The rain stopped just before Grant and I got back to our cabin. I split off and headed to my side, opening the screen door to an almost pitch-black interior where snores encompassed the space in hushed hums.
Thankfully, someone left the bathroom light on. I could see well enough to navigate the path to my bed, only to find Erica passed out on top of the covers with a copy of some Nicholas Sparks book in her hand.
Quietly, I shook my head and retrieved a fresh set of clothes. After grabbing a quick shower, I changed and headed back into the room. With Erica still passed out on my bed, I found an empty one near the door and slid beneath the covers. It was lumpier than mine, the comforter thinner, but I laid there and replayed my conversation with Grant while everyone else slept quietly in the dark.
Despite being occasionally obnoxious, he was right. If I wanted to make this summer work, I had to give these campers the same thing I expected them to give me—respect.
I let out a heavy sigh and shook my head, my eyes on the window and the moonless sky. There was too much riding on this summer to roll over and let four girls dictate how things would go. This was my cabin. My leadership. My job.
The next morning, amid a new sunrise and too many mosquitoes, I stepped onto cabin two’s porch more levelheaded and open to suggestions. Grant exited the guys’ side shortly after, a travel mug in his hand and a tan the color of warmed honey. He glanced at me with eyes framed by lashes so thick they contrasted with the gold in his eyes to a point it was sinful. My lungs refused to function properly, despite my brain screaming at them to cooperate.
He slowed as he closed the distance between us. “How did you manage to be up and out here before me?” he said, a rasp to his voice.
“I thought I’d give today a real shot,” I said with a shrug. “But it would be easier with a shot of caffeine.”
My eyes settled on the travel mug as the smell of coffee drifted my way. “I’m craving Starbucks, but that coffee smells like a good second choice.”
“You can have coffee when you prove you’re trying to make things work with those campers. I need to see action in motion. Results, Alex.”
“How ’bout a foot in your ass, Grant?”
He took a sip of his coffee, smiling behind the rim. “You’re really a morning person, aren’t you?”
He passed me, walking ahead to the mess hall. I followed, the smell of something baking amplified by undertones of maple syrup.
“Look,” I said, my hand wrapping around his forearm as we passed in front of Medicine and More. “I’ll admit I have an attitude problem without coffee. I’m working on it, but you’re being a butthead. It’s like you get a rise out of irritating me.”
“I get a rise out of irritating you?” he said, chuckling. “No. No. You’re the one who gets off on irritating me. It’s a superpower of yours.”
“If you weren’t so damn annoying, maybe I would steer away from pushing your buttons.”
“I’m annoying by nature,” he said. “I can’t fix it, just like you can’t fix how frustratingly adorable you are when you get pissed off at me.”
“You just called me adorable,” I said, cocking my head.
“Did I? I don’t think I did.”
We reached the mess hall and he opened the door, ushering me inside. The smell of pancakes floated through the space, making my stomach grumble.
I headed across the room toward the food line, Grant behind me. After waiting a few minutes, I piled my plate full of pancakes and two slices of overcooked bacon. We reached cabin two’s empty rectangular table at the same time. Grant plopped into the chair beside me, the food on his plate higher than mine.
“So what’s on the agenda for today?” I said, taking a bite of food. “Group therapy or team building?”
“Mmm, we’re supposed to tackle the obstacle course with our campers today. Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky and Loraine will decide neither of us is up to that challenge. Your girls will intentionally push you off the wall, and I’ll be stuck trying to haul you back to camp all damaged and crying.”
“I don’t cry.”
“Everyone cries.”
“I don’t. Unless I’m, like, super pissed. Then I’ll cry, while screaming, while throwing things.”
“See, you do cry.” He took a bite and chewed slowly. “So how did last night go, after you got back?” he said. “Were the little gremlins asleep, or were they ready and waiting to go another round with you?”
“Thankfully, they were asleep,” I said.
“Which means you have all day to find some common ground between y’all and sort this mess out. Tell you what. Do that and I’ll make a run into Lufkin and grab you Starbucks.”
“You would?”
“No,” he said. “I just figured it sounded like a good bribe.”
“Cruel, Grant. That was cruel.”
“Sorry,” he said, grinning. “I was just trying to motivate you. In hindsight, I can see where playing off your need for caffeine would make me into a huge dick. Tell you what. Why don’t you ask Loraine to approve some kind of off-schedule activity for your cabin? Maybe you can win them over that way.”
“Like what? Extra pool time?”
“You aren’t lifeguard certified,” Grant said.
“Salt in the wound, Grant.”
He took another sip of his coffee and laughed. “Okay, why don’t you ask her to let them have extra time in arts and crafts or something along those lines? You could go tonight, after the all-camp get-together at the amphitheater. Y’all will be out there anyway. It’s not like it would be hard to get from one point to another.”
“Except I’ve never actually been to arts and crafts,” I said, trying to mentally map out where that was in relation to the amphitheater. Having missed out on a real camp tour, the only experience I had with that area was from Grant’s and my camp patrol in the rain.
“If I get some time later, I’ll show you,” he said. “If I don’t, just remember it’s close to the outskirts of camp. If you reach the fence, you’ve gone too far.”
“And you really think she’ll agree?” I said, surveying him.
“She’s your aunt,” Grant said. “If anyone has a shot at getting her to agree, it’s you.”
“You don’t know her like I do.”
“Maybe not, but it’s hard to believe she’d be as stubborn as you.”
* * *
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Loraine said, sitting behind her desk.
Her face was sunburned, except for the pale white circles around her eyes where sunglasses had been. Perhaps the heat was getting to her. Even Grant seemed to think the request was reasonable and he was arguably the most uptight person out here.
“How is it not a good idea?” I said, hands on my hips. “I want to try and build morale with my girls. This is the perfect opportunity to do that.”
“You could also do that during one of our preapproved activities like the team-building session,” Loraine said. “You don’t need to tack anything else onto it. If you’re doing your job correctly, those exercises should build trust between you.”
“Except my girls aren’t even remotely interested in scaling a ten-foot wall,” I said, frowning. “They want to do something fun. Something not physical.”
“Then they can enjoy tonight’s all-camp get-together,” she said. “You can’t tell me s’mores and campfire songs don’t scream comradery.”
This was getting me nowhere.
“I want something for just my cabin,” I said. “Group therapy, team building, those pointless yoga sessions at the amphitheater, all of those are things we do with Grant and his guys. I want time for just me and my girls. I’m trying to build a relationship with them, do this whole counselor thing the right way.”
“I can respect that, but the answer is still no,” Loraine said, shaking her head.
“Because you don’t trust me, or because you don’t want me to?” I said.
“Because I said
no.”
“Loraine,” I said, hands on my hips. “Why are you being so difficult?”
She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. “You want the honest answer or the sugarcoated one?” she said.
“I want the one that gets you to let me have some fun,” I said. “I’m trying here. Okay? You can’t expect me to do this job correctly if you won’t even give an inch. You’re hindering my progress for no reason.”
“I have my reasons.”
“Like?”
“I don’t know you well enough to trust you,” she said.
I paused, my blood running cold.
“I can see and appreciate that you’re trying out here,” she said. “But keeping you and your campers on a schedule seems to be the easiest way to manage your cabin. Besides, these activities aren’t just intended for your campers. They have things to work on, just like you. That’s why you’re in this position. We wanted to give you a way to work on yourself, while learning how to be responsible for someone other than yourself. It’s twofold.”
“Whose stupid decision was that?!” I said, fists balling at my sides. “From where I stand, I’m out here for one thing and one thing only—money. I want to survive this summer. That’s it. I owe nobody anything. I’m here for me. Point. Blank. Period.”
“And that self-serving issue is just one of the things you still need to work on,” she said, an edge in her tone.
I turned, stalking toward the door. How dare she?
The door swung open at full force and blistering afternoon heat scorched my bare arms and legs. This time of the day, my girls were scattered across camp—some at the pool and some at arts and crafts. Later on in the afternoon we’d be expected to participate in some stupid group therapy session with Camp Kenton’s on-call therapist, but right now all I wanted to do was punch someone or something.
I glanced at the truck parked outside Loraine’s office, my frustration getting the better of me. I headed for it in one quick movement, finding the keys tucked above the driver’s-side visor. If I was so self-serving, I’d self-serve myself right on out of here. Lufkin couldn’t be that far. Right?
I got in the truck and shut the door. Gravel spun out as I raced in the general direction of the exit. I had almost reached Camp Kenton’s metal sign when a white golf cart crossed through the gates. Grant was driving, a curious expression on his face.
“Damn it,” I said, dodging him.
The golf cart slid across the dirt behind me, speeding up as it headed my direction. I watched him in the rearview mirror. My breathing increased.
“Damn it. Damn it,” I said, my heart pounding against my chest.
If I left, there would be no going back. If he told Loraine I took this truck, there’d be no going back. Either way this would end badly. Loraine was right. She couldn’t trust me. I couldn’t trust myself.
I slowed, putting the truck in park just in front of Camp Kenton’s welcome sign. Grant jumped out of the golf cart the minute he stopped. I rolled down the window. His tennis shoes crunched across gravel as he closed the space between us.
I sat there, motionless.
“You know you shouldn’t be in this truck,” he said.
“You’re wrong. I shouldn’t be here at all.”
9
Mayhem
The hum of the air conditioner in the counselor cabin broke the silence between Grant and me. I was still on edge from the incident earlier in the day, so the junior counselors had taken over afternoon therapy sessions with our campers. Grant hadn’t wasted much time pulling Erica and Louis from their respective duty shifts. He hadn’t involved Loraine either, something I couldn’t thank him enough for.
“Here,” he said, handing me a bottle of water.
“Thanks.”
I took a long swig, then closed the bottle as Grant took a seat in the oversized chair across from me. He pulled his hat from his head, tossing it on the coffee table between us.
“Where were you headed?” he said after a pause. “Could be wrong, but I don’t think it was somewhere approved.”
“I was just going for a drive,” I said. “I needed to clear my head. Hit something. Hit someone. I couldn’t do that here. Not legally anyway.”
Grant cleared his throat, sitting forward with his hands clasped between his knees. He was more serious than he’d been since I got here. Authoritative. Intimidating.
“Look, I get being pissed off,” he said. “I get mad too, but do you realize what would’ve happened if someone else would’ve seen you in that truck? You would be gone. First flight out. I’d offer to drive you there.”
“Sympathy for the win.”
“I’m not sympathetic when it comes to breaking those kinds of rules. You can hurt someone, or hurt yourself, and there’s no excuse. It’s irresponsible.”
“Well, at least you see me in the same jaded tone as everyone else,” I said. “Irresponsible. Untrustworthy. Unrelatable.”
He shook his head. “I’m the one who brought the truck back and lied to Loraine about checking a tire that seemed low. Despite how I may or may not feel about you as a co-counselor, I’m not lying for you again. I’ve got things riding on this summer, mainly the reputation I’ve earned. I won’t lose that. Even for a girl I may or may not like.”
“You only like me because you’re stuck with me.”
“I like you because you’re real.” He raked a hand through his hair, leaving it poking out in different directions. “And I’m choosing to help you get through this because I’d prefer for you to stick around. Don’t make me regret it.”
“I can’t promise you won’t,” I said, studying him.
“Promise me anyway.” He grabbed his hat from the table and tugged it on as he walked to the door. “You can stay here and cool off as long as you need to. I’ve got the cabin.”
“You don’t have to do everything,” I said, watching him as he opened the door.
“I’m not doing everything,” he said. “I’m just helping.”
He closed the door behind him, shutting off the world and everyone in it. I didn’t deserve him on any level, but he was here anyway. He deserved more.
I reached my cabin just after dinner, changed and ready to finish the day strong. At ten till six, Loraine made her announcement for all cabins to head to the amphitheater. I met Grant on the porch outside cabin two, feeling more human than I had all day.
“I don’t even want to hear about how I skipped out on yoga,” Brie said, crossing her arms as she stepped onto the porch behind me. “You skipped that boring group therapy session and for what? To go and hang out with him? I volunteer as tribute next time. ’Kay?”
I turned, staring at her as warmth flooded my cheeks.
“Hey, the last time I checked, we’re counselors, and we have the right to decide what activities we do and don’t have to attend,” Grant said instead, his eyes on Brie. “So check yourself and your attitude before I check it for you. Besides, Alex is the one who went out of her way to get you an approved night out. Be appreciative. Not bratty.”
“But I didn’t—” I said.
“Arts and crafts, remember?” He winked at me, mischief flickering in those hazel eyes of his. Even after I’d broken the rules, he was still trying to help me out. Who was he? Where did he come from?
Grant continued down the road, holding an LED flashlight bright enough to cast shadows feet from us. I matched his pace, slowing as our campers joined the rest of the people flocking to the amphitheater.
“Loraine never approved the night out,” I said, once my girls were out of earshot.
“I know.”
“Then why did you tell them she did?”
“Because, regardless of what happened this afternoon, you still need a way to find some common ground with them,” he said. “Just watch your back and don’t get caught. Be sneakier.”
“The last time I snuck out, it didn’t turn out too well,” I said, kicking a rock.
He walked quietly
beside me; the distance between us and the amphitheater shortened by the minute. The closer we got, the stronger the bitter smell of burning wood grew. A bonfire blazed ahead, the fire crackling beneath a starry sky. I sucked in a breath, pushing away memories of that fateful night.
This wasn’t home. Nikki was gone. I had to move on.
Our cabin took the steps first, sitting together near the bottom of the amphitheater. Grant and I followed, sitting behind them. I leaned against the rock’s flat surface. Beside me, he did the same.
“I feel like this is some master plan to get me kicked out of here,” I said, looking at him as the rest of the cabins settled in. “Like you’re going to show up at arts and crafts with Loraine and get me on the first flight home.”
“You don’t trust people.”
“Not usually, but I’m working on it,” I said.
He grinned, the firelight flickering shadows across his face. “I’m not going to rat you out,” he said, his face inches from mine. “But don’t waste this opportunity. No truck stealing. No fights. Just you and your girls having a good night out at arts and crafts.”
“Sounds almost too wholesome.”
“Well, when you compare it to stealing a truck,” he said. “Not that I’m judging you. I might’ve done the same thing back in the day. It would’ve been a great way to piss off my mom. Intentionally put her on edge.”
“You mean I’m not the only one who intentionally pisses off my parents?” I said.
“Hardly.”
“We need to trade stories.”
“When the campers aren’t eavesdropping,” he said, flicking one of his guys on the ear. The camper turned, grinning.
“Yeah, I know you were listening,” Grant told him.
I shifted against the rock, forcing myself to focus on the staff members at the bottom of the amphitheater. At some point, they pulled out stuff for s’mores. I snacked on one while campfire songs rang through the clearing. The campers below me were mellower than ever.
Loraine dismissed the cabins an hour and a half later, expecting all six groups to return to their cabins promptly. Grant stood beside me, adjusting his hat as he glanced at my group of girls.
Last Chance Summer Page 10