Chapter Five

Golf Carts and Sliders

Meg

I was deep in sleep, wrapped in the warmth of my blankets, when a strange feeling started to pull me out of my dreams. It was that eerie sensation of being watched. My eyelids fluttered open, and as my eyes adjusted to the dim morning light, I saw two figures standing beside my bed—Raven and Greta. Their faces hovered just above mine, wide awake and grinning.

"What are you two up to?" I asked sleepily, my voice raspy from sleep.

"Oh, good, you're awake," Greta smiled, clearly pleased with herself. They both stepped back, but they were still too close for this early in the morning.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stretched my arms over my head, trying to shake off the remnants of my dreams. "I think that might be because you two were boring holes into me with your eyes. What are you guys doing up so early?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around why I was awake before my alarm. I had set it for eight, and I was pretty sure I hadn't slept through it.

"It's seven fifty-three," Greta said, stepping closer again. "We went for a walk."

I propped myself up on my elbows, giving them both a quizzical look. "Um, that's good, I guess."

"We went by the store place. Bought three bags' worth of stuff for everyone back home," Raven said, pointing to her chest proudly. "Got this shirt."

She was wearing a bright, rainbow tie-dyed T-shirt with the campground's logo splashed across the front. The colors were so vibrant they almost hurt my eyes in the early morning light.

"Uh, that's real nice," I said, still not fully awake. "I'll have to see if they have a purple one."

"It's not my normal attire, but it seemed fitting," Raven shrugged.

"That's not why we're here," Greta piped up, her excitement bubbling over.

"Just spit it out," Cyn moaned from one of the bunks in the hallway, clearly not appreciating the early morning enthusiasm. "We're on vacation, and you two are waking us up before eight."

"Yeah, shut it!" Reva called from her bed, sounding equally irritated.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, finally giving in to the fact that I was awake now. "Did you at least start the coffee since you were up so early?" I asked, hoping for some good news as I shuffled toward the kitchen area.

"Duh," Greta grunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You really think I'd be functioning without my usual three cups?"

Well, at least that was something. I could smell the rich aroma of coffee filling the RV, and it perked me up a bit.

"Are you making breakfast?" Lennox's voice came from one of the bunks as I walked by. She was burrowed under the blankets with just one eye peeping out like a little mole.

"Hungry?" I asked, stopping for a moment to grin at her.

She pulled the blanket down to expose her face fully. "Starved."

I smiled back at her and continued into the kitchen. "Let me get a few sips of coffee in me, and then I'll start on the breakfast burritos."

"Oh, yum," Lennox moaned, sounding like she was already dreaming of the meal.

Greta and Raven were on my heels the whole way, practically buzzing with energy. I could tell they were dying to spill whatever it was that had them so excited.

"Don't you want to know why we're so excited?" they asked in unison, their voices full of anticipation.

"Coffee," I mumbled, focusing on pouring myself a cup of the dark liquid. I needed that caffeine hit before I could deal with whatever crazy scheme they had cooked up.

Greta rolled her eyes dramatically and then nodded to Raven, who took her cue and moved toward the door of the RV. She swung it open with a flourish, stepping aside to let me see outside.

"Ta-da!" Raven called, her voice filled with triumph.

I moved closer to the door, my coffee cup in hand, and my eyes nearly bugged out of my head when I saw what was parked outside. "Where the hell did you guys get golf carts?" I asked, completely caught off guard. That was not at all what I had been expecting.

"They rent them by the hour or by the day," Greta announced proudly, beaming at me. "And they each fit six, so we can go everywhere together."

"We snagged these two for the next five days! They gave us a great deal," Raven added, clearly pleased with their morning haul.

I shook my head, half in disbelief and half in amusement. "You guys are something else, you know that?"

"Come on, Meg! Think of all the fun we can have now!" Greta was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Yeah, imagine zooming around the campground in these bad boys," Raven added with a grin.

I took a sip of my coffee, the warmth and caffeine starting to work their magic on my groggy brain. As much as I wanted to grumble about being woken up early, I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. They were right—this could be fun.

"Alright, alright," I said, holding up my hand in mock surrender. "But first things first—let me get some breakfast in me. Then we'll see what kind of trouble we can get into with those golf carts."

"Deal!" Greta and Raven said in unison, their excitement now fully contagious.

As I turned back toward the kitchen, I could hear the others starting to stir, drawn out of their bunks by the promise of breakfast and the smell of coffee. Lennox was the first to join me, her face still sleepy but eager as she sat at the dinette.

"Did I hear you say golf cart?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by the noise.

"Yeah, it seems Greta and Raven managed to snag some wheels for the week to get us around on," I replied with a grin as I cracked eggs into a pan, already thinking how those golf carts were going to help us get around pretty darn quicker than walking would. Greta and Raven's surprise addition to our transportation was a great start to the day.

Alice

"Maybe someone else should drive on the way back." I stumbled off the golf cart, clutching my stomach. The breakfast burrito I'd devoured earlier felt like it was about to make a reappearance, and I wasn't thrilled about it.

"Come on," Greta moaned, clearly unbothered by my distress. She slammed the parking brake into place and glared at Reva, Wendy, and Nikki as we hurriedly disembarked. "It's not my fault that squirrel darted out in front of us. I had to hit the ditch, or we would've hurt him. I'm not in the mood to be patching up animals on vacation."

"Uh, is that something you do when you're not on vacation?" I asked, still feeling a bit queasy but curious despite myself.

Greta nodded enthusiastically. "I'm a vet," she beamed proudly, giving a mock salute. "Trying to save the world one animal at a time." She pointed and wagged her finger at all of us like we were her new recruits. "Make sure to spay and neuter your pets."

"Isn't that what Bob Barker used to say?" Wendy laughed, clearly amused by Greta's impromptu public service announcement.

Greta stared off dreamily for a moment. "Good ol' Bob is the reason why I became a vet. The man inspired me."

"Yeah," I laughed, the nausea slowly fading as the adrenaline from our wild ride ebbed. "Watching a man have people guess how much a can of green beans costs is very inspiring."

Greta rolled her eyes and pocketed the golf cart key, clearly not in the mood for my sarcasm.

Just then, another golf cart rolled up next to us, dust kicking up from its wheels. Paige was behind the wheel, and I could see Raven, Cyn, Karmen, and Lennox piled in with her. Paige didn't look too happy.

"What in the hell are you guys doing?" Paige grumbled, her voice laced with irritation. "You kicked up a huge cloud of dust when you hit the ditch. I had to pull over until it dissipated."

"Squirrel," the four of us called in unison, those of us who had endured Greta's ride of terror.

Paige raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "You drove off the road for a squirrel?"

Greta shrugged, utterly unapologetic. "Better the ditch than flattening a squirrel. I stand by my decision."

"You would," Raven laughed, shaking her head as she hopped out of the cart. "You've got the weirdest priorities, Greta."

"Priorities?" Greta scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Saving lives, no matter how small, isn't weird. It's my job."

"Thank goodness your job doesn't require your driving skills," Nikki quipped, rubbing her shoulder like she was still shaking off the effects of our bumpy detour.

"Not everyone appreciates greatness in the moment," Greta said with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath, grateful to be on solid ground again. "Next time, I'm driving. Or at least someone who's not trying to turn our trip into an off-road adventure."

"Let's get some lunch at the bar," Meg called out, her voice carrying over the buzz of the campground. "Then we can wander around and see what we can all do."

We all eagerly agreed and made our way to the bar opposite the front office and store. It was a rustic, wilderness-themed place, with a charm that was both rugged and inviting. The walls were adorned with aged wood panels, and mounted antlers framed a few landscape paintings that depicted serene lakes and towering pine trees. The smell of grilled food mingled with the earthy scent of the wood, making the whole place feel cozy yet lively.

"This place is nice," Reva observed, her eyes sweeping over the long bar on one wall, which was lined with sturdy wooden stools. On the opposite wall, a row of booths provided a more private setting, and scattered throughout the room were ten round tables, each surrounded by four chairs. All of the booths were filled, but the bar was empty.

We all took a seat at the bar, our large group filling almost every available spot. After we settled in, there were only eight empty barstools left.

I picked up the menu and started scanning the drink options, noting that some of the selections were as rustic as the décor.

"Oh my lord," Meg exclaimed as she browsed the menu, her eyes lighting up. "I am definitely getting a Smoky Campfire Moscow Mule." She tipped her head thoughtfully. "And probably an Old Fashioned in case the mule sucks."

Raven grinned and raised her fist in the air. "Let the double-fisting begin at twelve-seventeen in the afternoon," she cheered. "I'm getting two Dirty Shirley's."

I looked up from my menu and raised an eyebrow at her. "You don't want to try something new? What about the Tequila Spiked Blackberry Lemonade?" Dirty Shirley's were Raven's go-to, but you would think she might try something new.

Raven shook her head firmly. "I know what I like, and that is Dirty Shirley's."

Paige, sitting next to Raven, glanced over with curiosity. "What's in a Dirty Shirley?" she asked.

Raven, ever the entertainer, held up one hand. "Shirley Temple." Then she held up her other hand. "Vodka." With a dramatic flourish, she clapped her hands together. "Dirty Shirley, baby."

Paige tipped her head to the side, looking slightly underwhelmed. "I thought it would be more clever than that."

Reva let out a gasp. "Holy shit," she said, her eyes wide with excitement. "Do you think they'll deliver drinks to our campsite? I want a Campfire Hot Chocolate with Peanut Butter Whiskey, but not until I sit around the campfire in my new sweatshirt."

Before we could discuss the logistics of campsite drink delivery, the bartender appeared. He walked through the door behind the bar, wiping his hands on a white towel slung over his shoulder. He was a tall man with a friendly smile, his hair tied back in a loose bun.

"Hello, ladies," he greeted us with a grin. "What can I get you?"

Raven's enthusiastic description of the Dirty Shirley must have made an impression because Paige, Karmen, Nikki, Wendy, and Cyn all decided to order one. The rest of us went for the Smoky Campfire Moscow Mule, with Meg sticking to her plan and getting a backup Old Fashioned just in case the mule didn't live up to her expectations. Lennox just had a double Shirley Temple.

As we placed our orders, the bartender moved with practiced ease, mixing and pouring the drinks with a flair that suggested he'd been doing this for years. The sound of ice clinking in metal shakers and the occasional burst of soda being poured added to the lively atmosphere of the bar.

Meg, sitting to my right, leaned over and nudged me with her elbow. "You know," she said with a grin, "if this mule is as good as it sounds, we might have to come back here for round two before we even start wandering."

I chuckled. "You always plan ahead when it comes to drinks, don't you?"

"Damn right," she replied, her eyes twinkling. "But I'll need to pace myself if I want to make it through the day. Last thing I need is to be carted back to the campsite before dinner."

Cyn, overhearing, chimed in. "You? Pacing yourself? I'll believe it when I see it."

"Hey, I can be responsible," Meg protested, though the grin on her face suggested otherwise.

"Sure, responsible enough to get a backup drink in case the first one doesn't measure up," Raven teased.

Before Meg could retort, the bartender placed our drinks in front of us, each one perfectly crafted. The Smoky Campfire Moscow Mule came in a rustic copper mug, with a hint of smoke rising from the top, and the Dirty Shirleys were garnished with a bright red cherry, looking as playful as Raven had described them.

Meg took a cautious sip of her mule, her face thoughtful. After a moment, she nodded in approval. "Not bad at all. Smoky, refreshing, and with just the right kick. But," she added, reaching for her Old Fashioned, "you never know."

We all took our first sips together, the mix of flavors a perfect complement to the bar's laid-back vibe. Conversation flowed easily, from campfire plans to the best drinks for an evening under the stars.

Still on her earlier thought, Reva leaned across the bar to ask the bartender, "So, do you guys deliver to campsites?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "Sorry, you'll have to come back here for refills. But I promise it'll be worth the walk."

Reva shrugged, satisfied. "Fair enough. I guess Lennox will have to be our DD for the weekend."

"Just keep the Shirley Temples coming, and I'll drive you anywhere," Lennox declared, her hand resting protectively on her small but noticeable baby bump. She pointed to the menu in front of her with a mischievous grin. "And also, buy me three of the peanut butter and jelly smash burgers."

Karmen, sitting next to her, gasped in mock horror. "Dear God," she exclaimed. "Who on earth would even think about making something like that? Your pregnancy cravings are next level."

Lennox held up the menu, her expression defiant. "I didn't make it up. It's literally right here in black and white."

"I want to try it, too," Meg chimed in, leaning over to get a better look at Lennox's menu. "I mean, it's probably like sweet and savory. Sign me up."

"I think I'll just stick with a normal cheeseburger," Reva laughed, shaking her head at the absurdity. "Maybe spice things up with some cheese curds."

Greta, never one to shy away from a group decision, raised her voice to get the bartender's attention as he approached. "Those two crazies will take seven of your peanut butter and jelly sliders because Lennox is eating for two," she said, nodding toward Lennox and Meg. "And then just bring, like, twenty cheddar sliders with all the fixings for the rest of us. Also, three large orders of cheese curds and two large orders of fries."

"Sounds good to me," I said, not even needing to think about what to order. The menu was full of interesting choices, but Greta's selection hit all the right notes.

The bartender scribbled down our order with a grin. "Coming right up, ladies," he said, his voice a deep rumble that fit perfectly with the rustic surroundings.

As we waited for our food, Lennox leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smile on her face. "I can't believe I'm actually excited about these burgers," she said, patting her belly. "Baby's getting me to try all sorts of new things."

"Well, at least you're not craving something weird like pickles and ice cream," I teased, nudging her gently.

"Oh, don't jinx it!" Lennox laughed. "Next week, I could be all about that."

Reva, still amused by the idea of peanut butter and jelly on a burger, shook her head. "I just don't understand how those flavors work together. But hey, I'm glad you're happy."

"Trust me," Meg said, leaning in with a conspiratorial whisper, "it's going to be amazing. You know how peanut butter works on everything—sandwiches, cookies, even celery. Why not a burger?"

"I'll take your word for it," Reva replied, still skeptical but clearly enjoying the banter.

"To new experiences," Meg said, raising her glass with a wink. "And to Lennox's crazy cravings."

"Cheers!" we all echoed, the laughter and good spirits spreading through the group like wildfire.

As the food started arriving, the bartop became a scene of organized chaos. The sliders were piled high, each one a little masterpiece of flavor, with melted cheese oozing out from between the buns. The peanut butter and jelly burgers were the stars of the show, their sweet and savory aroma mingling with the more traditional smells of cheddar and beef.

Meg and Lennox were the first to dig into the unusual creation, both taking large, enthusiastic bites. Lennox's eyes widened in surprise, then delight. "Oh my god," she said, her mouth still full. "This is so much better than I expected."

Meg nodded in agreement, already halfway through her first slider. "It's like a gourmet version of a PB&J. The burger adds this amazing texture, and the peanut butter just melts into everything."

Reva, unable to resist after seeing their reactions, reached over and snagged one of the peanut butter and jelly sliders. "I have to try this," she muttered, giving in to curiosity.

She took a tentative bite, her expression shifting from skepticism to amazement. "Okay," she admitted, swallowing. "I was wrong. This is actually really good."

The rest of us couldn't help but laugh at her change of heart. Even Greta, who had been firmly in the cheddar slider camp, reached for one of the peanut butter and jelly creations. "Alright, count me in," she said with a grin.

The cheese curds were a hit, too, their crispy exterior giving way to gooey, melted cheese with each bite. And the fries—golden, perfectly seasoned, and just the right amount of crisp—rounded out the meal perfectly.

By the time we'd finished, there wasn't a single slider or cheese curd left on the bartop. We all leaned back in our chairs, thoroughly stuffed and incredibly satisfied.

"That was insane," Karmen said, patting her stomach. "I can't believe we ate all of that."

"Believe it," I replied, still marveling at how good everything had been. "We're going to have to walk this off before we head back to camp."

Lennox, finishing off her last Shirley Temple, smiled contentedly. "Worth it," she declared. "And I'm not even ashamed to say I'd do it all over again."

"I think all I'm going to want to do the rest of the day is float in the pool," Nikki sighed.

"Sounds like a damn good plan to me," Meg agreed. "Hopefully, we can snag some chairs and hang out there until dinner."

Raven pointed to the bartender. "Can I get a Dirty Shirley by the pool?"

The bartender smiled and nodded. "Swim up tiki bar."

Greta pumped her fist in the air. "Hell yeah! I'm getting a Dirty Shirley!"

After we split the bill eleven ways, we all piled into the golf carts for the ride back to the campsites. Lennox and Paige took the driver's seats this time, and the drive back was noticeably more peaceful. The warm afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the path ahead. A light breeze rustled the leaves, creating a serene backdrop as we slowly made our way back.

"You could go a little faster," Greta called from her spot behind Lennox, a teasing note in her voice.

Lennox shook her head, a playful giggle escaping her. "I think this is just right," she replied. "I don't need to go warp speed. We've got all afternoon to relax by the pool."

When we finally arrived at the campsite, everyone headed inside to change and get ready for the pool.

"Be back at the golf carts in twenty minutes," Greta ordered, her voice full of excitement. "The tiki bar is calling my name!"

"Yeah," Raven called as she followed Greta into the RV.

"Anyone else think Raven and Greta are twins?" I laughed, watching the two of them disappear inside.

We climbed into the Mini Weenie, and Nikki smirked. "I think you might be onto something. The only difference is they're a few years apart."

"You know," Wendy sighed as she flopped onto her bed, "you and Meg are alike, too."

"What?" I shook my head. "No way."

"Alice," Karmen, Nikki, and Wendy called out in unison.

"Uh, yes?"

"You guys are like twins. Seriously, when I talk to Meg, it's like I'm talking to you," Nikki said, raising an eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes. "Sure, if you say so. I might have to cut you guys off already," I joked.

Karmen pointed at Nikki. "You remind me of Cyn."

Nikki tipped her head to the side. "I mean, yeah, I can see that."

"See, Nikki can admit that she and Cyn are alike."

"Okay, sure. Meg and I are married to club presidents, and we each have purple hair," I conceded.

"And you're both funny as hell and keep everyone on their toes. Though Greta seems to be the new generation of that for the Devil's Knights. I wonder who you're going to pass the crazy torch to."

"At this point, I think it's going to be Adley," Wendy laughed.

"Or maybe it might be Eden. Maybe the apple won't fall far from the tree," I added. While at times Eden was as cool as a cucumber like Wrecker, there were also times she out crazied me.

"Fifteen minutes!" Greta's loud voice rang out from across the campsite.

"Good lord," I laughed, watching Paige practically sprint to the golf cart. "She really wants to get to the tiki bar. Let's get a move on it, ladies."

I grabbed my swimsuit and headed into the bathroom, eager to change and join the fun. The door clicked shut behind me, muffling the playful banter from the others. I unbuttoned my shorts, letting them fall to the floor, and tugged my tank top over my head. I paused for a moment, standing there in just my underwear, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The reflection staring back at me was familiar, yet the excitement in my eyes made me look younger, more carefree.

I reached for my one-piece swimsuit, the one covered in Highland cow print. It was a quirky choice, but I loved it. The fabric felt cool against my skin as I stepped into it, pulling it up over my hips and adjusting the straps over my shoulders. The suit hugged me comfortably, and I smoothed it down, the cow print bringing a smile to my face. The playful design reminded me of home, of the Highland cows I loved so much.

As I finished adjusting the suit, my mind wandered to what Nikki, Karmen, and Wendy had said earlier. They'd teased me about being like Meg—our humor, our purple hair, the way we kept everyone on their toes. At first, I had brushed it off, but now, standing alone in the bathroom, their words echoed in my mind.

Were we really that much alike? I hadn't thought so. Sure, we both had that same drive to make people laugh, to lighten the mood, but Meg had a confidence, a boldness that was all her own. I admired that about her. She had this way of owning any room she walked into, of making everyone feel welcome and included, even when she was busting their chops.

But then again, maybe that wasn't so different from me. I liked to think I had a similar effect on people, that I could bring a little light into the lives of those around me. And if that made me like Meg, well, I was okay with that. Being compared to someone you genuinely liked and respected wasn't a bad thing.

I turned to the mirror, taking a moment to really look at myself. My purple hair framed my face, and I couldn't help but grin. This vacation had only just begun, but I already felt lighter and more in tune with myself. I was surrounded by friends, by laughter, by memories in the making. And I was having a great time.

I pulled an oversized shirt over my head and grabbed my clothes off the floor.

With a final glance in the mirror, I gave myself a nod of approval. The tiki bar awaited, and I wasn't about to miss out on the fun. I grabbed my towel, swung the bathroom door open, and rejoined the group.

"Alright, ladies," I called out with a wide grin, "let's go see what kind of trouble we can get into at that tiki bar."