by Eliza Ellis
“I know how old I am, and it’s not like a decade. Like you said, he’s nineteen.”
“So, you’re willing to prey on him? Admit it! You want him.”
Keke stalked forward, coming within a foot of her best friend in order to tower over her. “I am not preying on your brother. I don’t have to,” Keke said with a wicked grin. “Petey has always wanted me.”
Bertie laughed derisively. “So, you admit it.”
What was happening? Bertie was furious at her—and rightly so. And she was defending a right to be with Peter? Keke’s heart shuddered with fear. Their relationship was crumbling. Everything was so wrong. Her mother doing well, Kat not owning her own bakery, Kori MIA.
And her friendship with Bertie was disengaging before her eyes. And she still couldn’t have Peter, regardless of what she’d claimed. “All I’m going to admit to is teaching your brother how to get the girl. Something neither you nor your father cared to do.”
“Yeah, well, it’s not your job.”
True, but if Bertie hadn’t witnessed the kiss, they wouldn’t be having this conversation. She was fine with it until she thought Keke liked her brother.
Which she kind of did.
And would never admit to Bertie.
Keke retrieved her bag and stopped at the back door. “Petey is going to be extraordinary. He’s talented, and I hope he finds the support he needs, because he won’t succeed without it.” Keke pinned Bertie with a stare. “Maybe if you weren’t so worried about me, you’d see this whole thing with Cornell and your dad is tearing him apart. The pressure… I’m rooting for him to leave all of this behind.”
Keke shoved the door open and walked out into the muggy morning air. The first rays of light streaked through the canopy of trees. She nearly ran into Pete.
“Hey, good morning.” He steadied her with hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
Behind his glasses, she saw his concerned expression. “What’s up with the glasses?” Her gaze drifted down. She took in running shoes and a casual t-shirt and gym shorts. “You going running or something?”
“Need to. I think I ate a dozen s’mores last night.”
She’d been too upset for dessert, but she managed to eat all the mini cupcakes on the way back to the campground. “That’s something I should do.”
“When the sweat gets in my eyes…the contacts—”
“Eww, yeah, I get it.” She put up a hand and walked away. She couldn’t deal with Bertie’s fury, and then Pete looking incredibly gorgeous this early in the morning. Her life would be less stressed without the two of them. She had to relax before the audition. Stress pimples and tense muscles would kill her chances for the part.
“Keke…”
She whirled. “Have you kissed Lea yet?”
His head snapped back. “Huh? What?”
“Last night would’ve been another perfect night for a walk. Did you make a move or what?” If he had, then this would be all over and she could go back to ignoring him, and Bertie would be okay, and then she could get to L.A.
Pete’s face grew red. “No. And I didn’t know I had to check in with you when I—”
“Oh, give me a break.” Keke threw up her hands. “What am I doing this for?”
Pete’s eyes narrowed. “What’s it to you, anyway? Why are you pushing me on Lea? It’s not your choice. It’s mine.”
Keke laughed out loud. “That’s hilarious.”
Pete balled his fists. “Yeah? How so?”
“Oh, yeah. You’re real funny.”
He scuffed his toe in the dirt. “I don’t like being laughed at, Keighly. I get enough of it from my dad.”
“You know what? You and your whole family… No, scratch that.” She waved her arms in front of her face. “Just you.” She pointed at him. “When are you going to grow up? You’re letting them control your life. It’s not their decision. If you want something, you gotta take it. Or what’s been the point of my lessons? Huh?”
Before he answered, she stormed off.
Chapter 18
Going for a run was the best idea he had had all week. After six miles, the frustration from this morning’s argument with Keke had begun to subside. Too bad he didn’t have time to keep going. He had to be back, shave, and shower before breakfast.
He wasn’t sure what had set Keke off, but he decided someone had spoken to her about something. Or maybe it was her family. Their home lives had similarities; maybe she’d gotten into a fight with her sister Kat, which seemed unlikely. Kat was the sweetest woman he’d ever met. He could barely distinguish her from the baked goods she sold.
Pete avoided the office all day. His father and mother lurked there when they weren’t supervising the counselors. He managed to keep his distance from Bertie as well, who also didn’t look too happy. No one looked particularly enthused except Lea.
He could always count on Lea to cheer him up. He made sure to stick by her. Their groups did everything together. Pete focused as hard as he could on having a good time with the kids and keeping them excited and entertained.
That was hard work. He couldn’t keep his mind off Keke for more than a few seconds. Back and forth, all day long. By lunchtime, his head throbbed, and he was exhausted.
He sat in the cafeteria, surrounded by his looney tune kids, his eyes on Keke. She picked at her food, mostly shoving it around her plate.
He couldn’t admit it now, how their kiss had kept him up all night daydreaming of her face and how her strong body felt against his. She obviously didn’t feel the same. She had told him to grow up. Why did he believe she’d see him as someone other than Bertie’s baby brother?
Pete shoved the rest of his pizza in his mouth—about half a slice—much to the amusement of the kids, who laughed and pointed at Pete’s stuffed cheeks. He told Lea he was heading to the restroom and hurried out of the cafeteria.
When he exited the drab brown, wooden structure that housed the toilets, Lea was waiting in the small alcove that hid them from view.
He stopped short. “Hey…the kids.”
“They’re being watched, don’t worry. I wanted to talk to you alone, and we’re always surrounded by kids.”
“It is a summer camp.”
She giggled. “Right. It is that.”
“What’s up?” He tried not to fidget. It’s not that he didn’t enjoy her company; thoughts about Keke and Cornell had sucked too much brainpower today.
She came closer, running a hand up his arm. “You have goosebumps.” She grinned up at him. “Do I make you nervous?”
He could’ve cursed his body, but it looked too good lately for him to be mad at it. It had been the bane of his existence for years. He’d show it love now. “No,” he said, surprised it was the truth.
Her bottom lip poked out. “Oh, well. I guess you know that you make me nervous.”
“Do I?”
She nodded. “I really like you, Pete. I don’t know how much time we have together, with you maybe going to Cornell and my fellowship starting in another week or so.”
Cornell.
Keke was right. He had to make a decision. It was now or never.
Pete’s gaze dropped down to Lea’s lips. She was still talking about something, but he had stopped listening after Cornell. His hands went to her waist, and he drew her close. Lea immediately stopped talking. A look of expectancy filled her large blue eyes. Her full lips parted.
It was too easy.
Pete bent down the entire distance, taking her lips in a more savage way than he had anticipated. Lea moaned softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her hunger matched his. If he could pat himself on the back, he would. His first real kiss, with a beautiful girl, and he didn’t have to work for it.
Finally, he was just like the popular guys in school. The ones who could snap their fingers and girl upon girl would be falling over each other to have a shot at a second of the guy’s attention. Pete had always felt it was kind of sad—and disrespectful. He wou
ld never, and had never, treated a girl that way.
Until now.
What did he and Lea have in common except…mutual attraction? He definitely liked the way she looked, and she was an intelligent girl. But other than working at the same summer camp, he liked video games and she preferred nature. He enjoyed alternative music and she rarely listened to anything other than the soothing sounds of nature you’d hear at a spa. He didn’t like dogs and she wanted to adopt a bunch of strays to accompany all the fish and marine life she was going to collect once she had her own place.
“Oh, Petey,” she murmured.
No. This was wrong. He wanted only one woman to sigh his name.
He disentangled himself. “I’m sorry. I’m not myself,” he said without meeting her eyes. She tried reaching for him.
“That’s okay. You’re like…the best kisser I’ve ever had. And I haven’t had a lot, don’t get me wrong.” She laughed nervously. “I don’t want you thinking I’m out there kissing every guy I meet.”
He gave her a close-mouthed grin. “I don’t. I don’t believe you’re that type of girl.”
She sighed. “Oh, good.” She bit her lip, her eyes traveling south. “But I wouldn’t mind being kissed again.”
“Um…” He cleared his throat. “I think we should get back before they send a search party for us. My dad’s been on the warpath lately. I’m not exactly his favorite person.”
The space between her light brows wrinkled. Her lips made the cutest pout. “I don’t see why not. You’re so nice, and you got into Cornell. My parents were over the moon when I got this fellowship. My mom talked about it on Facebook for a solid week. Parents should be proud of their kids.”
Yeah, well, his weren’t. Maybe his mom, but his father not so much.
And he wouldn’t be after today.
Chapter 19
K eke didn’t know where she was going, but she knew she was still on one of the camp’s trails. They all led to the office, so eventually she’d be back. However, she wasn’t sure if she had started on the blue trail that was half a mile long or the red trail that would be a good five miles. If she didn’t start hearing kids screaming soon, she’d start jogging.
She should’ve held it, but she’d drunk so much water and Gatorade to avoid eating that she had to go to the bathroom. She just didn’t expect Pete and Lea to be there locked in a loved-up embrace with Lea purring like a cat in heat and Pete crushing Lea to his body like she was the video game he’d wanted for Christmas.
And Keke didn’t expect the scene to elicit such a flare of jealousy that if she didn’t get out of there, she’d either scream or break down crying. Pete was hers.
No, he wasn’t. But she was his first kiss. The most perfect first kiss ever—in Keke’s opinion. She had felt it and so did he. Whatever was between them, it had tied them together during their kiss. She could’ve sworn her soul hummed in approval.
Her body sure did.
And Petey was her nickname for him! What was he thinking letting that…
Keke couldn’t come up with a bad word for Lea. The girl was an absolute sweetheart. But how could he let her use “Petey”? When Keke heard Lea moan the name, her heart sank to her feet. Lea must mean something to Pete. That’s the only reason that made logical sense. Pete hated his nickname.
And he probably hated her after she snapped at him this morning. Keke’s shoulders slumped as she remembered the words she hurled at him. He didn’t deserve her ire. The man who did was dead.
She was mad at a ghost.
And if she didn’t figure out a way to get rid of her anger, then she’d lose everyone she loved—and those she was just learning to care about. Her therapist—and Kat—would encourage her to take action and forgive.
Keke wasn’t sure she was ready for that step.
Keke passed a red sign and groaned. She was on the long trail. She stopped and turned around. She hadn’t been gone that long.
It was just as well she’d found Pete lip-locked with Lea. He finally took the plunge and kissed a girl, and by the sound of Lea’s approval, he did a fantastic job.
Keke knew all too well.
And there was Bertie. Her best friend had been so upset at the thought of Keke and Pete together, Keke didn’t think she’d ever speak to her again unless she promised—yet again—to do what Bertie wanted.
Keke’s stomach churned. Did Bertie have a right to demand she follow rule one? They weren’t kids anymore. As adults, Keke believed she should be with the man she wanted.
Did she want Pete?
Her body and heart said yes. Her mind? She struggled to find the answer.
“Keke.”
Keke stopped in front of Pete. “What are you doing? Following me?” she stuttered.
“Bertie was looking for you. Said she saw you run out here.”
Keke kept her gaze from going to his lips. She didn’t want to see any trace evidence of Lea there. “Then why didn’t she come after me?” Keke continued forward. Now the picture of Lea and Pete wrapped up loomed large in her mind.
He shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going on with her lately. Her or my mom.” He stared at her. “Or you. This morning…”
Keke ran a hand down the side of her face. She stopped. No matter what she was going through, Pete didn’t deserve that outburst. He’d been encouraging and friendly. Keke looked up at him. “I was a jerk to you. I know. I’m sorry.”
Pete crossed his arms and raised one dark brow. “Is Keighly Kaye actually apologizing to Peter Headley for something she said?”
Keke felt her cheeks burn. A retort was on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it back and opted for humility. “Yes, Peter. Forgive me?”
He smiled and touched her arm. His gaze was soft. “Of course I do. Want to talk about it?”
And reveal Bertie’s secret? Yes. “No…”
If he had just come after her, then they were still close to the facilities. She started around him. With any luck, they’d run into Mr. Headley, who would order Pete to complete another task.
“Keke,” his voice beckoned her. He turned her around. “Keke, what you said this morning… You were right.”
“Huh? What did I say?” She honestly couldn’t remember. She’d known she was short with him, and he was just trying to be a good friend.
He squeezed her arm. “You said I had to grow up.”
She inwardly groaned. “That…that’s not what I meant. I don’t even know why I said that. You are grown.” You definitely kiss like a grown man.
He shook his head. “I’ve been allowing everyone else to dictate my life.”
“Including me,” she said wryly. “Telling you how to get the girl.” And now he had her. He’d grown up and chosen Lea. Wonderful. She did that.
His other hand grasped her arm. “I don’t want you to think I’m not grateful. I’m not talking about you.”
“But you just said—”
“If I want something, then I should go for it.”
The intensity in his eyes silenced her. Her soul started humming again. Was he talking about…her? Breath caught in her throat, she waited.
“Keighly…ever since…” He shook his head. “Let me start over.” He blew out a breath and then met her eyes. “Keighly, I want you.”
It was exactly how she wanted to be told. Direct. No mincing words. Absolutely clear. She didn’t teach him that. Peter did that all on his own. Could she respect him any more than she did?
She knew what he was going to say, but that didn’t make the impact any less stunning. Little Petey—who wasn’t so little anymore—confidently stood before her and voiced his desires, his heart in his eyes but his gaze not wavering.
Seeing Mrs. Headley’s thin, strained smile and hearing Bertie’s voice of disapproval, Keke’s heart fractured.
“I…I can’t.”
His hands dropped.
“Peter—”
“It’s okay.” He held his hands up and out of reach. “It was a
long shot.”
“No, you don’t understand.”
He backed away. “Yeah, I do. You see me as Bertie’s little brother. I’m not in your league. I have no right to even think or ask—”
Keke rushed forward. “That’s just it.” She succeeded in grabbing one hand. “It’s because of Bertie that I have to say no.”
His expression softened, his eyes circling. “So…you…”
Keke could only give a sad smile. “Petey… You’re probably going to Cornell and—”
He snatched his hand back. “I wish people would stop telling me what to do!” He stormed away and then halted and turned around. “I get to decide for me.”
Keke nodded.
The intensity in his eyes burned through the space between them, and with it, the bridge Keke had felt since they’d kissed. Before her eyes, Pete was morphing into the man she knew he’d become, but she couldn’t be with.
“And I don’t have to listen to any of you anymore,” he said quietly, his eyes still laser-focused on her. “Thank you for the lessons, I’m sure they’ll come in handy for the next girl and the one after that.”
Keke smarted but kept her mouth shut. For Bertie.
“You may think I’m too young, but I think it’s about common interests. We’re both driven, pursuing our goals, slightly misunderstood…” He got a funny look in his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t have to explain myself. See ya.”
He left her standing there, mute.
It took several minutes for her to continue walking along the trail, and she didn’t stop until she’d sequestered herself within the empty office. She leaned against a wall and hugged herself, unable to stop his words from looping over and over in her mind.
Everything he’d said was true.
She did think he was too young. Yet, when they were together, his age never crossed her mind—other than when she was giving him lessons. He was articulate and smart, and wasn’t afraid of her…anymore. Even if he hadn’t lifted a few weights to fill out his thin frame, and ditched the glasses, his company was a calming influence. He was safe, yet intriguing.