Truly Madly Deeply: Volumes 1-4

by Brenda Pandos

  I point my sword at them, then slice it over my neck. She looks upwards toward the sky all innocent like. The phone rings again.

  “Rico’s Pizza,” I say after picking it up.

  “Um…” More giggles are heard. “What did the pirate say when he got his wooden leg stuck in the freezer?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Shiver me timbers!” The girl snorts on the line.

  I hand Logan the phone, and whisper, “Say hi.”

  “Who is this?” He yells gruffly into the receiver. I hear a startled scream, and then the line is dead. “We need a whistle.”

  “Oh, they’re just goofing around.”

  When it rings again, Logan beats me to it.

  “Shack O’ Snacks. Don’t be wastin’ my time or it’s the plank with ye.”

  His expression changes, and he loses his pirate accent. “Yeah. Sorry about that. Who’s this?”

  His eyes suddenly harden. “She’s busy right now, Gage. What can I do for you?”

  I suck in a breath, and reach my hand out for the phone. “Never mind. She’s free, apparently.” Logan hands it to me reluctantly.

  “Gage,” I say with an extra happy voice. “How’d you get this number?”

  “Maddy. Stop messing around. What’s going on?”

  I keep a smile on my face as Logan watches me curiously. “Nothing. I’m working.”

  “You text me, then nothing. What am I supposed to think of that?”

  “My phone broke, so…” I turn my back to Logan.

  “So you just leave me hanging?”

  “I’ve been really busy.”

  “Well, then are you free tomorrow?”

  “Uhhhh…” My throat grows dry. Out of the corner of my eye, I see kids form a line and Logan starts to take their orders. “Yeah, what time?”

  “How’s 2?”

  Tomorrow is beach day so I have the afternoon off, but I want to spend it with Logan.

  “I’m working, but I’m off after 4,” I say softly so Logan won’t hear.

  “Great. I’ll see you then.”

  He hangs up before I can clarify that he needs to meet me at the main gate.

  Logan’s eyes narrow. “So that’s Gage, huh? Pleasant guy.”

  “Yeah.” I force a smile and busy myself with restocking the candy display. He knows way too much about Gage, too much for my comfort.

  The door next to us flies open. Brady has a sword and aims it at Logan. Dirk is standing outside with a megaphone in his hand. “Give us your treasure or else, Wench!”

  Logan draws his sword. “Out rapscallion. The wench is mine!”

  CHAPTER THREE

  We return to the snack shack to fetch our towels. After being chased around the pool, then dragged to the high dive and pushed off, we are both drenched. The kids loved it, especially the floating booty once Logan dumped the Drumsticks into the pool.

  While toweling off, I noted a new bruise on my arm from being manhandled. “This isn’t going to win me the beauty contest this summer.”

  Logan’s eyes glint as he watches me. “Fifty shades of black and blue. You like being tied up, admit it.”

  “Stop it.” I whip my towel in his direction.

  “See what I mean? You thrive on giving pain.”

  “I thrive on being dry.”

  Logan kneels down to grab his bag and the sound of torn fabric fills the small space. He stands up abruptly.

  I stifle a giggle and examine his backside. “Your future children are giving you a sign.”

  “My what?”

  “That your boys need more space.”

  “Oh, you think so?”

  “I bite my lip and towel off my hair before pulling it into a ponytail. “I can fix that you know. Or… is that a guy’s job these days.”

  “I can sew.”

  “A boy scout, were you?”

  “No. I used to spy on my sister’s troop.”

  “That sounds naughty.” I giggle and slyly watch him wrap the towel around his waist and pull off his pants underneath.

  “Get your mind out of the gutter.” He holds out the pair of stripped madness toward me. “But by all means, if you can fix these, I’d be grateful. Indebted even.”

  “I like the sound of being indebted.” I try to look busy checking out the ripped seam, but I can’t help but watch him change from the corner of my eyes. He pulls the towel off right before yanking up his swimsuit. For one glorious second, I see his bare backside.

  “They’re salvageable,” I quickly say.

  “Good.”

  “Maybe you need a cock piece.”

  “What did you say?” He whips his head around.

  I bust into laughter as my face blazes all the way to my ears. My Freudian slip about his man parts is mortifying. “Oh my gosh. I don’t know why I said that.”

  “I think you mean a codpiece, and no. I don’t need one of those.”

  He tries to take the pants from me, and I hide them behind my back. A flash of him wearing only a codpiece makes the giggles start again to the point of tears which are falling down my cheeks as I gasp for air. “It’ll keep things covered in case you have a costume malfunction.”

  “I don’t think I trust you to sew my pants anymore.” He starts to tickle me, and I shriek for help. We fall against the door and he holds one of my hands above my head as he leans in. He’s out of breath and for a brief second, I see the desire cross his face as he moves in closer.

  “Hey.” Someone tries to open the door to the shack, then pounds on it. “Everything okay?”

  “I won,” Logan whispers as he snags the pants from me.

  “Cheater,” I accuse.

  Logan lets me go and holds the pants up in victory while I move out of the way. Dirk opens the door.

  “I thought maybe you two didn’t know the skit was over.” Dirk eyes Logan suspiciously.

  “We’re just joking around.” Logan folds up the pants and stuffs them into his bag.

  “Well, you’re causing a scene.”

  Logan’s eyes drift to the window. The kids are standing around the window, staring at us. Busted.

  My gaze returns to Dirk, and I get the feeling he’s not leaving until we do. If he hadn’t of interrupted us, what might have happened between Logan and me? Dirk had indirectly warned me that accidents happen. He clearly didn’t want me to break Logan and Kat up, innocently or otherwise.

  “The shack is closed,” I say before grabbing the till and the rest of my stuff. The kids moan in disappointment.

  I catch Logan’s glance. Desire is still in his smile as he looks at me, and I wonder what his lips would have felt like.

  We exit the shack, and I lock the door.

  “So, Gage is coming to town, huh?” Logan asks once Dirk leaves.

  My face falls, and I recover before he can see me. “Yeah, possibly.”

  “I’d like to meet him.”

  My insides pinch. Of course I can’t ever let that happen and Gage would be beside himself to know I’d lied to everyone about us. But what would Logan say to him? I’d been terrified to meet Kat, but that was because of my growing feelings. “I’ll let you know when I do.”

  “Didn’t you mention tomorrow afternoon?”

  “Yeah, possibly.”

  “Cool.”

  I put the keys in my pocket. My hands are shaking. The fact Logan wants to meet Gage means I’ve misjudged everything. And stupid me thought we were just about to kiss. Even still, I need to get my phone to work and cancel with Gage. All these games. Syd is right. Logan is fickle and dangerous.

  “Can I borrow your car keys?” Logan asks.

  I startle out of my nightmare and blink at him. Is this why we’re friends? So he can use me or my car whenever he wishes? “For what?”

  “Dawn patrol.”

  “I’m not sure.” I walk toward Aspen. “You’ve been awfully mean lately.”

  “Mean?”

  “You called me a wench, and you won’
t let me sew your pants.”

  “I meant wench in the highest regards, but you’re right. I don’t trust you with my pants.”

  I pout my lip out.

  His eyes squint as he stares at my lips. “You’re lucky we aren’t dating, or…”

  He stops, and I frown. “Or what?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  The tension grows and I try to figure out what he was going to say. It’s as if he wants to punish me for whatever struggle he’s feeling about us. I pass him and go inside my cabin, frustrated to no end, not to mention hot and bothered. He follows me upstairs to my room, which makes it even worse.

  I turn to tell him to leave so I can change, but he corners me inside and looks deep within my eyes once more. He appears conflicted, like he wants to tell me something, or do something, but there’s so much heat between us that I can’t stand it anymore. I realize that I’m not imagining this. There’s something happening, and he knows it’s there, too.

  “If we weren’t seeing other people, would we be dating?” he asks softly.

  I look up at him, feeling his breath waft over my face as his bare chest rises and falls from being out of breath, yet shouldn’t be. Damn, I want to kiss him, but I know if I do, I’ll be the one accused of crossing the line and then rejected. Either way, I can’t let him in. I won’t. He’ll just hurt me, and I refuse to be the other woman.

  “I’m too old, remember?”

  He chuckles and breaks eye contact. “I said that you’re intimidating. There’s a difference.”

  I mirror his laugh, but shiver and it’s not because I’m cold. “So, then I guess you’ve answered your question.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “You should feel bad, stereotyping me merely because of my age is ageism.” I shoo him out of the room. “But you’ll have to make it up to me later. I need to change,” and take a cold shower.

  He nods, but gives me a once over. “See you at dinner, Mad.”

  My stomach does a happy dance. It takes all my effort to close the door and not rush him, and demand he punish me.

  I rest against the door and close my eyes. “Damn you, Logan,” I whisper. I’ve won the battle, but I’m going to lose the war.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Logan and I sit at a table at the far end of the meal hall. I push the meatloaf with my fork while I watch him wolf down three servings along with bread and broccoli. My appetite hasn’t returned.

  I pull out my phone, hoping the cell phone gods will allow a call to come through. With the broken face, I’m unable to place calls and texts are a complete mess of gobblie gook. And I can’t make out Gage’s new number to call him back on the payphone. Since I’m penniless until Friday, I can’t afford a replacement in time. I’m so screwed.

  “What are you doing tomorrow after lunch?” If Gage arrives at 4, I’ll have a few hours to kill which I know I’ll need.

  His brows crease. “Since you’ll be busy, I’m dropping off the campers and then hanging out for beach day.”

  “You are? Since when?”

  “Since Dirk asked me yesterday.”

  “Oh.”

  I’m not quite sure why I’m hurt Dirk didn’t ask me as well. I peruse the room and look for him. He’s talking to Kitty and Matt about something, and they’re all dressed in their pirate garb. After clearing my plate, I head into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Joe. What’s the plan with lunch tomorrow?”

  “It’s beach day. The kids will pack their own lunches, so you’re free to do whatever you want.”

  I turn to find Logan, but he’s gone already.

  Once outside, I zip up my sweatshirt. The chilly sea air has cooled everything off.

  “How’s it going, snack wench?” Syd says while putting her arm over my shoulder. She’s dressed in her pirate garb, too.

  “Good, so far.”

  “Feels like it’s been years and it’s only the first day.” She lets out a low whistle. “I’m exhausted.”

  I laugh. “Tell me about it. What’s with the outfit?”

  “We’re continuing the skit from today. Aren’t you supposed to be in it?”

  I crinkle my forehead. “Not that I know of.”

  Syd looks upward when the bell gongs to announce the evening meeting in the auditorium. “There’s another fight scene happening tonight since it was so popular today.”

  From the corner of my eye, I spot Logan in his costume entering the side door of the auditorium. He’s replaced his blue-striped pants for a pair of tight black leather ones.

  “Dirk didn’t say anything to me about it.” Matter of fact, this is the second thing he’s left me out of.

  “Well, come in and watch. It’ll be funny.”

  I follow her inside but plan to leave once Dirk starts his talk about kindness, and not being the pirate that steals people’s personal treasure AKA pride. A little hypocritical of him considering he’s snubbed me twice today. I tell myself it’s stupid, and yet I don’t know why this is bothering me.

  Syd’s girls find her right away and pull her away. She stops them and quickly introduces me. I’m inducted into the group, but since all the counselors are in costume, I stick out like a sore thumb.

  The lights flicker and everyone is quiet. The Pirates of the Caribbean theme song starts, and smoke billows across the stage.

  Dirk appears on the deck of the wooden pirate ship we’d built. He’s holding a spyglass. “Argh. Nice night for an evening.”

  To the right, Kitty holds up signs for the audience to participate. The crowd hisses.

  “Oh, it’s you again. I thought I pushed ye all off the plank.”

  The crowd hisses again.

  “Well, that blasted Captain Mack might have foiled me plans and ruined me plunder of the Shack O’ Snacks. Lucky for me he’s sayin’ his prayers on the bottom of the ocean and I’ve taken his ship, The Revenge.”

  Off to the right, Logan and a few of the other counselors paddle in on fake canoes fastened to skateboards. Logan holds up his finger to his lips for the audience to be silent, then they sneak aboard and approach Dirk from behind.

  “You’re surrounded, Black Beard. Surrender!” Logan yells.

  “Ah, Mack. I knew you wouldn’t stay dead for long.” Dirk turns and holds out his sword. “En garde.”

  The two sides fight in a ridiculous display, which insights a revolt in the audience of counselor against counselor. The younger kids think it’s hilarious, while the older ones are too cool to appear entertained. Eventually Dirk has the upper hand, until a sexy female pirate appears and distracts him, leading to his capture.

  Logan takes possession of his vessel and captures all of Dirk’s pirates as prisoners. He asks the audience what to do, the plank? Or the brig?

  “How about a joke off?” Dirk suggests.

  “What’s that?”

  “We tell jokes and the audience decides a winner.”

  Logan raises a brow and eyes the audience, then he leans in and whispers, “You know who gave ya the Drumsticks, today, don’t ya?” The audience cheers. “Then you best be saying I’m the winner, then.”

  The audience shouts in agreement. Of course, Logan tells the worst jokes ever, but the audience sides with him, and Black Beard is just about to be thrown into the brig, when the beautiful pirate pulls out a revolver and orders them both to be locked up.

  All the girls cheer.

  Once the skit is over, I look at my phone to find I’ve missed a call.

  “Shit,” I mumble under my breath.

  The girl next to me glares, then looks at my phone.

  “You’re not supposed to have that here,” she says.

  “I’m not a counselor.” I excuse myself.

  Once outside, I press every button I can, but nothing works. I can’t even listen to the message.

  “Damn you, Gage,” I mumble as I walk down the hill to the snack shack.

  After downing a Drumstick, I sit on the service counter outside and look at t
he stars. Here, away from the lights of the city, I can see millions of them. Everything inside me just wants to be free. Free from the pain and anger Gage’s memory is causing, free from the lies, free from Logan’s hold on my heart. A place where I don’t care.

  The kids exit the auditorium and huddle into groups, preparing for the evening’s game, and invade the quietness of the space. I know I should drive into town to see if my phone will ring, but I don't want to miss a chance run in with Logan.

  “How did I know you’d be here?” Logan asks as he walks up. My heart warms.

  “Nice job on the skit.” I turn my head down and feel my cheeks heat for some stupid reason.

  “We changed things up at the last minute. I think it went over pretty well.”

  “The kids loved it.”

  He leans against the side of the counter and his eyes twinkle. “The girls’ jokes on the phone from earlier gave me the idea.”

  “It was pretty clever.”

  He laughs, but lingers like he wants to ask something more.

  “You need a fix?” I ask. “Help yourself.”

  “Actually, I’m still stuffed from dinner. You hanging out here tonight?”

  “I’m actually planning to go into town in a bit.”

  “Oh, okay. Later then?”

  My face falls. Though I need to talk to Gage, I’d hoped Logan would find an excuse to go into town with me. “Yeah, I’ll find you, I guess.”

  At the horn from Dirk’s megaphone, Logan straightens. “Crap. I’m helping with the game. I need to hide.”

  I throw him my snack shack key. “Here. Just don’t go crazy with the Drumsticks.”

  He cracks a smile and lets himself inside. “I won’t.”

  Though the last thing I want to do is leave, I slide off the counter anyway. Yeah, I most definitely misread things, but I can salvage my feelings and stop wishing for something that’ll never happen. After throwing the wrapper into the trash, I trudge to the parking lot and climb inside my car.

  I drive to the cliffs and wait for hours for a call that never comes. Story of my life.

  I return to Aspen at 11:30 exhausted, and flip on the light in my room.

  Logan sits up from my bed, groggy eyed. A copy of a steamy romance Syd had lent me falls on the floor. “Oh, hey.”