Truly Madly Deeply: Volumes 1-4

by Brenda Pandos

  Sydney almost spits out the swig she’d just taken from her water bottle. “Sloppy seconds, Matt? Yeah he’s cute, but I’d keep far away from him. I didn’t want to tell you at camp that year, but he wasn’t just kissing you. I don’t know how he kept his harem from finding out, but the dude got around.”

  “What?” I swivel around just as the dinner bell tolls. “You’re kidding.”

  “No and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” She shrugs. “Those wandering baby blues are trouble. He’ll be moving on to another before summer is over, mark my words. Come on. Let’s eat. I’m starved.”

  I blink in shock momentarily, recalling him ogling Syd’s butt, before I snag my zip-up hoodie and walk out. I slide my cellphone in my pocket. From what I’d quickly read in Syd’s orientation binder, the counselor only Internet connection is located at the snack shack, and I’m dying to check my email.

  ~|~

  Walking into the dining room feels like déjà vu. Same musty food smell, same plastic chairs, and beat-up tables. Back in the day it was popular for girls to complain about the food and refuse to eat. If it weren’t for the snack shack, I would’ve starved. The irony I work there now slaps me upside the head once again.

  Dirk motions us over to his table. Oddly he sports a red do-rag with black braids and beads hanging down the side of his head. “Argh. Mads. Syd. You’d be the last to be joinin’ us. Few minutes more, you’d be walkin’ the plank.”

  I take one confused look at Syd before we sit in two of the three empty spots at the table. There are nine other girls, including Kitty, and eight other guys with Matt, and I have a strong feeling none of them are the hired help like I am.

  “Ahoy, Mates. Welcome to Treasure Island.” Dirk opens a large chest on the next table and pulls out pirate hats, eye patches, mustaches, gold necklaces, skull and cross-bone flags and stuffed parrots, tossing them on the table in front of us. “This is your last week of freedom, ya salty dogs. So ya best be gettin’ rid of your land legs and prepare yerselves for the high seas.”

  Kitty laughs, putting on a patch. “This will go awesome with my costume.” She plops a hat on my head.

  “Costume?” I remove the hat and move to leave. I’m not a counselor and pretending I belong isn’t fooling anyone.

  “Where are you going?” Syd asks.

  “This isn’t for me,” I whisper.

  “Sure it is. Stay.” She gives me a kind smile and walks me to our chairs.

  Dirk continues to bark his orders. “We be on a mission, me hearties, to transform this heap into an island with lots of booty to plunder.”

  “I’d like me some booty to plunder,” Matt says within earshot, and gives me a sexy leer.

  I look away.

  “But first, introductions of the crew. Tell us your name, where you’re from and if you’ve walks da plank before.” Dirk points at me. “Let’s start with interloper. Mad, you have the floor.”

  I smirk and shake my head. Of course he’d throw me under the bus first. “I’m not a counselor. Just the snack shack girl, so…”

  “Nope. You’re here, so tell us about yerself.”

  I give him a hard look. “Fine, Dirk.”

  “Call me Black Beard,” he says while scrubbing at his chin.

  “Black Beard. Fine. Well, I’m Madison, but you can call me Maddy and I’m from the sticks of Placerville. And,” I furrowed my brow, contemplating what to say about school. Maybe if I didn’t mention UC Davis, Dirk and the rest would forget. “If you’re referring to the diving board, I’ve walks, jumped, been pushed off that thing—”

  “Don’t forget handstands,” Syd interrupts.

  “Yes, and handstands, too, for over three summers, making this my fourth. I’m happy to meet everyone.”

  Everyone claps as I dip down into a bow.

  Sydney stands. “I’m Syd and I’m a camp-a-holic.” I roll my eyes as the group laughs. “No really. This is my fifth summer, first one being a counselor. I’m from just over the hill in Sunnyvale, and go to U-dub. And I have to confess, I pushed Maddy off said plank many many times.”

  “Yes, she did,” I say, amazed at how’d she’d broken out of her skin. Terribly shy in past summers, I didn’t know the girl beaming next to me.

  The rest of the group introduces themselves one by one. Matt stands last.

  “I’m Matt and I’m from San Diego State. This is my third summer, my virgin voyage as a counselor.” He winks at Kitty before his gaze flicks to mine. “I’m happy to be here.”

  I’m wise to you, I think, but smile. Deep down, relief filters through me along and with disappointment. Once again, I’m attracted to the loser, but I’m deflecting his charm just the same and at this point I’ll celebrate any victory.

  Forming another pact to myself, I vow to toughen up and nail an “eff off” sign to my forehead. Luckily none of the other guys sent my stomach aflutter, meaning a drama free summer is feasible, if I want. But then again, someone new might be the best distraction, if I could stay detached. Focusing on the snack shack, hanging out with Syd, and working on my tan are what I plan to do. Piece of cake.

  “Well, that’s pretty much our scurvy crew,” Dirk says, interrupting my thoughts. “We still have one more, who will be joining us tomorrow. But for now, let’s eat, be merry, and then dive into our jobs. We have a lot to do before the kids come, people.”

  A small groan and clattering of chairs fills the hall. I glance over at the buffet table: mashed potatoes, beef of some kind, green beans and a cake with a pirate ship on the top.

  “Oh, mother of butter,” Syd says quietly while nudging me. “I’m definitely going to need a running partner this summer if I plan to keep my shorts buttoned.”

  I shake my head. I’ve done my running, mostly from Gage into the sanctity of Redwood Springs’ arms, but the exercise wouldn't hurt. Inside my pocket, I press my phone off. My clean slate starts now. I’m ready.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “So, girls.” Kitty puts her arms around Syd and me as we walk from the dining hall. “Word on camp is the guys are planning a little extra orientation for us.”

  “Really?” Syd chuckles. “And pray tell, what are we going to do to prepare for said orientation?”

  Kitty’s eyes gleam evilly. “We’re going to beat them to it with an orientation of our own.”

  She draws the ten of us into a huddle and runs down a quick plan.

  “Meet me here in five. Wear black. I have duct tape.” Kitty smiles. “Bring any weapons that you have.”

  Everyone nods and runs off. I shake my head. Why hadn’t Kitty been this ruthless when we were campers? College has bred a new sense of confidence for both her and Syd.

  As we run to the cabin, freedom floods over me. I might not be a cool counselor, but at least I remembered what is important—a Super Soaker. Tomorrow, I will lock my phone in one of the counselor lockers and will only check it when I want to call home. Gage’s number was now blocked and I’ve deleted my Facebook account. No one from camp can find out the truth about me now.

  The girls meet back in five and we sneak over to the guys cabins, squirt guns in hand. Lights illuminate long shadows of oblivious guys planning something we’re about to foil through the windows of Dogwood. Kitty gives the signal and quietly unrolls the glowing green tape into twelve 3-foot long pieces, dolling them out one by one. With sweaty hands, I sneak up last and tape my piece across the door frame.

  Inside, I hear running water and evil laughter. I stifle my giggle. Whatever they’ve planned, the first victim is about to get a full soaking before being able to exit. After the all clear signal from Kitty and the rest of the girls are hidden, I pound on the door and scurry off the deck. I join Syd and we aim our guns at the door. I can’t help busting up into laughter as Brady tries to get out of the cabin first, incasing himself with duct tape.

  A screen flies off the window and into the bushes, narrowly missing Kitty’s head.

  “Babe!” Matt yells. “When I find you
, you’re going to regret…”

  His last mouthful is met with a stream of water.

  “Love you, too, babe!” she calls out.

  He yells something intelligible, clambering onto the ground, a Super Soaker in hand.

  She squeals and runs, his spray hitting her all across her back, illuminating her retreat.

  “Crap,” Syd whispers next to me, “there’s glow stick gunk inside their guns.”

  Before I can respond, a green spray of water shoots over our heads. “Run!”

  We get to our feet and head in opposite directions. Operation Orientation has met its match. I book to the next cabin and hide behind it. Shrieks and laughter fill the air. Luckily, after a quick inspection, I’ve adverted being tagged with the glowing goo. Peeking around the corner, I watch Syd get soaked in a losing war against Kellan and Dirk.

  I fire at them, hitting Kellan in the back, then take off around to the front of the cabin to get Dirk.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Arms circle around me, pinning mine down. A hard chest meets my back as my abductor holds me hostage. “You’re coming with me,” he whispers in my ear.

  Heat scrawls across my skin, filling my belly with anticipation. I scream for Syd, faking my struggle. A swift stomp on his foot or a jab to his ribs would have gained me freedom, but I didn’t want to hurt anyone.

  “Let me go, Brady,” I demand.

  “Brady?” His grip lessens.

  I swivel around and meet long lashes framing brown eyes, squinted and questioning. “Who are you?”

  A stream of water hits my hair and I duck, as the cute stranger is doused in glowing liquid. He snatches my hand, pulling me close and makes me his shield.

  “I’m on your side,” he calls out to the guys.

  “Let me go.” I tried to wiggle free and inhaled his spicy and salty scent.

  “I can’t,” he breathes in my ear. “You’re my ticket into the club.”

  “Club? What club?”

  Within moments all eleven girls are brought to Dogwood, held captive and struggling. One by one, each guy ties the girl’s wrists with bandanas. Syd gives me a look, questioning me with the quick flick of her gaze to the guy holding me. I shrug. I have no idea who this guy is. The scary part though, he totally makes my stomach do backflips. This is not good. Not good at all.

  “What do we do with them?” Matt asks.

  Dirk stands on the deck with his stupid pirate beard hanging at an angle off his chin. “What say you men?”

  “The plank!” a few call from the back.

  I slump back as the stranger ties my wrists together.

  “Great,” I say sarcastically. Yes I’m hot and sweaty, but the water will be cold.

  “Can’t swim?” The sparkle in his eyes penetrates me.

  “Hardly,” I say, laughing. “I’m the lifeguard,” I lie.

  “Oh.” He arches a brow before he marches me in line with rest of the group. “I guess you know where to go then.”

  I frown. Had this been his first time on the grounds? “You still haven’t told me your name.”

  “I didn’t give it.”

  I suck in a breath, enjoying the banter. “You’re the latecomer?”

  “Yes,” he inclines his head, waiting for me to fill in the blank. “And you are?”

  “That’s top secret,” I say with a chuckle.

  “Oh, I see.”

  He moves alongside me and I see my opportunity to run. Bolting away from him, he whips around and snatches my wrists. “Oh, no you don’t. If you get away, I’ll never get any respect from the others.”

  I smirk. “Couldn’t we make a deal?”

  “Possibly, if there is something you have that I want.” He winks.

  My cheeks heat and I’m glad he can’t read the naughty thoughts floating through my mind. “I’m sure there’s something.”

  He laughs again, a bright sound that holds so much mystery, and I know this flirting is crossing into the danger zone, yet I refuse to stop it. Gage had been the same for me. A little attention, a smile, a wink. I won’t do it again. I will stay guarded.

  As the group files into the pool area and presses onward toward the high dive, the newcomer lets go of me. I join the other girls lined up against the wall. Dirk drawls out our charges in his pirate accent. New Guy catches me staring at him and rewards me with a lopsided grin that tickles my insides. Holy heck, he is giving my resolutions a run for their money. As we are about to be escorted to the plank, Dirk notices him.

  “Hey, Logan! My main man!” He bumps fists with Logan and the two embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here. You totally got me out of a jam.”

  Logan, I think, letting his name roll around in my brain, before shutting it all down.

  “Hey,” Logan shrugs, “anything for you.”

  As Dirk introduces Logan to the group, Syd leans in and whispers. “Yum. I’m just saying.”

  I chew on my lip and watch his easy-going way with the other counselors. Then his brown eyes drift my way, and I look away, caught. I lift my chin, bound and determined. Even as cute as he is, Logan isn’t getting through my wall. No one’s going there. Not on their life.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The next day brings with it my orientation, finally. Joe, the reigning cook for the past fifty-years is my boss. And surprise, surprise, my duties not only include the snack shack, but helping him in the kitchen, too. Great. My dreams of a golden tan evaporate into thin air.

  “You need to wear this over your hair.” He pulls a hair net from a nearby paper dispenser on the wall and hands it to me.

  “Huh?”

  “Or a hat. Whatever suits you. Just can’t have stray hairs falling into the food.” He mumbles something else about the damn laws, but I can’t decipher it.

  I sigh and, with much humiliation, stretch the filamenty thing over my head. Later I’d retrieve my hat. He escorts me around the kitchen, pointing things out and giving me a laundry list of do’s and don’t’s.

  “Of course, you’ll have help. Each week we get a new rotation of counselors. They’ll be all high-and-mighty, but you’ll whip them into shape and make ‘em mind. And be on time. I hate people who think they’re more important than their job. Ever keep a till?”

  I wrinkle my nose. “A till?”

  “You know. A cash register.”

  “Oh.” I force a weak smile as he leads me into his office. If he only knew how well I’d failed at keeping a till, but then again I didn’t think anyone would be buying over ten grand in ice cream. “Yeah.”

  He riffles through the mounds of papers on his desk until he finds what he is looking for. “Great. My wife handles the orders for the snack shack. Here’s the sheet. You just need to keep the shack clean and make sure the till balances daily. Here are the keys.” He plops a set of keys attached to a springy wristband in my hand. “No sampling.”

  I nod, unsure what that means exactly.

  “Glenda will inventory and if there’s a discrepancy, it’ll come out of your check. Understood?” He pushes a paper with a spot to sign on the bottom. “Chicken scratch here.” After I sign my life away, he follows it with a thick handbook. “It’s all in here, how to run things.”

  “Seriously?” Nice on the job training.

  He lifts a bushy brow and cracks a smile, after hefting the thing into my arms. “I’m kidding. There’s not much to it. And you know where the shack is at, right?”

  “Yeah,” I mumble.

  “Great.” He smiles. “Best be getting to work. I haven’t been in there all winter, so I’m sure it’s a mess. Kids come in a week.”

  I nod and watch him walk off to yell at one of the bakers. What have I gotten myself into?

  Heading outside, I turn the corner and narrowly miss running straight into Logan.

  “Hey.” His gorgeous smile tries to penetrate my force field. Did he get cuter overnight?

  “Hey.”

  “Uh, is that part of your lifeguard pirate uniform?” He tips his c
hin to motion the top of my head.

  Oh, crap! I snatch the dreaded thing off and fluff my hair. “No… and I should probably confess that I’m not actually the lifeguard.”

  His brows lift. “Really?”

  Dang you, Logan, stop looking at me like that.

  “Yeah, I’m the snack shack girl slash cook…” and a serial liar.

  Oddly the confession feels good.

  “Snack shack, huh?” He nods his head in approval, his eyes peruse the binder in my arms as if to confirm the case. “So you’re the one I should consult for my habit.”

  “Habit?” Like cigarettes? What kind of camp did he think this is?

  He laughs, a rich and beautiful sound, apparently humored by the confusion written all over my face. “It’s nothing bad. Just unhealthy love for Drumsticks.”

  My stomach jumps. Drumsticks? No way. “Oh, so now you’re changing your tune.”

  “I’m sorry. I made a judgment on your last profession.” His cheeks pink up. “I’m not above bribing you.”

  I put my free hand on my hip. “I just signed my life away with the head chef. Have you seen his knife collection?”

  “What about for a back massage?”

  I try to hide my grin as I imagine his fingers digging into my naked shoulders. My body shivers in response, and I push the delectable thoughts away. This is ridiculous.

  “Tempting but… I can’t show favoritism to just one type of frozen treat. It could cause mutiny.”

  “Hmmm… I’ll figure out your weakness.” He pinches his eyes shut for a second as if he is trying to read my mind. “But that’ll have to be after my trip to the hardware store.” He flips the keys in his hands. “Wanna come?”

  My mouth goes dry. Who is this guy? I finger the yellow springy wristband attached to the key. Clean or shop with Mr. Cutie… like there’s a choice. Any red-blooded girl would clamber at the chance, but I have to do the responsible thing and say no.

  “I’m supposed to inspect the snack shack and read this behemoth.”