Smug Bastard - Stacey Marie Brown Page 0,10
photos, which I would hardly ever look at after, and be in the moment. My senses finally absorbed the unbelievable beauty, the colors blurring the harshness of the land.
Taking a deep breath, the smell of sunbaked earth and the perfume of cacti and other plants curled into my nose, my shoulders lowering. Birds swooped in the sky, looking for their prey as long-eared rabbits and scaly reptiles scuttled over the ground, going underground for the night before they became dinner.
Everything crackled with life and beauty.
“I think people get so preoccupied with showing everyone else what an amazing life and experiences they’ve had, getting the best picture for everyone to gush over, they forget to really live in the moment. To be there and experience it. Live it in person and not behind a screen.” He spoke next to me.
I didn’t respond, but I agreed and knew I was guilty of being one of those people. Technology had made us consumed with showing others our every waking moment and thought, getting likes or responses. Did we do anything anymore just for us? Have the experience without anyone knowing? Like the moment didn’t actually happen if we didn’t share it on social media.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Smith exhaled. “I always forget how peaceful it is out here.”
“You’ve been here a lot?”
He glanced down at his boots, a nerve twitching his eye. “Twice.”
I waited, but he didn’t go on.
“Ah.”
“What?”
“A girl.” I stared out, for some reason not wanting to look at him.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“So, you have me all figured out?”
“No.” A smile cracked my lips, my gaze sliding over to him. “Kasey does.”
He bit down on his lip, his head bobbing in understanding.
“She might have mentioned you recently broke up with someone.” I faced the sunset again, the colors deepening every time I blinked, all my problems and frustrations feeling a million miles away. “Put two and two together.”
“Not the same girl who brought me here.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “But thanks for reminding me what you tell one twin, the other one hears.”
“Don’t I know it.”
“Yeah, I guess you would.” His arm bumped mine, jolting zaps of electricity over my skin, his blue eyes catching mine, burning with light from the last rays of the sun.
For a moment we stood watching each other, shadows and colors painted around us like some movie set.
Crap, this guy is hot as hell. The thought went through my head, and instantly I shoved it out, a flush of embarrassment and fury shooting up my spine. Jerking away, I turned for the van. “We better set up before we lose all the light.” I didn’t wait for his response, hiking back to the car.
“Yeah,” he muttered behind. The feel of his form batted at my skin as I dug into the back of the van, pulling out the groceries and food for Goat.
Get it together, Kins. Yes, he’s stupid sexy, but you don’t like him. It’s just because I am lonely, lost, and have been plunked down in some crappy romantic movie scene.
It could turn anyone brain dead.
Chapter 5
Kinsley
Flames flickered up as if they were trying to touch the bright stars filling the sky to look like someone spilled glitter on black paper.
“Wow,” I whispered, staring up. Goat curled half on my lap, filling the rest of the camping chair. Both of us were full and content, snuggled into a light blanket. Smith had cooked hamburgers and corn on the cob, and we washed it down with cold beer. It tasted so good, better than it should have, but open air always made me hungrier, and I swear it woke up my taste buds. Cooking had never been my thing, so I cleaned up, and now I rubbed my belly and took in the light show above us. I had never seen a sky so full of stars; the atmosphere felt close enough to touch.
The night was mild, but a twinge of a chill was in the air, and I had been far too lazy to change into jeans, using Goat and the blanket to warm my legs.
“Coming out here puts things in perspective. All those worries and problems, things you thought were wrecking your life, seem a little less here.”
My chin dipped down, my gaze landing on Smith across the firepit we built, his choice of words flicking curiosity across my brow. He was laid out on a blanket, his arms behind his head, staring up at the sky.
“Are