But the chance to get closer to Hayden, to share something so personal with him, is too tempting to resist. When I finally fall asleep, Hayden’s underwear still on, my dreams are a whirlwind of outdoorsy adventures and passionate encounters with the track star I never thought would notice me.