“So, you leave tonight.” he reconfirms.
“Yeah.”
“But you’ll be back on Friday, right?”
“Yeah, I usually get back around four or so.”
“Can I see you Friday night then?”
“Yeah!” I say with a little too much enthusiasm. Then, in a played down tone, I repeat, “Yeah.”
Brent chuckles but lets it go otherwise.
“Thanks for today. It was really great,” I add as I squeeze his hand.
“Yeah, it was,” he says. “All right, you, get out of here before I kidnap you for the week, forcing you to miss your last week at camp.”
I have to admit that I secretly wish he would. Today has been a dream. I can’t imagine what a whole week with him would be like.
Leaning over the center console, he tenderly touches his lips to mine. It’s so soft and light, but it causes anticipation to build within me. Breathing, teasing, and tasting, I hope for more. This kiss is meant to be a memory burned to my lips. Hopefully, it will be enough to get me through the week, but then I realize that I’ll probably remember it for the rest of my life. Pulling his mouth back, he leans his forehead against mine, the heat from our mouths allowing us to share our connection a little longer. I can physically feel my heart jumping in my chest, echoing deep within. A tingling sensation shimmies up my spine to my head, numbing all thought processes in my brain, except that of—I don’t know what this is called.
“I’ll call you later,” he says in a low and breathy tone.
Crap. How am I supposed to leave the car now?
“Okay.”
Hesitantly, I pull back, open the car door, and get out. Walking toward my house, I look over my shoulder to wave good-bye as Brent leaves my driveway and heads down the street.
Chapter Nine
The first thing I do when I enter my room is flop face down on my bed. I just spent the most amazing afternoon of my life with Brent Cromwell. Who would have known he is so sweet? Who knew anything about him? I certainly didn’t until today. I have to admit that I used to agree with Cody. Most good-looking Audi-driving males fit the douche stereotype, but now, I realize Brent falls outside of that category.
I roll over and stare at the ceiling, wondering how long it’s been since I last kissed Brent. I know it’s only been a few minutes, but my body thinks an eternity has passed. Geez, I sound like one of those girls again.
I have two hours to get ready before I have to leave for camp, so I straighten and organize everything in my room and then gather my things for the week. This week is going to be different from the others I’ve spent at camp because it’s the first time I don’t want to go. Of course, a break from my house is always desirable, but the fact that I’m missing out on more time with Brent leaves me longing to stay right where I am. Oh well, it’s just a few days really, and I’ll be back on Friday.
My phone rings at about half past five, and I assume it can only be one person—Brent.
“Hello,” I say with a little too much enthusiasm.
“Hi,” Brent says, almost matching my eagerness. “So, um…I just wanted to say I hope you have a good week.”
“Thanks.”
“So, can I call you while you’re gone?”
“Sure, you can try.” There’s a long pause. I better clarify. “I get reception over there, but my schedule is usually full. We won’t know our allotted free time until we get our schedules tonight, but you can text me.”
“All right. You’re still up for Friday, right?”
“Oh, definitely.” Desperate much?
“Good. Don’t go making any other plans.”
Okay, maybe not so desperate, given his response.
“I won’t. Thanks again for today. It was really something,” I tell him, the memories of the afternoon starting to come back.
“Yeah, it was. Thanks for coming. We should do that again sometime if you’re up for it.”
“Yeah, I’d be up for that again for sure.”
My ears pick up the sound of the back door closing as someone enters the house. Looking into the hallway to see who’s here, I see my dad slip into his room. Dragon is right behind him, but then he makes his way to my feet instead of following my father. I rub his head, affectionately assuring him.
“Ruby? You still there?” Brent asks, pulling me back to our conversation.
“Uh, yeah. Hey, I gotta go. Can I call you back?”
“Actually, I have a thing with my parents, so I’m heading out soon. I’ll text you later, okay?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, later. Talk to you soon.”
“Sounds good. Bye.”
I put down my phone and give Dragon an extra pat on the head before heading over to chat with my dad. I’m leaving soon, so I figure I should at least say good-bye.
“Hey,” I say tentatively to his back as he stares out the window.
He must be zoning out, standing with his hands locked behind his head.
He turns his head toward me, looking over his shoulder. “Hey, Tuesday. How’s my new day girl?”
His reference to the song, “Ruby Tuesday,” still makes me happy despite how much has changed between us. Funny, today does feel like a new day. Maybe not one for him and me, but it’s definitely a new day for me.
“Good.” Feeling unsure from his energy, my eyes wander around the room. “And you?”
“I’m all right. Did you have fun last night?”
Does he not remember that I went and picked him up from the bar? Did he not even notice that I was gone almost all day today?
“Yeah, it was fun. I got a few strikes.”
Walking over to the bed, he plops down and lets out a heaping sigh before looking at me. “You don’t start school tomorrow, do you?”
“Uh, no. Actually, I’m leaving for camp soon. It’s my last week there, and then there’s one more week until school starts.”
Didn’t we just have this conversation yesterday morning? Yes, we did. Sometimes I wonder if I should even bother with any conversation at all because it’s just so frustrating that he rarely remembers any of them.
“Well, we should do something before you go back. School’s going to start, and then we’ll never see each other.”
What? Who’s he kidding? We don’t see each other now. We haven’t really seen each other for a year. Is this some strange form of parental senioritis? If so, I’m not really interested.
“Sure, sounds great.” Yes, I say this to pacify him. Yes, I admit it. “I gotta go. I’ll be back on Friday.” I turn to leave, and when I reach the doorframe, I hear the bed squeak as my dad rises.
“Hey, Tuesday?”
I turn to look at him. “Yeah, Dad?”
“I love ya,” he says, looking straight into my eyes.
My heart sinks a little, but I have a hard time reciprocating the feeling. I feel bad for him and everything he’s going through, but I just don’t know if I can open myself up to loving him or at least admitting that I love him. It hurts too much.
Just last year, I was a mess, worrying about him all the time. It was exhausting, trying to keep track of his every move and cleaning up after him and his messes. One day, I finally couldn’t do it anymore. He had Jas, and he didn’t seem to notice or want my help. More importantly, I don’t think he ever realized that I checked out of our relationship. Then again, that was likely due to the fact that he checked out first. He might love me, but he certainly didn’t love himself. Maybe, just maybe, I loved him, too. Of course, I did…I do…but I can’t open my heart to him. With him, it’s best to love at a distance.
Looking at him, I give him what he needs, even though the emotion is lost on me at the moment. “I love you, too,” I tell him, watching his eyes light up. “See you Friday,” I say, giving a little hand wave before going to my room to pick up my stuff.
I head out the door to load up my car for my last week at Camp White Ash. Now, after that uncomfortably emotional moment with my da
d, I can’t wait to get out of here for the week. Getting into the driver’s seat, I shut the car door and roll down the window. As I’m about to turn over the ignition, a familiar red Mustang pulls up beside me.
“Hey, Ruby, are you heading out?” Cody asks from the driver’s seat of his car.
What’s he doing here now? At least he remembered my real name.
“Yeah,” I reply. “Gotta get to camp.”
“You’re back on Friday, right?”
“Yeah. Why? What’s up?”
“I’m putting together an end-of-summer thing at the lake. You should come.”
Man, I’m so glad Brent and I already have plans. I don’t need to lie my way out of this train wreck in the making. I’ve been to a few of his parties. The people are generally nice, but everyone is crude and usually high. They mean well, but I just don’t fit in. It’s not my scene.
“I can’t,” I say.
“Why? Do you have a date or something?”
As I look down at my lap, Cody turns off his car, and then I hear his car door shut. The next thing I know, he’s standing beside my window, looking down at me.
“Don’t tell me you have plans with that douche again. You know he only wants one thing.”
“C’mon, Cody. He’s nice. And, yeah, Brent and I have plans,” I tell him with a touch of venom.
His lips pucker as his nostrils flair slightly. What’s pissed him off now?
“That little shit? I remember that punk from school—”
I cut him off, slapping my hand on the steering wheel, as I narrow my eyes with a cut-the-crap look.
“All right,” he says, raising his arms, surrendering. “Well, bring him, too, if you must. Actually, that’s probably a good idea. I can make sure he’s kept in line.”
“Oh, give me a break. I’ll think about it,” I reply passively. “And mind your own business about Brent.”
“Calm down! Geez.” He motions to the house. “Is your dad in there?”
“Yeah, he was in his room, last I knew. Do you need something?”
“Don’t worry about it,” he says with finality.
“Oookaay,” I sing. “Listen, I’ve gotta go.”
He backs away from my car. “So, I’ll see you Friday, right?” he asks with a mocking look.
“I said I would think about it!” I begin to back up but then stop. “Thanks again for taking my dad inside this morning.”
Cody’s face falls as he nods in understanding. He waves and watches me back out into the street before he heads into my house.
As I turn the corner at the end of the street, I feel my muscles relax. I’m free from seeing my dad and his friends act like children. I’m free from the guilt that clouds over me every time my dad looks at me with a call for help that I don’t have the energy to give him. I’m free from knowing that I can’t help him. I’m just free. This time next year, I won’t have to ever come back. To think, in a little less than a year, my life can begin for real.
***
I pull into my second summer home, Camp White Ash, around half past six. Of course, I’m the first one here. Unlike the other counselors, I don’t need to spend extra time with my family, doing dinners and attending gatherings on the weekends, before returning to camp.
I head to the main lodge to pick up my schedule and the key to my cabin. After unloading my car, I settle in before going to the mess hall for a bite. There’s usually not much food on Sunday nights, but some snacks are left out for the counselors. This is my traditional Sunday supper.
After gorging on as much as possible, I walk over to the lake to sit on the dock. I absolutely love it here. There’s no nothing in the world that compares to how this fantastic gift from Mother Nature makes me feel…content. That’s what it is—pure contentment.
The sun is just setting, making the lake sparkle with diamonds, as the trees shimmer in the water’s reflection. The sky is gorgeous with its orange and purple hues lingering among the clouds.
I tuck my legs behind me, laying my stomach on the dock, so I can touch the water with my fingertips. The cool silk of the lake ribbons through my hands as I wave them through the water. This is heaven. This is my soul’s home.
“Hey, lady,” Lexi calls from behind me.
“Hey,” I say, rolling to my side while I shake the water from my hands. “What are you doing here so early?”
“Ah, my parents went out with some friends, so I was free to leave. Sooo,” she sings, clapping her hands together as she skips down the length of the dock.
I sit up and wipe my hands on my shorts as Lexi sits next to me. She bumps her shoulder with mine, and I turn to look at her, wondering what’s up. She stares at me with a devilish grin, waggling her eyes like a villain.
“What?” I ask.
“You know what. Give the Cromwell details. I need them, all of them. Feel free to go slowly,” she says, emphasizing the last word.
“You were there, too. What details do you need?”
“Don’t play me,” she drawls, shaking her head. “I’m sure there was a lot going on that I didn’t see. Plus, I know all about a little outing this afternoon, so don’t be coy with me.”
“What are you? Some kind of spy?” I accuse incredulously.
“Pe-shaw! No, I texted Brent. He told me. Well, he told me he saw you today, but he didn’t give any details. You know how guys are! Give! Me! Details!” Grabbing my shoulders and shaking me playfully, she adds, “Before I explode!”
“All right, all right!” I playfully swat at her. “But you can’t say a word to anyone, okay?”
She pretends to zip up her lips, turn a key, and toss it in the water. Then, she grasps my hand while she bounces up and down on her bottom. What is wrong with her? I swear she’s just been possessed by a jackrabbit. Seeing the expectant look on her face, I concede and tell her about the amazing afternoon I spent with Brent. Of course, I gloss over the more intimate details. I might be excited, but I’m just not a girlie girl like that. She’s a great listener though, only responding with oohs, ahs, giggles, and no ways.
After I finally finish, she asks, “So, is he a good kisser or what?”
I’m embarrassed by this question. It feels wrong to kiss-and-tell. Hoping it will tide over her curiosity, I simply say, “Well, I wouldn’t mind kissing him again.”
She slaps me on the arm. “I knew it! I knew it! By the way, you should never play poker. Your face tells me he’s a much better kisser than you’re letting on.”
“All right!” I chide. “You’ve tortured me enough, so now it’s your turn. What happened with Owen?”
Lexi goes on to tell me in way too much detail about her time locking lips with Owen and how his roaming hands are very, um…roaming. I hear more information about tongues and shuffling clothes than I want, but I try to be a polite listener. She’s very excited by the whole thing, and frankly, I’m happy we’re close enough that she wants to share these things with me. All these wandering hands though make me wonder something.
“So, are you guys, like, a couple now?” I ask.
“Am I his girlfriend? I don’t know. School starts soon, and summer probably doesn’t count.”
My heart sinks. Is that what this weekend was with Brent? Summer fun? “Oh. Well, did he ask you out again?”
“Yeah, next weekend.”
“Well, that’s encouraging.”
“Maybe. I hope so. I really like him. When we get to school, I hope he doesn’t take one look at the freshman meat and forget all about me. But I know how it goes. I was a freshman once, too,” she acknowledges. “If that’s what he wants though, I’ll just move on to the next.”
“Sure.” My eyes wander to the lake, looking into the reflective canvas for answers.
“Hey, don’t worry, Ruby. Brent likes you. He won’t stop texting me about you. That’s got to mean something. And I know he wants to see you again.”
“Yeah, ya think?”
“Girl…” She laughs. “The boy can�
��t help himself.”
She’s a total dork.
As we head back to our cabins for the evening, I see a text from Brent..
Send me your schedule, so we can talk this week :-)
I text him back with the days and hours I’m free to chat, and then I tuck myself into bed around ten o’clock. I try to get to sleep early because we need to be at the mess hall at seven in the morning for our weekly meeting, and then the kids arrive at nine. As I turn over and shut my eyes, my phone buzzes with another text. I’m half tempted to ignore it, but I know I won’t be able to sleep until I see who it is. I grab it and smile at the sight of Brent’s name.
You up?
Well, I am now. Yeah.
Are you alone?
Huh? What does that matter? He knows I’m at camp. Yes. No kids until tomorrow. Why?
Within a few seconds, I hear a knock at my door.
“Ruby,” Lexi says softly.
“Yeah,” I say and then clear my throat. “Come on in.”
She opens the door, wearing her pajamas. In the moonlight, I see her smile impishly before she steps away.
“Lex—” I start to call out after her, but then I see another figure enter the light. “Brent. What are you doing here?”
“I just wanted to say good night.” His face lights up with a smile, showing off his dimples.
I slip out of bed to meet him at the door. “Shit, Brent, you could have just called or texted. What if someone sees you here?”
“I’ll be quick,” he says.
Suddenly, he glides his hand to the back of my neck, pulling me to his lips for a searing kiss. I think my senses are heightened in the dim light because his mouth feels more sensual than before, causing my heartbeat to skyrocket. I slip my hands around his waist, pressing our bodies closer to one another. My fingers move up, running along his back, as one of his hands slides down the length of my neck to my shoulder, loosening the strap of my camisole. His lips press on mine gently before he pulls back, looking into my eyes.
With labored breathing, he clears his throat. “Good night, Ruby.”
“Night,” I barely whisper.
He kisses my forehead and then releases my body from his hold as he steps away.
After Tuesday Page 8
