The Alpha’s Surgeon

23

Del practically bounced on her heels as everyone started settling in, that familiar mischievous sparkle lighting up her eyes. “Okay, hear me out,” she said, clasping her hands dramatically. “It’s been year since we’ve been at the cabin. We have to go kayaking.”

Rae, halfway through checking the security monitors from her phone, didn’t even look up. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, come on!” Del pleaded, leaning over the back of the couch where Rae sat. “It’ll be fun! The water’s calm, the sun’s out, Aspen’s already in—”

“Exactly,” Rae interrupted flatly, tilting her phone toward Del. “Aspen’s in the river, which means no one is safe.”

Remi laughed from the kitchen where she was helping Will unload the cooler. “I think the only way we’re getting Rae in a kayak is if we use single ones. No partners allowed.”

Will raised a brow, clearly amused. “That’s… oddly specific.”

“Because,” Remi continued with a teasing smile, “if she rides with Del, one of them ends up swimming—and it’s never Del.”

Rae shot Remi a mock glare but couldn’t even argue. “She’s right,” she admitted, pointing a finger at Del. “Last time we did this, you flipped us three times and hit me with a paddle. I’m still traumatized.”

Del threw her hands up. “It was one time!”

“Three,” Rae corrected. “And you lost count after the second concussion.”

Elijah, leaning against the doorframe, chuckled. “So I take it there’s a history here?”

“Oh, it’s legendary,” Trey said with a grin. “The infamous Dock Disaster of ’15, right?”

Del gasped dramatically. “You told him about that?”

Rae smirked. “I didn’t have to. Momma Anna’s got a photo of the rescue team hanging in the shack.”

Will tried—and failed—to stifle his laugh. “This just keeps getting better.”

Del folded her arms and gave Rae a look. “Fine. Single kayaks. You can’t blame me if you capsize yourself.”

Rae leaned back on the couch, pretending to think. “Single ones?”

“Single,” Del promised, holding up three fingers like she was swearing an oath.

Rae sighed dramatically but finally nodded. “Alright. But only because Aspen’s gonna soak everyone anyway.”

Right on cue, a loud splash sounded outside, followed by Aspen’s happy bark.

Remi shook her head, laughing. “See? She’s not wrong.”

“Guess we’re all getting wet no matter what,” Trey said, grabbing his towel. “Might as well lean into it.”

Rae stood, crossing her arms. “Then we’re changing first. I’m not getting back in this truck dripping wet.”

Elijah grinned, already heading toward the hallway. “Don’t worry, Rae. We’ll save you the safest kayak.”

“There’s no such thing as a safe kayak when Del’s involved,” Rae muttered as she turned to head upstairs.

Del gasped, mock-offended. “Rude!”

Will laughed, catching Remi’s amused glance. “You sure this isn’t going to end in a water war?”

Remi smiled knowingly. “With this group? It always does.”

The girls’ laughter echoed through the cabin as drawers opened, clothes were tossed, and light teased banter bounced between them. Rae stood in front of the mirror, tugging her blue tank top into place before tying her hair up in a messy ponytail. “If I’m getting soaked, I’m not ruining another outfit,” she declared, slipping on her worn denim shorts.

Del grinned from across the room, adjusting her bright coral tank top. “You say that like we’re not gonna end up in the water anyway.”

Remi laughed softly, pulling her own lightweight tank on—a soft sage green that made her skin glow in the sunlight spilling through the window. “At least we’ll look cute doing it,” she said, brushing a few strands of hair off her shoulder.

Del wiggled her brows. “Exactly. Distraction is strategy.”

Rae rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smirking. “You’re incorrigible.”

“True,” Del said cheerfully, grabbing her sunglasses and looping them through her neckline. “Now let’s go make the boys regret underestimating us.”

By the time they stepped outside, the morning air was warm and carried the scent of pine and river water. Their laughter drifted ahead of them as they followed the worn path down toward the dock. The sun caught on the water, turning it into a thousand glittering shards—and near the kayaks, the guys were already waiting.

Trey, Will, and Elijah turned at the sound of their voices—and all three froze mid-conversation.

Rae noticed first. “What?” she asked suspiciously, one brow raised as she adjusted her towel over her shoulder.

Trey’s mouth curved slowly into a grin, eyes trailing up and down before he met her gaze again. “Nothing,” he said, tone far too innocent. “Just… didn’t realize kayaking came with a dress code.”

Elijah let out a low whistle before Will smacked his arm lightly. “What? I’m just saying,” Elijah muttered under his breath, still grinning. “They look ready to start a summer calendar shoot.”

Remi flushed slightly, shooting him a mock glare. “You boys look like you’re about to walk into an ambush, not go kayaking.”

Del, always quick on her feet, spun dramatically. “Please. You should be thanking us. We’re improving the view.”

Will’s lips twitched into a rare, amused smile. “Not gonna argue there.”

Rae snorted, pretending to glare at Trey, but his gaze was already locked on her—fond, a little mischievous, like he couldn’t decide whether to tease her or just keep staring.

“You done, Carter?” she asked, hands on her hips.

He blinked, grin widening. “Not even close.”

Del elbowed Rae as they passed the boys to grab their paddles. “Told you—distraction is strategy.”

Rae shook her head, muttering under her breath, “You’re insufferable.” But even as she said it, a faint smile tugged at her lips.

Aspen barked from the dock like he was agreeing, tail wagging wildly as he paced the edge of the water, clearly ready for the chaos to begin.

Will laughed, glancing between the group. “Alright, everyone grab a kayak before Aspen decides to steal one.”

Elijah grinned, already pulling his toward the edge. “Too late for that—he’s eyeing Rae’s.”

“Of course he is,” Rae muttered, setting her paddle down. “My own dog betrays me.”

Remi chuckled, leaning over to adjust her life vest. “Welcome to teamwork, Rae.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Rae said with a smirk as she pushed her kayak toward the water. “Let’s see who survives this round.”