“What does that mean to you?”
“You know,” I said. Then I looked to see his reaction. “I want all of you. Here. At camp. I’m eighteen.”
We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. Then Devin gripped my waist tightly, kissed me hard, and inserted his tongue into my mouth. The kiss lasted only a few seconds. Then his lips left mine, and he said, “Good night, and sweet dreams.”
I broke from his embrace, and I smiled one last time. Then I sneaked back to the cabin before Caroline reported me as missing. It was up to him whether we’d make love.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Friday – Week Seven
The morning arrived and with it my eighteenth birthday. The anticipation was building as I wondered if Devin would give me what I asked for.
Unfortunately, our breakfast table filled up as soon as we sat down, so there was no chance for Devin to sit near me. I did see him come in, and he did glance my way with a slight smile.
The first of a few birthday surprises came after breakfast, when the director announced it was my birthday. I knew the announcement was coming because they did this for every camper who had a birthday during camp.
“Could we please get Dahlia May up here?” called the director.
I stood on a bench in the front of the dining hall while all the campers sang to me. Then the male counselors surrounded me.
“This one’s for you, Dahlia,” said Brett. He kissed the back of my hand.
First, they serenaded me with a classic oldie love song. Then they took turns holding my hand and getting down on one knee in front of me. My cheeks had to be several shades of red. Devin didn’t fight his way over the other counselors to be right in front of me, but he did sing and do all the motions to the song. After they were done singing, each counselor hugged me. Devin discreetly pinched my waist during our hug.
When breakfast was over, I checked my pocket for one last gift from my secret pal before pals were revealed during the ceremony after lunch. A note was waiting for me. It said: Happy Birthday, Doll. This morning I played “I’m Eighteen,” by Alice Cooper. Apparently, it’s a magic number. I’ll see you during back rubs/campfire.
Well, at least Devin planned to meet me tonight and be alone. What he planned to do with me was still open for a surprise.
We met for our last family group session. The time was spent giving affirmations. All of us had our own large piece of paper in front of us. Our name needed to be at the top so the others who would be writing on it knew who the paper belonged to. Then we walked around the room and wrote something positive to each person in our group. The funniest one for me was from Blake, who had scribbled some nonsense but ended it with: Don’t ever let yourself miss out on opportunities because of fear.
I felt sure he was referring to himself and how I’d passed him over. I’d have to share it with Lauren, who at this point seemed to despise him more than miss him.
Following lunch, we formed a circle outside and did the secret pal ceremony. Imagine my surprise when I discovered some random guy, not Devin, had me for a secret pal. When I looked at Devin in confusion, he slyly smiled before looking away. Then I had to call out Marissa as mine. She was equally surprised and had to pretend she was thankful for all I did, which wasn’t much.
After the ceremony wrapped up, I broke away from the circle as fast as I could and went to Devin, shaking my head.
“I don’t understand.”
“What’s that?”
“The poems. I know you wrote them,” I said accusingly.
“And how do you know that?” He tried to hide a smile.
“Because I know.” I watched for a change in his expression to prove I was right.
“Did you go through my notebook?” He didn’t sound upset but amused.
“Well, yes. I did. I saw them.”
“Hmm. You’re a snoop.” He said it more as an observation than anything else. “Remember what you did for Aaron? You weren’t really his pal, but you wanted to give him items anyway. Well, I chose to do the same thing for you. I sent you the poems and a couple gifts.”
“Oh.” This news really surprised me.
“You’re wondering now what was from that kid and which ones were from me?”
I nodded.
“I made you the pink and blue necklace. And the bracelet you’re wearing today. I may have asked Aaron to ask you what colors you like.”
“What?” I never suspected that. “You made those for me?”
“Yeah.”
I was speechless. The necklace had been left the day after we were alone in his cabin during the rainstorm. He’d thought of me all summer and did nice things for me even when I didn’t know it.
Quickly, I embraced him to thank him. “I had no idea. I loved all of it.”
“Happy birthday, Dahlia. Now I must get to a staff meeting. It would be obvious if I missed it.” He pulled away from my embrace so we could have one last look at each other. “Did you get my note?”
I nodded again.
“Tonight, then. We’ll have a dalliance—a date.”
Before I could question him on what it would entail, he started to walk toward the director’s cabin. How was I going to make it from now until the night? All I could think about was being in Devin’s arms through the entire festivities tonight. We’d have close to two hours together. We could do a lot in that time.
***
The volleyball tournament finals were to begin at two. Our team started warming up around one. Devin wasn’t in flirtation mode at all but was the most focused I’d ever seen him. It almost felt like I didn’t exist. He wanted to beat Blake so badly that I didn’t think he even realized he wasn’t behaving the same around me.
Our team worked on drills, one after the other. The competition was at another net doing the same thing. If we didn’t beat Blake, then I worried Devin might not be in a good mood and might pass up meeting me tonight. If that was the case, it was crucial for us to win.
One of the other counselors let us know it was time to stop the warm-up, take a water break, and prepare for the tourney. He then announced to the campers, who were seated along the sidelines, that the game was about to start.
Devin and I walked alongside each other to get a drink from the water fountain. “Are you ready for this?” he asked me.
“I think so. I’ll do my best—for you.”
“I know you will.” He smiled at me.
“Devin?”
He was preoccupied getting a drink. When he was done, he looked at me to see what I was going to ask.
“What if we don’t win and…” But I didn’t finish my thought.
He knew what I’d wanted to ask, because he said, “I promise I’ll meet you tonight. No matter what.” We stared at each other, then I smiled, satisfied by his reassurance. “Now let’s go win.”
I was now the only girl for our team after Marissa was moved to Blake’s to even their team out. It was five versus five instead of the standard six. Our new formation had three in the front and two in the back.
We got into position on our side of the net, and the other team was now lined up across from us. Blake stood directly across from Devin, who was placed into position to spike the ball. I was right behind Devin and would serve.
Our team scored the first two points and seemed to be working well together, with clear communication to call the ball. Then the setter aimed it the wrong way and another player missed. We got ready as the other team was about to serve to us. I had to be ready for any balls that came my way and be sure to call them.
Marissa seemed to be deliberately aiming her serves in my direction. Maybe she’d figured since I’d missed so many practices, it would benefit her to aim every ball at me. Or maybe she wanted me to be the reason our team lost, hoping Devin would be upset with me.
However, when the ball did come to me, I called for it and managed to get control of it. I bumped it to the setter, who then set it perfectly to Devin. He bange
d it over the net, and Blake missed. It was beautiful.
Devin turned around and clapped his hands, “Way to go, Dahlia.” He patted the setter’s back as we all rotated positions, and he moved to the back beside me to serve. I loved that he could throw the ball up in the air and jump to meet it when he served. The score continued to be close.
Blake had a fierce expression, and it was obvious he didn’t want to lose this game. He yelled at his team when they missed anything and was pretty much the definition of a poor sport. Marissa was almost as bad. She definitely was determined to aim shots in my direction, which confirmed to me she wanted me to be the reason we lost. What she hadn’t anticipated was that I wanted to win for Devin, so I wasn’t allowing myself to miss anything. This was probably my best game ever.
Then “the Marissa tragedy” took place. Her face somehow collided with the ball, and she was knocked to the ground. Her team surrounded her to be sure she could get up. Her face immediately began to swell. She hobbled off to the sidelines, and someone ran to get her some ice.
“We need a girl replacement,” Blake yelled. “Preferably someone who knows how to play.”
Some random girl ran over to take over Marissa’s spot. And that was the end of Marissa in the finals.
The game eventually was tied at ten points when it was my turn to serve again. When I glanced at Devin, he nodded at me. The ball went flying over the net, but Blake was right there to pass it to the setter. Devin quickly adjusted angles and blocked it. The other team tried to set up another shot, and our team adjusted accordingly to block again. We ended up scoring the point.
I didn’t anticipate serving for the last three points of the game, but that resulted in our win. Devin couldn’t hide his excitement. We congratulated the other team, but Blake stormed off. He was such a baby. Marissa made a point to praise Devin, and he was nice about it. Then we gathered for a huddle where we congratulated each other for the victory. After that, Devin placed his arms around my back and swung me around in a tight hug. I giggled and looked at his face. He looked me right in the eye and discreetly mouthed, “I love you.”
***
I was inside the almost pitch-black craft cabin sprawled across the bunk bed, waiting for Devin. Good thing it didn’t look like anyone had seen me sneak in. Then it was just a waiting game. Did he have something planned for my birthday? A handmade bracelet for a gift wouldn’t be enough—not tonight.
Ten minutes prior, Lauren had asked me, “Where are you going?”
I was applying some lip gloss, so I wasn’t able to answer her for a moment. After taking a tissue, I’d blotted my lips and checked them carefully in the mirror.
Turning to face her, I replied, “I have a birthday date.”
Lauren’s eyes widened. “What does he have planned with you?”
“You’ll have to guess.”
“When?”
“Now. Cover for me during back rubs and the campfire. I’ll be back before lights out.” I grinned at her before leaving for the craft cabin.
Somewhere in the distance, it sounded like a coyote howled. When the sound repeated a few seconds later combined with a whooshing noise, I realized the addition was only wind moving through the tree branches by the window. Hopefully a storm wasn’t brewing to ruin our night. I wouldn’t want the campfire to be called off, because we’d need that extra time—wouldn’t we?
Hmm. It was a strong possibility, knowing Devin and what had happened thus far physically between us, that nothing sexual would take place. What if we ended up merely talking and hugging until our precious time to be alone was up? This was our last opportunity before camp was over to have sex. How disappointed would I be if we only kissed? Pretty disappointed!
I squeezed my eyes shut while involuntarily shaking my legs against the bed, and a silent scream resounded in my head. Without further thought, I jumped up from the bed only to start pacing the room while simultaneously picking at my cuticles. Where are you?
Knowing it would be more alluring for Devin to find me in bed rather than wandering the room in sexual frustration, I fell across the bed once more. Maybe a minute had passed before I heard the door squeak open, and I realized he’d come for me. A slight shiver traveled the length of my body.
The door closed, and I heard the lock click, causing my heart rate to increase. I drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly while I anticipated what might happen next.
“Dahlia,” a voice called out.
Immediately, I got off the bed and walked over to Devin and hugged him. His arms found my waist, and he wrapped them securely around me. The heat from his breath radiated against my cheek.
After maybe a minute, Devin lifted his head from our embrace to look at me. Then he took hold of my face, possessively splaying his hands across my cheeks. In blurry slow motion, like a dream, his face moved to meet mine, then disappeared to me as his mouth closed over mine.
Our lips slightly parted, then locked firmly against each other rhythmically in a repeating pattern. The pressure of his lips increased against mine, driving the kiss to a deeper state. The length of the kiss left me almost breathless, requiring me to take small sips of air to diminish the possibility of passing out. This kiss was like ones I’d only read about in romance novels, evoking sensations I’d not had the pleasure of experiencing in my past relationship.
When I didn’t think our kiss could get any better, Devin began moving his tongue against mine. There was a hint of cinnamon gum lingering on his breath, and I could taste it. My past kisses must have been all wrong because none made me feel this worked up—it was total perfection. The only way I could have been convinced to break away from his mouth was if it were that we were getting into position for sex.
And it was as if Devin read my mind, for he backed me up to the bed but didn’t part from my lips until we reached it. His breathing was loud and erratic and mine probably was, too. When he didn’t make another move to do more, the suspense of how far we were going tonight remained.
Our drawn-out kiss went on for a few more seconds before his lips pulled a little away from mine. Devin took in a deep breath and exhaled against my waiting mouth.
“Tell me again what you want for your birthday.” It was such a simple request from him, but the way he said it and the way my body responded to it made it seem far more complex.
I couldn’t risk losing this moment because I feared he might tell me no. So, I forced out the words telling him exactly what I wanted from him. “You… I want us to make love tonight.”
Devin swallowed loudly and let out another breath. “I don’t have anything with me.”
My stomach tightened, and what had been an excited state now turned to complete disappointment. Somberly, I lowered my head. To dampen the situation further, Devin didn’t suggest any alternatives—like maybe asking Blake if he had any condoms to spare. And I knew how he felt about the pull out method. It was then that I heard him fumbling around with his clothes. When I looked to see what he was doing, he tossed a familiar small square package onto the bed. And my mood once more lifted when I realized I was about to get my birthday wish. My body trembled with anticipation, and I wondered where he’d found that little necessity.
Devin turned to look in the direction of the bed, so I did, too. Just enough light from the uncovered window shone through to make visible the condom lying on it. Slowly, simultaneously, we looked back at each other.
“Are you sure you want this?” he asked. “Because if your clothes come off tonight, I won’t stop this time.”
To answer him, I took a step backward so he had a good view of me. Placing my fingers on my jacket’s front zipper, I started to pull it down, trying my best to be alluring, like I’d seen in movies. When it reached the halfway point, I stopped and smiled at him. He stepped forward, took hold of the zipper, and slowly unzipped the rest. His hands clasped the parted jacket and pulled it off my shoulders. This reminded me of the rainy day when he’d helped undress me in this same room to
get into dry clothes. Tonight, it was about removing my clothes for good.
We managed to get the jacket off, and Devin threw it onto the end of the bed. When I had his full attention, I reached behind my back, unhooked the black bra I wore, and removed it from my body. I flung it onto the bed to join my jacket.
It felt awkward to just stand there with my arms at my sides. So, I took hold of my hair, gathered most of it into one hand, and haphazardly piled it on top of my head. I let go with my other hand and slid it down the side of my face to place a finger between my half parted lips. Then I attempted to give an appearance of seductively biting the finger, trying my best to mimic the poses of Victoria’s Secret models. There I stood frozen and allowed him to really view my body with what little moonlight shone through the window. And for a few seconds, he didn’t make any moves, but instead stared at me.
Then Devin took another step toward me, putting us face to face. He reached for my hand that was still entwined in my hair, gripped it tightly inside his, then brought them both down to our sides. My hair spilled out around my shoulders and down my back. He pressed his body firmly into mine, and I felt his fingertips brush against my flesh. He let go of my hand and squeezed my waist before trailing up my side, then stopped when his fingers reached my rib cage. I closed my eyes and allowed Devin’s hands to touch my topless body, eventually circling his neck with my arms. The next kiss we shared was much more intense.
My fingers felt for the edge of his jeans at his waistline while still trying to keep our kiss going. I fiddled with the top button and unfastened it. This action definitely triggered a response in him because he abruptly let go of me and pulled his shirt over his head. It joined my clothes at the end of the bed. Then he used his feet to remove both his shoes. Still without saying a word, Devin resumed the position to allow me to continue unbuttoning his jeans. When I’d finished with the last one, he didn’t hesitate and pulled them down and off, then kicked them out of the way. I glanced down to get a look at him. Everything about Devin impressed me—from his beautiful soul to his choice in boxer briefs. And I wanted him.
Edge of Eighteen: A Slow Burn Summer Camp Love Story Page 24
