As I waited for my shot, Caitlyn arrived with Lucy and Becca flanking her. The wonder triplets, I thought to myself.
Caitlyn wore a Belle of the Ball costume. It was a satin yellow corset dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a small red rose applique. Her red chunky high heels accented the red petticoat.
Lucy wore a divine little red riding hood costume. Her mini dress was trimmed in black ribbon and lace-up bodice and a black petticoat. It had see through puff sleeves and an attached hood and she accented it with black gloves and black fishnet stockings.
Becca wore a pink Sleeping Beauty costume with off the-shoulder sleeves, lace-up front, pale pink under skirt with silver trim detail and white petticoat. A long pink over skirt draped down behind her. She even wore the matching crown headpiece. Amber ran up to them squealing in delight.
“You guys look awesome,” Amber said. Amber wore a purple fairy costume with a shimmer baby-doll dress with luminescent fiber optic lights. At her waist was a silver rope belt. She had her hair curled and accented with a headband. She even had the white glittery wings and a light-up wand.
“I know. Right,” Caitlyn said in her scratchy voice. I could tell she was throwing looks of steely contempt my way.
Nate appeared out of nowhere wrapping his arms around Caitlyn’s waist and pulled her against him. She smiled like they shared a secret and I suddenly felt more determined to get drunk.
I downed my double then nodded for her to pour me another. She winked at me and handed me another shot and a beer. I downed my second double and smiled widely to her. Thank you, Kim.
I carried the beer with me to our table. The alcohol hit me hard. I needed to eat. My eyes fell to Avery sitting at our table. He was talking to Travis about the Jello wrestling match and I did everything I could to avoid his gaze. I nervously sipped my beer.
Sara and Sienna were talking fashion. Sienna wore an evil queen costume. It was a black and purple mini dress and it had a black chocker. She even wore the crown.
Maya was Snow White. She wore a dark blue stretch velvet knit dress with red satin ribbon and a lace up front. Maya was laughing at something Sean whispered in her ear.
Colt sat next to me and handed me another beer. I thanked him. I took the last gulp of my first beer as Colt joined in the conversation with Avery and Travis.
Pierce was letting an instructor, Meredith, lick a dollop of whipped cream from his finger.
As we ate dinner, I couldn’t help but let my foggy thoughts drift to Avery as he sat across from me. I hadn’t thanked him for sending me the bouquet of wild orchids. I couldn’t. Why did he send them anyway? He got what he wanted from me already. Frankly, the man confused the hell out of me.
I found myself staring at Avery’s lips as Colt brushed his elbow against my arm. Avery was looking right at me with a knowing smirk like he knew what I was thinking. Damn it.
“Aria, your opponent is Lucy?” Colt asked.
I blinked over at him. “For what?” I slurred that a bit.
“You haven’t heard a word I just said have you? No more shots for you tonight,” he grumbled. “You’re in tonight’s first tier. You’re taking on Lucy in the first round. If you win, you proceed to tonight’s second round and wrestle the winner of Kennedy and Tara. Sara, you’re in next week’s tier, wrestling Amber. The winners of these tiers advance to wrestle in the final rounds at the camp Olympics. You did say you wanted to win that trip to Hawaii didn’t you?”
I totally spaced out again. Avery had licked his lips and that was all I could concentrate on. Wait, so I have to wrestle in Jello?
Colt cleared his throat. I nervously glanced around the table. I was grateful that everyone was looking at Colt and not at me drooling over Avery. I scolded myself. I needed to move on from Avery. He made it plain and simple when he said that he didn’t want me.
“Don’t make me do this. Oh, please. No, I’m too fucked up,” I begged.
“Hey, if you win you may get a shot to kick Caitlyn’s ass, she was raised wrestling in Jello,” Sara jumped in.
“How many rounds are there tonight?” I asked.
Colt rolled his eyes at me and set a glass of water in front of me.
“Here, drink this. I need you to sober up. The match starts just after the pole dancing qualifying rounds.”
I mentally shook myself. It wasn’t the alcohol. I just didn’t want another evening with Avery but I couldn’t tell him that. Nobody knew that I let Avery have his way with me and I wasn’t going to start trouble between Colt and his friend. I knew Sara and Colt would protect me. They always did. Sara and Colt both warned me not to get involved with Avery. But here I was involved and regretting that decision.
“Two rounds, Aria. We have three pools set up. It should go fairly quickly. Got it?”
“Yep,” I chirped. “Wait. When does it start?”
Colt sighed and looked to Sara. “I got this.” Sara stood and pulled me up to the bar. She ordered me an energy drink and an ice water. Sara quickly made me down them both, then we made our way back to the table.
The DJ called the judges to the center table and I was relieved when Avery left our table. I was better already since I didn’t have Avery’s eyes distracting my every thought.
The second round pole-dancing contest quickly got underway and I was still buzzed, even after dinner. I kept myself busy with conversation with Sara, and Sienna’s boyfriend Sean.
In my haze, I looked at Sean. He was wearing a black button up dress shirt that was unbuttoned twice at the collar, revealing his chest, and black dress pants. I could see his eyes shift to me and his lips curved into a crooked smile. These theme parties were definitely about the women. The men simply dressed up either in suits or collared shirts and dress pants that usually favored black.
“You like what you see, Aria?” Sean’s sultry voice said.
“Yes,” I stated confidently.
“Me too, baby,” he winked and deep down in my groin I felt a burning desire.
“I think we have Jameson to thank for bringing Aria out of her shell,” Sara winked to me.
“What?” I barked. My eyes lit up. Did they know about Avery and me?
“The whiskey, Aria,” Sara replied. Oh. I felt my face heat up. Sara wore a light blue Princess Jasmine costume with a blue short-sleeved mesh top accented with a gold pattern and blue waist see through harem trousers to reveal blue lace panties. The hat with a veil complimented it.
I looked around the room at all the sexy fairy tale costumes. A sexy wolf costume caught my eye and I grinned when I realized it was Tara as she waved to me and strutted to the DJ booth to request her song.
Tara was the last to finish up the pole dancing contest and the crowd cheered and whistled. She had some sexy moves. She really had blossomed here at camp. Avery announced the three winners and I smiled when he announced Tara as one of the winners.
Avery called the participants for Jello wrestling over to the side. Three large pools were set up on the side of the ballroom. They were circular but a square boxing ring type enclosure encased each pool with the main ring for the last bout featured in the center. The earlier qualifying rounds would be in the smaller pools on either side of it. Small bleachers were set up on the far side of the pools nearest the wall and tables lined the other side where I was sitting. The lights all danced to the beat of the music with lasers banding about rhythms on the floors and walls. It was sensory overload.
Begrudgingly, I stepped out of my high heels and stockings and waited for Colt and Lucy to make their way to ringside. Lucy unzipped her revealing little red riding hood costume and took off her black fishnet stockings. Her body was gorgeous.
The spectators moved closer to us and idle chatter filled the crowd. My anxiety spiked high as most of the camp had spilled into the ballroom of the Lodge for these events. Music poured out from the overhead sound system.
“Strip,” Colt said, coming up beside me. I glared at him. He chuckled. “Take off your costume. You
can leave your bra and underwear on. But you can’t do this fully clothed.”
I nodded and shimmied out of my very short dress.
“Good girl,” Colt said, not trying to hide his smile as he stepped to the side of the wrestling pools to announce the rules of the competition.
I kept my eyes to the ground. I didn’t want to know if anyone was looking at me.
“Hello, ladies. The rules for this event are as follows: Remember to be nice or be disqualified. No head butting, hair pulling, biting, kneeing, kicking, gouging, or choking. If you slide out it’s an automatic point for the other person. Referees, as always, have the final say. Pin your opponent and you win the round. The winner moves on to the second round. Be safe, be silly, and have fun. Got it?” Colt asked, looking at all four of us.
“Ready, Kittens?” Colt said. Damn, this was really happening. I really didn’t want to win this contest. I didn’t want to be in the contest in the first place. But Colt didn’t leave me much choice. I would do anything for him, all he had to do was ask. We all nodded.
“On my count, three, two, one, go,” Colt shouted.
Colt urged Lucy and me forward. We slipped our feet into the cold lime-green Jello and I only had a second to get used to it. It was so squishy.
Lucy didn’t hesitate. She nailed me with a good clothesline to the chest. I slipped and landed on my back in the Jello. I rose up at my waist and ran my hand over my face trying to clear my vision and then rolled onto my knees just as Lucy fell toward me. Instinctively, I rolled onto my side away from her and I heard the crowd hiss as Lucy glided hard into the side of the kiddie pool with her body halfway out.
“Point for Aria.” This stuff was getting into every crevice on my body. “Go again,” Colt added.
I clenched my hands to my sides, staggered to my feet, and swung around to face her. My adrenaline was finally clearing the alcohol-induced fog from my head. I took a step back from her but she lashed out and dragged me down with her. I choked on the Jello and brutally struggled to breathe. My heart was drowning out the music and the cheering around me.
I climbed on top of her so she would stop splashing Jello in my face and finally took a deep breath in. She grunted and wiggled out from under me like an eel.
We both stood facing each other. Lucy looked more determined than ever. As she leaped forward, Lucy slipped and fell on her face. She slid forward into me and I fell over on top of her, sprawled out like I was a baby calf learning to walk. Lucy tried hard to get her hands under me to push me off her but they kept slipping. I was about to roll off her to let her get up when Colt blew the whistle.
“Pin. Aria wins!” Colt shouts. People nearby cheered and I frowned up at Colt. What? The match was over?
I helped a scowling Lucy up and stepped out from the pool. Colt handed me a towel. I wiped off my face and looked to see Sara smiling. Kennedy stepped into the pool in front of me with her eyes set on Avery. These women were vicious. They wanted to win this so bad. I was nervous that I might.
Colt called the match to a start and I tried for the same moves as last time but Kennedy was ready for me. I dodged the clothesline move that she stole from Lucy. She turned quickly and I could see the surprise on her face as her feet went out from under her. Her body was submerged in Jello. She tried to stand but she couldn’t get her footing. Before I knew it, my feet were knocked out from under me and I lay stunned, looking up at the rafters. Kennedy lay beside me. I crawled to my knees but Kennedy was already to her feet with her arms out in front trying to balance herself. She took a step forward and fell again. I tried to get out of the way of her misstep but I landed face first on top of her and I ended up half straddling her. The move pinned her beneath me and I couldn’t get any grip to move myself off her. My hands kept sliding out from under me.
After three seconds, Colt called out, “Pin. Point for Aria.”
Kennedy stood, looking nervous and frustrated. Losing a Jello-wrestling match was harder than I thought. I tried not to make any sudden moves. I waited for Kennedy to make the first move but she had the same idea I did.
“You have to wrestle, Kittens,” Colt urged. Kennedy and I were comparable in build but she was a few inches taller than me. I saw her hesitate then she tackled my waist. She raked her nails down my arm as we fell into the Jello. Kennedy wasn’t fighting fair and she just pissed me off.
I leaned all my weight onto her using her nails in my skin to fuel my rage. Her legs kicked under me as she rolled me over. I squirmed underneath her and we both could hear Colt counting.
“Pin. Point for Kennedy,” Colt said.
She rose to her feet and paced around as I scrambled to my feet. We were too close of a match in strength. I had to think of another way.
Colt resumed the match, urging us on. I could hear the mixture of cheering for her and me throughout the crowd.
“Tackle her, Kennedy,” Nate’s voice called out and that was all she needed. Her lip curled in determination and she dove after me in a blind rage. I quickly stepped out of her way. She skidded across the pool and up over the side onto the dance floor. Fuck you, bitch!
“Point. Aria, wins,” Colt said.
Kennedy pounded her hand on the ground below her and stormed away. Colt handed me my towel and I quickly scraped the Jello away from my face. I groaned inwardly. I had just won again.
Sara walked over with a long hose and sprayed me down as most of the guys stood nearby watching. I rolled my eyes inwardly as she toweled me off. I followed Sara toward the bar. We downed our shots and I looked to the stage to see Avery bringing the room to his attention.
“Aria, please come to the stage, Kitten,” his decadent voice said.
Sara quickly swiped a napkin under my eyes, wiping away the excess mascara and sent me on my way. I stepped to the stage in my soggy Jello infested underwear and bare feet.
Avery took hold of my hand and I couldn’t hide the shiver that ran through me. His eyes locked on mine and his lips spread into an arrogant smile.
“Kittens and Cubs, the winner of tonight’s Jello wrestling match… Miss Arabella Mason.”
Colt whistled through his teeth and the crowd erupted in applause. I cringed. I hated being center of attention.
Avery kept his eyes on me and lifted the back of my hand to his lips in a gentlemanly manner. “There is hope for you yet,” I said, failing to hide the tantalizing quivers that ran up my body as his lips made contact. His mischievous eyes took in my reaction to him. I narrowed my eyes at him. He did that on purpose. Bastard.
He was smiling like he held all the secrets to the world. My eyes flashed to the bright pink and brilliant white wild orchid blossom he just slipped in my hand. I sucked in a breath as he leaned in towards my ear.
“Tomorrow, 7 o’clock. I’ll pick you up at your cabin.” I nodded. “Oh, and Aria, wear jeans.”
When I came to my senses, I closed my hand around the soft velvet petals. I tried to reign in my excitement, but I was caught up in Avery, again. I couldn’t help it. A fire took hold of my heart and I knew in that moment that I would do just about anything to be with him. I was so screwed.
Week Three:
DAY FOURTEEN:
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
BUNGEE JUMPING
I had stared at the clock for the last twenty minutes. I had been ready and nervously filing my fingernails so that I would have something to do. It was ten minutes until he arrived and my stomach had that funny feeling you get when you drink too much caffeine; only I hadn’t had any caffeine today. It was nerves. I don’t know why I was looking forward to this so badly. It was not a date. Just the prize from last night’s Jello wrestling.
I pulled my hair into a ponytail and grabbed my sweatshirt off the kitchen chair then sighed deeply. This was the most clothes I had on since my arrival at camp and the most comfortable I could be besides my running clothes.
I paced the floor feeling very uncertain about this whole thing. I didn’t know if I wanted to be in the same r
oom with him after he pushed me away the night of the Ball. I reminded myself that he had been hurt before. And I realized it was my softer side that kept giving him second chances. My only hope was that I wouldn’t regret this. My compassion for him could not be allowed to rule me. I needed to be smart about this. Keep my head on straight. The only problem was, when I got around Avery, my wit escaped me. My heart wanted to lead my body. How do I fight someone that makes me feel so good and yet is so bad for me?
I was setting my self up for heartbreak and I knew it, but I kept hoping there was a chance. Even a million to one shot is still a chance. But I might have a better chance at being struck by lightning, my subconscious sneered.
I was pulled from my contemplation when the quad pulled up outside. It was Sunday, laundry day, and my bra-and-panty-sets were hanging all over the cabin to air dry, so I scurried to the front door before he turned off the engine.
I slowed my steps trying, to read his mood. He wore a smile that said he had a secret that he wasn’t sharing. He switched off the four-wheeler and handed me a helmet. He was still straddling the quad but I took in his tight black AC/DC t-shirt and dark denim jeans. My mouth wanted to fall open. I wanted to crawl across his lap and let him bury himself in me.
“Hi,” my voice cracked. He winked and I stepped to take the helmet.
“Sorry about the helmet,” he said pulling his helmet over his head. “You’ll need it for where we are going.”
I nodded, too afraid that my voice would betray me again. I weaved the braided strap through the silver ring and tightened it with my shaky hands. He waited patiently until my hands were through, and then checked the strap to make sure it was tight. I looked at his hands and longed for him to touch me.
He slid forward and I straddled behind him. He started the engine and I let the vibrations pulse through me. I felt liberated. I didn’t know if it was because Avery was in control, or if I was just getting swept up in his world, but I smiled and felt myself relax against him. He revved the engine and I could see that we had several onlookers.
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