Page 36 of Canned & Coated

Milo’s face contorts into an exaggerated grimace. “Well, this is what we call a logistical nightmare, Nate.”

“What’s the big deal?” Tanner asks, propping himself up on his elbows.

“The big deal is that executing the maneuvers I had planned would require certain... supplies,” Milo says, gesturing vaguely with his hands, “which I’m ninety-nine percent certain we don’t have.”

I freeze mid-breath, my entire body going rigid.

“Wait... we’re in the middle of nowhere... with no lube?!”

10

No lube.

The realization hits me like a bucket of cold water. That’s when the memory surfaces. Milo at Mitchell’s, holding up a bottle, me shaking my head.

Shit.

“I’m the one who said not to buy it,” I groan.

“We’ll figure something out,” Tanner says from underneath me. I shift my weight off him, and he turns toward me. “There’s got to be an alternative.”

Milo looks at Tanner. “You didn’t bring any?”

Tanner’s eyebrows knit together as he tilts his head. “Why would I have lube in the middle of the woods?”

“You should’ve come prepared,” Milo counters.

“Sorry, next time I go hiking I’ll pack for an impromptu threesome.”

“And yet,” Milo gestures at our naked bodies, “here we are.”

“And here we’ll stay unless someone gets creative,” I interject, “Between the two of you, there has to be a solution.”

“Spit?” Tanner suggests with half a smirk.

I give him a once-over. “Have you looked at yourself lately?”

“Pretty impressive, right?”

“Don’t encourage him,” Milo groans.

“Please,” Tanner says, practically preening. “I’ve been living with this my whole life. My ego’s bulletproof at this point.”

“Listen,” I interrupt, “this flirting is adorable, but if someone doesn’t fuck me soon, I’m gonna crash out.”

That gets everyone moving.

Milo unzips the tent with military precision, one eye squinting into the darkness beyond.

He slips out naked into the night, moonlight painting his bare skin silver as the tent flap falls closed behind him.

Tanner gives an appreciative whistle. “Brave man.”

“If he comes back with pine sap, I’m out,” I say

Tanner shifts closer, nudging me aside , then slips out from beneath me. In one quick motion, he’s over me again, pressing me down into the sleeping bag.

The heat of his breath ghosts across my mouth. He hovers there, close enough that I can feel the shape of his smile without actually seeing it.