by Kay Gordon
“Cameron asked me out for our next night off.”
“That’s awesome.” I squeezed her hand and returned her smile. “He’s a really great guy.”
“Hello, campers!” May stood at the bonfire and smiled out at everyone, causing me to cut our conversation short. “Week three is over. Can you believe it? Time is moving pretty fast. I just want to remind you of a few things…”
May went on about how people need to wear pants when they’re riding horses, helmets on the bikes, and closed-toed shoes at the obstacle center. She talked about the Sunday night movie that was playing the next night and the importance of participating fully in every activity.
After she was done, the songs began and the snacks were passed out. I was participating marginally but zoning out for the most part when someone started yelling. I moved to my feet, realizing it was Cate and she was pointing at someone next to her. I pushed my way through the kids until I got to where they were and realized something was wrong with Jenny. Her face was swollen and she was gasping for air. Panic gripped my chest but I didn’t let Jenny see that.
“My… pen… is…in…the… cabin,” she gasped and I shook my head.
“I’ve got one, Jen. Hang on one second.” I glanced up at the group around me. “Someone get Anna.”
I opened the storage on the clipboard I’d been carrying and grabbed Jenny’s EpiPen that I’d been keeping in there for emergencies. I pulled the cap off and ran my hand down her thigh before looking into her eyes. With her brown ones locked onto mine, I stabbed her muscle with the pen and held it there forcefully to allow the medicine to enter her body fully. After about ten seconds, I pulled it away and shoved it back in the clipboard before massaging where I’d injected her.
I clutched Jenny’s hand and she squeezed mine so tight that it almost hurt. I watched her face and wanted to cry when her breaths started to come easier. I wrapped her in my arms and held her to my chest as I let out a long sigh.
“What happened?” Anna appeared at my side as she put gloves on her hands.
I shook my head and looked around to see if I could find what she was eating. “She had an allergic reaction to something.”
“Oh, no,” Cate gasped with tears running down her face. “I grabbed a chocolate bar that had almonds in it. I put some of it in the s’more I made for her.”
Hannah wrapped her arms around Cate from behind and shook her head. “It’s not your fault, Cate. It was an accident.”
“Let’s get her to the health center. Now.” Anna stood up and I was trying to decide if I could carry her when Drew suddenly pulled Jenny into his arms with ease. I watched as he began to follow Anna and May away from the fire and I turned to Hannah.
“I’m going to go with them. You have the girls?”
She nodded, her arms still around a bawling Cate, and I pushed to my feet before jogging after them. May heard me coming and grabbed my hand immediately when I caught up.
“You did great, Shaylee,” she praised quietly as she pat our conjoined hands with her free one. “You reacted perfectly.”
I sighed and shook my head slightly. “That was one of the scariest moments of my entire life.”
“Oh, baby girl.” She dropped my hand so she could wrap an arm around me and we didn’t say anything else as we walked to the health center.
Anna directed Drew to put Jenny on the bed in the back and she immediately began a full examination. May released her hold on me and walked over to speak with Jenny and Anna quietly. The swelling in Jenny’s face was already starting to go down and I was hoping that was a good sign.
“You okay?” Drew asked as he wrapped an arm around my waist. I let him in that moment because the comfort was what I needed. I just nodded and let my head drop to his chest. I reached up to push some hair off my face and I saw that my hand was trembling.
“Why don’t you sit down, Shay?” he suggested quietly, causing Anna and May to both turn to look at me. May smiled when she saw the two of us together but Anna frowned.
“You’re really pale, Shaylee. Do you feel faint?”
I lifted my head up and shook it. “I’m really okay. It was just a scary moment.”
“I’m sorry,” Jenny croaked and I pulled myself out of Drew’s hold to walk over to the bed. I gave her a smile and shook my head.
“Don’t apologize, kid.” I pat her shoulder gently. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Anna nodded her head and put her hands on her hips. “She’s going to be fine after I get this antihistamine in her. I need to call her parents but I don’t think she’s going to need to go to the hospital. I’m going to keep her in here tonight, though.” She glanced at me and nodded. “That was great work with the epinephrine, Shaylee. Her parents left me five pens for the summer and I was hoping to not use any but let’s restock the one you carry tomorrow.”
“Okay. I’m going to run and grab her pajamas.” I squeezed Jenny’s shoulder one more time. “I’ll be right back.”
I ignored everyone as I walked quickly out the door. I’d just rounded the building towards the direction of the cabin when the tears came. I leaned against the back wall of the health center and couldn’t stop the sob that escaped my chest. The emotions poured out of me for a moment and a few minutes later, someone appeared in my peripheral.
“Oh, Shay.” Drew crouched in front of me and put his hands on both of my knees. “It’s the adrenaline.” He reached out to push some hair off of my face and I flinched back, hitting my head on the wall behind me as I did.
“Please, don’t touch me.” I moved to my feet and he immediately respected the distance that I put between us. I thought about everything Christy had told me and shook my head as I wiped the tears from my face. “I can’t be a part of this game you’re playing.”
He frowned and shoved his hands into his pockets, staying where he was. “I’m not playing any game.”
“I don’t know if I’m just some challenge for you, Drew, but this needs to stop. Christy basically accosted me at the snack center to tell me all about your post-graduation plans.”
He raised his brows and shook his head. “What plans?”
“See?” I demanded. “This game. I can’t handle it. We’re not friends. Hell, I don’t even like you. Just stop.”
I didn’t wait for him to answer as I sidestepped him and hurried to my cabin. I immediately went to Jenny’s bunk and pulled the pajamas out from under her pillow. She didn’t have anything else on her bed that she usually slept with so I went back to the health center with just the pajamas.
Jenny’s eyes were heavy when I made it back so I hugged her tight before thanking Anna and heading back to the bonfire. Hannah was sitting with the girls and Cate looked miserable from where she was leaning into her. I sat between Emma and Nicole and just nodded when they all asked me if Jenny was okay.
After the fire was dismissed, we walked back to the cabins silently and I sat them all down as soon as we were in the door.
“She’s fine, guys. She’s really going to be okay. Anna’s keeping her in the health center tonight just to make sure she’s completely back to normal tomorrow.” I grabbed Cate’s hand and offered her a smile before glancing back out to the girls. “Jenny’s allergies are pretty severe and she’s allergic to a lot. I know you’ve all been really careful so far but let’s double those efforts, okay?”
When no one smiled or said anything I looked at Hannah and shrugged slightly. She smiled and stood from the bed.
“Fine. If it will stop your pouting, we can spend tomorrow morning at the lake.”
That had an immediate effect and the girls started chatting excitedly. We made them get in the shower and I hung out in the main part of the cabin crocheting and chatting with them all until it was time for lights out.
“Still running tonight?” Hannah asked as we went into our room and I nodded quickly.
“With everything that happened, I need to. It will help me g
et out of my head.” I smiled at her as I changed my clothes and waved before heading out the side door. I was antsy and I started jogging before I’d even made it to the trail. I ran more fiercely that night than I usually did. I pushed my body so that I was alternating between sprinting and running until I was passing the Holcomb’s house. I finally brought my pace back down to a jog and maintained that until I got back to campus.
The endorphins flooding my body made me feel better but I’d pushed myself harder than I had in months. I really just wanted to shower and cuddle up in my bed. So, when I saw Drew sitting on the steps of the staff lounge, his eyes just watching me, I didn’t stop. I felt bad for what I’d said to him earlier. I’d been too harsh but I felt like a yo-yo with him.
We locked gazes as I passed and his face looked sad. I held up my hand in a small wave and he offered me a tiny smile. Our eye contact finally had to break and I didn’t bother to look back.
Chapter Twelve
Jenny rejoined us for breakfast, causing our cabin’s table to cheer. That had elicited cheers from our counterparts at Cabin Seven until the whole dining hall was cheering. Jenny sat down with red cheeks and a huge smile as we all hugged her tight. After we all scarfed down food, we spent all morning at the lake and almost all of us napped during our rest period after lunch.
We rode bikes and horses for the rest of the afternoon and when we cleaned up for dinner, Hannah remarked that we hadn’t seen Cabin Seven at any of our activities. They usually joined us for at least a couple of hours on Sunday and I knew that my attitude towards Drew had factored into their missing presence for the day.
After dinner was over, we all showered and headed down to the media center to watch the showing of the third Harry Potter movie. The small theater room was full of people and I smiled when Hannah and Jordan sat next to each other behind the row of our kids. Since there was an abundance of counselors and staff everywhere, I told Hannah I’d be back and slipped out the side door.
I walked over to the basketball court and grabbed a ball from the rack. I spent ten minutes by myself, shooting the basketball into the hoop over and over, before someone spoke behind me.
“You’ve improved a lot since the last time I saw you.”
I turned and smiled at Howard before dribbling the ball next to me. “I dated a basketball player a year or so ago and so we were on the court a lot.” When he held his hands up, I passed him the ball and he shot immediately.
“Play to ten?” he asked with a grin and I nodded as I caught the rebound.
We played a game of one-on-one and made small conversation here and there. Howard was taller than me and able to block a lot of my shots, but I was quicker than he was which helped me get down to the basket faster.
“How’s school?” he asked as he caught the ball after I’d made it through the hoop. I followed him to the top of the key with a smile.
“It’s great. I’m excited to be almost done, though.” I tried to block him from heading to the basket but he easily shot over my head and the ball soared through the net.
Howard did a little victory dance and I laughed before tucking the ball to my chest. “You’ve still got it.”
“Despite being ancient?” He chuckled as he dropped his arm across my shoulders. “I have to win every now and then to remind myself that I’m not too old yet.”
I shook my head and put the ball back on the rack. “You’re not old. You’re distinguished.”
Howard laughed again and gave me a tight hug before gesturing to the media center. “Ready to head back in?”
“You go ahead. I’m going got run to my cabin and grab a sweatshirt.”
“Okay,” Howard replied as we split up. “I’ll see you in there.”
I ambled slowly towards my cabin, not in any hurry to get back to the media center, and I didn’t bother flipping on any lights when I walked inside. I was just opening my drawer when someone knocked on the side door to the counselor’s quarters. I moved to the door and pulled it open slowly, sighing when I caught sight of Drew.
“Are you following me now?”
He stepped inside the dark room and closed the door as I went back to my dresser.
“Actually, yeah,” he said quietly from behind me. I pulled my sweatshirt out of the drawer and turned to face him.
“What do you want?”
Drew scratched the back of his neck and shrugged. “You said you didn’t like me. I want to know why.”
“Seriously, Drew?”
“Yeah, seriously.” He stayed where he was, his gaze locked on mine as he waited for an answer.
I inhaled a deep breath and prepared to tell him exactly why I couldn’t stand him but no words would form. I had no idea why I didn’t like him. Obviously, his extreme self-assurance and cocky behavior annoyed me but annoyance was a far cry from not liking someone. Besides, I was starting to find it kind of charming.
As I continued to stare at him, I realized the problem. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Drew, it was that I did. That was why I let him get to me. That was why I hated seeing him with Christy. That was why I had been so open to being with him that night. I liked Drew and I didn’t want to. I released the breath I’d been holding and closed my eyes.
“Shit.”
Drew’s low chuckle sounded close and when I opened my eyes, he was just inches away from me. His fingers grazed my chin so he could tilt my head up towards his.
“You do like me.”
I shook my head slightly. “I don’t want to.”
“But you do,” he reasoned as his face moved towards my own. “I like you, too, Shaylee.”
His lips met mine in a soft, gentle kiss that reminded me of the first one we’d shared the week before. I dropped the sweatshirt so my arms could wrap around his neck while his did the same to my waist. We kissed languidly while our hands ran all over the other in exploration. Pieces of clothing dropped to the floor one-by-one and soon, we were both naked and panting.
“There’s a condom in the nightstand. Inside the small zipper pouch.”
Drew took direction well, finding and opening the package quickly as I laid back in my bed. Once he had the condom on, he covered my body with his own and slowly pushed inside of me. I ran my lips along his sweaty collarbone as he thrust his hips over and over. When he attempted to press his face to my chest, I grabbed a handful of his hair and shook my head.
“Your mouth can’t be trusted there,” I breathed as I directed his lips to meet mine.
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest and he leaned back on his knees as he quickened his movements. His eyes raked over my naked body and one of his hands gripped my hip while the other trailed down my stomach. When his fingers ran across where we were joined, I cried out softly, only encouraging him to do it again and again until I was trembling underneath him. The orgasm took over my whole body and my eyes slammed shut.
When my pleasure ebbed, I forced my eyelids open and locked my gaze with Drew’s. He leaned back down so our chests were pressed together and kissed me as the muscles in his back tensed up. My name fell from his lips in a whisper as his body shuddered and he relaxed against me a moment later.
We both breathed heavily and I enjoyed the feeling of his lips feathering up my jaw. The trim hair on his chin tickled, causing me to squirm slightly. Drew pressed his mouth to mine a few more times before shifting so we were next to each other on the bed.
It was silent in the dark room but not in an awkward way. Drew’s fingertips ran along the inside of my arm slowly, and I could have easily fallen asleep. Several long minutes went by before he pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“We should get dressed. The movie is long but it won’t last forever.”
I nodded and we both sat up in the bed. Drew reached down and started handing me articles of clothing to put back on. Once I was dressed, he gave me the sweatshirt I’d originally come for and I pulled it over my head before fixing what was left of my ponytail.
“Why did you leave?” I asked quietly as I was tying the laces of my sneakers. I looked up at Drew and he shook his head.
“I didn’t want to wake up and hear you say that you regretted it. So, I left.” He shrugged, like it was so simple, and I kept my gaze on him.
“I don’t, though.”
He didn’t reply but his lips turned up into a small smile and his eyes stayed on me. Once my shoes were tied, I accepted his proffered hand and stood up. He tugged on me until our bodies were flush against each other and placed a quick, chaste kiss on my mouth. We both walked to the side door that he had come in and I stuffed my hands in the pocket of my sweatshirt as we walked slowly towards the media center.
“What does this mean, Drew?” I turned my head to the side so I could look at him.
His hand came up to rest at the small of my back and he smiled. “Whatever you want it to mean. I’ll take what I can get.”
“And what about Christy?”
“I’ll talk to her,” he replied as we came up on the media center. “I’ll make sure she knows where she and I stand. I don’t know what she told you but I’ve never talked to her about a future. I’ve never given her any hint that she and I were together, let alone serious. I promise you.” Before we could walk up the stairs, Drew grasped the back of my sweatshirt and stopped me. “You decide where you and I stand and let me know, okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered, accepting the small kiss he gave me before following him up the stairs.
The movie was almost over when we walked in and Drew sat down next to Jordan. I took the seat beside Hannah that I’d left more than an hour before. She turned and gave me a look that said she hadn’t missed Drew and me coming back at the same time. I just gave her a small smile and turned my attention to the movie.
The lights came on when the credits started to roll and I stood so I could stretch my arms above my head. I led our campers out the side door and we stood in a small group as we waited for Hannah, Maria, and Lizzy to appear. While we waited, the girls talked about the movie and debated the changes from the book. I listened to their debate with a smile as my eyes searched for Hannah but they landed on where Drew was with his campers.