Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
I slipped him the notepad with the list.
He read from it. “We have to build our own beds. When it’s that cold, it’s important to get off the ground. The cabin’s owner has requested an outhouse, so we’re gonna build that too. We have to present at least three full meals with a minimum of five ingredients—snow and pinecones don’t count.”
Aw, I had to press the “oh no!” sound effect.
Jake coughed on a chuckle. “We have to construct our own traps, of course. And most importantly, we gotta keep y’all entertained.”
This was our cue for a hint.
According to Haley, rumors were flying now that Jake and I weren’t meticulously careful anymore. I mean, our closest friends and family knew about us. I had an aunt in New York who was happy for us and couldn’t “help but share the news with friends.” Our children knew—even if they didn’t quite understand, Colin being the exception. He understood that Dad and Uncle Roe were boyfriends.
Sandra hadn’t said a single word.
Either way, we had a few choices. Jake and I could come out and simply confirm our relationship. We could ignore the topic altogether in a “mind your own business” kind of move. But Haley and Seth suggested something in between. We’d drop a few hints that eventually made shit pretty obvious, and that would be that. It was the alternative with which Jake was most comfortable, and if I had to be honest, so was I. And it had nothing to do with embarrassment or anything like it. We just didn’t particularly enjoy having our personal lives on display.
“Luckily for me, I’m bringing Roe,” Jake said. He made eye contact and smiled a little. Affection and nervousness mingled in his expression. “With him around, you’ll get plenty of laughs.”
Here we go.
“I love how much faith you have in me, baby.”
He grinned faintly. “Anytime, darlin’.”
Keep your cool, Finlay. Keep your fucking cool. You have viewers too.
“Shall we move on to our second list?” I asked. “The show’s called One Backpack to Survive: Alaska. As you viewers can see, it’s just a daypack, not one of those bigger hiking backpacks. So we can’t bring whatever we want. We’re not there to get comfortable and grill marshmallows. It’s going to be a challenge. Everyone we’ve talked to is saying the same thing—we need more gear. But where’s the fun in that?”
“Before I answer that rhetorical question, we just gotta put this out there,” Jake said. “During our month in frigid Alaska, we will get a couple hours’ break once a week to talk to our children—and to charge our batteries. The literal ones. We need juice for our equipment.”
Oh, right. We were supposed to mention that earlier.
“Gotta be able to see those kiddos,” I said with a nod. “Our expert Alaskans will take us to a town where we can Skype or FaceTime with the family. But we solemnly swear we will not gorge on McDonald’s during our breaks.”
Jake grinned and scratched his eyebrow. “It’s a tiny village. I don’t think there’s any fast food.”
“Fast food in Alaska is probably whatever’s chasing you,” I joked.
He laughed, and that set off a coughing fit.
My bad.
It was gonna be rough not seeing the kids for that long, but I had faith in our family. My sister Mira was coming to stay while we were gone. Together with Nikki and Haley, they were gonna hold down the fort. And Kathryn—always reliable too.
A message from Haley popped up on my laptop screen.
Comments about the terms of endearment are pouring in. Vast majority are just curious. Many are rooting for you! The Jayroe shippers are pushing darlin/baby hashtags on Twitter.
Jayroe? That was how they’d Brangelina’d us?
I supposed it could be worse…like…Finver.
Still. It could be a lot better too.
I refocused; Jake was halfway through the items on our packing list, all of which were displayed on the table. From tools like knives and an ax to fishing line and a first aid kit. We each had a sleeping mat and a sleeping bag, and that was pretty much it in the comfort department. We really did need to build some kind of bed to get us off the stone floor in the cabin.
Another message appeared, and I was about to dismiss the notification when I saw it was from Sandra.
Look. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I will have to block you on social media soon. All of my friends are asking about you and Jake, and I don’t wanna think about it. Like, do you understand how this makes me look? Did I make you gay or something? I know you told me once that you were bi, but I thought you were joking! It’s not funny, Roe.
I scratched my forehead.
Things were going really well with her…
I was curious. She didn’t want me to take this the wrong way…? Which way was right?