“This is 210, right?” she asked, glancing at the placard on the wall in the hallway.
“Yeah.” I opened the door wider and cleared my throat. “I’m Emery.”
She released a sigh of relief and pulled seven hundred suitcases in behind her. “I’m Lauren. I’m a second year. You?”
“First year for me. Can I help you with anything?”
“No. I’m good.” She set her suitcases in the middle of the room, surveyed the space, and wiped her barely sweaty brow. She lifted her biggest suitcase to her bed and dug through it, pulling out her sealed shirts before she flicked her umber-brown eyes to mine. “Hope you don’t mind if I decorate. I die without a little sparkle.”
I hadn’t really thought about decorating a room I was staying in for three months. Kind of felt a little pointless to me, but everyone has their thing. She drew her next biggest suitcase to her bed, unzipped it, and pulled out a pearl-white mirror, a fuzzy white throw pillow, and a set of braided white rugs.
“You came prepared.”
“I always do.” She flicked her ponytail behind her ear and set a hand on her hip as she scanned the walls and pulled a boss lady canvas out next.
“Nice. So, I was just heading down to lunch. I’ll probably see you there?”
She pulled a white vase out of her bag, and set a small flower arrangement inside, resting her hand on her hip as she adjusted it. “Definitely.” She turned back to her suitcase and dug through some more.
I tucked my duffle bag under my bed and fluffed my pillow, grabbing my water bottle off the end of my nightstand before heading out the door.
A crowd of about two hundred staffers waited in line outside the cafeteria, their excitement buzzing through their animated conversation. I stood in the back of the line, noting the already-formed cliques and couples. Clearing my throat, I shuffled forward when they did, more Nick memories surfacing. A warm day at the beach. Visits to his grandparents. The time he tried to teach me how to pitch a baseball.
We were supposed to be forever, but apparently, one stupid night was all it took to forget.
Tightening my grip on my water bottle, I drew a sharp breath and moved up in line.
I broke up with him point-blank after I saw the video of them making out at the stupid party he went to. He was still in the middle of baseball practice. I stomped out to the field and pushed him off the mound and told him we were through in front of all his friends. His coach had to pull me back, and I was sent to the Principal’s office for it. That video ended up all over social next. My cheeks warmed at the thought. I hated being in the spotlight.
But enough about Nick . . . I was positive this was where I was supposed to be.
I’d always had peace here. It was like God’s breath had washed over this place. Like it was the second place he created after Eden.
“Hey, Emery,” a high-pitched voice called from behind me. I turned to see the redhead named June waving at me in the middle of a group of girls.
“Hey.” I lifted a hand in return.
She motioned for me to join them. “Come on.”
A group of guys appeared around the corner of the building behind them, Tucker trailing behind by himself. He scanned the line, locking eyes with me as I broke out of place to join June.
His lips spread in a warm smile.
Great.
I cleared my throat and tucked myself inside June’s group, cheeks flaming.
“Guys, this is Emery,” June said, taking turns introducing her friends.
Tucker joined his group of buddies as my roommate, Lauren, approached behind them. She tapped his shoulder and he turned to face her.
“Wait. Are they still together?” one of June’s friends asked.
June frowned, shaking her head. “I heard she dumped him for a preppy guy in SoCal.”
-Tucker-
Staring down at Lauren, I cleared my throat, her caramel eyes as vivid as they were the last time we were together. Before she ditched me for some pretty boy from LA.
“So you made it back?” she asked, lifting a brow.
I nodded, sniffed, and turned back to Mal, who—before she showed up—was in the middle of an interesting story about his cousin. Now, though, he stared at Lauren like she’d grown a third arm.
“Uh. Yo?” he said to her, furrowing his brows. “Food’s that way.” He pointed over his shoulder to the cafeteria.
I held my breath.
She returned her sights to mine, pulling a strand of her long dark ponytail between her fingers, releasing a cloud of her toxic perfume. “I was talking to Tucker, but thanks for the tour.”
“I thought you were too busy in SoCal to work the summer at Bridgeport,” I said, folding my arms across my chest, trying not to project the bitterness I felt clawing inside me, but last summer actually meant something to me. She hadn’t been just another girl. At least, not the way I saw it . . . I was so blind.
“Look. I just wanted to make sure we’re cool now. I don’t want things to be awkward when Ren shows up.”
“Your boyfriend’s coming here?” The clawing in my chest turned to straight ripping when she looked away.
“Not for the summer, but he’s definitely coming to visit. He cares about me like that.”
I didn’t miss the snark in her tone.
Of course he cared about her like that. He probably worshipped the ground she walked on, never missed her calls, and sent her flowers all the time to let her know he was thinking about her, too. I should be happy for her.
I had to work on that part.
“Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you’ll be on your best behavior when he shows up.”
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?” I lifted a shoulder, eyeing her pack of friends three groups ahead of ours. Her best friend, Mila, was glancing our way, cool green eyes calculating. “Looks like Mila’s trying to get your attention.”
She drew a deep breath, holding my gaze. “See you around.”
I turned back to face Mal, forcing myself not to watch her, not to wonder where we went wrong. Things were better off like this anyway.
“Dang, man. You handled that well.”
“I’m over the games, bro.” At least, that’s what I’d been telling myself. “Anyway, about your cousin?”
Mal went on to tell some story about his cousin’s draft into the NFL. I tried to focus on it, tried to act excited when he said he was going to have a couple recruiters at some of his games this year, too. “Hey. What’s she doing?” Mal asked, motioning to the space behind me.
I turned around to see Lauren joining the new girl, Emery’s, group with June and her friends. She turned to Emery, saying something like they already knew each other.
“I guess it’s safe to say things just got complicated for your New Chick plan,” Mal said, tipping his head.
“I don’t have a New Chick plan.”
“Come on Tucker, we both know you can’t stay single for longer than a week—”
“Really dude? You do realize it’s been months and I’m doing fine, right?”
He scoffed.
The doors to the cafeteria opened.
We all flooded in.
Half-way through the meal, Pastor Gregg went up to the platform, tapping on the mic three times before leaning his silvered head toward it. “Summer’s here, folks.”
A wave of cheers spread across the hall like we were all a bunch of preschoolers on our first trip to the ice cream shop. I guess that’s kind of what it felt like. Normally, mine would’ve been the loudest cheer in the room.
Not this year.
Emery’s awesome smile came to mind, and I couldn’t help but scan the room to find her. It didn't take long. She was sitting at June’s table, two to the left from mine. The second I spotted her, our eyes connected —I smiled again.
“Welcome back to those of you who’ve been on staff before,” Pastor Gregg continued. “And welcome-welcome to those of you who haven’t. We’re beyond excited for what God has in s
tore for this year. If you’ll all bow.”
Emery’s cheeks flushed and she snapped her eyes to her table, bowing her head, and closing her eyes. I took a deep breath and let it out.
God, please help me focus this summer.
THREE
-Emery-
The Camp Director, Pastor Gregg, was awesome, as usual. He prayed and led us through staff expectations and talked a little about how we needed to make sure we kept our focus where it was meant to be. He mentioned morning devotions with our teams, and bonfires on the weekends for staffers. Since campers left on Saturdays, and the camp weeks didn’t start until Mondays, staffers were free to go home for visits. Staffers who stayed could use the camp amenities for themselves. Church was a must either way. He mentioned a new ministry training program they started up the year before, where students could stay on year-round and work to cover tuition.
The typical Bridgeport vibe was definitely alive and well, and the excitement was working its way through my veins. Thoughts of Nick haunted me a couple of times, but I brushed them off easily enough. It was my fault for going for a guy like him anyway. I should have seen it coming, but maybe I didn’t want to. Maybe I liked the attention he gave me. The way, for so long, he made me feel like the only girl in the world. I wanted to believe it was all real. But, the Carly video proved that idea wrong.
“All right, guys,” Pastor Gregg said, pressing a napkin to his mouth as he took the platform again. “We’ll close out lunch, then it’s time to head out and find your teams. Thirteen different colored flags have been placed around campus. The color you’re looking for’s on the back of your name tag. Once you get there, wait for your lead, and you’ll have a few exercises to go through to get to know each other. After that, it’s up to you. God bless. Church in the morning, and I want everyone bright-eyed and bushy tailed. And . . . please. Don’t make me use the floodlights again this year, guys.”
A wave of laughter rolled across the room.
I dropped my jaw, turning toward Lauren. I’d heard of the floodlights the staff used to flush out couples in the dark. I’d always thought they were for campers though. “They had to use them on staffers?”
“Everyone has a weakness, right?” Lauren said, leaning close beside me. “I mean, there are a lot of cuties here again this year.”
I swallowed my bite. “Well. You won’t catch me out at night with a guy. I’m here to escape guys this summer.”
“That sounds like bitterness talking. You shouldn’t limit your options like that. What if you meet someone amazing?”
Shrugging, I stood and cleared my plate. “My last relationship turned out worse than being a reject on the Bachelor. I think I’ll pass.”
Her gaze shifted to the space behind me and a slight frown creased her dark brows. “Do you need something?”
I turned to see Tucker approaching. After our encounter earlier, I was hoping we wouldn’t see each other at lunch. That plan went out the window fast. He stooped and gripped the back of the chair between me and Lauren. “I just wanted to see if Emery needed help finding our flag.”
Huh. I’d been so snippy earlier, I thought he’d try to avoid me, too.
“Your flag?” she asked, glancing to me and back to Tucker. “What’re you talking about? She’s not on Maintenance.”
“Actually . . . ” I turned my lanyard to show her the green back. “I thought it would be more peaceful taking care of the grounds instead of being cooped up in a shop all summer.”
“Oh.” She pinched her lips together, nodding like she was trying to be supportive. “Yeah. Well, you do you, girl.” With that, she stood, flicked her sleek ponytail over her shoulder, and headed toward the exit, leaving us standing in her fruity-scented wake.
“That was interesting,” I mumbled, tossing my silverware into the tub by the exit and stacking my tray on top of the others.
“We’re heading to the maintenance yard.” Tucker stuffed his hands inside his pockets and the way through the door, holding it open for me.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
A hundred forest green shirts dispersed down different paths around campus as I followed him. Some went to the Snack Shop, others to the outdoor food court area, some to the Boathouse, and others still, on trails through the towering sequoias. I’d considered ropes course for a while before deciding on Maintenance. The teamwork aspect on Ropes looked fun, but I’d never been a huge fan of heights. Plus, I couldn’t risk an injury.
Tucker walked quietly beside me, and I remembered our little debate from earlier.
“So, I feel like I should apologize,” I said after a few minutes of silence.
“Apologize? For what?”
“I was kind of rude to you earlier. At my lodge. I’m not usually that blunt.”
He shook his head. “No. I’m sorry. I was shocked. I thought my new recruit was a guy.” He grinned. “We’re good.”
We passed the basketball courts and my soul pounced at the sight of the clean paint lines, the hoops flickering in the slight breeze, the rack of tempting basketballs staring at me from the sideline. I had to find a way to get out there after work.
The baseball field came next. I could picture Nick out there on the mound. Everyone said he was some type of anomaly when it came to his pitching delivery. He was always so humble about it though. I loved that part about him. What was it in me that drove him to a girl like Carly?
“Was it really that bad?” Tucker asked, as we turned up the lane to the left.
“Was what bad?”
“Your last relationship. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I was almost to your table when I heard you tell Lauren it was worse than getting a rejection on The Bachelor. I mean. No rose?”
I sighed. How do you explain the heartache that comes with something like that? “More like a dagger.”
“Dang.” He gave me a half-grin and lifted his hand to rub the back of his neck, rolling his head from side-to-side like he needed to loosen up.
I turned my eyes from the definition in his tricep and focused on my shoes instead. “It was great for a long time, but things got rough at the end.”
“Sorry to hear that, Chuck.”
I furrowed my brows. “Chuck?”
His half-grin turned full-smile as he ducked his head and he pointed to my shoes. “I mean, those are pretty rad. I should tell you that you’ll need to wear your work boots while you’re on the job though.”
“I know,” I countered, lifting my eyes to his. “They’re in my room. If I can find them beneath all my roommate’s luggage anyway.”
“Who’d you get?”
“The girl I was sitting next to at lunch, Lauren.”
Something changed in his swagger. A little less confidence. A little more . . . irritation? “Huh.”
I shrugged. “She seems nice enough.”
“She’s good at that part.”
What was his deal with her? “Anyway. I figure it’s just a room, right? As long as I can sleep, change, and brush my teeth, it doesn’t really matter who I share it with. Not when I get to be out here for the whole summer.”
“You might wanna look up before you say that,” he said, wincing.
I followed his line of sight, a swarm of flies swirling in the air above a line of industrial trash cans, a row of grimy work trucks parked in front of each one.
“Welcome to Maintenance, Chuck.”
-Tucker-
We waited around for the rest of the crew to find us, Emery telling me about why she came to Bridgeport for the summer. I couldn’t believe it. Did the guy not see what he had in front of him? I mean, no. I didn’t know her yet, but what I learned in just the first few minutes talking with her was enough to guess she was decent. I wasn’t sure I’d ever talked to a more grounded girl in my life.
“So, after all that, I didn’t really think I could stomach the idea of sticking around for the summer. Everything pretty much reminded me of us.” She tucked a strand
of wavy blonde hair behind her ear and lifted a shoulder. “Anyway. That’s why I’m here. You?”
I cleared my throat, glancing down the path for the rest of the team. It really shouldn’t take so long for them to figure it out. “It’s my fourth summer. Kind of like second-nature now.”
“Wow. Four years at Bridgeport? So, you’re basically like senior-status then.”
I chuckled. “Something like that.”
“Hey, Tuck!” Mal said, waving to us from the bottom of the trail.
“Where’ve you been?” I called back, lifting my arms. “Get lost or something?”
He shook his head, a stupid grin on his face when he nodded toward Emery. “We have a girl out here this year?”
“Emery, this is Mal,” I said, when he got close enough. “Mal, Emery. But you can call her Chuck from now on.”
“Really?” she asked, turning to face me.
I shrugged. “If the shoe fits, right?”
“Oh. That’s bad,” Mal said, shaking his head.
“There they are,” I mumbled, glancing back down the path as the rest of our crew took their sweet time heading up the lane. They all did a pretty good job of not gawking at Emery as they approached, but I could see it in their eyes. She wouldn’t last a week here single. My gut tightened at that idea.
We circled up and said our names.
“Tucker here,” I said when it was my turn. I glanced at each member and took a deep breath. “So, last year was pretty close to perfection, guys. We’ll be rotating areas this year. Hopefully everyone gets a shot at their favorite position. If you want to switch roles for a day, for a week, that’s fine with me, as long as everything gets covered.”
“Is Emery our only new-blood this year?” Hunter asked, nodding in her direction.
“Yup. As far as I know.”
“Oh. Cool.” Hunter smiled at Emery. “Makes it kind of special, right?”
“So, we’re not exactly used to girls being on the team,” I said, “but I want us all to treat Emery like she’s one of us, all right? And I don’t need to remind you about twos and threes on extended jobs and after dark, but I’m reminding you anyway. Let’s do our part to make her feel welcome.”
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