But it wasn’t just annoyance at her bubbliness that got under my skin so much. Every time she started acting all gaga around Alex, I got mad. I still didn’t understand why.
What I did know was that my year at UConn had been one of the longest of my life. And, honestly, I’d found myself thinking about Chloe a lot. How warm her smile was. How cute she was when she was cheering the younger campers on. . I’d started to realize her enthusiasm was like a balm rather than an irritant. I could have used some of that this past winter.
I definitely could have used it last summer, if I hadn’t worked so hard to push her away. Actually, I needed her help now. Which meant apologizing in a big way.
“Did you see Millie?” Alex said next to me. “She grew up. A lot. I mean she was always pretty but now she’s like a ten.”
I look over at the guy. “What?” Alex is one of my best friends but that kid is thick. I am not the most self-aware person, but didn’t he know that Chloe had a big crush on him? I mean he could not go after her best friend. That was more than mean, it was downright cruel. “Millie? What about Chloe?”
Oddly, my stomach twisted when I said that. It felt wrong to tell him to consider Chloe.
“Chloe?” He cocked his head to one side like this had never occurred to him. Really? “She’s a cutie for sure. But I don’t know, I never really thought of her like that.”
A let out a long breath, somehow relieved to hear the words. I should probably spell it out for him. Chloe likes you. My insides churned again at the thought and so instead I said, “Sure, man.”
“What about you?” Alex asked and my stomach tightened again, not sure where this was going.
“What about me?” I could hear my tone getting all defensive.
“I don’t know. I saw you help her out of her car. I was surprised, I guess. I thought you hated her.”
Hated her? Man, is that what people thought? “I don’t hate Chloe. She’s adorable. She’s…” What? I’d been about to say gorgeous. Fun. Sweet even. And honestly, really nice. She was a catch.
Alex shrugged, his eyes looking down the path the girls had disappeared down. “Yeah, it’s so weird. I didn’t even notice Millie last year. I mean, not really.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. I failed but my sunglasses were still on so it didn’t matter. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad he hadn’t asked me to finish my sentence. And I was even happier that he didn’t seem interested in Chloe. But of course he hadn’t noticed Millie. He’d been too busy chasing after Tiffani. And while that chick might have been gorgeous she had not been adorable, or sweet, not even nice. Not the sort of girl, he’d want for a girlfriend. He couldn’t tell Alex this, but he’d been so glad when they’d broken up. Tiffani had been tough to be around. “It’s a whole new summer.”
“Yeah, man. It is. We got an hour until opening camp meeting. Want to go for a swim?” Alex looked toward the ocean, already shaking off our conversation, ready for an activity.
“Sure,” I shrugged, taking another look at Chloe’s car. She’d been in such a hurry, she’d left the top down of her Lincoln Mercury. Its worn leather seats were baking in the sun. It actually was a pretty cool car and completely perfect for her. Warm, sunny, bright and beautiful. Walking back to the driver’s side, I opened the door and pushed the lever, to put the top back up. Then, finding some hooks, I latched it into place. This car deserved to be cared for…loved.
I ran my hand through my hair a couple of times. I don’t know why I had teased her about it other than I’d seen her ogling Alex yet again.
“Good thinking,” Alex moved back over the sidewalk and waited for me to finish securing the top.
As I walked away, I took one last look back at the car. The trunk was huge and I couldn’t help but picture how much band equipment would fit in that monster. Grinning, I headed for the beach. If I could just convince Chloe not to hate my guts, I might get to test it out sometime.
I shook my head to try and keep from getting ahead of myself. First, I needed her to know that I was sorry and pray she would help me.
* * *
Chloe
My bags were finally unpacked so Millie and I headed to the all-camp opening meeting. It was just a short walk down a lightly wooded trail from our cabin. Ocean forest was not like regular woods. Tiny scrub pines dotted the path, with little undergrowth. The trail was full of campers making their way to the meeting as well. But this year, I wouldn’t be with them, I’d be up on the stage with the other counselors. Excitement bubbled inside me at the thought.
I already knew from my congratulations letter that I’d be teaching swim instruction to first and second year campers. I was super excited about this role. Most first-time counselors got positions running the daily craft or monitoring meal times. The extra responsibility would only add to my resume. But then again, most eighteen year olds probably weren’t thinking about their future like I was. I wanted to be a teacher more than anything and Simmons had a great program with amazing internships. This experience could really help me get the best ones.
Millie had been assigned as a general counselor. That meant she likely would be running a craft and she’d also have more evening monitoring duties. I winced on her behalf. You missed a lot of fun if you were stuck with the campers at bedtime.
We entered the field where a lot of the activities for camp happened. I loved this place. At one end was the stage but the entire area overlooked the bay where the camp was located. It was an amazing program because, in addition to the regular camp activities, they had a marine biology program.
“I see two seats in the back row,” Millie pointed, climbing up the stage steps.
I nearly groaned aloud. They weren’t together, we’d be separated. And while Millie slid into one of the empty seats, next to a girl I recognized from last year, that only left a seat next to Drew. Why did it have to be him? At least on his other side was Alex and probably the reason Millie had left me the seat. I appreciated the friendship gesture but I think I would have taken the other seat.
Though, there wasn’t much choice now. I willed myself to walk to the back of the stage and approach the chair where he sat. Just as I was about to plop into the chair, he slid his arm across the back. I stopped. Was that a move to block me? Keep me from sitting next to him? “Is this seat taken?”
“Nope, all yours.” He gave me that smile again, the one that made me blink in surprise with its megawatt power, but he didn’t remove his arm. Fine, I grumped to myself as I slid into the seat. I didn’t care if he was touching me but I immediately felt the warmth of his skin against my shoulder blades and my cheeks heated. I was imagining how we looked to everyone else who might turn around. We looked like a couple sitting like this.
“Hey,” Alex leaned forward to give me a wink around Drew. “Welcome to the counselor section.”
My blush deepened. I needed to get my tan going soon so it wasn’t so completely obvious when my cheeks turned pink. “Thanks,” I chirped. I was glad Alex was talking to me but what did he think about Drew having his arm on the back of my chair? To be fair, he didn’t seem to notice but I was painfully aware of the touch.
The meeting started and I heard Mitch, the director, talking but I didn’t really listen to words. He was standing with his back to us, addressing the crowd so I couldn’t see his face anyway. Not that I needed to listen. I’d heard this speech a thousand times, okay ten, but I was also completely distracted by Drew’s arm. I swear he was touching some of my hair. Not my ponytail of course but a couple of times, I felt the tendrils falling out the bottom shift or pull. When I looked at him, however, he was staring straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the back of Mick’s head, his expression blank.
I was so consumed wondering why he had his arm on my chair that I barely paid attention to Alex either.
I blinked back to reality when my name was called. “We’d like to welcome all of the new counselors that have joined the staff at Camp Winni.” Mick’s voice boomed through th
e microphone.
Several counselors turned back to say congratulations to me or Millie, but as they did, Drew leaned over to whisper in my ear, “Congratulations.” His breath was soft and tickly and it made me shiver. And everyone was watching with his arm around me and his breath in my ear, his lips so close I could practically feel them moving. My own breath was coming out in short gasps.
I turned to look at him, wondering what he was thinking. “Thanks,” I tried to say but my voice barely worked. His face was so close to mine and I blinked in confusion. It was intimate and personal and rather titillating. What was happening?
Then he turned to face forward again and as I straightened, I noticed several sets of eyes still appraising us. Most had their brows drawn together in confusion but a few gave us a knowing smile.
“We’d also like to congratulate Drew McCabe on being promoted to music director.” Mitch’s voice boomed over the crowd.
My head whipped back to Drew. The guy who had made fun of every camp song I sang was going to be the director of music? Well, he’d only teased me about a couple I guess, but still. This could not be happening. “Seriously? You’re going to lead ‘Camp Winni Win?’” He knew the song I was referring to. Everyone here knew it as we sang it almost every day.
He didn’t make a face at me or roll his eyes. Instead he pulled down his sunglasses and winked as he leaned closer. “Yeah, I’m kind of counting on you to help me with that.”
Wait, what? Drew wanted my help? This couldn’t be happening. Several of the older counselors had called me Alka Seltzer all summer after his comment about me being bubbly. And now he wanted my bubbly personality? “Drew, I don’t…” I didn’t want to be mean but I also didn’t want to be a doormat.
He leaned in again. So close that I swear I felt his lips against my ear. I started tingling again. “Don’t say anything yet. I know it’s a big deal I’m asking you to help me learn the songs. Let me apologize to you for last year first and then you can reject me if you want. But I owe you an explanation.” His hand gathered up the wisps of hair that were trailing down my back. His fingers lightly grazed down their length. I stopped breathing and I actually trembled at the light touch. “Please?” he asked.
Chapter Three
Drew
Something strange was happening. I did want to apologize to Chloe. For sure. But the second I’d seen her walk up on that stage, I’d also wanted to, I don’t know, touch her I guess. Like hold her hand. See how her hair felt.
So, I’d put my arm on the back of her chair. Touching her hadn’t been awkward at all. In fact, she felt amazing. Her hair was incredibly soft, her skin smelled of the sweet sun and strawberries, and her eyes… This close I could see all the flecks of marine blue that gave them their bright and shiny hue.
And when she’d looked at me. I’d wanted… well, I’d wanted to kiss her. I’d settled for touching my lips lightly to her ear but that only made me want more of her.
The worst part was, I think she hated me. She didn’t even want to help me sing a song. And she was still hung up on Alex. I could see it every time she glanced his way, the way she blushed and stuttered. It irritated me, but I pushed it back down. I wouldn’t get snippy again. Because, while I’d told myself last summer that her perkiness was annoying, I was beginning to wonder if my feelings stemmed from something else entirely. And, honestly, I’d been a jerk. She didn’t deserve to be treated like that and I knew it.
“Fine,” she gave a little huff and her breath blew across my face. It was a sweet as the rest of her. “I’ll help you learn the music.” She was now tucked under my arm and I had this feeling that I really liked her being there.
Deep down, I’d known she would help. She was nice like that. It was one of the things I really liked about her. “Okay, cool,” I said. “Let’s meet on the beach tonight.”
“Oh,” she blushed then, her cheeks turning a rather pretty shade of pink. Not red or splotchy at all. Even her blush was pretty. “Sure, I guess. Would you rather meet during lunch tomorrow? I’m sure you have better things to do with your time tonight.”
Why did I get the feeling it was her who had better things to do? “I don’t,” I replied. “But if you don’t want to, it’s cool.”
“No.” She didn’t sound sure. “The beach sounds good.” She took a breath. “But you don’t have to apologize, I mean. I know I can be overly bubbly. You’re not the only person it annoys. I mean my sophomore year they called me, Pop, like the nickname for soda. I liked that better than Alka Seltzer. My Grandpa takes that stuff and it’s disgusting.” She stopped, her face turning bright red this time. “I’m talking too much. I always talk too much.”
That’s the weird thing, I guess. She did talk a lot when she got uncomfortable. But this past year, when my band dropped me, I’d spent a lot of time alone. And I found myself wishing for a few more friends like Chloe. Even last summer, I’d thought she was super cute. I hadn’t actually called her Sunshine as an insult. I’d meant it as a compliment. Being around her was like basking in the sun. “I don’t think you talk too much,” I said.
She shrugged. “You don’t have to pretend. And you don’t have to like me. I just wish…” she stopped.
“What?” I asked.
We were so close and she leaned a little closer. Her scent was filling my nostrils. “If you could just not tease me in front of everyone, I would really appreciate it.”
I could actually see tears glistening in her eyes and I had never in my entire life felt like such an ass. I had really hurt her feelings. A knot formed in my chest at the thought that I’d screwed this up so badly. “Of course.” I managed to say. “I never meant--”
But I couldn’t finish. Mitch blew the whistle to finish the meeting and signal the beginning of camp. Everyone jumped and began cheering. Everyone but us. We sat there, still close, looking at each other.
Finally, the first strains of Camp Winni started from the back and everyone began singing.
Oh we’re from Camp Winni and we’re on the best team
We do the Wachoosee we’re 7 feet tall!
Mosquitoes might eat us but they’ll never beat us ‘cause we’re from Camp Winni and we’re on the ball
Sing along, sing along, sing along- Oh!
Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah-wah-wah
Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah, Ungawah-wah-wah!
Chloe blinked twice and then turned away from me, the moment lost. She jumped out of her seat, joining in on the song. I don’t know why but I hated that song. I guess I didn’t grow up coming here and I struggled with how campy the camp song was. My summers, till I became a counselor, were the exact opposite of this sunny joyous display of joinitis.
My mom had split when I was nine and it was just me and my dad. He worked as a mechanic full time and I was left on my own. I’d started playing the guitar just to occupy myself and then I’d started the band for the same reason.
I’d somehow made ripped jeans and old tees cool but I didn’t really have a choice.
Looking at Chloe’s frayed jean shorts, my guess was they were designer, not just old. Which was cool. I envied her a little bit, and not just because of the jean shorts. Because she could give herself over to this and not be self-conscience.
The crowd of counselors started moving off the stage and Chloe moved with them. I jumped up from my seat to follow. “Come on,” I shouted to Alex over the second round of “Camp Winni.”
“We do the Wachoosee,” Alex shouted as he started down the steps. Alex was never self-conscience anywhere about anything. I also really liked that about him. I’d gotten a scholarship to a private high school and Alex was one of the few guys who’d just been my friend. No subtle barbs about how I actually didn’t belong or whispers about my beat-up old clunker of a car.
I saw Chloe’s blond curls fly up as she did a little jump at the part where they cried, “We’re seven feet tall!” And I grinned. For the first t
ime, ever, I enjoyed Camp Winni and all that it stood for. Her enthusiasm was infectious and I was excited to be here. Which was an oddity of its own. Other than playing music I was rarely excited about anything. Getting to do more than set up crafts definitely helped. I got to play my guitar every day. But Chloe was part of my new found enthusiasm too. I could see her happiness and I wanted to experience it the way she did.
Which is why I had to give her a proper apology. She deserved an explanation and I’d skewer my pride to make her feel better. She deserved it.
* * *
Chloe
I looked back over my shoulder to see Drew grinning at me, though several people were in between us. It was a really nice smile. Not a malicious, you’re so stupid, kind of grin. Like he was happy I was happy and that look lit his entire face making my toes curl in my flip flops.
What was happening?
I had completely forgotten Alex sat one person away from me. I hadn’t even tried to speak with him. I had been completely distracted by Drew. The feel of him, the sound of him, and definitely his lips against my ear. Why had we been so close? Why was he being so nice? He wanted me to teach him the songs? He was in a band and I knew he was musically inclined. I’d seen him perform during last year’s talent show. He was amazing. So I knew he knew the songs after hearing them for an entire summer last year.
I looked back again and he was gaining ground, getting closer to me in the crowd. As we started on our third round of Camp Winni, he was next to me. I was singing at the top of my lungs. So was everyone else, except probably Drew. When I started on the “seven feet tall” part, his hands came to my waist, lifting me in the air. I soared above everyone’s heads, a shriek of surprise interrupting my singing. Not that anyone heard. He easily caught me and one of his hands returned to his side but the other stayed around my waist. I liked it.
Camp Crush: Accidental Kisses Page 2
