“Well, I'm not sleeping on the couch. If the thought of sharing a bed with me disgusts you that much, you sleep on the there.” Daniel remarked grumpily. He hopped down from the stool and grabbed his overnight bag. “Where do you think you're going?” Rachel asked him angrily. He started walking down the hallway. “I'm taking my bag to my room. Later.” He called over his shoulder.

Rachel whipped around and gave Clay and I a steely glare. “What the hell am I supposed to do? I shouldn't have to sleep on the couch because he's being a a dick.” I patted my best friend's back. “I have a solution for you.” I whispered conspiratorially. Rachel looked at me, interested. “Yeah?' She asked. “Why don't you stop being such a stubborn pain in the ass and take your stuff back to the bedroom. One night sharing a bed won't kill you.”

Rachel harrumphed, picked up her bright pink bag and stomped down the hallway after Daniel. “You'd best stay on your side of the bed or I'll cut off your testicles while you sleep.” I heard her yelling. I couldn't hear Daniel's response.

Clay looked bewildered. “She's scary when she's mad. I'd hate to be Daniel right now.” He said, going to the refrigerator and pulling out a beer. I cocked my eyebrow at him. He looked down at the can. “Okay, maybe not such a good idea.” He gave me a smile and put it back, grabbing a bottle of water instead.

An hour later, Raymond and Clare emerged from their room, looking as though they had just woken up from a nap. Daniel and Rachel joined us in the living room not long after that, both looking less annoyed, though Rachel continued to bristle every time Daniel opened his mouth.

“Didn't Lisa say there was a grocery store five minutes from here?” Raymond asked. “Yeah, if you go back down the driveway and head right, it's less than a mile on your left. It's just a little mom and pop place, but you can get the essentials.” Clay told him.

“Cool, you want to come, Danny?” Daniel jumped at the chance to get away from a still fuming Rachel. “Clay?” Raymond asked. Clay looked at me and I nodded. “Go, have some guy time.” Clay grinned and I could see how happy he was to be included.

“Ugg! I seriously need to decompress. Didn't Clay say there was a jacuzzi around here somewhere?” Rachel asked. I picked up our empty soda cans and threw them in the trashcan. “Yeah, it's outside in the gazebo. You wanna check it out?” I asked. Clare jumped off the couch. “Hell yeah, let's go!”

Rachel, Clare and I went to our respective rooms and changed into our swim suits. It felt crazy to put one on when it was almost December. The three of us reconvened in the living room. I started to put my fuzzy robe on when Rachel let out a low whistle. “What?” I asked her.

Rachel looked fantastic in her red one piece, cut up high on the hips. She gave me the once over. “When did you get that?” She asked, indicating my black bikini. I looked down at myself and blushed. Yeah, it was a little more revealing than my typical get up.

I covered myself, feeling self- conscious. “I got it last summer, just haven't worn it yet.” I told her, slipping on a pair of flip flops I had brought along. “Well, you look hot. Where have you been hiding that killer body?” Rachel whistled, making me blush. Clare giggled, as she covered up her boy shorts and tank top. I grabbed some bottles of water from the fridge, tossing them at my friends, ignoring Rachel's comment. “Come on, before the guys get back and we lose whatever chance we have at relaxing.” I told them, leading the way outside.

As we stepped out the back door, the three of us began to shiver. “Damn. It's freezing out here.” Rachel pulled her jacket tighter around her, but her bare legs were already breaking out into goosebumps.

It had easily dropped fifteen degrees since we'd gotten to the cabin. Looking at the sky, it wouldn't surprise me if it snowed. Running as fast as we could, we headed to the gazebo. I opened the door and ushered them inside. “Hurry up, so I can close the door.”

Inside, I was relieved to see baseboard heating running the length of two walls. I found the thermostat and cranked it. Rachel walked over to the jacuzzi pump and turned it on. The water began to bubble and swirl.

We sat huddled together until it heated up. The gazebo had windows and I made sure they were all securely latched so as to not let in any cold air. Finally, it felt warm and comfortable so the three of us stripped off our outerwear, kicked off our shoes, and slowly slid down into the water.

It was a huge jacuzzi, easily fitting eight people. “Ah. Now this is the life.” Clare sighed in contentment, putting her head back. The water came up to our shoulders and fizzed against my skin deliciously.

“This is just what I needed.” Rachel said after a long sigh. She had closed her eyes and sank down until the water lapped at her chin. Clare and I murmured our agreement. None of us said a word for a long time.

“So, Ray told me on the ride up here that Kylie was trying to get back with Daniel.” Clare said, breaking the relaxing silence. I quickly looked over at Rachel to gauge her response. Rachel hadn't opened her eyes but I could see her jaw clench.

“Really? Danny hasn't said anything.” I ventured, not sure I wanted to discuss Daniel and Kylie while Rachel was seeming pretty subdued. Clare nodded. “Yeah. Apparently she's been hanging around a lot. I know I've seen her at their basketball practices after school. I guess she and that other guy she was screwing around with didn't work out so she's trying to get her hooks back into Danny.”