How to Kiss Your Enemy

by Amanda Ashby

  “Don’t let Zac see you like this, he might convince you to join the school rowing team,” Via said as she held up his crutches, which had been lying on the shore, and walked toward him. Her hair was catching in the wind, sending long strands softly dancing around her face. Her gray eyes were bright and happy. He hauled himself out of the boat as she stopped inches from him.

  “This was a one-off occurrence.” He tried not to fixate on the way her lips curved into a smile.

  “Pity.” She handed him the crutches. All he wanted to do was drag her into his arms and kiss her. Forget about everything. But it was daylight. He resisted and took the crutches from her, his fingers grazing hers. A slam of heat shot up his arm, but Via’s face tightened. Like she’d been hit.

  He kicked himself and quickly pulled his hand away, trying to ignore the twin balls of color on her cheeks.

  “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “It’s okay.” She shook her arms as if she was trying to rid herself of unwanted energy, and her breathing was shallow. Hell. Had he given her a panic attack?

  “It’s not,” he said, feeling like the biggest idiot alive. “I didn’t mean to freak you out. I really am sorry.”

  She took another shuddering breath and caught his gaze. “Hudson, I’m fine. I just need some time to get used to it, that’s all.”

  “If you’re sure,” he said as the rise and fall of her chest had returned to normal. He leaned forward on the crutches. “I promise it won’t happen again.”

  “I know.”

  “Anything happen in Camp Doom while I was out on the lake being manly?” he said, hoping to change the topic. It worked, and she gave him a wry smile.

  “Oh yeah. My idiot brother hitchhiked into town. My folks are furious. For once, I’m not the odd one out in the family. Even better, I’m officially off the hook for playing hide-and-seek, which means we can meet up tonight. On our own.” She paused, worry lines appearing on her brow. “Unless you don’t want to.”

  Was she kidding?

  It was the only thing he wanted. Wanted it more than anything.

  “Try and keep me away,” he said as they walked away from the lake. He toyed with telling her about his dad but squashed it. He was sick of feeling crap because of his parents.

  The afternoon sun was sinking in the sky, and people were trailing their way back to the cabins to start cooking.

  He smiled as she continued to talk. Everything else in his life was a disaster area, but at least he had this, and there was no way he was going to mess it up. However she wanted to do things was fine by him.

  9

  “Did I hear you tell your best friend you still hated Hudson Trent?” Zac said in a lazy drawl from the other side of the cabin. Then he grinned and held up the jack of his earbuds to show they hadn’t been plugged into his phone. “Because I’m sure I saw you talking to him at the lake this afternoon. You didn’t look very hateful.”

  “Interesting, since you’re grounded and you can’t actually see the lake from the cabin window,” she said in a cool voice. As to why she hadn’t told Frankie what was going on, it was simple.

  If she said it out loud, something would get messed up.

  It was just science.

  Okay, it was nothing like science. But everything was perfect right now. Her first kiss had been better than she ever could have dreamed. And…soon she would be with him again. Kiss him again. Unless he thought she was too weird. That he didn’t want someone who flinched when he tried to touch their hand in public.

  He’d almost looked angry?

  Was it because she wanted to keep it hidden? He had agreed to meet her tonight while everyone was off playing their game, but what if he’d changed his mind?

  “So, there’s nothing you want to tell me?” Zac persisted like a mosquito.

  “Definitely not.”

  “Pity,” he said.

  “Why?” She narrowed her eyes, recognizing the half smile on his mouth. He was up to something.

  “No reason.” He shrugged. “It’s just if you were friends with Hudson, I’d feel less bad about kicking you out of the cabin while Mom and Dad are away. Still, I guess you could always go and read your book somewhere.”

  “Kick me out?” She crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. She hadn’t quite come up with a reason why she had to go out, but judging by Zac’s tone, she might not need to. “What’s going on?”

  He held out his phone and grinned. “Ally’s coming around.”

  “Seriously?” She groaned. “Do you even like her? I mean really like her?”

  “Sure. She’s cute. What’s not to like?” he said as another text came in. He read it and chuckled to himself. Via rolled her eyes and stood up. Her brother was useless. But then again, at least he wasn’t sticking his nose into her business.

  “Fine. But you owe me,” she said, more because that’s how they always operated.

  “Deal.” He winked and returned to his screen. She finished getting ready and left Zac still replying to messages as she walked out of the cabin door.

  The sky was an explosion of stars, accompanied by the excited murmur of people as they hurried past, their flashlights sending orange shafts of light out in all directions. She was pretty sure she saw her parents walking arm in arm to where the hide-and-seekers were gathering.

  Via hurried in the other direction and shivered.

  She should have grabbed Zac’s hoodie.

  She used the light of her phone to navigate the grassy path toward the bench overlooking the water. It was outside the boundaries of the hide-and-seek game, which meant they’d be on their own. A figure was sitting there, and a set of crutches were outlined against the night. He was there.

  The pounding in her chest eased, and her step lightened as she reached him.

  “Hey, you came,” she said, a little out of breath from the slight climb.

  “You thought I wouldn’t?” He sounded surprised as she sat down next to him. The wind pricked at her skin, and she crossed her arms. He quickly slipped off his own hoodie and put it around her shoulders.

  It was warm and filled with his scent, and as his arm touched her shoulder, she found herself pressed up against him. Her mouth finding his.

  That was better.

  When they broke apart, he cupped her chin in his hand. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s nothing,” she said, letting the warmth of him seep into her. She blinked, but when she opened her eyes, he was still studying her. “I was worried you might be sick of me. I know I was weird down by the lake.”

  “You weren’t weird. That was my fault,” he quickly said. “Via, I don’t care about stuff like that. I want…this.”

  “Me too.” She kissed him again, then pulled away, frowning. “So out on the lake, why did you look so…mad? Is something else going on?”

  He leaned back against the bench and stared up at the never-ending skyscape. “My dad’s moving to Seattle. He was there buying a house. That’s why he cancelled our summer break.”

  “No.” She gasped as his jaw clenched. Like he was trying to hold things in. “That sucks so much.”

  “Yeah.” He let out a slow sigh. “Not much I can do about it though.”

  “Did you know it was going to happen?”

  “No.” The words were ripped from her throat, and her heart ached. Most of the time her parents were annoying, but they’d always been there when she’d needed them. And they always talked as a family. Did things as a family. Even if it was dumb things like going to a holiday camp for a month every year.

  They’d never move without telling anyone.

  Panic thrummed in her chest.

  “Wait…you’re not moving there, are you?”

  “No.” He turned back to her, eyes glowing in the darkness. “Even if he’d wanted me to, there’s no way I’d go. I’m staying in Cricket Bay, I swear.”

  “I’m glad.” She swallowed back her rising dread and reached for his hand. It
was larger than hers, and warm. She held it tight. “Were you hurt he didn’t want you to move with him?”

  “Yes. No. I…I don’t really know. Before the divorce, he used to be okay. I mean, he and mom fought all the time. But with me it was still good. He used to take me to the observatory, and canoeing.”

  “That’s why you were out on the lake this afternoon.”

  “I guess.” He shrugged and looked up at the sky again. “It’s fine. It hasn’t been good for ages. Since the divorce he’s always busy, so it’s not like we hang out much anymore.”

  “Have you spoken to him about it? Told him how you feel.”

  “No. He called this morning, but it was standard. Guess what, buddy? I’m moving without you. Isn’t that great?” His voice cracked at the end, and Via threw her arms around him. His hands tightened around her waist, and he pressed his head against her shoulder. His muscles were bunched under his skin.

  She hated he’d been fighting this private war. One the world knew nothing about. That she’d known nothing about. And none of it was his fault. The unfairness hurt her chest.

  When they broke away, the tightness in his jaw had lessened.

  “Hudson, you need to talk to him properly,” she said in a soft voice. “I’m the last one to give advice. You tried to talk to me for two years, and I wouldn’t let you. If you can learn anything from your girlfriend’s mistakes, it should be that.”

  “Girlfriend?” His voice came out in a whisper. Via winced as heat hit her cheeks.

  “Did I just screw up? I’m not very good at this stuff. I—”

  “Via.” He growled and kissed her. Hard. When he pulled away, he cupped her face with his hands. “You’re great at this stuff, and there’s nothing I’d like more than to be your boyfriend.”

  “That’s a very good answer.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So…about your dad. If it’s too hard, you could talk to your mom, or Ruth. She seems cool.”

  He pulled away and considered. “I’ll think about it. But right now, I want to sit and talk to my gorgeous girlfriend.”

  “Pity, because talking’s the last thing I want to do.” She grinned and let his scent wash over her. His arm slid back around her, and Via forgot about the rest of the world.

  An hour later, her phone beeped to remind her of the time, and she reluctantly untangled herself and got to her feet.

  “Thanks, Via,” Hudson said in a low voice as he reached for his crutches.

  “It wasn’t a hardship.” She held up her phone to lead the way back. His crutches thumped dully against the ground, and night insects darted in and out of the light. In the distance was the sound of campers shrieking as they were discovered. The game was obviously still going on.

  They walked the rest of the way back in silence, their shoulders nudging from time to time. When they reached the main clearing, she reluctantly slipped his hoodie off. The night air was cool against her skin, and she shivered.

  “I’d better give you this back.” She tried to drape it over his shoulders. It was awkward with the crutches, and he flashed a smile as he let them fall to the ground so he could grab the hoodie and put it on properly.

  “It smells of you. I might need you to wear it every day.” His voice was a low murmur, but there were still frown lines around his mouth. Because his father was moving. She stood up on her toes and brushed her lips against his. It was only meant to be a small kiss. To let him know what tonight had meant to her. That what his parents were doing wasn’t his fault.

  He flinched in surprise before his mouth opened to her. And she melted into his arms. When they broke away, he caught her gaze.

  “You do realize we just kissed in public?”

  “It’s your fault for being so cute,” she said, pleased it was too dark for him to know her cheeks were burning. And she was probably panting. “There’s no one around. They’re still playing hide-and-seek.”

  “Their loss, my gain.” He bent and scooped up the crutches. “So…I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Definitely.” She let herself drink in his face one more time before hurrying back to the cabin. She cautiously knocked on the door, and Zac called out, letting her know it was safe to come in. The lights were off, and he looked like he’d been asleep. He held up an arm by way of greeting. It wasn’t like him to be quiet. “You okay? Did something happen with Ally?”

  “What? No…nothing like that. It’s—” He broke off. “Actually it’s not important. So, you have a good night?”

  “The best.” She let out a happy sigh as she sat down on the bed. Zac seemed content with that answer and didn’t speak again. Still, she was pleased she didn’t need to talk. All she wanted to think about was Hudson. He hadn’t been mad at her. Hadn’t thought she was weird.

  And I kissed him in public without freaking out.

  It was a perfect night.

  10

  Hudson waited until Via disappeared into the doorway of her family’s cabin then limped his way across the camping ground. People were starting to straggle back from the game, talking in excited voices as flashlights swung around. He nodded to a couple of them but didn’t stop to talk. Dim lights glowed from the windows of their cabin, and Ruth was sitting on the porch, a glass of wine in her hand.

  “You’re back early. Have a nice night?”

  Was she kidding?

  Best night ever.

  “Sure. It was good,” he said as his phone rang. It was his mom’s ringtone, which meant she wanted to complain about his father.

  Pass.

  He could do that all on his own.

  “You’re going to need to talk to her sometime. To both of them,” Ruth said in a soft voice. His jaw tightened. What was there to talk about? Not like anyone listened to him.

  Things were finally going good for him. Why bring himself down by talking to his parents? Except it was going to happen eventually. He knew he couldn’t put it off forever. He’d be going home in eight days and it would be unavoidable. Maybe Via was right. He could at least talk to his aunt.

  He loosened his shoulders. “You got a minute?”

  “Sure. Ethan’s inside making sure the kids don’t rip the place to pieces.” She nodded to the second chair.

  He leaned the crutches against the cabin wall and eased himself down. He studied his fingers in silence. Ruth didn’t speak.

  “I’m sick of being stuck in the middle of their war. Like I’m a possession that neither of them know what to do with. And the only reason they care is because it’s a way of scoring points against each other.”

  Ruth reached out for his hand. “You’re allowed to be mad at them,” she said in a soft voice as a tsunami of anger hit his chest, leaving him breathless. Usually he tried to swallow it down, but as Ruth’s hand tightened around his, he let it wash through him, as he slowly told her exactly how he felt.

  That he was just a logistic in their lives.

  That being dumped for the summer and then forced to listen to them both complain wasn’t his idea of fun.

  All of it.

  Once he’d finished, the storming swirl of anger in his chest began to ebb away.

  Ruth’s jaw was tight. Like she was annoyed. “When we’re back in Cricket Bay we will get it sorted. And you always have a home with us. Somewhere you belong. You know that, right?”

  He swallowed and stared at the sky. The last two years had been hellish, but things were changing. Really changing. First Via. And now being able to talk to Ruth.

  “Thanks. For everything. It’s been a great summer.”

  “Really? Because you’ve been sneaking around a bit,” she said, and he stiffened. Via had told him to talk to his aunt, but she wouldn’t want him to talk about this. Not yet.

  “It’s complicated.” He gave a light shrug, which seemed to placate her.

  “Just remember you deserve to be happy.” She got to her feet. “And now I’m going to bed, but I’m pleased we talked. We’re going to get this sorted.”<
br />
  “Night.”

  Once the door was closed, he stared up at the never-ending sky. Vega and the summer triangle was hidden by clouds. But it would eventually come out and show itself. Just like Via. She’d already shown she was ready to stop hiding. She’d kissed him close to the cabins, where anyone could see. And she’d gone swimming at the waterfall. She just needed time. That was all, and until then, he meant what he’d said. He didn’t care how they did it, as long as they were together.

  xxxx

  Hudson slept better than he’d done in weeks, and by the time he returned from the shower block, Ruth, Ethan, and the kids were gone. They’d planned another trip to the waterfall, but he’d passed. He was hoping to catch Via. He’d sent her a text, but she hadn’t replied.

  As he swung his crutches forward and reached the center of the camping ground, he saw Zac lounging on top of a picnic table, bouncing a ball against the ground. His lower lip was poking out, and his expression was thoughtful.

  “Hey,” Hudson said, when he reached him. “I’m looking for Via. You know where she is?”

  Zac’s head flew up, navy eyes cold and glassy. “Is that a joke?”

  “Um, no.” Hudson frowned and rubbed his chin. “Why would it be a joke?”

  “You haven’t seen it?” Zac bounced the ball again, eyes never leaving Hudson’s face.

  “Seen what?” he said as an uneasy sensation curled in the pit of his stomach. “What’s going on? Is Via okay?”

  “Depends on your definition of okay.” Zac bounced the ball once more and then snatched it up before retrieving his phone and swiping the screen. “You need to see this. Forewarned, is…well I’m not sure how it goes. But you get the drift.”

  “I’ve no idea—” He broke off and stared at the screen. There was a photograph of a tall guy on crutches and a girl with dark curly hair. Underneath it was written #weirdnewcouplealert.

  The world turned silent as he dragged his attention back to Zac, who was still looking grim.

  “I still don’t follow. Where did this come from?”