“Good.” She smiles, looking relieved. “You missed a delicious dinner.”
“Really?” I doubt it.
She laughs. “It was just okay. But you must be hungry.”
“Not really,” I say with a shrug. “I got so hot, I think I’m going to take another shower. Maybe I’ll walk over to that little store I saw near the registration building. How late is it open?”
“I don’t know, but I remember seeing it open last night when your dad and I left the dining hall,” Mom says. She frowns. “I don’t know if you should walk there alone, though.”
“Why? I’m pretty sure I’m safe,” I reassure her as I exit the bedroom and head across the hall for the bathroom.
“A young girl alone at night? With all these boys around?”
“They know exactly who I am,” I tell her, as I set my clothes on the bathroom counter. “Drew Callahan’s daughter. Jake’s sister. None of them will dare touch me.”
Even though I speak with such confidence, there is one who dares to touch me.
I just hope he keeps his distance.
Thirty minutes later and I’m exiting the cabin, heading for the store. Dad reassured Mom I would be safe to walk alone, or else he’d be accompanying me right now. Besides, he’s distracted by the camp, the team, everything. As usual during this time of year. I could probably completely disappear and neither of my parents would notice I was gone until Beck asked them about me.
“They’re all occupied tonight, watching a movie together,” Dad explained to the both of us right before I left. “And there’s staff everywhere you look. You’ll be fine. Unless you want me to go with you.”
“I’ll be fine,” I reassure him with a faint smile, wishing he would offer to walk with me. “Really.”
But he doesn’t, and I don’t ask. Instead, he resumes his conversation with Mom, and I leave the cabin. I feel so much better and now I’m hungry. Walking alone to a store to grab a soda and some chips. Maybe some candy. If Beck’s lucky, I’ll pick him up a bag of Skittles. They’re his favorite.
Just me having fun on a Saturday night.
Dad wasn’t lying about the staff. They’re literally everywhere, which is reassuring. I’m not really seeing many teenaged boys either. They all must really be watching a movie together. But where? And for how long? Maybe I can get out of this midnight meeting with Eli.
Concern washes over me about this supposed meeting between us. Is he serious about his threat? Would he really tell everyone I’m going to his homecoming dance with him? Like we’d plan it this far in advance. Like I’d ever date him. Like dating me gives him some sort of clout. People who act like Eli are usually overcompensating. I bet he has a small penis. Most guys who act like him usually do.
At least, that’s what I hear.
I find the store and am grateful I wore a hoodie tonight. The air conditioning is blasting nonstop and it’s so cold inside, it’s like a freaking ice box. The store is tiny, and there’s an older woman sitting behind the counter, flipping through a magazine. She smiles at me when I enter, but otherwise, says nothing.
This place would bore the crap out of me if I had to work here too. It’s bad enough, having to stay here for the next three days.
Today stretched on for an eternity. I don’t know if I can take much more of this.
As I wander the short aisles, I grab all sorts of stuff. A bag of chips. Two cherry Cokes—one for now and one for later. A giant bag of skittles for Beck and a Hershey bar for me. Oh, and one of those snack packs of meat and cheese that Jake likes so much.
Not that it’s for Jake. I’m starving. I kind of regret missing dinner. I need some protein.
Not that I would ever admit that to Mom.
Once I pay for my stuff and exit the store, I come to a stop, watching as what seems like hundreds of teenage boys suddenly spill out of a giant building, filling the walkways, their constant talking and laughing overwhelmingly loud. I guess the movie’s over.
Crap.
Of course, I see Eli immediately. How I notice him among a swarm of boys who all look similar, I don’t know, but I do. He spots me too. It’s like we’re connected, which is frustrating. He is the last person I want to be connected to. And the moment he sees me, a giant smile spreads across his face as he heads in my direction, leaving his teammates without a backward glance.
Shit. No. I can’t do this. I refuse to talk to him.
But it’s like I’m rooted to the spot. I can’t move. I stand there with the bag of snacks clutched in my fingers, my gaze never leaving his as he makes his way toward me. He’s got a bit of a limp. I’m sure that’s thanks to me stepping on his toes, and that gives me a hint of satisfaction.
Just a hint, though. Not like I want to rub it in his face. I definitely don’t want to talk to him. I’d rather tell him to kiss my ass and run.
But if I said that, he’d probably tell me to bend over. I’d bet he’d actually enjoy kissing my ass.
A shiver steals over me at the thought, and I banish it away.
“Haven’t seen you all day, Callahan,” he drawls as he comes to a stop. There’s still quite a bit of distance between us, which I’m thankful for. I’m on the store’s wraparound porch near the entrance, and he’s on the trail in front of it. “Where you been hiding?”
I ignore his question. “Your toe hurts, huh?”
“Not too bad. I’ll forgive you for trying to injure me.” His grin somehow grows wider. “Beat your brother in a scrimmage today.”
“Really?”
“Don’t sound so skeptical. It’s true.”
We don’t say anything for a moment. We just stare at each other. His good looks annoy the absolute crap out of me. I hate that he’s cute. Worse, he knows he’s attractive. He’s got good hair, a lean cut jaw, perfectly shaped lips and pretty hazel eyes. He’s wearing a white T-shirt with a black RVCA logo on the front that stretches across his chest and black shorts.
“You got some sun,” he finally says.
“I was on a boat,” I tell him, immediately regretting it. I sound dumb.
“Wouldn’t mind seeing your tan lines later,” he says.
I grimace. “You’re so crude. Seriously. Do you have sex on the brain at all times or what?”
“Whenever you’re around? Yes.” He nods, his expression utterly sincere.
“Right, because I’m your secret girlfriend,” I say, my tone snotty.
He laughs. “In my dreams.”
“True. Because it’s never going to happen,” I remind him.
Eli rests his hand against his chest. “I’m wounded.”
“I’m sure there are plenty of other girls who are interested in you. Find one of them to be your girlfriend.” I’ve heard the rumors, not that I’d tell him that. He’s flirtatious. Charming. Girls follow him everywhere he goes, hoping for a chance.
“But they’re not you.”
He sounds like he means what he says, but he can’t. This is a game to him. I’m just something to distract him while we’re stuck at this camp together.
“Please.” I snort, then immediately cover my mouth with my hand, embarrassed I just made that sound.
He’s grinning. Like he knows I just embarrassed myself. “You’re cute when you do that.”
I drop my hand. “When I do what?”
“Snort and laugh at the same time.”
“I wasn’t laughing.” Irritated, embarrassment still flowing through me, I start down the porch stairs, walking right past Eli. Ready to make a right and head back to our cabin when he gently grabs my arm, halting my progress. His fingers pressing into my skin is like a jolt to the system, the air suddenly becoming electric between us. I glare at him. “What do you want?”
He tugs me closer, his voice going low. “You still meeting up with me later?”
I jerk my arm out of his hold. “No.”
A couple of guys walk past us, headed for the store, and I remain silent while Eli greets them like they’re old frien
ds.
Annoying. Everyone loves him. Except the entirety of our football team and…
Me.
Once the boys disappear into the store, Eli turns to face me once more.
“You feeling confident about your decision?” He tilts his head in my direction. “I’ll make sure the rumors will be flying first thing tomorrow.”
My mouth falls open. “You’d really tell everyone that?”
I suppose it’s not a big deal, the lie he would tell. But it’s dumb. Completely outrageous. And if Jake ever found out, he’d lose his mind.
“Yeah,” Eli says softly, his gaze never leaving mine, “I really would.”
I glare at him. He watches me. Calm and collected, like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I feel like I’m about to lose my mind and go ballistic on him, which I don’t do to anyone.
Why does he make me feel this way?
“You’re an asshole,” I finally say.
“So I’ve been told.”
“I won’t meet with you.”
“Suit yourself.” He starts walking. Unfortunately, in the same direction I am.
I stay where I’m at, hoping he’ll gain some major distance before I follow after him. “You won’t do it,” I yell at him.
“If you say so.” He lifts his hand up in a little wave, but otherwise, doesn’t look back.
Huh.
Unable to help myself, I run to catch up with him, walking right beside him. “You’re not that much of an asshole, are you?”
“Kind of.” He shrugs, then full blown shivers. “It’s cold out here. Want to loan me your hoodie?”
“I don’t think so,” I tell him, taking a step back.
“It’s soft.” He sends me a look, one that’s full of meaning. “I remember how soft it felt last night.”
Memories flood me of being in his arms, pressed up against his naked chest, struggling to get out of his hold, my butt brushing against his groin. Swear to God I felt him. Like maybe he was getting hard or something.
My entire body goes hot at the thought, and I look away, hurrying my steps as I start for the cabin. After gaining speed on him, I’m actually walking in front of him.
I need to get out of here.
“Nice view,” he says, and I glare at him from over my shoulder.
“Stop staring,” I tell him.
“Why? I like what I’m looking at.” His gaze is glued on my butt.
Figures.
I come to a complete stop and whirl around, my finger out and poking his very hard chest when he stops directly in front of me. “Let’s forget about our little argument last night, okay? We’re good. We’re even.”
“We are so not even. Not yet.” He slowly shakes his head, a devilish glint in his eyes.
A sigh escapes me. I don’t understand what we’re talking about. What does he want from me? “Will meeting you tonight end this?”
“Yes,” he says quickly. Almost too quickly.
Hmmm.
“At the same spot you found me last night?”
“Yeah.” Reaching out, he tugs on the string of my hoodie, his fingers coming awfully close to my face. “Bring this for me.”
“What do you mean?” This is my favorite hoodie. It’s huge. It used to belong to Jake, but he shrunk it in the wash and reluctantly gave it to me. It hangs on me like a sack, but I love it.
“I want to wear it. It’ll be real cold by midnight,” he says.
I brought another hoodie with me on this trip, of course. I overpacked as usual. Mom says it’s my worst travel trait but hey, I’m always prepared. “It won’t fit you.”
“It’ll fit me. And it’ll smell like you. Bring it.” He leans in, his face right next to mine, and inhales deeply. My heart is racing, he’s standing so close. “Please?”
I back away from him, my entire body trembling from his nearness. “No promises.”
“Come on, Ava.” He holds his arms out, like he’s king of the world. “Help a guy out.”
Without a word, I turn tail and run. Yet again.
His laughter chases after me.
Seven
Ava
My parents stay up later than usual tonight. Figures. It’s a little after eleven, and everyone is still up.
Even Beck. At one point Jake was here too, along with a few of his friends. They came over after a team bonding campfire to strategize some new game plays with Dad, though they had to be back in their cabins with lights out by eleven.
Thank God.
Mom is demanding Beck go to bed now, and he’s arguing with her, as usual. He never wants to miss out on the action, even though pretty much every time they let him stay up late, he ends up crashing on the couch or whatever.
With the exception of tonight, of course.
“You should go to bed soon too,” Mom says to me as she starts up the stairs. Beck already ran up there, and I can hear him causing a racket in the bathroom.
I’m sitting on the loveseat closest to the window, where I can keep an eye on the very spot where I’m supposed to meet Eli in less than—I check my phone—fifty minutes.
My stomach flutters with excitement at the thought. Excitement I shouldn’t be experiencing because He. Is. Awful.
Terrible.
Terribly hot.
“I’m not tired,” I tell Mom, and she blows out an exasperated breath.
“We’re going on another hike in the morning, and this one is a little more strenuous. They’re taking us to a waterfall,” Mom says. “We’re meeting them at eight.”
I make a face. “I took that nap. That’s why I can’t sleep.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t nap anymore while we’re here. You’d probably do better if you just pushed through your day,” she suggests.
“I’ll be fine,” I reassure her.
She sighs again. “I’m sure you will. It must be nice to be sixteen and full of endless energy.”
I don’t know about that. Tomorrow’s hike will probably kick my ass. Today’s was pretty tough. But at least I’m keeping up my stamina here. I know when we start with cheer camp and practice next month, it’s going to be rough going at first.
“I’ll go to bed soon,” I reassure her.
“Please do. See you in the morning. Good night.” She starts up the stairs once more. “Love you.”
“Love you, too,” I say.
Dad’s already up there. He said he was taking a shower after Jake and his friends left, and never came back downstairs. I can hear Mom talking to Beck. Probably telling him to brush his teeth, which he never wants to do. Grabbing a pillow from the couch, I clutch it to my chest and wait for my family to go to bed.
It feels like forever, but the house finally quiets. I check my phone.
11:52 p.m.
Carefully, I make my way upstairs, trying my best not to make too much noise. I take the hoodie I’ve been wearing all evening off, then grab another hoodie—one of Autumn’s old cheer team sweatshirts—and slip it on. Then I go into the bathroom, examining my face in the mirror. I’m not wearing makeup, and I’m not about to get glammed up for this stupid meeting with Eli. Annoyed with my hair earlier, I pulled it into a high pony. I brush my teeth—why I don’t know, but it’s better to have fresh breath, especially because he’s always getting up in my business.
Why are you doing this? Why are you meeting with him?
These two questions are on constant repeat in my brain. I don’t know why. He claims he’ll spread a nasty rumor about me, but would he be that brave to say something like that now? With my parents here?
If my father heard the way Eli speaks to me, he’d kick his ass.
By the time I’m finished getting ready, it’s midnight. But I don’t go outside. Nope, I lock myself away in my room and sit on the bench seat at the window, watching and waiting for him to make an appearance. From where I’m sitting, I have the perfect vantage point. I’ll see him approach, and then I can run down the stairs, sneak out of the house, and find out what he
wants from me.
The longer I wait though, the more restless I feel. Sitting and pressing my head against the window is futile so I start pacing the room, checking the window every other minute to see if he’s shown up.
So far, nothing.
Irritation fills me, and I will it to stop. I should be relieved he’s not here. But I’m pissed. He’s wasting my time. I’m also pissed he’d say all that stuff to me, and then not bother showing up tonight. He’s a jerk. Worse than that.
He’s an asshole.
Once it’s twelve-fifteen, I give up and move away from the window, yanking the curtains shut. I grab my favorite hoodie from where I left it on the foot of the bed. I switch out sweatshirts and crawl beneath the covers, flicking off the light on my bedside table and tugging the comforter over me. It’s cold. The sheets are like ice. Thank God I’m wearing clothes that mostly cover me up.
I try to stay awake, but it’s a struggle to keep my eyes open and eventually, I give up. Give in. I don’t even remember falling asleep, but the next thing I know, I’m dreaming.
Of swimming in a lake. It’s deep. Dark and murky, and I can’t see the bottom, which fills me with fear. Fear of the unknown. I’m all alone, there’s no one else around, and I’m treading water, my legs growing tired. The water becomes weirdly heavy. Heavier. Until I’m sinking under the surface and I’m struggling to get to the top. To break my head through the water, so I can catch my breath.
But I can’t breathe.
Someone’s hands are on me. Fingers in my hair. Lips against my temple, whispering my name, the gentle voice trying to calm my fears. But the calm only lasts for a moment. Because then I’m sinking, falling beneath the water, as if someone is holding me down. I struggle and fight, flailing my arms as a whimper escapes me. My hand makes a connection with something, and I hear someone grunt. A male someone.
What?
Gentle fingers skim the length of my neck, trace along my jaw, up my chin, and I realize…
This feels way too real. Someone is on me. Someone is actually touching me. Someone is in my room, with me on my bed.
Addicted To Him Page 5