Daring the Bad Boy

by Monica Murphy

  “What you did tonight was pretty damn daring.”

  Her face brightened, and she beamed. Why she took my words as praise I don’t know, but I didn’t argue with her. “You really think so?”

  “Oh, yeah.” I nodded.

  Her smile faded. “I need someone to teach me how to swim.” She hesitated. “Maybe you could help me?”

  “Uh, I don’t know about that…” Yeah, I was certified and I’d helped Dewey during the first session giving lessons, but always to the younger kids. I was the master of the guppies. That’s what the first session kids called me, and I ran with it.

  She shifted closer to me, her hands going to my chest. “Please? It would help me out so much. I just…I feel lame, being the only sixteen-year-old in this entire camp who can’t swim.”

  I glanced down to where her hands touched me. Her fingertips felt like they were charged, sending tiny electrical currents shooting all over my skin. It was…strange. “I have a pretty full schedule.”

  Her hands dropped from my chest, and disappointment crashed through me. “I’ll…I’ll tell your uncle you were out here with a girl.” When I stared at her blankly, she continued. “That you were hooking up with her.”

  “Wait, what?” I reared back, shocked by her words. Shocked even more that she’d ventured so close to the truth, even though nothing really happened. This chick could totally play hardball.

  She curled her arms in front of her chest, her expression fierce. “I saw Lacey approach you after I left. You were meeting up with her, right?”

  Well. I couldn’t deny that. “Are you serious right now?”

  “As a heart attack.” She nodded, her expression still fierce. She wasn’t going to back down. “Just…teach me how to swim. I…I dare you.”

  Why did she dare me? Was she trying to force me to help her? It would probably take the entire month camp was in session or longer to teach her. From what I witnessed, I wouldn’t call her the most natural swimmer in the world. No way was I tying myself to this girl for weeks on end teaching her how to doggy-paddle. “I’ll give you three lessons.”

  “Ten.”

  “Seven.”

  “Deal.” She smiled, dropping her arms to her sides. “There. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  Huh. I had a feeling this could end up being a major mistake.

  Chapter Seven

  ANNIE

  I still couldn’t believe I’d had the nerve to talk to Jacob like that. Or Jake. Whatever I should call him, the more time we’d spent together last night, the more I realized he was actually really good-looking, with those dark brown eyes and dark, touchable hair—when he wasn’t acting so grumpy. And he’d saved my life, sacrificed his hoodie (which smelled really good, like citrusy clean boy), and treated me like I was a regular girl, not some nerd he could barely tolerate.

  And he had a really nice chest. Firm and warm and smooth. I mean, I actually touched him last night. Gave him grief, dared him to spend more time with me…

  Who am I? A week at camp and I’ve completely transformed myself already? Or am I just getting started?

  We were sitting in the dining hall finishing breakfast in our pajamas, and Kelsey had a captive audience, telling everyone my rescue story. I was still wearing Jacob’s hoodie. Kelsey wouldn’t stop talking about what happened last night. How Fozzie Bear busted her out on the dock. What a hero Jacob was for running into the lake and saving my drowning butt.

  “He literally just tore off that hoodie, tossed it onto the sand, and ran into the water before he smoothly dived under, disappearing like he was some sort of dolphin or something. It was freaking amazing¸ ” Kelsey said for about the hundredth time.

  “Yeah, I’m sure,” Kaycee said, sounding bored. She looked at Hailey and they both stood, picking up their trays. “We’re headed back to the cabin. Who wants to come with?”

  Everyone stood but Kelsey and me, and they all left in a flurry of quick movement, talking about plans for the day. I watched them go, thinking I should’ve gone with them, but the minute they walked away, Kelsey started griping.

  “They didn’t even really say sorry.” She looked disgusted. “You took their dare and nearly died, yet they act like it’s no big deal.”

  “Technically it was Kyle who made the dare,” I pointed out, earning a glare from Kelsey.

  “That doesn’t make it any better. He should apologize, too. They all should.” Kelsey shook her head, grabbing her orange juice and taking a drink. “I still feel bad that I couldn’t help you. I tried.”

  “I know you did.” Fozzie Bear sent her back to the cabin, so there was nothing she could do. I wasn’t mad at her. I wasn’t mad at anyone, really. Just mostly irritated with myself for doing something so stupid.

  “Well, I’m sorry. I feel like I should apologize again.”

  I nibbled on a bagel, my gaze scanning the room, trying to ignore the disappointment that filled me when I couldn’t find Kyle yet again. He hadn’t come with his cabin group, which was weird. “You don’t have to. I know you’re really sorry.”

  “Oh. Right.” The disappointment in my new friend’s voice was clear. “Well, at least you had Jake to save you. Seriously, why aren’t you completely dazzled by his heroic performance? He saved your freaking life, Annie. And it was the coolest thing ever,” Kelsey stressed.

  “Uh-huh.” I couldn’t focus on what Kelsey said. I was too busy looking for Kyle.

  “He’s really good-looking, too, you know. In that dark, brooding way,” Kelsey added.

  For a moment I wanted to correct her. Kyle wasn’t dark and brooding…

  But then I realized she was still talking about Jacob. I remembered the deep timbre of his voice when he’d asked if I was all right. The selfless way he tugged his sweatshirt over my head, how he wiped the water from my cheeks, his touch gentle.

  What he looked like, his hair wet and his lips parted as he stood in front of me.

  I shifted on the bench, hating the weird, tingly sensation that swept over me at the memory.

  He chose that moment to shuffle into the dining hall, accompanied by none other than my crush, Kyle. Dreamy, sleep-rumpled Kyle, who wore a faded black T-shirt with holes around the neck and hem and obnoxious pajama bottoms emblazoned with the Atlanta Falcons emblem all over them.

  They were awful. I hated the Falcons only because my dad did, too. But I could forgive Kyle for the mistake. His cuteness more than made up for his bad taste in football.

  “Oh, it’s Prince Dreamy and your swim coach right now,” Kelsey said amusedly, nudging me in the ribs. I should’ve never told her about the swim lessons thing. “Who knew they were friends?”

  I dropped my bagel, and it landed on my plate with a loud plop, the crumbs bouncing, my gaze locked on Kyle and…fine, on Jacob. They had all the girls’ attention in the dining hall, really. Like a symphony of sighs went up at the same time at the sight of two sleepy, hot boys striding into the room like they owned the place.

  Wait a minute. Did I just put Jacob under the hot category? He was good-looking but sort of a jerk. And his attitude should’ve canceled out his looks.

  But he did save me. I needed to focus on the positives. The fact that he was going to teach me how to swim so I wouldn’t be a total embarrassment and could hang out at the lake with Kyle and everyone else like a normal person. I needed Jacob right now, and I couldn’t forget that.

  “What time is your lesson?” Kelsey asked.

  “Huh?” I turned to look at her, saw the knowing expression on her face, and immediately felt dumb. “I don’t know. We didn’t discuss times.”

  “Hmm, well, don’t you think now is the perfect opportunity to go talk schedules and lessons?” Kelsey waggled her brows, making me laugh.

  Making me nervous.

  “I can’t go talk to him now. They’re still in line.”

  “So? Wait a few minutes and once they sit down, then go over and talk to him. Then you can talk to Kyle, too, and get his attention.
Maybe he’d apologize, you know? He should.” Kelsey smiled, though it felt reluctant. “It’s a win-win for you, see?”

  She was right, I supposed. But she was also banking on my being way braver than I really was. Just because I jumped off the dock last night and almost killed myself didn’t mean I was brave. No, last night’s incident just meant I was stupid.

  “Sure,” I said, sounding much more confident than I felt. “Sounds perfect.”

  Kelsey chugged her orange juice, then gazed longingly at my bagel. “You gonna finish that?”

  I shook my head, and she snatched it from the plate, downing it in two bites. For such a string bean she sure could put the food down. No way could I eat like that and be as thin as Kelsey. Though she seemed just as self-conscious as I was about showing her body in a swimsuit.

  That had been hard, tugging off my shirt and stepping out of my shorts last night wearing the two-piece in front of everyone, though they hadn’t paid me much attention. Not even Kyle. Though I remembered the way Jacob looked at me last night, once he dragged me up to shore. His gaze had almost seemed appreciative.

  And he would see me in my bikini again today, when he gave me my first lesson. Would I get that same appreciative look? Or would he keep me at a distance, playing stern instructor to dopey new student? And where would he give me these lessons, at the lake? That was where he worked lifeguard duty…

  Panic rose within me and I took a deep breath, trying to fight it. Why didn’t I think of that? People were going to see Jacob and me today, if he planned on giving me that lesson at the lake, which wouldn’t work. No way. I didn’t think this through. I couldn’t be seen with Jake. What if it got back to Kyle? Plus, then they would all know I couldn’t swim for crap and I would look like a total loser. I don’t want to give them more reasons to laugh at me.

  We should’ve arranged for private lessons. Night lessons. Though I think he’d rather spend his nights doing anything else but teach me how to freaking swim…

  “Hey, Annie.”

  That drawl was unmistakable. Could I maybe close my eyes and I’d disappear so he wouldn’t notice me sitting here?

  Kelsey’s sharp elbow in my ribs—again—told me no.

  “Um, hi.” I lifted my gaze to Jacob’s, saw that he clutched a tray overloaded with food in his hands. Kyle stood next to him, his tray equally full, a curious expression on his face as his gaze went from Jacob to me.

  “Mind if we sit here?” Jacob asked, waving at the empty spot across from us.

  Kelsey’s jaw just about dropped to the floor. “Um, aren’t you supposed to sit with your cabin?” She looked directly at Kyle while I tried my hardest not to blush, but it was no use. My cheeks felt like they were on fire.

  “My group’s gone,” Kyle said as he and Jacob sat down, Jacob directly across from me while Kyle sat across from Kelsey. Both boys dug in without saying a word, and I cataloged everything on Jacob’s tray.

  A banana, an apple, a blueberry muffin, scrambled eggs and bacon, strawberry yogurt, an orange juice, and a chocolate milk. Oh, wait, make that two blueberry muffins. He already had one halfway stuffed into his mouth.

  “You boys sure do eat a lot,” Kelsey said, laughing.

  Jacob smiled, his mouth curved and lips sealed, thank goodness. I did not want to see chewed-up muffin in his mouth. “You’re the girl from the dock,” he said to her after he swallowed.

  Kelsey nodded, looking pleased. “Kelsey.”

  “Jake.” He flicked his head in Kyle’s direction. “This is Kyle. And that’s Annie. Though I think you two already know each other.” He pointed at me, his gaze dropping, taking in the fact that I was wearing his hoodie, no doubt.

  Busted.

  “Yeah.” Kyle wasn’t overly friendly this morning. He just grunted his hello before taking a big bite of banana.

  “Kyle’s not much of a morning person,” Jake said, holding up his hand at the side of his mouth, like he was telling us a great secret.

  “Neither is Annie,” Kelsey said, earning a dirty look for her totally unnecessary comment. Why did she have to bring up my faults? Though I guess it gave Kyle and me something in common, so that was a good thing, right?

  “Hmm, I bet, especially this morning.” The knowing look in Jacob’s eyes made me want to kick him.

  …

  JAKE

  She was so incredibly easy to get a rise out of. I sat with Annie and her friend just to bug her. I ran across Kyle in front of the dining hall just as I was about to go in. He was running late, since he slept in and didn’t come with the rest of his cabin group, which was weird. But Brian was his counselor, and he cut everyone slack—which would totally piss off Uncle Bob.

  But what Uncle Bob didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.

  I warned Kyle as we entered the dining hall that I didn’t want to sit near Lacey, considering she was the first person I saw. Girl tried to talk to me last night when I went back to the staff cabins—I found her waiting for me outside, pacing back and forth. When I told her I had nothing more to say to her, she started to yell, calling me all sorts of names and even waking up Dane and Nancy.

  The girl was nuts.

  I’d walked into the dining hall with my breath held and my guard up, but she hadn’t looked in my direction. Thank God.

  “So. You’re Dane’s assistant. Right?” Kelsey pushed aside her plate and leaned forward, her elbow on the table, her chin propped on her curled fist. She had that dreamy look in her eyes like all the girls did when they talked about lame-ass Dane. “What’s it like, working for him?”

  Could I tell her he was an egotistical prick? That would be a lie, but still. It would be fun to create a new rumor about my so-called boss. The guy wasn’t that bad, but he did think he was God’s gift to women, and the way all the girls chased after him while they wiped the drool from their mouths, it proved he sort of was. Not that he touched any of those girls. He wouldn’t dare, and he wasn’t stupid. He was way too old for them. Plus, he had a girlfriend in Australia he called all the damn time. She hated his summer camp job because it kept them apart.

  I was pretty sure he loved it because every summer, he was king of the lake with his adoring harem surrounding him.

  “He’s cool,” I said as noncommittally as I could. I tried my best not to talk about Dane. I’d realized quickly that he preferred the mystique surrounding him, so I helped support it.

  “He’s more than cool, and you know it.” Kelsey sighed and smiled. “I think it’s his accent. He always sounds so sexy, even saying the most boring thing ever. I could listen to him talk all day long.” She sat up straighter, her hand falling to the table. “I bet I’d die if I went to Australia and had to listen to those accents all day long. Just straight up keel over.”

  Hmm. Kelsey was sort of dramatic.

  My gaze slid to Annie, who was staring blatantly at Kyle as he wolfed down his breakfast. “What about you?” I asked her, but she wasn’t listening.

  She started when Kelsey poked her in the shoulder. “What?” she asked her friend.

  Kelsey pointed at me, and Annie’s gaze met mine. “Um, did you ask me something?” She sounded nervous.

  “Yeah. I wanted to know if you have a crush on Dane, too? Like your friend.”

  Kelsey laughed. “I don’t have a crush on him.”

  “Oh! No.” Annie shook her head, her cheeks going beet red. She blushed a lot. It was kind of cute. “I mean, he’s hot and all but…” Her gaze slid to Kyle again, like she couldn’t help herself. Kyle didn’t even notice. He just kept chewing with his mouth open, then burped. Annie didn’t even flinch. “He’s not really my type.”

  Bells started dinging in my head. I think I might’ve figured out who her type was.

  Interesting.

  And just the slightest bit…disappointing?

  “Oh, like you’d have a chance with him, even if he was your type,” Kelsey said, laughing. “He has too many to choose from, considering every girl here talks about him lik
e he’s the hottest guy at camp.”

  “That’s because he is the hottest guy at camp,” Kyle said, suddenly finding his voice. The girls both turned their rapt attention to him, their eyes wide, and he leaned back, making a face. “What? It’s true.”

  “Seriously, dude?” That’s all I bothered to say.

  “You think Dane is hot?” Kelsey asked, trying her best to keep a straight face. “Are you president of his fan club?”

  “No, dummy. Dane doesn’t have a fan club. At least, if he does, I’ve never heard about it.” Holy shit, sometimes Kyle was as dumb as a box of rocks. “We just know all the girls lose their shit every time he so much as walks by, let alone when he talks to one of them. It’s pretty damn obvious. No one bothers to hide it.” His response was greeted with dead silence. Even I’m surprised he’d have so much to say about Dane the lifeguard stud.

  When no one said anything, Kyle rolled his eyes and started peeling back the wrapper on his blueberry muffin. “I’m going to quit talking now.”

  “You do that,” I said, clapping him on the back, smiling at both Kelsey and Annie. But they weren’t even looking in my direction. They were too busy whispering to each other behind their cupped hands.

  I hated when girls did that. Made me nervous, like they were talking about me, which they probably were. Kyle was oblivious, too busy stuffing his face, and I tried to follow his lead, concentrating on shoving as much food in my stomach before I was out for the long haul at the lake. I rarely got a break until lunch, and usually by then I was starving.

  We made small talk for the next few minutes. And when I refer to “we” I should clarify that it was Kelsey who did all the talking. Kyle and I ate. Annie watched Kyle eat as discreetly as possible.

  Meaning, she wasn’t very discreet at all. What with the wide eyes and the rosy cheeks, it was fairly obvious that she was crushing on Kyle hard. Though he was the only one who didn’t seem to notice.

  “Gotta go hit the showers,” Kyle announced as he sprang up from the bench and grabbed his now-empty tray. “See you at the lake,” he told me before he walked away.