The month leading up to graduation was filled with event after event. Between preparing for academic finals, soccer finals, the pep rally, fittings for his tux for prom and his cap and gown, and meeting with Regina to work on their valedictorian and salutatorian speeches, Danny had zero time for anything stress relieving.
Lacey had been working diligently as an assistant to her father every weekend as she prepped for her summer internship with his law firm. During the week she tried to attend Danny's soccer practices and games as much as possible. They worked together to help Danny put Vikram's indiscretion out of his mind and focus on what he could control.
Regina had basically the same schedule as Danny, reclaiming her seat on the sidelines of his soccer practices and games so she too could at least see him.
Lacey and Regina had formed a pretty close bond after their awkward science project night. The girls were clear on what they meant to Danny and how they fit in each other's lives. This clarity allowed them to enjoy a friendship of their own, something neither of them really ever had outside of Danny.
Danny decided not to tell Lacey or Regina about his evening with Jo. He had been weak and fucked up royally. Even though Jo had said she wouldn't tell anyone, Danny may have threatened her further about it. Keeping a secret from his best friends did not help to calm his anxiety during this time.
As the pressure of soccer finals mounted for both the boys and the girls teams, the co-captains came up with a stress-relieving idea: camping for the long Memorial Day weekend. Both teams would be invited along with friends and significant others for a three day outdoor adventure.
Danny invited Lacey and Regina to accompany him, something that was met with backlash from some of the other players.
"Dude, you invited Crane?" Tyler asked as the team gathered to load camping gear at the high school.
"I did."
"I thought Lacey was your girl?" He asked as he passed himself a soccer ball repeatedly.
"I don't have a girl, Tyler. They're my friends so I invited them both. Who'd you invite?"
"Everyone I'm scopin's on the girls team so I'm set." He said, completely distracted by his own moves, "Anyway, Crane's a downer, man. I want this trip to be fun."
"Ty, she doesn't even speak to you. Leave her alone, man."
Tyler didn't respond.
"Tyler, did you hear me?" Danny barked.
"Yes, Cap. Porter's cool, I'll leave grim alone, don't worry."
"Oh I feel so much better." Danny rolled his eyes as he spotted Mrs. Crane pulling into the parking lot.
Danny hustled into his car and ducked down, Lacey taking over and greeting Mrs. Crane.
"Hi Regina! Here, lemme grab your stuff. Hi Mrs. Crane!"
"Hello, Lacey. Big turn out. Is that Desai boy attending?" She looked around scanning for him.
"He is, but he's with the soccer teams. Like I said on the phone, Mrs. Crane, it's a senior trip." Lacey lied, "We're not affiliated with the soccer teams. Regina and I will be together the whole time." Lacey grabbed the tent and plopped it next to the pile of other gear, "Mrs. Crane, can we please know about prom before it's too late? I really want to get a dress soon."
Mrs. Crane sighed, Danny's feeling about Lacey being able to wear her down had been right on the money.
"Fine she can go. But if I find out that—"
"Danny's my date. Regina was asked by Archie Yates. It's the truth and we're all friends. Danny's not a monster, he's a good guy. Archie too, I promise."
"I don't agree, but it's the fact that your father is vouching for this mess that has made me change Regina's restrictions. I suggest not making him look like a fool, yes?"
"Of course not, Mrs. Crane. Thank you for allowing her to attend." Lacey was beaming, she couldn't wait for prom.
"Thanks, mom. See you Monday." Regina said softly.
"I'll be in Connecticut, but I'll look forward to your call." And with that Mrs. Crane left.
"She really isn't ever home, is she?" Lacey shook her head. Regina just shrugged.
Danny hopped back out of his car as soon as Mrs. Crane was gone and walked up to the girls for hugs.
It was a two hour ride to the campground. Danny and the girls drove up bringing Phoebe and Cole with them. It was cramped, Phoebe calling dibs on the passenger seat explaining about how she gets violently carsick if she sits in the back. She really just wanted to be closer to Danny. This left Regina, Cole and Lacey cramped in the back.
Regina sat behind Danny and kept herself looking out the window for the entire ride. Danny had convinced her that camping would be peaceful and that she would have the chance to read some books. She knew it would be a shit-show but decided anything was better than being trapped in her house alone. Especially if she was able to spend time with Danny.
Phoebe, Lacey and Cole sang along with the radio and played a rousing game of eye spy. They tried to engage Regina, but stopped after her second, "Eat shit."
Danny was amused by Regina's personality and smirked to himself as they made significant eye contact with each other in the rear view mirror for much of the ride. Their silent connection while they listened to their friends fuck around was something he cherished.
After they checked in, the group sprang into action assembling the ridiculous amount of tents into a circle and organizing their food and supplies. As things settled down, the girls team all changed into bikinis and broke off into groups. Some headed to the pool, other played barefoot soccer together, all of them trying and succeeding to torture the guys.
As the day wound down, a few fire pits roared to life and the group made dinner and laughed together. Beer and mixed drinks were passed around along with a surprising amount of weed. The girls had all changed into their team sweats and were fucking around with jump ropes and frisbees before it was too dark to see.
Danny, Lacey and Regina sat next to each other around the fire. They were all drinking and laughing about old memories. They were relaxed and it felt like the pressure they had all been under floated up and into the cool night sky.
After midnight the group started dropping like flies. The mixture of waking up early, sheer anticipation, and the level of physicality that was required to get their site set up finally caught up to them.
"I'm out, D." Lacey announced before forgetting herself and kissing him like old times.
Danny had a soft buzz and the taste and feel of Lacey's lips on his was something he never wanted to stop happening.
Lacey pulled back first, "Sorry—"
"That's okay—" Danny smiled, eyes twinkling.
Lacey giggled and walked off toward her tent, "Night guys!"
Other than a few of the more hyperactive players drinking more than they should on the other side of the campsite, Danny and Regina were the only ones left around the dwindling campfires.
"You heading to bed too then?" Regina asked.
"Nah, this is my favorite part about camping. I love when it's calm like this. Hearing the campfire crackling, it's so peaceful."
"I've never been camping before."
"We should go again, without all these crazies next time. Lacey and I, our families would take us every year. It's definitely one of my favorite memories."
"I'd like that." Regina said softly, sipping her wine.
"Your parents take you anywhere? Vacations?"
"No, my father lives in Texas full time and never comes home. My mom is constantly working. When they realized I was a prodigy, my mom taught me how to open cans and use the microwave and that was it. I have basically been on my own since I started school."
"That's bullshit." Danny drank to that.
"It wasn't so bad sometimes. School was my happy place so I just threw myself into it, you know? I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself."
"Yeah, but you really didn't have time to feel much of anything at all. A relationship with a pet, birthday parties, the ice cream truck, camping, boyfriends—"
Regina shrugged, "I didn't miss it because I never had it."
"So you never got involved with anyone at all?" Danny wondered.
"It's been easier to just keep to myself." Regina looked anywhere else but at him.
"For who? Forgive me, Regina, but you're brilliant and totally gorgeous. There's a lot to like—"
"I don't know, I guess I just don't know how it all works."
"That day we kissed, was that it then? Was I your first kiss?"
Regina chugged the rest of her wine, "Yep. Regrets?"
Danny shook his head no, "Nope. If you could go back, would you change anything, do you have any regrets?" Danny asked into the fire before looking over at her.
Regina thought for a minute, "I do."
The soft orange glow from the flames lapped at Regina's milky white skin and made her glow. She was soft, warm. Danny had trouble looking away.
"I—uh." Regina smirked and looked into the fire, "I wish I wasn't such a coward, I guess. Before."
"Coward? I seriously doubt you're afraid of a goddamn thing."
"No, you're right I'm not afraid, it's just—" She shifted in her seat as she searched for the right words, "It's the unknown I guess. I just get stuck in my routine and it's hard to convince myself it's okay to try something new, no matter how badly I actually want it."
"What were you such a coward about?"
"You."
"Me?" Danny looked at her seriously, "You never have to feel like a coward around me—" He was confused.
"Your birthday party." Regina exhaled and pulled her feet up into her chair.
"That was a crazy day." Danny winced as he remembered drinking way too much.
"Yeah." She was thinking of something totally different.
Regina studied Danny while his mind obviously cycled through as many of his birthday memories as he could remember. She watched as he finally remembered what she was talking about. His eyes snapped up to hers.
"Anyway," Regina stood up abruptly before Danny could get a word in, "I should head to bed." She adjusted her sweatshirt as Danny stood.
He regarded her carefully, still unsure if she wanted him to address this.
"Regina, I haven't forgotten that night—" He reached up and scrubbed his fingers through his hair.
"Well, good. Good night, Danny." She walked by him toward her tent, unsure of what else to say.
Danny reached out to grab her arm and pull her back toward him. Regina snuggled into the front of him as he locked his hands together, placing them at the small of her back and pulling her in tight.
"It wasn't the right timing. Nothing cowardly about it." Danny said softly after a few moments of just holding each other.
"What if now is the right time?" She held her breath.
Danny released her and pulled her face up for a kiss. Regina responded immediately, showing him what she couldn't the night of his birthday party. Danny's body reacted to her enthusiasm and Regina could feel his interest growing against her thigh.
While still kissing passionately, Regina nudged him toward her tent. He took a few slow steps, not wanting to rush this or assume anything. She leaned back and smiled, pulling Danny along behind her as she unzipped the tent.
Regina made the first move, reaching to pull Danny's hoodie and t-shirt off of him. Danny wiggled his head and arms out and Regina tossed them across the tent. The campfire glow flickering through the screened doorway illuminated them in a soft orange shimmer.
Danny held eye contact with her as he reached for the bottom edge of her sweatshirt. Regina lifted her arms eagerly, making Danny smile as he tossed hers away too. They resumed kissing, Regina eventually reaching for the front of Danny's sweatpants.
"What are we doing here?" He asked her seriously.
"I'd like to have sex with you." She answered honestly.
Danny rubbed her freezing arms, the cold night air making her nipples as hard as glass. He wanted to suck on them.
"And after?" He kissed her again, finding it difficult to catch his breath.
"We'll still be friends after." She said in a rush against his lips as he held their foreheads together.
"Yeah?" He smiled back against her mouth. Regina nodded and he smashed their lips back together.
If it were not for his successful open relationship with Lacey he probably would never have made it as far as he already had with Regina. He saw it was possible to keep a friendship while having lots of amazing sex. The only difference was he actually was in love with Lacey.
Regina was impatient, she already felt like she had missed her chance before, she wasn't about to let that happen twice. She reached again for the waistband of Danny pants, this time managing to pull everything down. She stared at him, naked, his cock bouncing around erratically like it was searching for her warmth.
She didn't realize how much her breathing had changed. Her face was flushed pink and she licked her lips incessantly. The throbbing between her thighs came on abruptly as she imagined his athletic body beneath hers.
Danny grinned wickedly at her body language and pulled her close against him. He threaded his left hand through her hair and gently pulled her head to the side so he could kiss her neck, not missing the opportunity to acknowledge her current state right into her ear.
"Look at you, panting for me." He said softly.
He brought his other hand up to squeeze and rub slowly between her legs. He could feel her heat radiating through her yoga pants.
"Danny—"
Regina bucked against his hand, that same natural rhythm she had shown him before. He watched her move, his face a breath away from hers. His eyes trailed down to her hips, mesmerized and not willing to move and break her stride. Danny's mouth hung open, his mind apparently not able to keep it closed and breathe all at the same time.
Danny finally skated his hand from between her legs up over the edge of her pants and inside her panties. He resumed his previous spot, finding a puddle and earning a whimper as he rubbed her again.
"Fuck, is that for me?" He grunted before he kissed her deeply.
Regina couldn't breathe, she pulled back and took a few sweet gasps before his mouth began again.
"Danny, please—" She wanted him so bad.
"So polite when I know you don't want to be." He gifted her a small bite to her clavicle making her cry out softly.
"Please, please—" Regina straight up begged him.
Danny laid her down and pulled off her pants and thong in one swoop. She wasn't neatly groomed like she had been before, her brown hair curling erratically. The sight of her unkempt bush made his dick rock hard and curious. He wanted her just like this, but knew going bare for her first time was not something he'd ask her for, especially now that he already had that lie to keep.
"Did you bring condoms or are we both about to be very very disappointed right now?" He prayed as he asked her.
"Backpack. Front pocket." She smiled at him.
Danny fished for the condoms, scooting back over to her and laying one down beside her head. He got to work sucking on those rock-hard nipples he had been dying to try before. He worked one raw before moving on to the other. Regina took her turn gripping his hair and trying to remember to breathe.
Danny moved kisses down her belly until he reached her mound, parting her lips and burying his face in her fern. He sucked exclusively on her clit until she was a writhing mess.
"Danny, please—" She pulled him up to kiss him again, "I can't wait anymore."
Danny kissed her as the shaft of his cock glided along her slit in a slow rhythm. Regina reached down and squeezed his ass, pulling him harder against her, her hips searching for his, begging him with her whole body. He smiled at her reaction, giving her tiny kisses at her temple.
"Please—"
Danny moved his hips again slowly, teasing her.
"What do you want?" He asked as he bit the shell of her ear.
Regina moaned, "Fuck me, please, please—"
Regina slid her hands between them and reached for him, not caring about anything else but getting him inside her. Danny was quicker, gently scooting his hips back as he reached for the condom in one fluid motion. He rolled it on expertly before moving back into their previous position.
"You ready, Miss Crane?" He smiled.
Regina nodded and reached again to position him. Danny let her adjust him however she wanted this time, nestling his tip at the edge of her opening. He rocked a little, not really gaining any distance, but more getting her ready for the motion he was going to try. Regina took the hint and lifted her legs up to wrap around his waist. He gave her a nod and moved her left leg a little higher up his back.
"I'm sorry about this first bit. I promise it'll get better." He said sweetly.
Regina lifted her hips up in a bid to get him in deeper. He waited as he watched her opening swallow just his tip, so perfect and shallow. Danny's head rolled back at the sensation.
"Please—" She whined again softly, Danny's lips crashed against hers and he pushed forward in one strong stroke until he bottomed out inside of her.
Danny watched her face as he pulled his hips back and snapped forward again, just as firm and strong as before. She had closed her eyes, her forehead revealing her pain.
Danny wasn't about to stop now and break what was left of the lust that had been there just three seconds ago. He got to work, rolling his hips against hers and fucking her deep, humping her like she deserved.
"Look at me." Danny requested, moving the hair out of her face.
Regina opened her eyes, her eyebrows still drawn together in concentration.
"Hi." He smiled down at her. He kissed her furrowed brow and her face relaxed, almost as if she hadn't even noticed she was all wound up.
"Hi." She said back, not quite smiling, but no longer in so much pain either.
Danny kissed her quickly, really rolling himself against her and making her scratch down his back.
"You feel incredible—" He praised her.
Regina bit her lip at his assessment, moving her hips in time with his. Danny's surprise showed on his face as his eyes left hers to watch her hips.
"Fuck, yes—" He encouraged her.
Regina stalled for a minute, not used to any of this let alone praise for her pleasure. Danny noticed immediately and leaned down into her face.
"It's just me. Show me what you've got." He challenged.
Regina decided he was absolutely right and pushed him off of her so she could climb on top. She was awkward and the mechanics took a moment, but she had fantasized about riding Danny for months now. She had a completely different approach than the other girls had. Lacey was powerful, which Danny found to be the biggest turn on when he watched her work. Phoebe was aggressive and all about making him come fast, and what Jo had done was exclusively for her.
Regina was sexy, soft and fluid. She rode him like she invented passion and desire. He couldn't close his eyes, finding it difficult to even blink less he miss a second of her full hips undulating around his waist. He grabbed her thighs as an anchor, unable to participate like he normally could. He wanted to just lie there and watch her fuck him until her body milked him dry. His mouth hung open again.
"Oh—" Danny muttered, "Fuck. Me." He said in full exasperation.
Regina smiled, realizing how much he liked this. She leaned forward to brace herself on Danny's chest before picking up the pace using her same sexy rhythm.
"Just like that—" He grabbed her ass with both hands.
She rubbed her clit against him, obviously searching for some relief. She hesitated, not wanting to let him down.
"Grind when you want to grind, it still feels amazing, I promise." She had him panting for her this time.
Regina dropped her hips and sat on him fully, grinding herself into his body and moaning softly.
"I'm gonna come—" She whispered, Danny smiling up at her as she brought herself there.
He couldn't stop himself even if he tried, blowing his load and pulling her down against his chest as he lazily pumped himself inside of her.
They lay there like that for a long time before their heat faded and the cold chill crept back in. Danny gently rolled her off of him and began to get dressed. Regina wrapped herself in a blanket and couldn't help the feeling of creeping rejection.
"You're leaving?" She asked, unable to hide her disappointment.
"I'm just going to get cleaned up, I'll be back." Danny tried to soothe her, "Need anything?"
Regina shook her head no and watched him leave. The bathhouses were a few minutes away on foot, but for Regina she felt like he had been gone forever. The campfire had burned itself out and as her insecurity grew, she pulled her own clothes back on before she froze to death.
As she was wrapping a second blanket around herself Danny came back.
"Hey." He said, smiling at her until the light on his phone revealed Regina's drawn face, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm just ready for bed." Regina flopped down and tried to cover her face. Danny pulled the blanket back and squatted down to address her.
"This was amazing. Truly. Why are you upset?" He brushed her hair out of her face, "It wasn't what you expected?"
Regina sighed, "I had no expectations. I just wanted you to fuck me and that's what happened."
"Regina, that's not what happened. Talk to me." Danny sat down and pulled her into a sitting position.
"I'm tired." She kept her eyes fixed on her lap.
"Look at me. Please?" He said sweetly.
Regina looked at him, the guy who just made her feel better than she ever had. Why was she pushing him away so hard? She wanted to break down and tell him exactly how she was feeling, but when his face melted she knew he already knew.
Danny smiled and looked away, "You know, contrary to what you may be thinking right now, I am a cuddler. Now that I'm all cleaned up I'd like to do that, but over in my tent."
Regina nodded, not feeling comforted at all by that, "You should go then, don't want to keep Lacey waiting."
"Sleep in our tent." Danny suggested as if it were the obvious next step.
"No, I'm fine right here."
"It's barely thirty degrees. You're the only one without a camping partner or a subzero sleeping bag." Danny grabbed her bedding and pulled the blankets off from around her, "You're staying with me." He said with finality as he marched past her and out of her tent.
Regina followed, arms folded across her chest. Danny tossed her shit down and began assembling a place for the both of them.
Lacey was still asleep, all curled up like a burrito. Danny got his place ready next to her and then pulled Regina inside. She spotted her blankets now being used a floor padding and Danny's single subzero sleeping bag open and laying on top.
"How is this going to work?"
Danny grabbed her hand and plopped down in the middle, pulling her down into his lap. Regina yelped at her loss of balance and couldn't help the giggle that followed. He held her in his arms and hugged her tight for a few minutes.
Regina eventually melted into him and hugged him back. He slid her next to him, tucking the sleeping bag in around their edges. Instead of spooning, Danny held Regina against his chest and pulled her in tight.
"Regrets?" He asked her softly.
"No." She buried her face into his chest and the two of them finally fell asleep.