The next day Alicia and Jeremy rode the train together both to and from work, Alicia again marveling at how Jeremy did that long ride twice a day every day. He could only respond that he liked where he lived and noted that most of his family and friends were close by with a few exceptions.
That evening they both got off at Alicia's stop for a brief visit to her apartment to pack for the trip. During which she took time to change into causal clothes which Jeremy had not seen her wear yet, as all their encounters had either been after work or the restaurant. He had to admit it was a bit odd to see her like that, but a good odd. He had to admit seeing how she looked in shorts and a tee shirt only added to her appeal, especially since the shorts really showed off her long legs well. Not that the skirts and dresses he had seen her in didn't, but the shorts somehow gave a different effect.
Once she was finished packing they loaded her reasonably sized bag into her car and set out for Jeremy's. Everyone going on the trip had taken the day off due to the fact that they were camping downstate, so Alicia was spending the night at his place again to make things easier the next morning. The site had been selected so his other friend Henry could attend, but due to a conflict Henry couldn't make it, which had inspired inviting Ryan, which had led to Beth coming, then Erin, Amber, and finally Alicia. Jeremy chuckled at this realizing how sometimes the littlest things changed so much. He glanced at Alicia driving and smiled, now rather glad Henry had cancelled and started a chain of events he at the time found disastrous, but now found quite fortunate. Who knew a forgotten train pass and his friend canceling would lead to something so great for him.
After a brief stop for dinner at his favorite local restaurant, which he was pleased to find Alicia liked as well, they made for his place and she helped him gather and pack his car with most of the gear they would need. Originally they had planned to all go in his SUV, but adding four bodies to the trip made that impossible, so it was decided that he would still carry a bulk of the gear and another friend would take the additional passengers in their vehicle. Tim volunteered, figuring that if there was some emergency with the baby he and Erin needed a way back. Jeremy agreed and realized that if push came to shove with Tim and Erin gone and the food used, the other six could pile into Jeremy's car. Not preferable for near three hours, but doable in a pinch.
When the packing was finished he and Alicia relaxed a bit before heading to bed, not before fooling around a bit, though, of course. He was getting the idea that Alicia really liked sex, something he had no issue with whatsoever.
The next day everyone arrived and in a short amount of time everything was packed and the cars were set with Sam and Beth joining Tim and Erin while Ryan and Amber rode with Jeremy and Alicia.
The ride didn't take as long as expected and once they arrived there was a flurry of activity as the group worked to set up the tents. Before long everything was up and everyone settled. After a quick lunch they all set off on a short hike for the afternoon. When they got back Jeremy led the effort to start a fire for that night's dinner.
Both during the lighting of the fire, of which Jeremy did the non-cheater way in part to show off, and the making of the dinner, Jeremy took ample opportunity to show his skills. He hoped it was not overly obvious to Alicia that he was showing off, and he felt a bit silly doing it. In his defense though, Sam seemed to be taking every opportunity to put out the fire or burn the food so if not for Jeremy's considerable skills, not to mention quality help from Tim and Ryan, things could have gone badly.
Nonetheless Sam was getting some nasty looks from all three of the guys from making promises there was no way he could back up. It was clear he was outright trying to impress Beth while having no idea what he was doing. It was he who implied that the men would start the fire 'boy scout style,' which was okay except he was the only one who had never been a boy scout. He had also volunteered the guys to cook back at the meeting on Wednesday, something Beth and Erin were all too happy to remind him of when dinnertime came, though Erin gave the other three a wink to let them know she was joking. So long story short Jeremy pulled Sam's ass out of the fire, strangely almost literally, that first night.
Dinner was steak, baked potatoes, and corn, which was certainly one of the better, and more complicated, meals Jeremy had ever cooked on a trip. Jeremy followed it up with a tasty cobbler for dessert. Needless to say everybody ate real well that first night. The best part of the night was when Sam in his usual manner tried to take credit.
"Well, you're welcome ladies for that delicious meal. I look forward to your effort tomorrow, though. I doubt it'll be as good," Sam said, smirking.
"Yes it will, and like tonight's dinner, it will be because you had no part in it Sam," Erin said, smiling. Sam scoffed and looked at Erin offended before looking at Beth, expecting her to give a kind word.
"Yeah, sorry babe, but I have to agree with Erin on this one. Tim, Ryan, and especially Jeremy bailed your ass out." Amber being new didn't say much but she nodded in agreement.
It was then that Alicia did something none, least of all Jeremy, expected. She leaned over and kissed him deeply on the lips. When the kiss broke there was muttering and a few shocked faces and Alicia smiled and said, "What? For a meal that good someone needed to kiss the cook and I was closest, it's not my fault you three are too slow." There was a pause and the whole clearing laughed, even Amber, who had been silent most of the night.
"You know what Alicia, you're alright. I think you'll fit right in with this group," Erin said smiling. "But you're right, Jeremy does deserve a thank you. I'd kiss him too but he's taken and I'm married."
"You're welcome to him if Tim doesn't mind; I don't own him," Alicia said seriously. She looked at the other two. "What about you two, any takers? I know Sam owes him..."
"Now wait just a minute..." Jeremy said, wanting to stop that train of thought right there. "I like Sam, and I don't mind helping him out, but that is going too far."
The group got a big laugh at that and few more before the chill of a storm coming chased them to their tents. Jeremy stayed out just long enough to break down the fire and give Alicia time to change before he crawled into his tent. He made it just before the downpour started.
"So how much risk of getting soaked do we have?" Alicia asked as Jeremy crawled into his bag and removed his shorts, leaving on only his tee shirt and his boxers.
"We should be fine. I heard rain was expected so I put us on a high spot and took great care with the fly this time. Still this tent does have an edge leak issue on nights like this. I'd usually recommend getting to the middle as much has possible, but with two of us we'll have to risk it."
Alicia took this in, thought a moment, and said, "Well that settles it then." She then got out of her bag revealing she only wore a long night shirt and probably some panties. She then gathered her sleeping bag and noticing he had not moved said, "You going to help or just lie there?"
"Sure, but what are you doing?"
Alicia rolled her eyes like it was obvious, "What you said, I'm centering us. If we both sleep in the center of the tent we'll be stay drier and probably warmer too. Now help me."
