CHAPTER 74: 74-WE MAKE THE WORST TEAM EVER

Iris:

After everything had settled and we had all changed into our comfortable clothes for the day, it was decided that we would not look for the herbs, at least not today.

The decision was also influenced by the fact that it seemed like it was going to be pretty windy, something we hadn’t considered before starting this journey.

Somewhere along the line, I began to understand why Kash had been anxious enough to come here without any plans.

After I told him about his son’s suffering, I realized he might have felt powerless, as if he wasn’t doing enough for his son.

"Mommy, are we going to start a fire?" Colin asked, clapping his hands as we set out the little furniture outside our tents.

In the middle of the space was the area where we could build the fire between the two big tents.

"Of course. Do you guys want to?" Kash asked the children, cutting me off before I could respond.

Amy and Colin nodded excitedly, and I watched Kash’s smile widen.

"You know, Daddy, my friends used to tell me that their parents would start bonfires and take them on picnics. I’m so happy! When I see them again, I’ll tell them we had fun too," little Amy overshared.

I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise when I noticed Kash’s eyes shifting from the ground to me.

His expression suggested he had no idea they had friends.

I mean, it made sense they wouldn’t have a large circle of people around them, especially considering they had stayed in the rogue community.

Thankfully, Lara stormed out of the tent, drawing his attention.

She wore a bralette and tiny shorts, her hair tied in a ponytail. I was in a tracksuit and hoodie because it was getting cold.

I was sure everyone was confused by Lara, but knowing Kash, I knew he would never tell her to cover up.

He never criticized anyone’s choices as long as he was present.

He always told me I could be as reckless as I wanted when he was around because he would handle any issues.

But when he wasn’t there, I had to be careful to avoid getting hurt or sick.

I figured something similar applied to him and Lara.

"So we are starting a fire?" Lara asked, clapping her hands behind her back and then bringing them together in front of her body in a rhythmic motion.

"Yeah, sure. If my little kids want to experience it," Kash said with a smile.

I could tell she didn’t want it to be just the kids’ activity, she wanted it to be hers with Kash.

"Wanna have a match?" she called out this time.

Luca walked out of the tent wearing grey shorts and a black shirt. He ruffled his hair and looked up.

"What? We’re having another match?" he asked, his tone scoffing as if tired of winning against them.

"Yeah, why not? Why, can’t you start a fire?" Lara taunted him.

"I can, but can you? And let me tell you, starting a fire isn’t with a matchstick," Luca teased, and I noticed her confident smile begin to fade.

I mean, what did she expect? This was Luca, he never let anything slide.

"Anyway, let’s do it then," Lara said.

By this point, we had brought out all the containers of s’mores, marshmallows, chocolate, biscuits, along with other meal preparations, mostly handled by Kash. I noticed he was still extremely organized.

Whenever we used to have small picnics, just the two of us, he would plan everything ahead.

He cooked on the fire, barbecued meat or chicken, and was really good at it. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.

"Daddy, this time, don’t get upset if we want Mommy to win, okay?" Colin gave Kash such a cute hand gesture that I couldn’t help but go, "Aww."

"Don’t worry, kiddo. We’re gonna win this time," Luca called out to Colin. Colin frowned, then pouted, raising his lips until they nearly touched his nose.

He folded his arms across his chest, a clear sign of disapproval toward Luca.

Thankfully, Luca didn’t notice; otherwise, he would have started acting up again.

Of course, he wouldn’t do anything to Colin in front of Kash or me, but still.

The wind was light, just enough to make the smoke curl and drift, but not enough to blow out a spark. I noticed it immediately.

"Okay, back down, because I know what I’m doing," Luca said, adjusting his hands on his waist and staring at the ground. "We’ll start it here," he added, stating the obvious since just a few feet away, Kash and Lara were building their own fire.

"We have to find dry wood, twigs, leaves, anything for kindling," I said, walking after Luca as he moved toward the trees.

"Don’t tell me something I already know," he scoffed, making me roll my eyes.

I was afraid my eyes might get stuck from rolling them so hard.

Kash and Lara were already preparing. Lara fussed over a pile of sticks, while Kash quickly arranged them into a teepee. Lara looked proud as if she were doing something important, while I focused on gathering small twigs and leaves from the surrounding area. It reminded me of the times I had stayed in the woods when I was pregnant.

This wasn’t new for me. I knew I could do it because I had done it countless times, staying in cabins, cleaning porches, starting bonfires for people.

The only problem was my teammate. He was annoying as hell.

"Ha! Let me do it," Luca urged, snapping me out of my thoughts.

As he reached for me, he almost pushed me.

It seemed accidental, but I started to fall. My arms were in a position that could have taken the weight of my body and caused a hard landing.

I didn’t hit the ground. Someone had caught me. Not just anyone but Luca.

It wasn’t a romantic setting by any means.

When I raised my head, I saw Kash staring at me, his expression deadpan and his muscles tense.