The woman in her bed jerked hard enough to drive an elbow into Rosa’s stomach. Inadvertently, she hoped.
“Um…”
Her sleeping partner’s sweet-but-mildly-terrified voice elicited an onrush of memories, each one better than the last. Rosa opened her eyes with a smile already on her face. “The deal was no apologies, right?”
Rather than the soft, bashful brown eyes she expected to see staring back, Alice wore an expression of total terror. “I’m…I’m sorry, I…”
Sensing the shift in mood—now that daylight streamed in through the cabin windows and the sound of their rousing bunkmates filled the air—Rosa held up her hand in a silent plea for Alice not to panic. “Alice, it’s all right. Really.” She sat up and, unsure how to ease her new friend’s obvious embarrassment, naturally fell back on good, old dependable humor. “I only drooled on you a little bit. I promise.”
Alice’s mouth twitched as though she might smile, but instead she rolled out of bed and dug furiously through her suitcase without meeting Rosa’s eyes. “I’ve got to use the bathroom.”
“All right.” Clearly, Alice needed some space. It made sense. She’d just woken up in another woman’s arms, perhaps for the first time in her life. Despite the rapport they’d established the night before—and that goddamn amazing kiss—she was also suddenly sober after a mellow, hazy evening in which she’d obviously exhibited uncharacteristic behavior. She required time to adjust. Rosa understood that, even if all she really wanted to do was go eat breakfast together. “Do you want to meet at the dining hall, or—”
Alice shrugged as she gathered an armful of clean clothes and what looked like a zippered toiletry bag. “You don’t have to wait for me.”
“Well, I was planning to shower first, anyway, so…”
Alice seemed to pale at the realization that they were headed in the same direction. “Oh.”
Rosa sighed. “I’ll save a seat for you, in case you make it in time.”
Already on her feet, Alice rushed toward the exit with her head down in a blatant walk of shame. “See you later.”
She watched through the window as Alice fled the cabin and hurried in a random direction. Studying the retreating form until she’d disappeared from sight, Rosa groaned under her breath, disappointed that waking up together had gone so poorly. “Shit.”
“An awkward morning-after already?” A bright, perky voice drew her attention to the next bunk over, where a beautifully dark girl with sparkling brown eyes gathered her own clothing and toiletries. “Damn, you move fast. With the shy one, no less!”
Rosa forced a polite smile. She didn’t detect any judgment in her bunkmate’s tone but didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about Alice. “It wasn’t like that. We weren’t exactly sober when we came back last night, and she was nervous about sleeping in the top bunk…and I didn’t pack a warm blanket so she insisted I use hers, and…” She became aware of how ridiculous she must sound. “Anyway, yeah, she’s shy. Very, very shy.”
“I’ll be nice to her, don’t worry. I’m Bree, by the way.” She stuck out her hand.
For the second time, Rosa only narrowly remembered her cover. Internally, she cringed at the realization that Alice didn’t even know her real name. “Lila.” She shook Bree’s hand, noting the way the other woman’s thumb caressed the side of her knuckle. It reminded her, thrillingly, of the way Alice had stroked her arm right before they’d fallen asleep. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Bree smiled, coyly. “I noticed you at the opening ceremony and had hoped to chat you up at the bonfire last night, but couldn’t manage to find you. Guess now I know why.”
Rosa surprised herself by blushing. “Guess so.”
“Anyway.” Bree gave her hand a squeeze, letting go after a more-than-brief hesitation. “I’m not sure how many of the ladies here are interested in each other versus whatever low-hanging fruit can be found in that cabin of Neanderthals next door, but if you find yourself in need of some no-strings-attached company this weekend—”
Rosa took a moment to admire the curves revealed by Bree’s thin camisole, particularly the large, dark outlines of her erect nipples. It was an offer she probably shouldn’t refuse, but somehow, the lure of getting to know Alice better proved too difficult to resist. “If so, I will definitely come see you.”
Bree raised a well-manicured eyebrow, soaking up the insinuated praise. “Don’t wait too long. You’re not the only one who moves fast.”
Letting her gaze slide down the rest of the curvaceous body, Rosa homed in on the sight of red, silky panties that clung suggestively to Bree’s pussy, an enticing vision all but hidden between nearly closed thighs. As she snuck a peek, Bree’s knees inched apart to give her a better view. If last night with Alice hadn’t been so purely, inexplicably magical, igniting both her libido and her imagination, Rosa could have easily lost herself in that warm, inviting space. “I’ll bet.”
Bree reached across the gap between their bunks, nudging Rosa’s attention back to her face with two shapely fingernails under her chin. “Go woo the shy one. Let me know how it goes, either way. You could even bring her along to play with us, if it turns out she’s into that kind of thing.”
Intrigued by Bree’s directness, Rosa nonetheless knew it would be a cold day before Alice consented to a random ménage à trois at Camp Rewind. “I can almost guarantee that won’t happen, but I’m filing the image away for a lonely night in the future.”
“Do that.” Bree winked and stood, picking up her shower sandals. “In the meantime, I’m going to wash up and get something to eat. Find me if you need someone to sit with.”
“Thanks,” Rosa said. As much as she liked Bree—or more directly, as much fun as it would be to fuck her—she really hoped that wouldn’t be necessary. Alice had specifically talked about sitting together in the dining hall. Would she really ditch her now, after last night?
After that kiss?
Rosa grabbed her toiletries and a change of clothes, then made her way through a gauntlet of curious faces to the cabin door. Outside, the air was crisp and camp life was beginning to stir. A steady trickle of male campers stumbled out of their cabin toward the bathrooms, one of whom stopped, bent at the waist, and puked into a nearby bush. Rosa wrinkled her nose, half-sympathetic, half-disgusted as she considered what it would feel like to nurse a hangover in this place.
“You don’t even want to know what he did to wake us all up this morning.”
A deep, masculine voice startled her into awareness, so close behind her it made her heart slam into her chest and her body stiffen in alarm. She whirled around to face the stranger, only partially relieved to find a friendly looking man with a receding hairline and black-rimmed glasses that perfectly set off his dark, thick eyebrows. He was an appealing mixture of dreamboat and geek, though the latter gave her pause as she wondered whether he’d ever played the sacred cow of racist, misogynistic video games and, if so, whether he knew about her wildly unpopular opinions and the humiliating payback she’d suffered as a result of publishing them online.
He offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I was distracted by the view.” Rosa returned his smile and resumed her walk toward the bathroom. She wasn’t surprised when he kept pace at her side. “I hope you didn’t get stuck sharing a bunk with him.”
“Other side of the room, thankfully. I’ve never been a big drinker, but I’ll tell you, what I witnessed this morning is a cautionary tale every human should hear about. Except you, of course, since I imagine you’d like to eat today.”
Rosa chuckled enough to be considered polite. “I appreciate that.”
“Believe me, you have no idea how much.” As they approached the wooden structure housing two separate bathrooms, her new companion extended his hand across his chest. She took it. “I’m Derek.”
“R—Lila.” Again, she barely caught herself before slipping out of character. And, again, she struggled wi
th the reality that Alice had no idea who she really was. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He scanned the length of her body less subtly than she imagined he’d intended. “You planning to do any archery today? Or horseback riding?”
Either Camp Rewind was a veritable meat market or else she gave off an aura of pure desperation, because she was pretty sure she was being hit on for the second time this morning. She hadn’t even brushed her teeth yet. “To be honest, I’m not sure.” Currently, her only plan was to find Alice and see what she wanted to do. Anxiety that Alice might not want her to tag along made her belly churn unpleasantly. “If I need a riding partner, I’ll let you know.”
Derek coughed, alerting her to where his mind had taken the mild innuendo. “Or else I’m a pretty accomplished archer, if you’d like me to share some pointers with you.”
Rosa edged toward the women’s bathroom and showers, eager to start searching for the one person she really wanted to spend today getting to know. “Maybe. Me and another woman had talked about hanging out—”
“Bring her along.” Derek grinned, openly eager for her to accept his invitation. “The more, the merrier.”
“I don’t think so. She’s pretty shy.” Keen to escape Derek’s sales pitch, Rosa demurred with a gentle smile. “Thanks anyway.”
“All right.” Derek didn’t hide his disappointment, but she was relieved by the lack of anger beneath it. “I get it. But if you decide you’d like some tips, or a lesson, either archery or riding…”
The insinuation hung in the air between them as he laid his intentions bare. “I appreciate the offer.” Rosa tried to negotiate a smile warm enough to seem well mannered, but not so friendly as to encourage his sexual interest. “But I’ve actually got my eye on that other woman I mentioned, so…” She shrugged. “I’m not the droid you’re looking for.”
Derek slapped his hand over his heart, feigning a grievous wound. “She even quotes Star Wars. Why do all the good ones have to be lesbians?”
Suddenly worried—perhaps irrationally—that she was in danger of blowing her cover as a semi-professional geek, Rosa stepped across the threshold of the bathroom door. She didn’t bother to correct his precise labeling of her sexuality, though she usually resisted any and all efforts to sort her into any kind of box. This weekend, she planned to remain 100 percent Sapphic, no exceptions, even if Alice wanted nothing more to do with her. Right or wrong, she felt safer and less at risk of exposure that way. “Life isn’t fair?”
“Obviously not.” Derek tipped his head and backed off. “See you later. Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Rosa exhaled when she was finally left alone long enough to think. She hoped Alice wouldn’t be angry that she’d already disclosed the crush she’d developed to two complete strangers. Derek didn’t know what woman she liked, at least, though with the way gossip tended to travel, she wouldn’t be surprised if the rest of their cabinmates were openly speculating about how she’d ended up sharing a bed with “the shy one.” It was only a matter of time before all of Camp Rewind knew she and Alice had slept together, no doubt.
Shit. Would Alice be able to withstand that kind of scrutiny?
Sickened by the thought of exposing her to any type of public speculation, Rosa couldn’t help but consider how Alice would feel if she knew how much negative attention she continued to attract on a weekly—if not daily—basis in her real life. Or worse, how much negative attention a new love interest might draw. Her ex-boyfriend had been doxxed almost immediately, his name, address, and other personal information released online for everyone to see. Two days of harassing, threatening messages and he’d been out of there, breaking up with her so fast she barely had time to process the loss. How would Alice handle a relationship like that? It would literally be her worst nightmare.
Disheartened by the fact that her deep interest in Alice simply wasn’t realistic—that it couldn’t go anywhere, not for real—Rosa took solace that Alice had never indicated she was looking for anything more than casual fun. And barely even that. Though Alice wasn’t the type of girl she’d ever envision inviting home for a one-night stand under normal circumstances, this weekend, Rosa would take whatever she could get. Because that kiss last night, when Alice had shocked the hell out of her by simply going for it, had been truly phenomenal. She wanted more, even if only another brief make-out session. Alice excited her in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Maybe ever.
Stomach fluttering, Rosa walked into the bathroom, eager to find Alice and reestablish the camaraderie and flirtation they’d found at the lake. She glanced beneath every bathroom stall, one after the next, but none of the ankles or shower-shoe-clad feet looked familiar, and Alice’s distinctive toiletries bag was likewise nowhere to be seen. Uneasy, Rosa paced alongside the shower stalls and listened. When she reached the end of the line, she watched and waited until each one had recycled its occupant and confirmed an unsettling fear.
Alice was gone.
*
Suspended in a state of nightmare-level awkwardness, Alice hid behind a redwood tree only twenty feet from the women’s bathroom, clutching her toiletries bag in both hands as hot tears spilled from her stinging eyes. She’d intended to go in after her great escape from Lila’s bed, but managed to time her arrival to perfectly match that of two other women. The prospect of being looked at or spoken to by anyone who might have seen her snoozing in the arms of a woman she barely knew was too terrifying to risk. So into the woods she’d fled, to hide behind a tree like a fool and wish she were anywhere but here.
She could simply leave Camp Rewind. That much was still true. Unfortunately, all her things, car keys included, were back at the cabin, inside her suitcase. Though she assumed that most of the other campers had made their way to the showers by now, a few stragglers would surely happen along, especially with the way the alcohol had flowed the night before. She was scared to death to risk any taunts or jeers from her fellow grown-ups, as much as she wanted to believe that wouldn’t really happen. Hence, the idea of returning to the scene of the crime was presently too awful to entertain. Also, she needed to pee. Badly. If not for the specter of poison ivy and random voyeurs, she would be tempted to find a private place to squat amongst the trees.
She’d watched Lila disappear into the bathroom almost ten minutes ago and expected her to emerge at any moment. What then? She might return to the cabin to search for Alice or else assume she’d already gone to breakfast and head to the dining hall in the hope they might sit together. Alice battled a twinge of guilt at the thought. Despite her embarrassment upon waking up with her cheek resting on another woman’s soft, warm breast, its nipple pebbled against the corner of her mouth, Alice realized that running away had been an overreaction, and leaving camp altogether would be even worse. Last night she’d been utterly convinced of Lila’s good intentions and comfortable enough to fall asleep in her arms, for goodness sake. It wasn’t as though Lila had done anything to deserve being ditched less than twelve hours after they’d vowed to stick together.
Alice exhaled and fell back against the tree, frustrated with herself. Once again. Like always.
No, Lila didn’t deserve to be ditched, but Alice didn’t know how to face her after last night. After that kiss. Crossing that line had been 100 percent her own doing, and although she didn’t exactly regret the bold move, she wished she knew how to deal with the aftermath while stone-cold sober. What would Lila expect today? Or tonight, for that matter? Alice’s hopes and fears intersected and overlapped and contradicted each other. Was honest-to-God sex on the table? No matter how shy she might be, Alice wanted—even needed—to get laid. Even if sex with John had never exactly rung her bell, she loved making herself come and held out hope that someone else might one day achieve the same feat. She imagined an orgasm felt different when it wasn’t from your own hand. She yearned to find out for sure. Yet the idea of making herself that vulnerable, of attempting to please someone more sexuall
y experienced than herself and potentially failing, left her hoping against hope that Lila wouldn’t try to take their physical relationship any farther.
Then again, if she didn’t, Alice knew she’d be crushed by the slight. She sighed. Camp life was confusing.
Alice peered around the tree at the sound of feminine voices exiting the bathroom. Not Lila’s, which was almost a relief. She’d already witnessed Lila’s friendly interaction with the man who’d accompanied her to the restroom and wasn’t sure how she’d feel about witnessing yet another bond being formed. She wouldn’t normally consider herself the jealous type. But Lila represented a sort of lifeline in this aggressively social environment.
If she is making friends…maybe she doesn’t need to sit with me. Maybe I should just leave.
Almost as soon as the thought crossed Alice’s mind, Lila walked out of the bathroom alone. She wore an expression of worry mixed with concern that Alice had no trouble seeing even from her distant vantage point and scanned her surroundings with an air of what Alice imagined might actually be longing. Just before Lila’s searching gaze turned to her hiding spot, Alice impulsively retreated and tried to make herself as small as possible. Back behind the tree, like a completely maladjusted human being.
Alice closed her eyes. She counted to ten. She tried like hell not to burst into tears. When she opened her eyes and checked again, Lila was gone. Where, Alice didn’t know. Which meant she still wasn’t sure what to do next.
After another minute or two of standing frozen in an absolute panic, Alice’s bladder made the decision for her. She would pee, then hopefully find an open shower stall where she could wash off the previous night’s swim while she decided what to do. It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was all her brain could manage while also contending with the urgency of her bodily functions.
So there it was: she would pee, she would wash up, and then she would figure out whether to run away from Camp Rewind or summon the absolutely insane amount of courage required to stay.
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