by A. R. Perry
Scarlett sighs and I see the exact moment when she stops being so stubborn. “I guess you’re right.”
“I’m always right.” This gets a smile out of her so I stand, feeling calmer now that we’re on the same page again. “I’m going to grab a protein bar from my bag since I’m sure the only thing left up there is dry toast and cold eggs. What task are you assigned today?”
“Kayaking. But Jason is my partner, so I don’t know if that’s still the plan.”
“I’m sure they won’t get kicked out as long as they straighten up.” I squeeze her hand and step over the bench seat. “Meet me out front in five.”
I dodge a few kids on my way to the door. I feel kinda bad for not telling her everything going on between Shane and me. The problem is I’m not sure what, if anything, is going on. It feels as if I made our interactions out to be something more than they are.
As I make my way outside, I see Shane slamming Mr. River’s door behind him and stomping off toward our cabin. Jason and Dax are nowhere to be seen, but his obvious irritation must be about them.
Kids file outside and head toward their assigned activity as I jog across the dirt road. It’s still early morning, but I can tell it’s going to be sweltering. Wouldn’t hurt to slather on another thick layer of sunblock since I’m heading to the cabin. Pale skin plus spending all day in the sun can cause some nasty burns if I’m not careful. Yup. Even growing up in California I never adjusted to the climate. I’m that person on the beach you wonder how they haven’t burst into flames.
The door to our cabin is wide open and even from the front steps, I can hear Shane tossing stuff around. It sounds as if the Tasmanian devil is throwing a fit.
When I step inside, he doesn’t turn in my direction. At his feet is his blue duffel with clothes hanging out. He’s swiping the contents of his nightstand into the bag when I clear my throat.
“What are you doing?” I mean, it’s a stupid question. Clearly he’s packing, but I have to ask because there is a kernel of fear stemming from the thought I pushed things too far last night with sleeping in his bed. Now he’s running so he doesn’t have to crush me again.
“What does it look like?” He still doesn’t glance my way as he stomps over to the bathroom and collects the few items he stores in there.
“But why are you packing?”
“Why don’t you ask your friends?”
“I’m sorry?” Okay, now I’m really confused. “Slow down. What is going on?” I catch his arm as he tries to maneuver past me, and he meets my gaze.
“I’ve been kicked out.” Anger swims in the cool blue color of his eyes, highlighted by the deep purple of the skin below. If I’m not mistaken, some of that anger is directed at me.
“What happened?”
He stops what he’s doing, dropping his toiletries onto the bed where they clatter against each other. “I’ve been accused of theft.”
I reel back because theft and Shane do not belong in the same sentence. “What? Who the hell would accuse you of that?”
“Who do you think?” He runs an aggravated hand through his hair. “Mr. River noticed some money missing and one of my gloves under his desk.”
“That makes no sense…” My mind almost breaks itself as it replays last night. There were three other people in our room, two of whom would have every motive to do something this malicious. Deep down I know Shane would never steal. He’s made it clear how much he loves this place.
“Dax and Jason,” I blurt out the second their faces pop into my head. They’ve made their dislike for Shane clear. After last night, they would have every reason to set him up.
Shane’s spine stiffens, and he glares down at me. “Yeah, I kinda figured that one out. Problem is, there’s no one to back me up.”
“I’ll back you up.” I take his hand in mine and tug him toward the door. “You were here all night. With me. They could have taken one of your gloves when we weren’t looking. This is just a stupid misunderstanding.”
When I reach the threshold of the door, Shane breaks my grasp and dismisses me with a wave. “Let it go, Lyla. It’s better this way. I need to go home and…clear my head.”
All I hear when he says clear his head is that he needs space from me. There’s something here. I know there is, but it’s obvious he doesn’t want there to be.
Well, screw him. Like it or not, we’re friends. Or we were before he ditched me. He can still go home if he wants to, but I’m making sure it’s with a clear name.
He doesn’t follow me as I bolt outside. The day’s activities will start any minute, but I’m not doing anything until this mess is cleared up. I search for Scarlett’s red ponytail in the sea of people, spotting it by the entrance of the cafeteria.
On a mission, I snag her hand and ignore her protests as I drag her to Mr. River’s office. He’s just stepping outside when I march my way up and his eyes land on us and narrow.
“Shouldn’t you two be getting set up?”
Scarlett’s wide eyes dart to mine. It’s clear she has no idea what’s gotten into me, but if I need to drag it out of her myself, she will fess up to last night.
“Mr. River, Shane didn’t steal from you.”
His shoulders sag as he lets out a long sigh. “This matter is not up for discussion. Go find your campers. And Miss Morse”—he turns to Scarlett—“your group will be combined with another since we are now short a couple of counselors.”
I stand my ground, gripping Scarlett’s hand tighter when she tries to pull away. “He didn’t steal from you. He shouldn’t be punished for something he didn’t do.”
“Miss Underwood, I suggest you meet up with your campers unless you would like to join Mr. Novak.”
“Fine. Send me home. And since Scarlett drove up with me, she can leave as well. How many counselors would that leave you with?” My words shock even me. I’ve never been the most outspoken person and I hate confrontation, but what’s happening is wrong.
It’s clear that Mr. River is doing the math in his head. Five counselors short would spell trouble.
Now that I’ve gained his attention, I try again. “Shane would never steal from you and I’m pretty sure you’ve already sent the two people responsible home. They’ve had a problem with Shane from day one. They even went as far as injuring him last night, in case you didn’t notice his black eye.”
“It’s true,” Scarlett says, stepping forward. “They had nothing but terrible things to say about him. I almost believed them too, but after they pulled an idiotic prank on him and Ly last night and he walked me to my cabin after dropping the boy off, we talked. Then I watched from the window as he walked straight back to his cabin.”
“It was Jason and Dax who talked me into leaving camp the first night. Shane brought me back.” I purposefully leave out the fact that Scarlett left too. No need to get her in trouble for something that no longer matters.
Mr. River rubs a palm across his stubbly chin. “All right, ladies, you win. But all three of you are on thin ice. One more slipup and I’ll send you packing. I would rather watch after all these kids by myself then put up with unnecessary drama.”
With that, he leaves us and I turn to Scarlett, pulling her into a tight hug. “Thank you.”
“No—thank you. I think I lost my head there for a few minutes.” She lets go and steps backward. “Now go stop him before he gets away. And thank him for covering for me with Mr. River like he promised.”
“Miss Morse,” Mr. River calls from the tree line. “You have campers waiting for you. And Miss Underwood, you can move back into the cabins after today’s activities.”
I give him a tight nod. If I have to trade cabins to keep Shane here for the rest of the summer, that’s fine by me. I’ll still have plenty of time to figure out whatever these weird feelings between us are.
But first, I need to stop him from leaving.
I toss my duffel into the bed of my damaged—but working—truck with a growl. At least the mechanic was
able to get it running, even though I’ll need to do something about the body damage when I get home.
God, I still can’t believe those idiots pulled one over on me. I’m observant, and this is something I should have seen coming.
If Lyla didn’t twist me up and keep me on edge every second of the day, I would have caught on to their idiotic plan sooner.
Maybe.
Framing me for theft?
That’s a step lower than I figured they were capable.
Whatever. At least now they’re gone and I won’t worry about Lyla the whole freaking time.
I run an aggravated hand up the back of my sweaty neck and stare out at the tree line. This is for the best. At least now I can be at home with my mom in case anything happens. My aunt is great, but not the best in stressful situations. One time when she was watching me, I fell off my bike and busted my face open, she almost fainted.
No clue how she’s a teacher. Most kids are as stupid as Jay and I used to be.
“Shane!”
I spin around at the sound of my name being shouted and see Lyla jogging down the dirt road toward me. Her face is bright red, and her hair is a wild mess, whipping in the breeze.
This is not what I need right now. My restraint is wearing thin. One more touch and I’m liable to do something that will get the crap kicked out of me by Jay.
“Go back to camp, Lyla.” I push off the bumper of my truck and round to the driver’s side.
“Stop. You don’t need to go.”
The desperation in her voice freezes my hand on the handle. “Don’t make this any harder.” My words are whispered and when she doesn’t react, I’m left wondering if she heard.
“I talked to Mr. River. Those jerks are out, but you’re still in.”
“How?” I ask, turning to face her and shoving my hands into my jean pockets to keep from reaching out and tucking a wild lock of hair behind her ear.
“I told him what happened last night and Scarlett backed me up. I can’t understand why those two would stoop so low.”
I can. Jason wanted her, and I was in the way. The idiot saw an opportunity and took it. Can’t say I blame him even though I don’t agree with his twisted methods.
Right now, there should be nothing but relief and yet a pit is forming in my stomach. This past week forced all of my long-buried feelings for Lyla to resurface. And as much as I want to pull her into my arms and thank her, I need to leave.
I made a promise to Jay.
“Well, at least I can leave with a clear name.”
Her face falls. “Wait…what? Didn’t you hear me? Mr. River said you could stay. I’m moving into my original cabin because now you’re the only one on his shit list, but you don’t have to go home. You can stay here with me.”
The word me is nothing but a whisper and she takes a step forward sending my heart rate skyrocketing into dangerous territory.
Leave. Leave now.
“Stay.” She reaches for me and against better judgment, I let her twine our fingers together.
With my heart beating painfully in my chest, I reach out and tuck that damn loose curl behind her ear. When my thumb glides across her jaw, she leans into it, closing her eyes.
The last bit of my willpower evaporates and I lean in, pressing a brief gentle kiss to her lips. It’s such a light touch I’m not sure she felt it at first, but when she freezes and a shuddering exhale warms my skin, I know she did. And I know I’m screwed because I can’t lie my way out of this one. There is no deer. No crash. Just her and me in the middle of an empty parking lot.
And I’m an idiot.
When I go to lean back, her free hand shoots up, wrapping around my neck and keeping me in place.
“I’ve thought about doing that every day since the mistake in your truck.” The way she emphasizes mistake makes me laugh because she’s calling me on my BS without coming straight out and saying it.
“So have I.” My thumb traces the curve of her full bottom lip. “Well, that’s a lie. I’ve thought about that every day for…years.”
Her eyes widen as she rears back. “Years?”
“Years.”
“But…you never…why didn’t you…no way. I would have known.”
A smile tugs at my lips at her incoherent stammering. I did such a great job burying my feelings that not even Jay knew until I came right out and told him, so there’s no way she would have picked up on them.
“And yet, you didn’t.”
“Why did you disappear on me then, huh? You were one of my best friends and then you stopped talking to me. Just like that.” She snaps her fingers, and I wince because of the hurt in her voice.
“It’s complicated.” I try to take a step away but she doesn’t let me, tightening her grip on my neck.
“I’m a smart girl. Pretty sure I can follow.”
Reality comes crashing down and I push her out to arm’s length. “We can’t do this. It…it’s a mistake.”
A wrinkle forms between her brows as she nibbles on her lower lip. I’m aware of how crazy I’m coming off after coming right out and admitting how long I’ve harbored these feelings for her, but this can’t happen. Jay would literally kill me and bury me somewhere in the woods.
“But you said—”
“I know!” I whirl around, yanking the driver’s side door open. “I know what I said but we can’t do this. I’m not good for you. All I’ll do it hurt you in the end. You deserve better.” Jay’s words to me sting just as much coming out of my mouth as they did the night he shoved me out of his house.
“Isn’t that for me to decide?”
Her words stop me in my tracks. Even though it’s a terrible idea. Even though it will crush whatever leftover willpower I possess, I glance over my shoulder into her stormy eyes.
“You’re an amazing person who is always selling himself short. But I’m all grown up now and no one but me gets to dictate what I do. I like you and that’s all that should matter.” She closes the distance and turns me with a gentle hand so we’re chest to chest. “Don’t shut me out again. It hurt too damn much last time and now—”
My lips silence whatever else she was about to say. I don’t need to hear it because I’m feeling the same way. We’re no longer just friends who had a falling-out. No more reminiscing about the good old days. We’ve crossed a line and can’t go back.
If I’m going to hell, I might as well enjoy the ride.
Lyla moans as I pull her close and slant my mouth over hers, deepening the kiss. Self-loathing mixes with need and I can’t seem to control the way one of my hands grips her hip, keeping a few inches between us despite the way she claws at my shirt. My other hand is deep in her hair, tugging her close so that all I can taste and breathe is her.
And what a wonderful mixture it is.
Pure sunshine.
A soft breeze on the warmest day in summer that carries with it the scent of flowers and something else. Something sweet that can never be named but will always trigger memories of rolling through the grass and riding bikes down the road to an adventure to nowhere.
She’s light and beauty and…heartbreak.
She’s everything I’ve avoided as I put up walls to keep people out—to keep the fragile beating muscle in my chest from shattering when another person in my life walks out.
Yet here I am, polarized in my feelings and seconds away from bolting and crushing her before she can crush me.
Just as Jay said I would do.
A throat clears a few feet away and we jump apart. Both of us are breathing heavy and there’s no way to play this off. He caught us red-handed and yet Lyla snaps straight and smiles.
“Hey, Mr. River. What’s up?”
Try as he might, he can’t keep the grin off his face. Here I am like a freaking deer in headlights and she’s going for the you-totally-didn’t-see-what-you-think-you-did angle.
“I was coming down to see if you caught Shane. And apparently you did.”
“Yeah. I w
as just telling him the excellent news.”
Mr. River’s eyes sparkle as he glances between us. “Sure looked like you two were celebrating.”
Now it’s my turn to smile because the man is nothing if not blunt.
“There are kids waiting.”
“Yes, sir.” I reach into the cargo bed and grab my bag since I guess I’m staying.
Mr. River turns to leave and just when Lyla lets out a sigh, he spins around. “And Lyla, have your stuff moved back to the girls’ cabin by lunch. I don’t want to get sued if you two celebrate again.” With those parting words, he leaves.
Lyla glances at me with cheeks the color of a ripe strawberry. “Well, if we can make it through that uncomfortable situation, I think we’ll make it through telling Jay.” Shaking her head, she jogs off toward camp.
Like a swift punch to the gut, the smile drops from my face and I have to fight to get my legs to work in order to follow Lyla up the hill.
No. This was nothing like telling Jay. Mr. River has no stake in our relationship beyond making sure he doesn’t get sued and the kids are safe.
Jay, on the other hand, will do anything to protect his sister from being hurt. And even after years of not speaking, he will still see me as one thing—a threat.
This time when things blow up Lyla won’t unknowingly be in the middle. She’ll be front and center to the devastation and I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me if she has to choose between me and her brother.
Two days.
Two days have passed since kissing Shane again and asking him not to shut me out once more. Now he seems to be doing everything in his power to avoid me. A complete difference from our mistake kiss when I couldn’t shake him no matter what I did.
I’m back with the other female counselors and besides meals, he’s nowhere to be found. Assignments were shuffled due to losing Dax and Jason, so Scarlett and I were paired for most activities.
I’ve given him space. He seemed shaken after admitting he’s liked me for years. And I’d be lying if I said that admission didn’t shake me as well. But today is the day. We can’t keep doing this, and the butterflies that all but swallow my insides whole whenever I see him demand answers.