Falling in Fast

by Danielle Arie

  “You were right,” she said, softly, staring at the ground. She tucked a piece of that wavy hair behind her ear, and folded her arms across her chest. “I thought we could be friends, and then he was so convincing at the bonfire, I thought I made a mistake before, when I broke things off. But we’re so different.”

  I frowned. “But, I heard you guys are back together.”

  “I had a moment of weakness last night. I believed him for a second.” She sighed, her cheeks burning bright red. “He’s so convincing, and he had my heart for so long. I thought we were getting back together, but we’re not.” Her blue eyes found mine and she swallowed, a determination in her stance I hadn’t noticed before. “I deserve better.”

  The air left my lungs, the sunlight falling from behind me, glowing through her blonde waves, popping against her tan skin. She was beyond gorgeous. “Yeah, you do.”

  “Thanks for helping me see it.”

  I wanted to say I could be that guy for her. That I could treat her the way she deserved, but we were only a week in. And, my family. The urge to say it didn’t go away. We stood there like that, just staring at each other, until someone bumped my arm as they passed, knocking me back into reality.

  I cleared my throat. “Apology accepted then, Chuck?”

  She nodded. “Apology accepted.”

  “Nice.” I don’t know what it was about being next to her that made life a little easier to handle, but it did. It made me want tomorrow to be here sooner so we could spend some more time together. Either that, or I could just . . . “So what are you doing after lunch?”

  We headed toward the line of staffers coiling outside the Cafeteria entrance.

  “I was thinking of going for a run around the lake, maybe hitting the courts for a little practice later.”

  “You’ve been out there a lot lately.”

  She went quiet, tucking her hair again. “What about you? What are your plans after lunch?”

  “I was thinking of going for a run, too.” It wasn’t exactly what I was planning. I was kind of thinking of fishing, but I could go for a run if it meant spending some time with Emery.

  We stopped at the end of the line, Mal wiggling his brows at me from up ahead when he noticed who I was with. The guy wouldn’t quit.

  “We should go together,” she said, as I returned my attention to her, noting the weird look in her eyes as she studied the space behind me.

  Her ex was heading up the stairs beside Nolan. They took their place a few groups behind us.

  “If you think you can keep up with me.” I nudged her with my elbow, trying to pull her out of her funk.

  She forced a grin and turned her eyes to mine. “If you can keep up with me you mean?”

  I ducked my head, unable to help my smile. The girl was cute, and she deserved so much better than what she’d been dealt before. I wanted to do everything I could to reinforce that fact to her. “Either way. Sound like a plan?”

  She held my gaze, and for half a second I thought about closing the space between us and planting one on those perfect lips.

  “Yeah.”

  EIGHTEEN

  -Emery-

  I met Tucker for our run around the lake, and matched his pace the whole time, moving into hyper speed at the tail end of it to keep him on his toes. He increased his speed to keep up with me, doubling over in half-laughter, half-heaving when we hit the parking lot, and slowed for our cool down.

  “What the heck, Emery?” he said, between breaths, his shirt drenched in sweat. “Why are you so fast?”

  I smiled, trying to catch my own breath, but I’d killed myself to give him a challenge and my lungs were practically on fire. We walked uphill, and collapsed on the lawn to stretch.

  “Seriously,” he said. “What’s with you? You’re not human.”

  I wiped my brow on my arm and fell back on the grass to stretch my quads, watching as billowing white clouds floated across the sky. “I told you I’m competitive.”

  “That’s not competitive. That’s another level.”

  A few minutes passed before he stood and leaned over top of me with an outstretched hand. “Need help up?”

  I gripped it, ignoring the strength in his grasp, and the thought that I liked what it felt like, and that I needed to have someone’s hand to hold. Those were the toxic thoughts I’d held onto for way too long while I was with Nick. I’d loved him, yes, but I fought the fact that he was wrong for me from the beginning. I didn’t need a hand to hold. I needed to stay grounded, and I needed to focus on God for a while. And, I needed to forget the fact that I got what Tucker said earlier, about feeling closer than we were because we’d spent so much time together.

  I felt it, too.

  “Thanks for the run, Tucker.”

  He cleared his throat, nodding as I stood beside him. “I think we should make it a thing.”

  “What do you mean?” I furrowed my brows as he started toward the lodges and followed him.

  “I need some exercise, and you pushed me more than I push myself. We should be running buddies. It could be a thing.”

  I wasn’t sure if it should be a thing, but there was a definite benefit to the team-mentality when it came to training, an aspect I’d been missing since coming to Bridgeport. If he was down for running with me, I was in.

  “It’s a thing then.” I grinned as we approached my lodge, Lauren and Mila passing us on the way up.

  Tucker didn’t glance in her direction once. His focus was all on me.

  I wasn’t sure about the swell of pride in my chest because of it.

  “So I’ll see you at work tomorrow?” he asked, like it wasn’t a given.

  “I’ll be there.”

  “All right. See you there.”

  “Okay.” I chuckled, and turned toward the lodge.

  Back in my room, I gathered my toiletries and headed for the shower, but not before Lauren showed up.

  “Hey, Emery. I saw you out there with Tucker,” she said, all accusation.

  “Yup.” I opened the cupboard beneath our sink and pulled a washcloth out. “I saw you out there with Mila, too. Are we just listing who we see each other with now?”

  She scoffed. “I told you how I feel about him.”

  I frowned, standing to face her. “I don’t get what that has to do with anything? We went for a run. We’re friends. Friends can go for runs together.”

  She turned toward the mirror and flipped her hair, inspecting her reflection like the problem was on her face. “I had something amazing with Tucker, Emery. And, I know you probably think he’s hot, and everything, but he’s twenty-three. He’s looking for a real woman.”

  “I said we’re just friends.” I don’t know why it festered. I wanted to argue with her. Tell her I was turning nineteen in a few months. That four years wasn’t a big deal, but I didn’t. It wasn’t worth my breath. “I just got out of a serious relationship and I have a really amazing life waiting for me after this. I’m not looking for anything right now.”

  She nodded, her body relaxing a little. “Good, because Tucker and I have been talking. Don’t be surprised if we end up back together.”

  Wow. That thought boiled. He said he was over her like he’d meant it. He wouldn’t lie to me like that, would he? I doubted it, but even if he would, I didn’t need to react. “Lauren, if you and Tucker end up together, great for you guys. I’m going to take a shower.”

  She nodded, a little smile cresting on her big lips.

  I shut myself inside the bathroom, and turned the water on, trying to figure out why I was so annoyed by everything. I was just on the verge of a bounce-back with my ex last night. So what if Tucker ended up getting back together with Lauren? We were friends. Just friends. Close-ish friends, but friends.

  I needed to just take a shower already. I was positive that a good night’s rest and fresh morning perspective would bring a calm about whatever Lauren was talking about.

  At least, I hoped it did.

  -Tucke
r-

  Training Emery was painless. By the end of her second week, I felt confident that she could handle it herself, but a covert part of me was glad we had a final week left. There was something different about her, and every day we spent together made me want to figure out what it was. Something that was making me question my girl-free-summer stance.

  The second weekend of camp prep rolled around. Sunday after church, Mal and I went out for a final check of all of the main roads. It was one of the last things that had to be done before campers came up tomorrow.

  “So, how’s life back home?” he asked, on our last sideroad of the day.

  “It’s all right. My Aunty Ellen said she’s been stopping by every day to see my mom. Things aren’t the best ever, but she seems stable enough that I don’t need to come home.”

  “That’s good.” He cleared his throat, checking left and right before turning back onto the main road. “What about you and Emery? You guys’ve been together a lot lately.”

  “I’m training her. It’s part of the job.”

  He cackled. “Right. I don’t remember you going for runs with Hunter every night when you trained him.” He lifted a brow.

  “We’re just hanging out, Mal. Friends do that.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, man.”

  I was telling myself that. I had to. As cool as Emery was, she wasn’t dating. Neither was I. At least, I probably shouldn’t be.

  Mal pulled back into the yard and killed the engine, yawning and releasing it with a growl. “Are we all down for basketball later? Who knows when we’ll get the chance to play again after campers come.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I said, unbuckling.

  He cleared his throat. “You’ll tell Emery?”

  “Yup.”

  He nodded. “Cool. Cool.”

  We headed toward the men’s lodge together, and I scanned the camp while it was still calm. A little part of me felt like I owned a piece of it when it was like this.

  When we rounded the corner to the lodge, Pastor Gregg was sitting on the steps out front, his face ashen when his eyes met mine. He stood and came to meet me. “Hey, Tucker. I got a call from your Aunt Ellen a couple minutes ago. Looks like there’s a problem at home.”

  “What’s wrong?” I swallowed, my blood draining to my feet as he released a heavy breath.

  “Your mama . . . she . . . well, son, she was checked into a drug rehab this morning.”

  “What?” My heart straight froze in my chest. There was no way. He had to be wrong. Someone had to be. Not my mom.

  He swallowed. “Your aunt said she found her unconscious this morning after your brother called. She took her to the hospital and they checked her into a facility a couple of hours ago. It’s a thirty-day program.”

  “Seriously?” My lungs tightened, and I doubled over to catch my breath. I knew she’d had a problem before I was born, but she said she kicked it after she had me. I’d never seen her struggle before in my life.

  He patted my back. “It’ll be all right, Bud. She’s in the best hands there.”

  “What about my brothers? Where’s my dad in all this?”

  “Your Aunt said she couldn’t get a hold of your dad.”

  My throat tightened, tears pricking my eyes. My life was falling apart, and it kept getting worse, and I was up here when I should’ve been home. Kyler and Walker needed me. “I have to go.” I could barely see straight. “I’m sorry, but they need me. I hate to leave early, but I can’t stay up here. I can’t leave them alone.”

  “Hold on there, Tucker,” he said, hand lifted. “I talked the situation over with your aunt and she told me she’d need you home. But I offered to let them come up here for the summer instead.”

  I frowned. “You did?”

  He nodded. “She said she’d send them on a Greyhound. They’ll be down in Gainesville around ten tonight. We’ll let them spend the summer like campers.”

  “So, they’re coming here?”

  He nodded. “Yes.”

  I clamped my jaw and stood, running a trembling hand across my mouth because it was too much to take in all at once. Pastor Gregg offered to pray with me, helping me center my thoughts on what really mattered. My brothers were on their way, probably scared out of their minds. What was Mom thinking? She couldn’t have been thinking much at all.

  Pastor Gregg ended his prayer and held my gaze. “Stay focused on the Lord, Tucker. He’ll give you the strength you need, even when you don’t know how.”

  “I will,” I muttered, trying to shove the rest to the back of my mind. But seriously. Kids shouldn’t have to worry about this kind of stuff. Especially not my brothers.

  “I’ll have your stuff transferred to one of the staff cabins while you’re on your way. You can stay there with your brothers while we get this all figured out.” He glanced to Mal. “Think the Maintenance crew can handle that?”

  “Yeah. I’ll get on that right now.”

  I nodded. Plans were crucial in crazy situations. Pastor Gregg was on it when I couldn’t be. “Thanks again, Sir. I really can’t tell you how much you’re helping us out.”

  “Glad to do it. Now take care of yourself so you can take care of those boys.”

  “I will.” My fingers curled into fists as I watched Pastor Gregg make his way down the hill.

  Mal cleared his throat beside me. “Dude. Tucker. I’m sorry, man. What do you need?”

  I threw my hands up, shaking my head, wanting to shake both my parents, but that obviously wouldn’t get anything done. “I have no idea. Guess I have about six hours to figure it out.”

  NINETEEN

  -Emery-

  I had two weeks of staff training under my belt, and tomorrow would be the beginning of the final week. The week campers arrived. Excitement buzzed through my veins all day, starting at church. Pastor Gregg delivered the perfect sermon. A sermon on God’s timing, and being faithful in the waiting. The payoff that comes if you’re walking in His plan. I tried not to assume what it would look like for me. The tradeoff I’d get for breaking things off with Nick. The longing for a future with someone as amazing as Tucker. The past week training with him had been as easy as breathing, the hardest part keeping my attraction to him in check. I mentioned the Lauren thing. He told me she was losing it. I decided to just ignore her from then on.

  I went to the staff barbecue after church, and threw a football around with some of the guys. After lunch, I went out to the courts to get a little practice in, did some laundry, and called home. For the past hour, I’d been studying the playbook my new coach emailed me before I left for camp. A knock sounded on my door when I was halfway through visualizing the third play in. The Falcon play.

  Lauren’s bestie, Mila, stood there, green eyes sparking. “Hey, Emery. Tucker just sent me in to see if you have a minute.” Something weird passed through her eyes. “I think something’s wrong.”

  “Thanks.” I threw my hair up in a ponytail and got my shoes on.

  I hustled out, hating the panicked look on his face when he saw me.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” I furrowed my brows, wanting to reach out and touch his arm, but it wasn’t my place.

  “Walk with me?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

  I nodded, following him in silence downhill and out to the lake trail. I joined him at his side.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked again when we were far enough out of earshot.

  He shook his head, trudging forward on the path, the sun beaming off the lake to our left. “I guess my mom was checked into a drug rehab this morning.”

  “Rehab?” I whispered, my heart sinking. He never said anything about her having a drug problem.

  “It’s not like her. She’s a die-hard about her health.” He swallowed, his eyes welling.

  “I’m so sorry, Tucker.” I walked a little closer, our hands brushing with the swing of our arms.

  He gripped mine, threading his fingers through the spaces, warm and calloused.
I drew a sharp breath, a jolt of heat charging up my arm.

  Was he feeling this, too? Whatever connection I’d been feeling?

  “This okay?” he asked.

  Oh, man. Was it?

  I wasn’t totally sure, but I was sure I cared about him. I wanted to help him any way I could, and if I was honest, I liked having my hand in his. “Yes.”

  He glanced back to the path, brows furrowed in some cross between anger and sorrow. “I don’t know what to do, Emery. Pastor Gregg said my brothers can stay here for the summer. But, my mom’s out of it, and I guess my dad just . . . vanished. I mean. I love my brothers, but what am I supposed to do if both my parents are AWOL when summer ends? I’m only one person . . .”

  I squeezed his hand, trying to ignore the waves of warmth swarming inside my stomach because of it. “Maybe it’s the mountain,” I said, softly. “And maybe, you just have to take it one step at a time right now instead of trying to figure out how to climb the whole thing.”

  “I’m sorry. You don’t need to hear all my drama.” He sighed. “I just . . . You’re the only one besides Mal who knows everything and he’s not the best at listening.”

  I stopped walking, turning to face him, wanting to lift a hand to his strong jaw, but I didn’t want to breach a line he didn’t want to cross and I wasn’t sure I was ready to cross it yet, either. Besides, I had no idea how he felt about me. I thought we were just friends. I’d been telling myself that every time I’d been confused about him the past couple days. But, the way he was looking into my eyes right now . . . “Don’t apologize about this, okay? It’s not your fault, and I’m glad I can be here for you. It’s nice being real with someone for a change.”

  “Yeah, it is,” he said, his voice all gravelly, making my heart shake. He glanced up again, sighing as he dipped his forehead to mine and set his hands on my hips, walking me backward across a layer of pine needles, toward a flat rock formation.