I was already waiting in the parking lot,  leaning against my old Ford F-150. Everything was ready for my guests. The truck bed was rigged for the uphill ride -  blankets, cushions, and a bucket of beer on ice. For Jared’s less refined tastes, a few Playboy issues scattered around.

“Good lord.” An athletic blonde straight from the Men's Health cover got out of the car, staring at my Ford. “And I thought the minivan was the low point.” 

Usual Kevin - posh, smug and loud. It must have been nice to be born into old money. I knew the guy briefly from college. Never had I thought he would end up being Jack’s close friend. But, according to Jared, Kevin’s money helped launch their real estate firm. I could only guess how often Jack had to keep his mouth shut around that prick. 

“You have no idea how hard it is to find a car fitting three isofixes,” said another, stepping out from the driver’s seat. “I don’t think we’ve met before. Patrick.”

The normal one, I figured, and gave him a firm handshake.

“Pleased to meet you. Barry.”

Jared kept rambling something about old times, but I tuned him out. My gaze drifted toward the Chrysler, where Jack was still sitting in the passenger seat, his expression unreadable. Then our eyes locked, and that old burn flared in my chest like someone struck a match under my ribs. As soon as he saw me, his face shifted - he was slipping on a mask.

“A surprise it is, Jared. A surprise indeed,” he said at last, stepping out. “Good to see you, pal.”

We shook hands awkwardly, formal - like strangers playing friends. 

“Time to go, boys. Adventure awaits!” Jared gave me a slap on the back, leapt onto the truck bed, and grabbed a magazine. “Hell yeah - now that’s what it’s all about! Let’s go!” 

I drove the noisy group uphill to the cabin we picked with Jared. It was situated right above the lake, with majestic mountain peaks looming in the distance. When we neared the wooden lodge, I glanced at Jack in the rearview mirror. He seemed genuinely happy looking around with quiet wonder. I smirked with mild satisfaction. After all these years, I still knew how to make him smile.

“So what's the plan?” Kevin asked after we entered the lodge. 

“Settle in, and I'll go get the kayaks. The shore is a few hundred feet away. Would be a shame to waste a chance.”

“Jeez… So no hookers tonight, aye?” Kevin asked with mock disappointment. 

“I'm afraid we're out of reach. Too far uphill for delivery.” I smiled at him.

“Jack would never go for that anyway. Mary is safe with my man, right?” Jared winked at our groom-to-be.

Jack sent him a weak smile, and I barely held back a scoff. Jack wasn't as crystal as everyone believed him to be. Even though he was about to commit for life, I was pretty sure he still didn’t have it figured out. I couldn’t blame him. He chose the easy path. He chose pretending. 

The sound of footsteps and a hushed whisper reached my ears as I was puttering around the shed, preparing the kayaks.

“What is he doing here?” Jack didn’t seem content, his voice low and tense. 

“What do you mean?” Jared played dumb. “You said you couldn’t find Barry’s contact. Turns out he’s a local guide now. I reached him quite easily. He was more than happy to help.”

“You know we haven’t talked since college. Why would you do that?”

“Aren’t you exaggerating? What did he do back then?”

“It’s not what he did.” Jack hesitated. “It’s what I did.”

“Whatever it was, he must have long forgotten.” I could almost see Jared giving a dismissive wave. “He wouldn’t have agreed otherwise.”

Silence. I held my breath, hands sweaty on the hull of the kayak, heart thudding like a warning bell. Jack wouldn’t spill it. Not unless something forced him to. 

“You know what?” He finally said. “You’re right. He must be over it. It’s been what? Six, seven years?”

“Yeah! Relax! That’s what we’re here for, no? Come on, I have some whiskey in the backpack. Let's loosen up.”

“It’s still midday. You sure?”

“Of course. It’s a party after all, let’s go.”

Morons... Water and drinking? It never ends well.