Truly Madly Deeply: Volumes 1-4

by Brenda Pandos

  CHAPTER SIX

  My girls burst into the mess hall ahead of me for dinner, hair curled to perfection and makeup applied to accentuate everything that makes them the lovely creatures that they are. Fond memories of the old days come back to me while I watch them. Remembering the flirting and plans made to meet up after Lights Out. Of course, if there wasn’t a sex offender on the loose, I’d fake I was asleep, too, just so the brave souls could sneak out and think they were getting away with something. Those days of freedom are over now, unfortunately.

  They giggle and blush while taking their seats, all the while eyeing Logan’s guys who are checking them out, too. He’s sitting next to them, and our eyes meet. His gaze is filled with worry, and I’m concerned why.

  I quickly scan the hall for Kat, filled with relief when I don’t find her. I’m just hoping she came by for a quick visit and has left before I have to see her again.

  My glance flicks nostalgically toward the kitchen. Joe leans against the wall with his arms folded and nods, watching me with a proud smile on his face. I smile back.

  “Oh, hey.” Dirk walks up from behind, startling me. “We need to talk.”

  My smile vanishes.

  “After announcements.”

  He hobbles past me to the podium with his peg leg on. The kids love it, but my heart hammers. He’s going to take my cabin from me, I know it. Maybe it’s time to use my real ammo.

  As Dirk talks, I scan the tables, counting kids as they sit with their counselors. From what I can tell, there doesn’t seem to be any missing.

  When Dirk finishes, the tables are released in order of those who passed bunk inspection. Ours is fourth.

  “Awe, man,” Holly says. “Our cabin was perfect.”

  Sophie and her girls walk by with smug smiles. They hold up their index fingers while chanting they’re number one.

  “We’re going to beat them tomorrow,” Emma says after they pass.

  I nod, but I can’t stop thinking about what Dirk wants to talk to me about.

  Once the girls get dismissed, Dirk motions for me to meet him outside. I suck in a breath and follow him.

  He walks me over to the auditorium doors and stops.

  “So,” he starts. “There’s been a change of plans.”

  My heart stalls for a moment, and I’m speechless. All I can do is brace myself for the worst.

  “I can only get you and Logan in for tomorrow afternoon,” he continues.

  I blink at him, confused. This isn’t what I expected him to say. “What?”

  “For that counseling appointment.”

  “Oh.” I blow out a breath.

  “It’ll be during beach day, but… we’ll cover for you.”

  “Okay?”

  I’m scared the person he’s referring to is Kat, but I’m afraid to ask specifically in case it gives him the idea.

  “So, here’s the address. I’m assuming you’re okay to drive your car there.”

  I look at the paper and my heart gallops. The office is located in town, meaning Logan and I will be alone together in the car for a good twenty minutes at least.

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “Good, oh and…” He leans in closer. “Maddy, you can’t drink on camp property. You know that.”

  My blood turns to ice.

  “Don’t worry.” He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I kept it from Joe, just so you know.”

  I press my lips together, unsure what to say.

  “I know you need that job with Glenda in the fall, and Joe can be pretty lenient on most of the rules… but not that one.”

  Is he telling me this as blackmail?

  “I was off grounds.” I lift my chin. “Remember?”

  “Technically, yes…”

  “So, I wasn’t breaking the rules.”

  “Except that you’re underage.”

  I swallow. “Well, if it was such a big deal, I’m sure one of the cops would have arrested me.”

  “True. He did write it in his report.”

  He looks at me in that condensing way, and I want to whip his telltale smirk off with some rule breaking warnings of my own. But I can’t do it without hurting Logan. Besides, Kat isn’t here anymore, apparently.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see a leggy blonde lug open the dining room doors and go inside.

  Scratch that.

  Dirk put his hand on my shoulder. “Look, I’m your friend here. Being a counselor is a huge responsibility.”

  There he goes with that word again. I grit my teeth. It takes all my energy to just thank him and return to my girls.

  I enter the mess hall and take a deep breath. Kat stands off to the side while visiting with Sophie and Jordan, blonde hair curled in loose ringlets. She locks eyes with me and waltzes over. I grab a plate and head to the buffet, though my appetite is somewhat ruined.

  Kat sidles up next to me. “Just the girl I want to talk to.”

  The adrenaline rips through my veins, leaving tidal waves in its wake, but I work to remain calm.

  “Oh?” I scoop a pile of lettuce onto my plate and follow it with Italian dressing. “You’re back early.”

  She laughs, a high-pitched obnoxious sound. How can Logan be in love with this girl? “Can’t seem to stay away from this place.”

  I glance at her from the side. Something seems off, desperate even. Why is she here? Would she actually ditch her high paying job for this one? It can’t be because she doesn’t trust Logan around me, or even for Captain Asshat.

  “What’s up?”

  “I need to ask a teeny favor.” She stops and makes puppy dog eyes at me. That might work with the guys, but not me. I’m terrified of what she wants from me.

  “Okay?”

  “I was wondering if I could stay in your cabin with you for the rest of the week.”

  The request hits me like a bomb, knocking me speechless. Stay? With me? I dish up a meatball and try to think. Is Dirk behind this, his passive-aggressive way of keeping tabs on me?

  “I thought you had to work your real job this week.”

  “I did, but… it's been slow, and…” She looks away for a second. “They said they didn’t need me.”

  My eyes narrow. Why would they hire her, then cut her loose so early? Something doesn’t add up.

  “So, I came back early to help out. But with you-know-who out there, I can’t stay by myself in Aspen again because it’s outside the fence, and my stuff is in Camellia. I promise to stay out of your way.”

  Rosy and Kristin, the two girl counselors on rotation, were staying in Rosewood together due to the low numbers. Why she didn’t ask to stay with them boggles me, but at this point, I’m desperate for another adult to stay with me so I can catch some sleep.

  “Okay,” I say.

  “Really? Oh, thank you.” She side hugs me, almost knocking over my plate, then darts away, and I wonder what the heck I’ve just agreed to.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  I stand on the side of the stage with the cue cards in hand and wait anxiously for the skit to get underway. The kids trickle in, taking their seats. My girls crowd into the front row and wave at me, which makes me smile.

  In the corner of my eye, I see Kat flit out of sight of the audience. Her bustier presses her boobs so high they look like they’re about to choke her. She volunteered to be the sexy pirate, when Kristin asked for the night off.

  Watching Kat now, I wonder who else sees the façade that’s hiding what she truly is: pure evil. Engaged to one man while sleeping with her boss, has to be the worst of offenses ever. How can Dirk allow himself to be treated this way? Is he that desperate for her affection? Or are they just mutually using each other? Whatever it is, their hookup under the noses of everyone, especially the youth we’re supposed to encourage to make good choices, is so hypocritical. Seeing the two of them together, pretending to be Logan’s friend, makes me sick. I have to figure out a way to warn him.

  Once the lights dim and the Pirates of the Caribbe
an music starts, I push away my anger and get the first card ready. Dirk steps onto the deck of the ship, and I hold up the “hiss” card with pleasure. The audience follows my direction, my girls being the loudest. He heckles the crowd, which gets everyone participating.

  Logan and company scoot a rowboat alongside the pirate ship and sneak aboard. The two dual one another, causing mutiny in the audience. Once Kat appears on deck and distracts Dirk, Logan grabs her and leans her over. Though his hand is placed strategically over her lips, he kisses her passionately. The audience freaks out.

  Dirk scowls at them, and at this point, I don’t think he’s acting. She’s released and fans herself and I hold up the “yay” card, though I’d rather not. The audience hisses. I flip it around and look at it, realizing my mistake.

  Logan swivels around and chucks a rubber chicken at me as I present the “yay” card. I duck and present the “hiss” card again. The audience laughs.

  He makes a fist and shakes it at me, when Kat takes out a revolver and demands everyone’s arrest. Glowing wristbands are thrown into the audience, and the counselors grab them and handcuff together a girl with a boy.

  “Alright, Mateys,” Dirk says. “Tonight the goal is to work together to get the secret combo so you’ll be unhitched.”

  As he explains the rules, I jump off the stage with a handful of bands, and start to link together my girls to guys I know they like.

  Holly’s cheeks stain red when I hitch her to Christian. Without him seeing, I wink at her.

  Once everyone is linked up, the counselors are randomly given Sharpies and disburse to their hiding spots, colored for those with the combination and black for slavers. Each camper is to find the ten counselors to get a specific colored number written on their hand, but also watch out for slavers who can mark out the numbers, and hook up more people in a chain, thus making things harder.

  ~|~

  I roll the black Sharpie between my fingers. Technically, I didn’t need to hide. Pacing around the pool, my gaze returns to the tree line and I’m reminded of what happened earlier. The skin on my neck prickles like I’m being watched.

  My gaze shifts back and forth. Beyond the trees is the glow of the lights on the walkway leading to the girls’ cabins and supposedly a security guard who’s there but staying out of sight. A chill dances across my skin. All I want is Logan next to me.

  My pocket vibrates with a text, and I jump.

  Unnerved, I quickly cross to the snack shack and unlock the door. Once safe inside, I pull out my phone.

  Logan: I see you.

  Butterflies explode to life in my stomach.

  I look up and scan the surroundings for him. A glow from a cell phone clicks off from the dark recesses under the main deck. My heart skips a beat. I type back.

  Me: Sneaky

  The light returns.

  Logan: :)

  Me: I thought you didn’t believe in texting

  Logan: I don’t

  Me: Then why are you?

  Logan: I can’t talk to you in person. I saw your pen. You’re the enemy

  I snort.

  Me: Hiss

  Logan: Everyone’s a comedian

  Me: That was funny, admit it

  Logan: Possibly. So what time are we leaving tomorrow?

  My pulse quickens, and I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans. Somehow in the excitement of the night, I forgot all about that.

  Me: After lunch, I guess

  Logan: You don’t want to go?

  Me: Do you?

  Logan: It might help

  Me: You’re just saying that ‘cause I freaked earlier

  Logan: Don’t be so hard on yourself

  Kids run across the deck and down the stairs. I lower my phone under the counter so they won’t see the light. My nerves make my hands twitch, but I’m also wondering what would happen if we didn’t show up. My luck, Dirk would check up on us. Of course they’d know when the bill never came.

  Me: Incoming

  Just as the text hits his phone, the kids spot the light and run over to him. My phone vibrates once they leave.

  Logan: Oh, thanks

  Me: Anything for you, keeper of the colored pen

  Logan: Wouldn’t you like to know

  He darts out of his spot and crouches next to the garbage can.

  Me: There’s plenty of room in here to hide… and treats

  Logan: You’re just trying to enslave me. Never

  Me: I guess I’ll eat this tasty Drumstick alone then

  Logan: You’re mean

  As the kids begin to show in packs, Logan runs around behind the pool fence out of sight. I swallow down my anxiety.

  “You’re safe, Maddy. There’s security posted everywhere,” I tell myself.

  Anxious to act the part, I pocket my phone and try the door, but it doesn’t open. I push harder, but the door stays firmly stuck. Panic wells inside me.

  I remove my phone to text Logan, when one comes in.

  Logan: You’re my prisoner now

  “Logan?” I try the knob again. Kids giggle outside.

  I open the window and stick my head outside. “Logan. This isn’t fair.”

  “What? Did you hear something?” Logan says, though I can’t see him. One of his campers peeks around the corner, then disappears from view.

  “If you let me out, I’ll give you a Drumstick,” I bargain.

  “She’s a slaver. Run. Warn the others,” Logan says.

  The boy takes off and pulls the girl behind him.

  I crawl up onto the counter. It squeaks under my weight. My guess is it’s older than me and it’s not very happy. I grip the top of the window and slide my legs through the opening to the counter on the other side.

  “Cheater.” Logan’s there and grabs my legs. He stops my descent.

  “Hey!” I roll over to my stomach, and grab hold of the counter.

  He cinches his arms tighter. “Oh, no you don’t.”

  “Or what? You’ll karate chop me?” I say over my shoulder.

  “Or something worse.” He moves his hands up my thighs and squeezes above my knee.

  I shriek with laughter and protests. There’s a loud crack and we stop. I blow out a breath, somewhat suspended in his grasp.

  “We should get you back inside.”

  “No. You won’t let me out.”

  The counter splits under my stomach. I scream as my body starts to fall.

  Logan grips his hand around my waist. “I gotcha.”

  He gently eases me out. I wrap my arms around his neck as he swivels me around, guiding my feet over the destruction. We’re nose to nose when I catch our growing audience over his shoulder.

  Kat stands in the middle of the group.

  I let go and back away.

  Logan sobers. “Hey.”

  Arms crossed, her gaze darts between the two of us and then to the open window. “What’s going on?”

  I dust myself off, and chuckle to ease the tension. “I got stuck…” The condescending way she’s glaring at me makes me stop talking.

  Logan’s eyes narrow at her, but he says nothing. More kids join the group and one finally asks if we have the combo. Logan’s ridged exterior softens. Once he writes a number on the back of their hands, I turn with an evil smile.

  “You’ll need to link up.”

  The kids scream and bolt.

  “Hey,” I yell after them. “That’s cheating.”

  Kat sulks. “I don’t blame them. You’re the one that’s cheating.”

  Logan huffs playfully, but the hard-edged lines of his jaw are back. “Come on, Kat.”

  They glare wordlessly at one another, making me uncomfortable. I turn around and try to lift the countertop back in place. It falls apart like tissue in my hand.

  “I think only the paint was holding it together.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll fix it,” Logan offers behind me.

  Kat blows out a breath. “You should hide. Kids are coming.”

&n
bsp; Logan darts around to the back of the shack. I go inside and shut the window before I lock the door. With a quick glance, I survey the damage from the inside. Once Dirk finds out, he’s going to be pissed, like always. Kat has her hand on her hip and is watching me.

  “Do you want me to take over?” She holds out her hand I’m assuming for the pen.

  My eyes narrow. “No. I think I’ve got it.”

  I lock up and walk past her toward the auditorium as more kids show up, see me and run in the opposite direction. My cover’s been blown.

  Even still, she follows. My heart sprints as I wait for her to tell me to lay off her fiancé, but she doesn’t say anything. Instead, she hides across from me, and when two kids walk past, she signals.

  I pop out. “Give me your hands and link up.”

  The girl squeals, but Kat keeps the pair from running away.

  After they’re gone, she winks at me. “We make a good team.”

  I shrug, majorly confused. Why isn’t she “helping” Logan? She shadows me the entire game. After thirty minutes, Dirk rings the bell and I’m relieved.

  The kids converge on the auditorium and are untethered from their partners. My girls find me, and I help them decode the marks on their hands.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Kat speaking to Logan, arms crossed and body ridged. Curiosity floods me. Maybe they are on the verge of breaking up. I could only hope.

  “Thanks,” Holly says to me quietly.

  I turn to her and smile. “Anytime.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “I’m exhausted.” I lean back against the cushions as we sit on the couch in the rec room while our girls play a riveting game of foosball. “Isn’t it time for bed yet?”

  She pats my head. “Your girls keep you awake last night?”

  “No.” I sigh. “I haven’t been able to sleep since… you know.”

  “You see that counselor tomorrow, right?”

  “Yeah.” The reminder makes my stomach twist into a knot. If Kat’s mad now, what’s she going to do after she hears about that? I can’t help but crack a smile when I tell Syd about the incident with the snack shack counter.

  She nudges me. “I told you trouble was brewing in paradise.”

  Hope flutters once again inside me.