*Everyone is 18+ and consenting. This is my first story and English is not my first language, so I'm glad if there's some constructive feedback. This is the first part of something longer, so if you tell me something about strengths and weaknesses in the comments, I can try to improve.*
*
I had been back home for about a week when my brother Daniel called me. It felt good to hear his voice. I had been in abroad for almost two years because the company had sent me there - I work at a rather successful tech company that I can't name in this salacious story, I hope you'll understand, dear reader. I had really liked my stay, but I had really missed my brother and my sister-in-law Lynn. It's hard to stay in touch, even if you really want to. Finding the right time for a long phone call can be a bit tricky because of the time difference, especially for people like me and Dan, people with a rather tight schedule.
"Dan! So good to hear from you! I would have called you anyway, today or tomorrow."
"Hey, Steve! How does it feel to be back home?" he said with his characteristic laugh. Daniel was three years older than me, and we had always been close, and in many ways very alike - confident and maybe a little ambitious. Perfectionists, you might say. We talked for almost half an hour, exchanged some funny stories, asked about work and friends, all that. When I asked about Lynn and their daughter Laura, Dan let out a slight sigh.
"Is everything allright?" I asked.
"Of course, Lynn is doing great, and Laura is fine, too, don't worry" Dan explained. "It's just one thing that I almost forgot to ask you."
"I'm all ears" I said, now a little curious. It wasn't really like Dan to beat around the bush.
"Do you remember that hotel I used to go to with Lynn and Laura? The one with the incredible sports equipment and gym?"
"Sure, you told me about it at least a thousand times" I said, unable to suppress a little grin that Dan most certainly could hear in my voice. Like myself, Dan and his whole family we're very much into anything gym, since childhood really.
"Well, I promised Laura to take her there from July 10th to 15th, everything's already booked."
"So?" I asked. "That sounds great, actually."
"Weeeell, the thing is, I fucked up my leg."
"What? And you tell me that now?" I loudly exclaimed.
"Don't worry, don't worry, it's no big deal at all, but the doc said I should take it easy for a couple of weeks. Pulled tendon, I had a little bike accident and fell on my foot. I mean, I could still take Laura there, but I wouldn't really be able to get anything much out of all the great equipment and sports courses, that would be pretty lame, so I wanted to ask you if you wanted to take my place? Everything's already paid for, you just have to take your car."
"Ummm..." I made, checking my appointment calendar that I always keep within reach. "I guess I could make it."
"That would be great, Steve! And you haven't seen Laura for what, two years?"
"Not in person" I said, "Only in a couple of video calls. I'd love to see her again!"
"So is that a deal?"
"You bet it is!"
***
When I parked the car on July 10th, a bright, sunny summer day, Dan and Lynn were already waiting for me in front of their house. We exchanged hugs and talked for a couple of minutes, but then I had to start checking my watch. Not that I was uncomfortable, but was a long drive ahead of us. When Laura finally emerged from the house with two big cases and greeted me with a tight hug and a kiss on my cheek, I almost couldn't believe my eyes. The girl looked stunning. Tall, lean and athletic, with gorgeously big blue eyes and long golden locks, there was something almost angelic about her. Had she always been so beautiful? She was now 19, almost 20, I reminded myself.
"Hey uncle Stephen!" she said with a bright smile, "I'm sorry for being so late, but packing the suitcases took a little longer than I thought." That made Dan laugh a little, and finally got a little grin out of me.
"Don't worry about it" I said, "Just let me get your stuff in my car and then let's go."
It was almost four hours of driving, five if you count breaks and lunch, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I got along great with Laura. Not that I was surprised, necessarily, but not having kids of my own, I hadn't been sure if I'd really be in tune with what a girl of her age would be interested in.
"I hope you're not too sad your dad can't take you on this trip" I said at some point.
"Oh no, thank you so much for taking me, uncle Steve" she said, "I'm so happy to go with you, after not seeing you for so long!"
Well, if it was good enough for her, it sure was good enough for me.
When we finally reached the hotel, we hurried to go to our rooms. We both had our own beds, but shared a sort of living room with an expensive looking couch and both a dining table and a coffee table as well as an absurdly big TV. We spent most of the afternoon on the tennis court, and I have to say, Laura was an excellent player - and she was a sight to see in her tight white shorts, tight white t-shirts and her bright blue headband.