Chapter Three

Back that Ass Up

Meg

"How are you going to back this big-ass bus into that narrow spot?" Reva's voice was tinged with disbelief as she stared at the space between the two towering trees.

"That spot is huge, Reva," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

Reva looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "That spot is maybe three feet wider than the RV. You have a big-ass tree on each side."

"I know." I tipped my head to the side, mentally calculating the maneuver. "I'm going to have to hug the left so I have enough room for the slide-out."

"My lord," Cyn called as she hopped off the RV, stretching her arms. "This place is nice."

She wasn't wrong. The campground was beautiful, with large trees surrounding each spot, creating a secluded feel. When I had reserved the two spots, I'd asked for them to be somewhat connected, so it didn't feel like Alice and the girls were camping far away from us. Apparently, I wasn't the first person to make such a request because they had given us a site that shared a fire pit but was still plenty big enough for two RVs.

Greta, Lennox, and Paige followed Cyn off the RV, their eyes assessing the space I needed to back into.

"Uh, maybe we should have had one of the guys come with us just to back the RV in," Paige suggested, eyeing the narrow spot with uncertainty.

"Nonsense," Greta scoffed. "Meg may be a lot of things, but she backs up like a pro. She's got this."

I raised my chin and puffed out my chest. "Thank you, Greta. At least one of you has a little faith in me." Though I did wonder what she meant by I was a lot of things.

Lennox raised her hand, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Uh, are we going to forget about the mailbox you backed into when we left the clubhouse?"

Reva waved her hand dismissively. "That's the fourth time my mailbox at Hair of the Dog has been hit. At this point, I think I'll just open a PO Box at the post office. I'm pretty sure Hero is going to flip his shit if he has to put it back up one more time."

"That's because he's putting it too close to the road," I pointed out. "I doubt it's regulation at all."

Reva laughed and shook her head. "Please don't repeat that to Hero when we get back. He still rants about the last time you told him he wasn't putting the box up to town regulations."

I shrugged. "I mean, he's not."

Reva held up her hands in surrender. "I am not disagreeing with you."

"Okay, okay," Cyn called, waving us back to the task at hand. "We can talk about mailboxes later. I think right now we need to get this beast backed in since we are blocking the road."

"I second that," Greta said, glancing at the road behind us.

"Third," Lennox agreed, nodding vigorously.

"Fine, fine. You guys go stand over there and watch the master at work," I said, gesturing to the other side of the road.

They moved obediently, gathering at a safe distance to watch the show. I took a deep breath and climbed back into the RV, sliding into the driver's seat. The wheel felt solid in my hands, and I adjusted the mirrors one last time. I could do this. I had done it before, and I'd do it again—mailboxes be damned.

I turned the key, and the engine rumbled to life, sending a comforting vibration through the vehicle. Slowly, I eased off the brake, letting the RV roll backward and cranked the wheel until I was lined up between the two trees. The massive side mirrors gave me a good view of the trees on either side, but I still leaned forward, peering out the window to judge the distance.

"Hug the left," I muttered to myself, turning the wheel ever so slightly. The RV responded smoothly, the rear inching closer to the left tree.

I straightened the wheel, backing in slowly, inch by inch. The space seemed to shrink the closer I got to the trees. My heart pounded in my chest as I kept my eyes glued to the mirrors, making sure I wasn't about to take off a side mirror or worse.

The girls stood on the other side of the road, silent now, watching intently. I could see Reva's hands clenching and unclenching, and Greta's eyes were wide as saucers. Cyn nodded in approval, Lennox had her fingers crossed, and Paige had her hands over her eyes.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the rear of the RV cleared the trees. I straightened out, pulling forward slightly to make the final adjustments. With one last turn of the wheel, I positioned the RV perfectly within the trees, leaving just enough space on the right for the slide-out.

I exhaled a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding and opened the window, pumping my fist in the air. "Yeah!"

Greta cheered. "That is how you back that ass up!"

"Oh dear God," Paige laughed, shaking her head. "Meg, you're a miracle worker."

I grinned as I shut off the engine and climbed out of the RV, feeling a swell of pride. Backing into that spot had been a test, but I'd aced it—mailbox incidents notwithstanding.

"Not bad for a chick who can't avoid mailboxes," I joked, walking over to join the others.

Reva rolled her eyes but smiled. "Okay, fine, I'll admit it—you're better at this than I gave you credit for."

"Thank you, thank you," I said, giving a mock bow. "Now, let's get set up and get ready for Alice and the girls."

Alice

"Is that her?"

A huge smile spread across my lips. "That would be Meg," I laughed, leaning forward over the steering wheel to get a better look.

Meg was in the middle of the road, waving her arms like a wild woman, jumping up and down as if we might somehow miss her. Her purple hair bounced with each leap, and her overalls—a bright red that practically glowed in the sunlight—stood out against the green backdrop of the trees. She looked like she was having the time of her life, her grin as wide as the horizon.

"You think that's our campsite?" Raven asked, chuckling as she leaned closer to the windshield.

Karmen, Nikki, and Wendy crowded toward the front, trying to get a better view. "Is she wearing overalls?" Karmen asked, squinting as if that would help her see more clearly.

"Did you bring your cow print overalls?" Wendy turned to me with a smirk.

"You bet your ass I did," I laughed. "And I'm putting them on as soon as I park the Mini Weenie."

The Mini Weenie was nice—Wrecker and I had spent hours making sure it was just right—but it had nothing on Meg's behemoth rig. We pulled up beside her, and I rolled down the window.

"You made it!" Meg cheered, leaning into the window. "Oh, this is nice," she cooed, running her fingers along the inside trim.

"It should hopefully get the job done," I sighed, knowing my little camper wasn't nearly as grand as Meg's setup.

Meg turned and motioned to the campsite. "I figure you can just pull right in. I took the spot that needed to be backed into."

"You backed that big-ass bus in by yourself?" Wendy gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Meg nodded with pride. "You bet your ass I did. Now, don't ask me to parallel park, though."

"I heard that," I mumbled, sharing a knowing glance with Karmen.

Meg stepped back and flashed a wide smile. "Just pull right in. I'll tell you when to stop so your door isn't behind the tree."

I nodded and eased into the spot, keeping my eyes on Meg as she guided me forward. She stood in front, arms outstretched, motioning me to inch closer, closer—until she waved both hands in a firm stop. I shifted into park and took a deep breath.

"Not bad for her maiden voyage with me behind the wheel."

"Wait, I thought you said you've driven this before," Raven said, raising an eyebrow as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

I shrugged. "I mean, I drove it home from the dealership, but that was pretty much it. Wrecker drove when we went camping a couple of weeks ago."

"Probably for the best that you didn't tell us before," Nikki laughed, shaking her head as she reached for the door handle.

"Okay, okay. Get me out of here. I'm ready to get my camping on," Karmen said, sitting back to let the others out first.

We all piled out of the Mini Weenie, stretching our legs and taking in the scene around us. Meg's RV was already set up like a home away from home. The awning was out, casting a wide shadow over a cozy setup of chairs and a small table. In the center, a fire pit roared to life, its flames licking the air with warmth and the promise of s'mores later.

"Man," Nikki called out, hands on her hips as she surveyed the scene. "You guys already got this feeling like home."

The door to Meg's RV banged open, and out stepped an attractive woman with cut-off shorts and a long-sleeve white T-shirt. Her legs were tanned, and her hair was pulled back into a casual ponytail. She looked at us with a wide smile. "They're here?" she asked, glancing over at Meg.

"Yeah," Meg called back. "They're here, Reva."

Reva. The name tugged at my memory, but I struggled to place it. Was she married to Bear? Or was it Demon? Maybe Hero? I couldn't quite remember. I glanced at the others, but they were just as caught up in the excitement of arriving as I was.

"Come on in, ladies," Reva said, stepping aside to let us explore the setup. "We've got drinks inside, and the fridge is packed. Plus, the rest of the girls are in there."

Karmen whistled low, nudging me as we walked past. "You think they have a hot tub in there too?"

"Wouldn't surprise me," I said with a grin.

Raven was the first one in Meg's RV, and I was the last. As soon as I stepped inside, I could see why she was in such a hurry. The place was incredible. It didn't feel like an RV at all—it felt like a full-fledged home on wheels, complete with all the comforts and space anyone could want.

The main area was spacious, with two large couches on either side, upholstered in soft, neutral tones that made the space feel cozy yet elegant. The couches were big enough for all of us to sprawl out on, and they faced each other, making it easy to chat or just relax. A large TV was mounted on the wall, and there was even a small fireplace underneath it, crackling with a fake but convincing flame.

Eleven of us were milling around inside—Meg, Cyn, Reva, Raven, Nikki, Karmen, Wendy, and three that I assumed were Greta, Lennox, and Paige, but even with everyone in here, it didn't feel crowded. That's how spacious this RV was. There was plenty of room to move around without bumping into each other.

"Can you believe this?" Nikki asked, her eyes wide as she took in the place. "This is nicer than my actual house."

"Same," Karmen agreed, sinking into one of the couches with a contented sigh. "I could live here."

"I wouldn't mind that," I said with a grin as I made my way further inside.

The kitchen was off to the right, and it was stunning. Full-sized stainless steel appliances gleamed under recessed lighting. There was a large fridge, a full oven, a microwave, and even a dishwasher—everything you'd find in a regular house. The countertops were a beautiful polished granite, and there was a deep farmhouse sink. Cabinets lined the walls, stocked with everything we'd need for the weekend, and then some.

Raven was already in the kitchen, opening cabinets and poking around. "Meg, you weren't kidding when you said you were ready for anything," she called out. "You've got enough food here to feed an army."

"Or just us," Meg laughed, squeezing past Reva to join Raven in the kitchen. "I like to be prepared. You never know what we might feel like eating."

Further down the way, past the kitchen, was a hallway that led to the sleeping quarters. On each side, there were bunk beds built into the wall, each with its own curtain for privacy. The beds were made up with soft-looking blankets and plenty of pillows, and I could easily imagine the kids having a blast climbing up and down the bunks during family trips.

But it wasn't just the kids who'd love it—honestly, I kind of wanted to climb into one of those cozy little nooks myself. The way they were built into the wall made them feel like little hideaways, perfect for reading or napping.

"That's where I'll be sleeping," Raven joked, peeking into one of the bunks. "Feels like a little nest."

Mini Weenie was only able to sleep four comfortably, and Raven had already said she would be the one to sleep in Meg's RV. I'm sure Nikki, Karmen, and Wendy were kicking themselves for not volunteering as tribute.

"Good luck getting me out of the kitchen," I called back, running my hand along the cool granite of the countertop as I passed.

At the very back of the RV was the bathroom and the master bedroom. I opened the bathroom door and was surprised at how spacious it was. There was a full-sized shower with a glass door, a vanity with plenty of counter space, and a toilet that didn't feel cramped in the slightest. I could actually imagine getting ready in here without feeling like I was in a cramped airplane bathroom.

The bedroom, though—that was something else. A king-sized bed dominated the space, draped in soft linens that looked like they belonged in a luxury hotel. There were nightstands on either side of the bed, each with a reading lamp, and across from the bed was a built-in dresser with a mirror above it. The bedroom even had its own little TV mounted on the wall, though I doubted anyone would be watching much TV this weekend. Not with all the nature and campfires waiting for us outside.

"Wow," I breathed, leaning against the doorway as I took it all in. "Meg, this place is amazing."

She turned from where she was showing Wendy how to work the kitchen's built-in coffee maker and gave me a big smile. "Thanks! It took a while to find the perfect one, but I think it was worth the wait."

"Worth it?" Wendy echoed, shaking her head in disbelief. "This thing is a mansion on wheels. I'm surprised you don't just live in it full-time."

"Don't tempt me," Meg laughed, patting the countertop fondly. "I'm not sure Lo would go for that, though."

"Meg is lucky," Reva chimed in, plopping down on one of the couches and kicking her feet up. "This thing is a dream. I've been begging Hero to get something like this, but he said we're not old enough."

"There's an age limit on one of these things?" Nikki laughed.

"Meg and King got it so they could travel around when King stepped down from Prez," Reva explained. "The problem is, I don't think that is ever really going to happen."

"Hey, Lo has handed over a lot to Hero," Meg replied defensively. "I want to be in this RV almost full-time in a couple of years. You wait, Reva; Hero will get what he wants and more when King really steps down."

Reva waved her hands. "Okay, okay. I'm good with a couple of years before he fills King's shoes."

"Before we get to being feisty, I think we should introduce everyone to everyone," one of the women I didn't know called out, breaking the casual chatter.

"Right, right," Meg said, stepping forward. "Might as well start with Greta." She motioned to a woman with an easy smile. "She's part of the second generation. She's hitched up with Bear. Sarcastic but has a heart of gold."

Greta gave us a nod and a friendly wave. "Howdy-do."

Meg laughed and shook her head with a grin. "Lennox is also part of the second generation, and she's married to Snapper, who is also my son. She's pregnant with their first."

Lennox cradled her swollen belly with both hands, a contented smile on her face. "Only four months to go," she said softly, her voice filled with the kind of happiness that only comes with impending motherhood. She had short blond hair and was covered in tattoos. She was absolutely glowing and stunning.

Meg didn't miss a beat and kept the introductions rolling. "Cyn has been my best friend for years. I won't say how many years because then I'll feel old."

Cyn gave us a wave and a wink. "I'm also shacked up with the blue mohawk hottie, and my son is Hero." She gestured toward Reva. "Who is married to Reva."

Reva waved from her spot near the door, shrugging casually. "I'm the dog-obsessed one," she said, her tone light and full of humor.

"And finally, we have Paige," Meg continued, motioning to the last woman. "Another one I won't tell you how long we've known each other," she added with a laugh.

Paige smiled and gave a little wave. "Hello. It's nice to put faces to the names Meg has been talking about for months."

Feeling the need to contribute, I pointed to Raven. "That's Raven. She's my sister-in-law. She's also the one who will be staying here."

Raven gave a mock curtsy. "That would be me. Thank you for letting me stay in your big-ass bus."

Meg chuckled. "No problem. We have plenty of room."

I moved on to the others. "That one there is Nikki."

Nikki waved cheerfully. "Hey, hey. I was at the convention with Alice a couple of months ago."

"And next up is Karmen."

Karmen shot finger guns at them, a grin on her face. "Hey ho."

"And finally, there's Wendy."

Wendy nodded shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hey there."

"Why does this feel like we're going on a first date?" Greta laughed, breaking the ice even more.

"I don't know about you," Lennox chimed in, "but I feel like I'm looking in a mirror with these guys. The only difference is they're all first generation."

Nikki's eyes lit up. "I said the same thing! It's like we're you, and you're us."

Everyone laughed and agreed, the atmosphere growing more relaxed and familiar.

I clapped my hands together. "Okay, enough talking. We need to get the Mini Weenie set up."

"We can all help," Cyn offered, already moving toward the door. "Let's get it done so we can get on with having the best week of our lives."

There was a chorus of agreement, and everyone started filing out of Meg's RV, ready to pitch in. The energy was contagious, and I could feel the excitement building as we all headed over to my little camper.

As we stepped outside, the warm evening air greeted us, and I couldn't help but smile. This was going to be one of those trips we'd talk about for years, I just knew it.

I couldn't freaking wait.