It Was Supposed To Be Just Us

Thank you for reading this short story. As an author, I always throw a little nugget of truth from my life into each work. I hope you enjoy

Synopsis: Sometimes, the spark in a long-term relationship doesn't fade--it just hides, waiting for the right moment, the right setting, and the right permission to burn again. It Was Supposed to Be Just Us is a story about trust, desire, and the joy of rediscovering your partner when you finally let go of fear. Jake and Leah's journey isn't just about breaking boundaries--it's about choosing each other, again and again, in the most unexpected of ways. Thank you for taking this short journey with them. And maybe... just maybe... I'll see you next summer at Twin Oaks. Adrian Harper

"It Was Supposed to Be Just Us"

Arrival at Twin Oaks

The tires of the SUV crunched over gravel as Jake turned onto the narrow wooded path marked Twin Oaks -- Private Campground. Dust trailed behind them, golden in the late afternoon sunlight filtering through a canopy of green. Birds chirped lazily overhead, and the air held that rich, earthy scent of early summer--the kind that made you breathe deeper just to feel it settle inside you.

Jake smiled as he drove, sunglasses perched on his nose, one hand loosely on the wheel, the other resting casually on the center console. "Smell that, babe? That's the scent of freedom."

Leah rolled her eyes, smirking. "That's the scent of dirt, Jake."

"Dirt is freedom," he shot back, grinning. "Clean dirt. Organic dirt."

She chuckled despite herself, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "You're lucky I agreed to this. I left behind hot showers and room service for this so-called freedom."

Jake leaned slightly over to nudge her thigh with his hand. "You'll thank me by tonight. Stars overhead. Crackling fire. Maybe I'll even let you roast the first marshmallow."

"How generous of you."

They rolled to a stop at a clearing near the top of a gentle hill, away from the lake's shoreline. A wide canopy of oak trees stood guard around the area, offering dappled shade and quiet seclusion. From here, you could just make out the shimmer of water through the trees below, but this site felt... private. Almost too perfect.

Jake cut the engine and stepped out, stretching tall with a groan of satisfaction. "This is the spot. Top of the hill, good view, good breeze, no one around for miles. Told you it'd be peaceful."

Leah stepped out more cautiously, adjusting her sunglasses. "It's peaceful because we're the only idiots who chose camping over an air-conditioned inn."

"Correction," he said, opening the back hatch and grabbing the tent. "You chose a B&B after this. This weekend? This is primal reconnection."

She raised an eyebrow. "Is that what we're calling sleeping on the ground now?"

He came around to her side and kissed her temple, his voice low. "You'll be thanking me when we're zipped into that tent tonight. Just you, me, and all that rediscovery you promised."

Leah smirked. "You better hope I packed the Advil."

They started unloading gear together, moving with the rhythm of longtime partners--half-bickering, half-laughing, working around each other with practiced ease. The silence of the woods wrapped around them, broken only by birdsong and the occasional squirrel scurrying through the leaves.

As the tent came together and the fire pit was set, Jake looked around with a satisfied grunt. "See? Told you this would be perfect."

Leah gave a sideways glance, her arms crossed. "It's a little too quiet, don't you think?"

Jake shrugged. "Just us this weekend. David said nobody else booked anything out here."

She paused for a moment, then gave a small, mischievous smile. "Good. Means no one'll hear me screaming when I throw my back out on that camping pad."

He laughed, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in. "You're gonna love this. Trust me."

She leaned into him for just a second longer than expected. "I'm trusting you, Jake. Just don't make me regret it."

Jake kissed her forehead. "You won't."

Camp Is Set, and Sparks Begin to Glow

By the time they'd finished setting up, the sun had begun its slow descent behind the distant tree line, casting golden light across the lake below. The tent stood proudly under a canopy of branches, shaded but not hidden, and Jake had made it more than just functional--it was comfortable. Thoughtful. Almost romantic.

Leah sat back in one of the collapsible lawn chairs, a cold can of sparkling water in hand, her bare legs stretched out in front of her. She wore a simple tank top and shorts, her dark hair pulled into a messy ponytail, a light sheen of sweat on her collarbone. She glanced toward the tent, now anchored securely with a zippered flap wide open to reveal an inflatable queen-sized mattress with real sheets--not sleeping bags, she noted with some surprise.

"Okay," she said, her voice a little softer now, "I'll admit--you didn't do half bad."

Jake grinned as he stood a few feet away, shirtless, adjusting the hanging portable shower he'd rigged up between two branches. "That's high praise coming from my beautiful skeptic."

She smirked. "You hung a shower, Jake. A shower. I expected baby wipes and a prayer."

He turned and gave her a cheeky look, stretching his arms in satisfaction. "You think I was gonna haul you out here and not take care of you? This is Jake's Deluxe Wilderness Retreat."

She let out a laugh and shook her head. "God help me, I'm actually impressed."

He walked over, leaned down, and brushed a kiss against her lips--slow, sweet, not rushed. "That's kind of the goal, y'know."

She looked up at him, her expression softening. "I mean it. You really did think of everything."

Jake dropped into the chair next to her with a low groan, the kind of sound only made by men over fifty who still did their own heavy lifting. "If you're comfortable, I'm happy. That's all I wanted."

From their little perch on the hill, the view stretched out wide. The lake shimmered like glass, disturbed only by the occasional ripple of fish breaking the surface. A few fire pits sat empty along the shoreline below, camping spots unoccupied and still.

Leah sipped her drink, exhaling contentedly. "It really is beautiful. I might even forgive you for dragging me out here without room service."

Jake looked over at her, eyes gleaming. "Hey--I've got wine chilling in the cooler, steaks ready to grill, and a Bluetooth speaker with that playlist you love."

She tilted her head. "Our anniversary one?"

He nodded. "Yeah. You'll hear track one the minute the sun touches the water."

Leah smiled again, slower this time, warmth blooming in her chest. She reached out and ran her fingers along the back of his hand. "You planned the hell out of this, didn't you?"

Jake shrugged, but his grin gave him away. "Just figured... maybe we deserved a little adventure."

Her gaze flicked toward the lake. The soft breeze played with her hair. "We do."

There was a silence between them--not awkward, but settled. Like something long buried had quietly lifted its head and stretched.

She stood after a moment and walked toward the shower rig, tilting her head at it. "So, how does this work exactly?"

Jake leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head. "Well, you fill it with warm water, let the sun heat it a bit, and when you're ready--just pull the cord."

She unhooked the small solar bag and felt the weight. "Warm enough."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Thinking of giving it a go?"

Leah glanced over her shoulder. "Maybe. It's private enough... and I've got a little dust in places I don't want dust."

He chuckled, watching her with open appreciation. "Want me to help?"

She turned, playful glint in her eyes. "Nice try."

She stepped behind the curtain and he could hear the faint rush of water a moment later. He didn't see anything, but his imagination filled in the gaps all too easily--her curves silhouetted in the fading light, the water trickling over tanned skin, the low hum of satisfaction in her voice.

He adjusted himself discreetly and tried to think of baseball. Or taxes. Or literally anything besides what she was doing ten feet away behind a sheet of rippling plastic.

Just then, his phone buzzed on the camp table. A text from David popped up.

"Hey bud. Just realized I might have messed up the calendar. There's a group that booked the lower sites for the weekend. Shouldn't be a problem--they're usually cool. Just FYI."

Jake stared at the screen, brows furrowing slightly. He looked down the hill, still quiet... still empty.

For now.

Steaks, Wine, and the First Disruption

The shower's faint hiss finally died down. A few moments later, Leah stepped out from behind the curtain with a towel around her shoulders and water glistening on her calves. Her damp hair clung to her neck, a few strands curling naturally around her face. She'd thrown back on the same tank top and shorts--only this time, nothing underneath. Jake could tell immediately.

She moved with that unselfconscious ease of a woman who'd known her body long enough to be at peace with it--curves soft from wine nights, firm from long walks and lived-in confidence.

Jake turned back to the grill, flipping the steaks with a little more enthusiasm than necessary. "Damn, woman," he muttered with a grin. "You're gonna get me in trouble out here."

Leah smirked as she uncorked the bottle of wine he'd brought--an actual cork, not a screw top, because Jake did things right when it counted. "I thought that's what this trip was about."

He gave her a wink. "Well then... mission accomplished."

She poured two glasses and handed him one as they sat together at the edge of the hill, facing the lake. The sun now hovered just above the horizon, bathing the water in a mix of orange, pink, and pale gold. A gentle breeze played across their skin, and from here, the world below felt far away.

Jake took a sip of the wine, then glanced at her. "Hey. I gotta tell you something before dinner."

Leah raised an eyebrow. "That's never a good way to start a sentence."

He held up his phone. "Got a text from David."

She narrowed her eyes. "Please tell me it's not snakes."

Jake laughed. "No, not snakes. Just... a small scheduling hiccup."

She stared, waiting.

"Turns out," he said slowly, "his wife had already rented out the lower campsites by the beach. Group booking. David didn't know until just now. Said it shouldn't be a problem."

Leah exhaled and leaned back in her chair, staring toward the fire pit. "Seriously? It was supposed to be just us."

Jake winced. "Yeah. I know. I was hoping we'd have the whole place to ourselves."

She was quiet for a few seconds, watching a dragonfly dart past. Then, finally, she shrugged. "Well, at least we've got the high ground."

Jake blinked. "You're not mad?"

"I'm annoyed," she said, "but... look at this view." She gestured toward the lake, the curve of beach below still empty. "We've got the prime spot. No one can really see us up here unless they go looking. And we've got a big-ass tent and trees all around. It's still private enough."

Jake nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing. "You sure?"

She glanced at him with a faint smile. "Unless they're a group of obnoxious teenagers with beer bongs and Bluetooth speakers, I think we'll manage."

He chuckled, lifting his glass. "To managing."

She clinked his glass lightly. "To prime spots, steaks, and portable showers."

They shared a long look over the rims of their glasses. The kind that said we've been through a lot together... and we're not done yet.

Just then, a faint sound drifted up through the trees--tires crunching on gravel far below.

Leah glanced down toward the beach area. "That them?"

Jake followed her gaze. A pair of headlights blinked through the trees before disappearing into the lower loop.

"Probably," he said, trying to keep his voice casual. "Still looks like they're a good distance off."

"Good." Leah took another sip of wine, then leaned back and stretched, her tank top shifting just enough to keep Jake's attention very occupied. "Let's enjoy the quiet while it lasts."

The Leaders Arrive

The scent of grilled steak lingered in the air, mingling with pine and a hint of wine. Jake and Leah sat close, their plates resting on their laps, glasses nearly empty as the last of the sun dipped below the trees. The hill around them glowed in amber light, and for a moment, the world felt still.

Then the distant sound of tires crunching on gravel reached their ears.

Jake looked down toward the lake and the lower campsites. "Looks like the neighbors have arrived."

Leah leaned forward, squinting toward the treeline. "Just one car so far. Big SUV."

They watched in silence as the vehicle--black, gleaming, and clearly not your average off-roader--eased into one of the lakeside campsites and reversed smoothly into place. A man stepped out first. Medium height, broad shouldered, salt-and-pepper hair, neatly groomed. Confident but casual. He moved like he'd been here before.

Then the passenger door opened.

"Whoa," Jake murmured.

Leah raised her brows. "That's... not what I expected."

The blonde woman who stepped out was tall, curvy, and striking in a bold, effortless way. Her tank top was snug and low, revealing more cleavage than Leah would ever show in the woods--but it didn't come off trashy. More like... intentionally bold. She laughed as she opened the hatch and started pulling out gear.

"They look like a nice quiet couple," Leah said, keeping her voice low. "Maybe empty nesters too."

"Nice," Jake muttered, eyes tracking the woman as she bent over to unstrap a cooler.

"Don't get any ideas."

"Too late."

They watched as the couple quickly and efficiently set up their tent--bigger than Jake and Leah's--and began unloading high-end camping gear like pros. It was clear this wasn't their first trip. Within fifteen minutes, their site was fully arranged, tiki torches planted in the sand, and chairs angled just right toward the lake.

The man--Grant--stood with his hands on his hips, surveying the setup. Then he looked up.

Right at them.

Jake shifted slightly. "He sees us."

"Well, we're not exactly hiding."

Grant started walking. Steady, unhurried, with a friendly expression. His dark eyes flicked up the hill with purpose, and he moved with the kind of confidence Jake didn't love--but respected.

Leah sat up straighter. "Here we go."

By the time Grant reached the top of the hill, Jake was already on his feet. Grant extended a hand.

"Hey there. I'm Grant." His grip was firm, his smile easy. "Looks like we're your surprise neighbors this weekend."

"Jake," he replied, shaking. "This is my wife, Leah."

Leah stood and smiled politely. "Hi."

Grant gave a slight nod, then turned as his wife began walking toward them, climbing the incline with a light bounce in her step and a smile that matched her top--wide and just a little dazzling.

"My wife, Teri," Grant added. "She insisted I come up here and make sure we didn't catch you off guard. David texted us too--said something about a calendar mix-up."

Jake raised his glass slightly. "Yeah. We got the same message. Didn't expect anyone else out here."

Teri reached them just in time to chime in. "We didn't either! I almost made him turn the car around when I saw someone up here. Thought maybe we'd crashed a romantic weekend."

Leah chuckled. "Well, we were promised the place to ourselves..."

Teri held up her hands. "Guilty. Blame David's wife. She's the one who booked the group site."

"We'll stay out of your way," Grant added quickly, sensing the tension. "Just wanted to say hello. We'll keep things quiet."

Jake smiled. "So far, you're the quietest party I've ever seen."

Grant smirked. "Give it time. First round doesn't show up for another half hour."

Jake's brow lifted, just slightly. Leah took a sip of wine, watching Teri with fresh curiosity.

"Well," Leah said, "we've got the view up here. Should be fun to watch."

Teri gave a low laugh. "Oh honey, if you're watching from up here... you might see more than you bargained for."

Leah's smile faltered, one eyebrow rising. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Grant gave a soft chuckle, glancing at Teri, then back at them with a more measured tone. "Wait--he didn't tell you, did he?"

Jake frowned. "Tell us what?"

"David," Grant clarified. "He didn't mention what kind of group was coming this weekend?"

Jake shook his head. "Just a short text. Said there was a mix-up and some people had the lower sites. That's it."

Grant scratched the back of his neck, then gave them both a sympathetic, almost amused smile. "Well... how do I say this..."

Teri stepped in, cheerful as ever. "We're with a group called the OLC. Stands for Ozark Lifestyle Club."

Grant nodded. "And we're the presidents."

Jake blinked. Leah just stared. "Lifestyle?" she asked slowly. "As in... swingers?"

Teri beamed like it was the PTA. "Exactly. We've been running the club for ten years now. Same group comes out here every summer. All long-time members. Very close-knit. Very safe."

Grant chuckled. "And yeah... sometimes it gets a little rowdy once the booze kicks in, but I promise--we're not the naked-in-your-cooler kind of crew."

Jake opened his mouth. Closed it. Reached for his wine glass but found it empty.

Grant stepped forward slightly, more serious now. "Listen--I spoke to David. He said if this makes you uncomfortable, he'll comp you another weekend. Full privacy. No hard feelings."

He glanced between them. "But if you decide to stay... no one's going to bother you. We're here to have a good time with friends, but we respect boundaries. Always."

Jake nodded slowly, then looked at Leah. Her lips were slightly parted, her eyes locked on Grant and Teri like she was still waiting for the punchline.

Jake finally spoke. "Give us a minute, would you?"

He turned to Leah, his voice lower. "Let's go around back."

She followed him without a word, the two of them disappearing behind the tent and into the rustling shadows, their footsteps soft on the pine needles.

A Private Conversation Behind the Tent

Behind the tent, in the soft shadows cast by the trees and the fading amber light, Jake rubbed the back of his neck and leaned against the trunk of an old oak. "Well... that's a twist."

Leah crossed her arms, eyes wide but not panicked. "You're telling me."

Jake met her gaze. "We can pack up. Hit a hotel. There's that place about thirty minutes back in town--the one with the little pub downstairs?"

Leah hesitated.

Jake softened his voice. "Seriously, hon. We didn't sign up for this. You don't owe me anything just because I inflated a mattress and hung a bag of water in a tree."

She smiled a little at that, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her tank top. "You did go to a lot of trouble, though."

Jake shrugged. "It's just a weekend."

"Yeah, but..." She glanced over her shoulder toward the slope, toward the lake below. "It's not like they're a bunch of drunk college kids blasting EDM all night and tossing beer cans in the fire. They're grown-ups. Weird grown-ups, maybe... but grown-ups."

Jake watched her carefully. Her tone was steady, but there was something else beneath it--something new.

"You're not freaked out?" he asked.

Leah chewed her lip for a second. "I was. Now..." she gave a slow exhale. "I don't know. I'm... curious, I guess. And we do have the best spot up here. Feels like our own little treehouse."

Jake tilted his head. "So we stay?"

She nodded. "As long as it's okay with them. I don't want to crash their... whatever it is."