by B. R. Myers
I faked a cough hoping my stomach wouldn’t rumble. “I had other stuff…going on,” I lied.
Ben frowned for a moment, almost confused. “I’ll see you at supper, then?”
“Yeah.”
He took a few steps toward the door. “It’s a good thing one of the twins has a mohawk,” he joked. “I’d keep getting them confused.”
“Cabin 4A is an interesting bunch,” I said.
Ben checked his watch then put his hands in his pockets. He was stalling. The quiet was starting to get uncomfortable. “I don’t want things to be weird between us,” he finally said. “I came up for the job and hoping to spend more time with you…is that okay?”
I held Chloe’s package against my chest. “It’s okay,” I said. The words hung in the air.
“Okay,” he repeated. He waited by the door, but didn’t open it.
“I have to unpack,” I said, motioning to my duffel bag on the floor.
“Right, yeah. I need to get going anyway,” he said. “We’ve got a busy afternoon planned. I’m taking the boys out on the lake, then beach volleyball. Tonight, I’m taking one of them to help me steal food from the kitchen for the monopoly marathon and…”
“Awesome, Ben,” I said, reaching past him and opening the door. “You’re just what they need.”
I watched him walk away, but he turned and gave one last wave before he disappeared around the corner. I checked the time. I had three hours until supper. Not nearly enough time to lick the salt out of my wounds.
THIRTY
I stood at the front of the main hall with my tray of macaroni and cheese, and a side dish of tomato salad, having flashbacks to the very first day. But this time I wasn’t anonymous. News of me being replaced wasn’t generating gossip, but my replacement was. Several female counsellors surrounded my old table in the corner. But Lacey, interestingly enough, was not around.
Kirk’s spot was empty too. My heart felt like it was being squeezed. I hated that this was getting to me. A roar of laughter from Cabin 4A’s table brought an unexpected pang of loneliness. I saw how well Ben fit in with the boys. They were never that happy with me. And it wasn’t so much the fact that Ben waltzed in and took over as easily as he did, it was the fact the boys let him.
I scanned the benches for an empty place. The only available seats were too close to Devin, at Lacey’s table, or with the younger kids. The choice was obvious.
I pushed open the kitchen door with my back. Two grey-haired ladies in flowered aprons turned and nodded my way. The Brasseau sisters, I presumed. They smiled at me, then I saw the heavier one nudge her sister. They shared a snicker, then returned to slicing strawberries.
They spoke in hushed whispers, laced with a French accent. They were making fruit salad.
I took in the pleasant atmosphere of the kitchen. I should have asked to work here for the rest of the summer. Lewis cleared a spot on the island and pulled up a stool for me.
He put a slice of banana bread on my tray. “How are you?” he asked.
I was already on my third spoonful. “Hungry,” I said through a mouth of macaroni.
“I’ll be right back. I have to check the buffet.”
I inhaled my supper and started looking for a pot to scrape out seconds from. The door swung open and Lewis returned, with Kirk in tow.
I opened my mouth to protest.
“We have to talk,” Kirk said, coming up to me.
I glared at Lewis. The Brasseau sisters shared a look, then the heavier one murmured something in French, which made the other nod slowly, her dangling earrings swung back and forth.
“What?” Lewis shrugged innocently. “Kirk wanted some banana bread.”
Kirk stared at me with those milk chocolate eyes, playing with my heart. “Please tell me.”
I was still holding the pot I’d been eating out of. “Tell you what?”
“What I can do to make this up to you.”
“Fire Lacey.”
Lewis stifled a laugh from the sink.
“Be serious,” Kirk sighed.
“Be truthful.”
The muscles around Kirk’s jaw clenched. “I haven’t lied to you,” he said.
I slammed down the pot. “You still don’t get it,” I said. “Why do you think I’m eating in the kitchen? My place is gone. I have nowhere to sit.” Then I added for good measure. “But yours is still there, why don’t you go fill it?”
“Mon dieu,” the Brasseau sisters chuckled, still keeping their backs to the drama.
Lewis went to hand Kirk a slice of banana bread, which I intercepted and began to eat.
“I missed lunch,” I said while chewing.
“I noticed,” he said.
“So did Ben.”
Kirk straightened up. A look I hadn’t seen before crossed over his face. Jealousy?
“You’re pissed,” he said, with a slight edge to his voice. “I get that. But I’m not going to play this game with you.”
“Great, go play with yourself then,” I said.
Lewis laughed out loud this time. The kitchen door swung open again.
“There you are.” Ben stood there smiling at me. Then he noticed the empty pot. “I’m supposed to bring you to the table, but it looks like you’ve already eaten.”
“Bring me to the table?”
Ben clapped Lewis on the back. “This lovely lady needs something delicious on a plate.”
Wordlessly, Lewis put two more slices of banana bread on a plate and handed it to me.
“Um…thanks,” I said.
Ben put his arm around me. “Captain Kirk, I’m surprised at you,” he said, “making her eat in the kitchen. I thought you ran a tighter ship than that.”
Kirk’s posture stiffened. “You remembered that nickname I love so much.”
“Come on,” Ben said, squeezing my shoulder. “Cabin 4 is requesting the honour of your presence at the table in the corner. It’ll be a tight squeeze though,” he winked. “We’ll have to sit close, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Cabin 4A,” I said under my breath.
The fact I that was in a room being stared at by three guys I had kissed in the last month gave me the creeps. All we needed was for Liam and Devin to show up, and it would be one of those horrible talk shows.
Grandma was right. More kisses than I’ve ever had before.
The hall was still full of eating campers.
“J.J.!” Scotty smiled as I sat down across from him. Spencer slid over to accommodate Ben and me.
“What’s your new cabin like?” Liam asked, fixing one of his spikes.
“Um…small,” I said. It was weird to be with them. This must be how the runner up in a beauty pageant feels when she has to step in halfway through the reign because of some scandal about the first queen. It’s like they’re saying, “You’re not our favourite choice, obviously, but we’ll let you tag along.”
Ben filled me in about their afternoon. Spencer had backed out of the canoe races, opting instead for two hours of beach volleyball with the cupettes.
“Lacey’s in her red bikini today,” Spencer grinned.
“Ah, Lacey,” Ben sighed.
“Get in line,” I grumbled.
“Sorry?” Ben said.
“I need a lime,” I said. “Water with lime, I’m really thirsty.”
Scotty started to stand. “I’ll get it for you,” he offered.
“No, it’s okay.” I motioned for his to sit back down.
Scotty gave me a weak smile then crinkled his brow. Ben had his arm around me, gripping the bench on my other side. My side was practically welded into his chest.
“So, you worked here last summer?” I asked Ben.
“The last few, actually. I told you in the car, after the movie that night.”
“
Right,” I blushed. “I didn’t realize you meant this actual camp.”
“Movie?” Scotty frowned.
Spencer’s face lit up. “Was it at the drive-in?” he asked.
“Move.” Kirk appeared behind Scotty and sat down across from me. I concentrated on picking all of the banana bread crumbs off my plate.
Liam sensed an opportunity. “Ben was telling us about his date with J.J.”
“Really,” Kirk said.
Beam me up, Scotty!
“Okay!” I stood up. “You guys have a busy evening, and I still need to unpack. See you later.”
I practically ran to the door then did my best power walk across the lawn. I felt like I was going to be sick. I had no idea how to handle one guy let alone two.
“Jazzy?” Lacey stood, laughing. “Is supper not agreeing with you? The bathroom is the other way.”
She was still wearing her red bikini. “It’s five-thirty in the evening,” I said. “What is this, Miami?”
“Oh?” She looked down at her perfect body. “It’s so comfortable I forgot I had it on.”
“Whatever.”
She was about to bitch back, when something behind me caught her attention. Her sneer turned into a beauty pageant smile. “Benny!”
Lacey pushed by me and launched herself at Ben. Laughing, he gave her a pat on the back then stepped away.
He crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I didn’t think you were coming this summer.”
“I changed my mind,” she said. “I guess you did too.”
“Yeah.” He nodded my way. “Jesse invited me. Well, sort of.”
Lacey kept the beauty pageant smile, but I could tell she was trying to channel her ancestor, Medusa.
“You know Jazzy?” she said, through her frozen grin.
Ben looked at me. “How many nicknames do you have?”
“Too damn popular, I guess,” I said.
“What do people call you when they want to invite you to play football?” he asked.
“Um…”
“They say Lacey, come watch me play football,” she interrupted.
“Lacey,” he smiled at her. “Come watch me play football.”
“Sure,” she grinned.
He turned back to me. “Well?”
“Lacey’s a better cheerleader than me.”
“I don’t want you to cheer,” he said. “I want you out there playing…with me.”
From the corner of my eye I could see Lacey’s mouth hang in a perfect “O.” There are times when I wish I could press the pause button, freezing a memory in place. The look on Lacey’s face was one I would carry forever.
So that’s what a beauty queen looks like when she’s jealous. First he pissed off Kirk then he snubbed Lacey. At that very moment, Ben was my favourite person on the planet. I looked down at my sweatshirt and gym shorts. I needed another outfit, but this time I could handle the look without Chloe’s wardrobe.
I tore into my duffel bag and found my Lululemon tank top and high cut running shorts. I combed out my hair and made two braids. Slipping into my flip-flops, I did a quick inspection in the mirror. Beauty queen in a bikini I couldn’t do, but cute and sporty was definitely my look.
Lacey and two of her cupettes were sitting on the grass close to the beach, where the lawn is at its most level. I recognized Tyler and a few others. Three of my guys were there. Duff was otherwise occupied, giving Diana another sign language lesson. I smiled, noticing how he touched her hands, making corrections.
“Come on, J.J.,” Liam hollered. “You’re on our team.”
Half the group on the field had their shirts off.
“Unless you want to be on the skins team?” Tyler joked as I walked by.
Ew. If he says panties, I swear I’m punching him.
I took my place on the lawn. Ben was our quarterback, while Spencer and Scotty were on the other team. I leaned forward with one hand on my knee, staring into the face of my opponent. Devin. Great.
Ben called out a few numbers and the play began. I couldn’t get past Devin. Liam caught the ball, but was immediately tackled by Spencer.
After the other team got three touchdowns, Ben came up with a plan. “Jesse, you’re the fastest runner,” he said. “I’ll fake to Liam first then throw to you.” We nodded, and his hand slapped my butt.
“For luck,” he winked.
I put my hand to my throat and thought of my necklace. When I looked out at the lake, I noticed Kirk. It was his best look, I had to admit. Peeling off the diving mask, he walked out of the water, tanned and lean. He stopped when he saw the game.
I turned away before he could catch me drooling. Crap! One half of me felt like running up and punching him, and the other half felt like pressing against him.
I crouched down and was surprised to see Tyler instead of Devin.
“Hey, Jesse,” he grinned. “Are you wearing the s’mores pair tonight?”
At least he didn’t say ‘panties’. “Joke’s on you, Ty,” I said. “I’m not wearing any.”
I swear his pupils actually dilated. I easily dodged around his blank face and caught the pass. I gave our team its first touchdown. I glanced at the bench but Lacey wasn’t cheering for me.
Ben let one of the other counsellors quarterback, and he took the field beside me, facing Devin. I squatted in front of a bitter Tyler, who was pushed out of the way.
“I’m subbing you out,” Kirk said, taking his place.
“All right,” Ben laughed, “some real competition.”
Kirk stood dripping in his trunks. He spun his Leafs cap around, so the peak was on the back. We squared off against each other. Crouching close, he stared back at me, and then slowly his gaze travelled down to my throat. My heart sped up.
“Jesse!” Ben called out.
I’d missed the whole play. Everyone had run around us, while we stayed rooted to the spot.
“Sorry,” I said. We positioned again, and I kept my eyes on the ground.
“Go twenty-four,” he whispered.
“Stop it,” I said, still looking at the grass.
“If you catch the ball,” he said. “I have to tackle you.”
“So?”
“It’s your choice.”
My eyes locked on his. “You are so confusing!” I hissed.
“Are you harassing my Jesse?” Ben asked Kirk.
“Your Jesse?” Kirk raised his voice.
“Um…hut, hut,” I called out. Leaving the two squabbling suitors behind, I raced down the field. With one giant lunge, I jumped up and caught the ball. My feet didn’t even touch the grass before he had his arms around me. We fell to the ground and rolled together a few times. I stared down at his face, my braids dangling above his smile with the football crushed between our chests.
“We’re on the same team,” I said between breaths.
“Oops,” Ben said, wrapping his arms around me tighter.
Lacey was still not cheering.
Scotty stood over us. “We need the ball,” he demanded.
“Yeah, sure.” I pushed myself up, and then squared off against Kirk again as the rest of the team took their places. “I caught the ball,” I said, innocently.
“You have no idea,” he whispered.
“No kidding!” I said. “Why is your girlfriend sitting on the sidelines cheering for Ben?”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Are you with Lacey?” Ben asked, ignoring the other players now rushing around us. “Not that it’s any of my business who you’re dating.”
Kirk stared back at him. “You’d be surprised,” he said.
“I thought you weren’t going to play games,” I said.
“I never turn down football.”
Tyler called out fo
r us to shut up. I paid little attention to the next few plays; my own plan was to run away from those two every time someone threw the ball.
But the next throw was headed straight for me. Keeping my eyes on the ball, I weaved behind Spencer and made the catch. When I turned to run, my ankle twisted. I knew it wasn’t serious, but the pain made me fall to my knees.
A bevy of voices were above me. Someone helped me stand. My ankle was sore, but I could walk. Grateful for an excuse to leave the game, I began to limp off the field. After one and a half steps, Kirk was beside me, holding me by the waist. My arm naturally draped over his shoulder.
We hobbled to the sidelines and he sat me next to Lacey. Sourpuss doesn’t even come close to describing her expression. Kirk lightly touched my ankle.
“Does that hurt?” he asked.
I tried to ignore the tingles his touch was setting off inside me. “It’s just tender,” I said.
“J.J.?” Spencer appeared. “Will you be able to run again?”
“My ankle is fine,” I said. He was a tenacious bugger. “But we’re not running again.”
He rubbed his hands together. “You say that now,” he threatened.
“Are you going to pass out or maybe barf?” Liam asked.
“I’ll get you some water,” Scotty offered.
“Um…I’m okay,” I called out, but he was already racing up the slope.
“You need some ice,” Ben said, leaning over Kirk.
“Oh, Jazzy,” Lacey said. “Your feet are filthy.”
She was right. “I was playing in my bare feet,” I reasoned.
Kirk didn’t seem to mind; my foot was still cradled in his hands. “How about here?” he asked, his fingers probing. I swallowed, unable to break eye contact.
“Here, J.J.” Scotty stood above me, out of breath. He handed me a glass of water with lime slices.
“Wow. Thanks.”
“Is this good?” Spencer had a bag of crushed ice. Ben took it from him and wrapped it in a shirt that had been tossed from one of the other players. He nudged Kirk out of the way, and laid the cold pack on my ankle.
“It’s not too heavy, is it?” he asked.
“No,” I said. “It’s perfect.”