Sunkissed

by Kasie West

  We both sat there for several moments in absolute silence.

  “Thank you for driving,” I said at the same time he said, “Thanks again for everything.”

  We both looked at each other and laughed.

  He put his hand out, palm up, and said, “We did it.”

  I slapped his hand as if he wanted me to give him five. “Yes, we did.”

  He laughed a little and shook his head, then opened his door, climbing out. I collected the bobby pins and the tank top and got out as well.

  He retrieved his guitar from the trunk. I pulled out the backpack and took out my shoes, then replaced all of Maricela’s things back inside. “Do you mind if I follow you up so I can return this to Mari and fill her in on everything?” This backpack couldn’t reside in my cabin for any length of time or our cover would be blown.

  “Do you have time?”

  I nodded. “I have like five minutes.” I pulled my shoes on. “I’ll hurry.”

  He shut the trunk and we walked through the camp. It was quiet in the employee section. We reached Maricela’s cabin and I stopped.

  “Okay…good night,” he said.

  “Yes, good night.”

  He hesitated for a moment. “Some of your hair is wavy.” He reached out and picked up a piece as if I could see it.

  “The braids,” I reminded him.

  “Oh yeah.” He dropped the hair and I took a breath, wondering if he was going to give me a hug right here in the middle of employee village.

  The door swung open and Maricela stood in the square of light. “What are you guys doing out here?” she asked.

  “About to knock,” I said, holding up her backpack.

  “Well get your cute butts in here and tell me how it went.”

  Brooks gave Mari a quick wave, then said, “Avery will fill you in. I should probably do the same for Kai and Levi.”

  “Fine.” Maricela took me by the hand and pulled me into her cabin, shutting the door on Brooks. “So?”

  “Where is Tia?” I asked.

  “Oh, she’s working the campfire tonight. Actually, now that I think about it, Kai and Levi are there too.” She opened the door, looked both ways, then shut it again. “Wow, Brooks is fast. He’ll figure it out when he gets to an empty cabin.” She turned to face me. “Tell me everything.”

  I filled her in on the day and she literally jumped for joy when I told her we made it. “I knew it! That’s so amazing! I’m so happy for you!”

  “Me too! Thank you for all your help with everything.”

  “Of course.”

  “I’d love to stay and celebrate but I really need to make sure I’m back before my parents.”

  “I get it.” She gave me a hug. “I can’t wait to watch you perform. In two weeks! That’s crazy!”

  “I know!”

  “And I can’t wait to get me some amazing food-truck food at the festival!”

  I laughed. “Which one are you more excited about—the performance or the food?”

  “It’s too close to call. Probably the food.” She held her thumb and finger up, a millimeter apart. “But just barely.”

  “Funny.”

  “Good night,” she said.

  “Night.” I turned and stepped off the porch. The door shut behind me with a click.

  I walked down the path, past a cabin where I could hear its occupants talking, past the Employees Only sign. The whole day—staring at Brooks as I sang, sleeping beside him in the hall, being scooped up in his arms when we made it, riding on his back through the parking lot—played on repeat in my mind. I stopped and turned, sliding on some gravel. I stared back up the hill to Brooks’s cabin. No, I really did need to get back before my parents found out I’d been gone all day. I faced the path again and took one step, two, then a third before my rapidly beating heart kept me from going any farther.

  “Oh, screw it.”

  I rushed back up the hill, trying not to make any noise as I walked past the talkative cabin, then Maricela’s. The lights in Brooks’s cabin were on, shining through the thin curtains and water-stained window. By the time I stopped on his porch, I was breathless, my heart in my throat. And it wasn’t from the walk.

  I placed my hand flat on the door. I didn’t do things like this. I wasn’t the type to make the first move. To grab what I wanted. To go after things that scared me. But maybe today on that stage, I had realized that doing scary things and actually succeeding was the best feeling in the world. I rolled my shoulders once and knocked quietly on the door.

  The twenty seconds that followed felt like an eternity. Then the handle turned and the door swung open. Brooks met my eyes with a questioning look. I held his gaze as I walked into the room; then I closed the door, holding the handle behind my back and walking it backward until it clicked into place. As if he wanted to make sure the door was closed himself, he placed his hands against it on either side of my head, his eyes not once leaving mine. I kept hold of the door handle, because I was sure it was the only thing keeping me upright.

  Then, ever so slowly, as if he might back away if I moved too fast, I let one hand leave the handle and find his chest. He took in a deep breath and my hand rose with the inhale. His movements were slow, too, deliberate, as he tucked some hair behind my ear, then let his fingers trace my jawline all the way to my chin.

  I leaned my head back against the door, my eyes fluttering closed. His fingers glided up my chin to my lips. He traced a line around them and then his warm breath touched my mouth. I drew in air, not from surprise but because once again I couldn’t breathe. His hands went to my waist, where they grabbed hold of my flannel. I pushed up on my toes, letting our lips finally meet. His lips were soft.

  I pulled him closer, needing him against me. He complied, bringing me into his arms, wrapping me up. With his chest against mine, I could feel the heavy beating of his heart. I let my hands run along his sides, sliding down his ribs. His mouth was warm and perfect. I felt like I could live in this space, this moment, forever.

  That is, until he pushed me against the door and the handle dug into my back. I must’ve gasped because he pulled away. “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.” I moved away from the door. “Just the handle.” I reached out for him but he took both my hands in his and led me to a couple chairs. He sat in one and pointed to the other.

  I lowered myself down into it, already dreading whatever he was about to say. If he apologized for that kiss, I might have to pretend to agree and that wasn’t at all what I wanted to do. But if we were going to be in a band together, even if only for a couple more weeks, we both needed to be comfortable. Had I made him uncomfortable?

  “Did I pressure you into that?” he asked.

  “What? No. I’m the one who came to your door, remember?”

  “I thought maybe you forgot something,” he said.

  “I did,” I said.

  “What?”

  I tilted my head in the universal don’t be dumb fashion.

  “Oh, right.” He reached over and I offered him my hand. He pulled me out of my chair and onto his lap. “You forgot this?”

  “Yes.” My cheeks went red even though I was the one flirting.

  He stretched up and I kissed him, thinking it was going to be a short peck. But then neither of us stopped. His hands went to my back and mine were in his hair, which was so soft and amazing.

  I smiled against his mouth, unable to contain the giddiness in my chest any longer.

  He pulled away. “What?” he asked with a smile of his own.

  “It’s been a good day.”

  “It has,” he said.

  “Is this how your summers always go?” I asked with a laugh. “Some music, some friends, some sneaking around with guests?”

  His brows went down immediately. “You think I make
out with all the guests?”

  “Not all of them,” I said, still smiling.

  “Avery.” He shook his head and I could see the hurt in his eyes and immediately regretted saying it.

  “I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant.” I kissed one of his cheeks and then the other.

  “What did you mean, then?”

  “I just…I don’t do things like this.”

  “And you think I do?”

  “I was trying to protect myself a bit, by asking a very passive-aggressive question. I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t need to be passive-aggressive,” he said. “Just ask me questions if you have them.”

  I nodded. “I know. I always have.” Which was different for me. I normally wasn’t so direct with people.

  “Good,” he said.

  In that moment, I had the sense that he could break my heart in two if I let him. More than anyone had in the past. But I also knew, as he pulled me close again, that I was willing to take that risk.

  * * *

  A pounding on Brooks’s door had me jumping off his lap and patting my hair down. Brooks stood, straightening his shirt and steadying his breath. I backed up against the wall and he opened the door a crack.

  “Have you seen my sister?” Lauren said from beyond the door.

  “No,” Brooks said. “Why? What’s up?”

  “Is that a real no?” she asked. “Because my parents have been done at the spa since five and they’ve been looking for her. I was able to keep them calm at first but every hour they’ve gotten more worried and now they’re on their way to report her missing to Janelle so that she can enlist the help of the employees. So if you really don’t know where she is, then maybe you can help me find her.”

  Brooks cursed under his breath and then met my eyes.

  “I’m here, Lauren,” I called out.

  She pushed past Brooks and into the cabin. “Avery, jeez, where have you been?” She wrapped her arms around me and I realized she must’ve been worried too.

  I hugged her back. “Let’s go stop Mom and Dad before they disrupt the entire camp.”

  Brooks squeezed my hand as I walked by and I threw him a smile over my shoulder.

  “Good luck,” he said.

  “Seriously,” Lauren said as we speed-walked down the trail. “Where have you been all day?”

  “I—”

  “Don’t lie to me,” she said. “I have a feeling you’ve already done enough of that.”

  She was right. I had. But it was for survival. I had barely gotten through the audition today; I couldn’t imagine how much worse it might’ve been with added pressure. “I auditioned with Brooks.”

  “What?” Her voice went cold. “You went to Roseville today?”

  “I was going to tell you, once I figured out if I could do it. I’m sorry.”

  “Are you? Because I don’t think you are!”

  I looked around at guests who were walking the path around us in the gray skies of twilight. “Lauren, shhh.”

  “No, I’m not going to shhh. You knew I wanted to make a documentary about this! You knew that!”

  “You told me that it wasn’t about that.”

  She clenched her fists. “You knew I was just saying that so you would do it!”

  I did know that. “This isn’t about you.”

  “It isn’t about me? I’m the one who went to the first band practice, not you!”

  “Lauren, please be quiet,” I said.

  She held up her hands. “I will now shut up.”

  I might’ve been relieved at this announcement but the more we walked, the more she seethed. I could feel it in her angry breaths and her stomping walk and her pointed glare. By the time we entered the lodge, my nerves were shot. And seeing Mom and Dad standing there in a tight circle with Janelle and D didn’t help at all.

  “I’m here!” I said. “I’m here.”

  Mom turned first and relief washed over her face. She gathered me in a hug that was quickly joined by my dad, and I immediately felt terrible.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

  “Where have you been, Avery?”

  I thought I’d be done lying after today but there was no way I could tell the truth right there in front of Janelle and D. Not when Brooks’s job was on the line. “I went on a hike and got a little lost. I would’ve left a note but I thought I’d be back before you were done at the spa.”

  Lauren scoffed from where she stood ten feet away, her arms crossed. D noticed, her gaze going back and forth between Lauren and me.

  Janelle clasped her hands together. “I’m glad you’re safe, young lady. You should always use the buddy system when going on a hike.”

  “True,” I said. “I wasn’t thinking. Sorry for the scare, everyone.”

  Mom kept hold of my arm as we said our goodbyes and left the lodge. It was darker now and the cicadas were chirping from the bushes and ground cover, highlighting the fact that none of us were talking. I really just wanted this to blow over.

  “How was the spa?” I asked when we were halfway back to the cabin and nobody had said a word.

  “Oh, honey,” Dad said. “It was great. Thank you for sending us.”

  “Ask her why she sent you,” Lauren said.

  I shot her a look.

  “It doesn’t feel good to be betrayed, does it?”

  I had turned Lauren into an enemy, and I realized now, too late, that had been the wrong call. I should’ve made her my ally. She had the power to ruin it all and I hoped she wasn’t going to use it.

  I tried to ignore her. “I’m glad you had fun,” I said. “What did you do?”

  Mom spoke now. “Let’s see, we did this mud bath thing, which was a little gro—”

  “Avery went to Roseville today with a guy who works here and tried out for a music festival! That’s why she sent you to the stupid spa! She’s been lying to you,” Lauren spit out in an angry rush of words.

  My shoulders slumped. I had just thought she was mad, but she was more than mad, obviously; she was hurt. And now she accomplished her goal of payback, because I was hurt too. I couldn’t believe she was doing this to me. Mom and Dad exchanged a look that must’ve said, Let’s wait until we’re back in the cabin because neither of them responded until the door was unlocked and relocked behind us.

  Then Mom asked, “Where were you today?”

  “Roseville,” I said quietly.

  “Not on a hike?”

  I shook my head.

  “Trying out for a music festival?” she asked.

  I nodded.

  Dad looked at me with a mix of disappointment and anger.

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you, but—”

  “You absolutely should have told us,” Mom said. “Who? Who did you go with? Some stranger? You got in a car with some stranger?”

  “No! Of course not. He’s a friend. We’ve known him since we got here. Lauren was making a documentary of his band.” I pointed at her, my insides on fire.

  “Exactly!” Lauren said, patting her chest. “I was making a documentary of his band here at camp and then she completely cut me out of it!”

  “Well, I’m sorry your fifty viewers are going to miss out on a thrilling documentary.”

  “Fifty? Fifty! Try over six thousand! Glad to know you’ve actually looked at my channel before, sis.”

  I flinched. Six thousand? When had that happened? Obviously when I was busy not caring. But my shame at that revelation wasn’t enough to overpower my anger. “I guess we’re both screwed, then, because we actually made it today.”

  Lauren’s eyes immediately went from hard and angry to shock, then something like regret, letting me know that from the second she’d heard what I’d been doing today, sh
e assumed I had failed. She sputtered a little before saying, “Well, if you had told me—”

  “Girls!” Dad said, the first thing he’d said since the revelation. “That’s enough! There will obviously be some consequence for you. Your mother and I need to discuss what that will be.”

  “For just me?”

  “Yes, your sister has done nothing wrong.”

  “I just told you she’s been sneaking around making a documentary with employees. That’s perfectly fine with you?”

  Lauren narrowed her eyes at me.

  “We obviously wish you wouldn’t have lied, Lauren, but—”

  “But?” I asked, my eyes burning and my throat raw. “There’s a but after that? Her lie is somehow different from mine because hers makes her so creative and full of potential and mine just makes me a liar?”

  “Avery, where is this coming from?” Dad asked.

  “It came from you, Dad! Straight from your mouth where you were bragging about your amazing daughter.” I pointed at Lauren, then moved my hand to my chest. “And just happy your other daughter could obediently walk the path chosen for her. Well, Dad, I guess I’m not obedient after all, so what’s left to be proud of, right?”

  I was positive I was making this worse as I rushed through the living room, heading for my bedroom, but I couldn’t stay there any longer.

  “We aren’t finished!” Mom yelled after me.

  “I am!”

  Lauren joined me in our room seconds later. We were both breathing hard and now glaring at one another.

  “I hate you so much right now,” she said.

  “Ditto,” I responded, even though I didn’t mean it. In fact, all I wanted to do at this point was fix this.

  “Ugh,” she groaned, and stomped the three feet to her bed and crawled under the blankets. She pulled them up to her chin and stared at the ceiling.

  I quietly changed into a pair of pajama shorts and a tee and climbed in bed as well. My heart was still racing, so I knew I wouldn’t be able to go to sleep anytime soon. I clicked off the lamp on the nightstand between us and plunged the room into darkness. Through the wall came the muffled sounds of my parents talking. I wondered what consequences they were conjuring up for me.