Falling in Fast

by Danielle Arie

  Morning came, and I headed down to breakfast, June waving to me from a table in the corner.

  I set my tray down beside hers and sat. “Hey, June.”

  “Hey, lady. Ready for the first camp week?”

  I grinned. “I thought it would never get here.”

  She nodded, crumpling her napkin and setting it on the table. “Hey. I wanted to talk to you about something, if that’s okay.”

  Perfect. I thought maybe I’d get through breakfast without any problems, but I was obviously wrong.

  I braced myself and nodded. “Go for it.”

  She swallowed, leaning closer. “Look. Hannah and a few other staffers saw you and Tucker on the lake trail yesterday,” she said low.

  Awesome.

  “She only told me because she’s worried about his promotion. I’m not sure if you know, but leads can’t date their crew members. It’s against HR policy. It’s considered, like, some weird form of nepotism, or something. Anyway. You guys are cute, and whatever, but I thought you should know. In case Tucker never told you.”

  “He could lose his promotion?” I tried not to let the shock show on my face, but he never told me anything about it. Why wouldn’t he? Did he not trust me?

  She shrugged. “He applied for a year-round job last week. It’s hush-hush right now, but it’s in the works. He’s supposed to start training in the next couple weeks.”

  I chewed my food, nodding. He told me about the year-round part, but he failed to mention everything else. As much as I was starting to crush on him, I didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize his stability. He had to have a way to take care of his brothers.

  Wait. What if Lauren said something?

  “So, Lauren knows about yesterday, too,” I whispered, eyeing her across the cafeteria, leaning in close beside Nick, looking at some brochure he was holding.

  June stiffened. “Be careful. She’s not the most mature when it comes to guys.”

  “Seriously.” I drew a slow breath, weighing out my options. “What’s my best move, June? Assuming, I’m starting to like Tucker.”

  “Girl, I don’t have to assume anything. I’ve seen the way you guys look at each other.”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  She grinned. “So, I hate to say it, but if you want to protect him, you should find a way out of Maintenance and fast.”

  Man. That was like a knife to the gut. Maintenance was so freeing. I couldn’t imagine being stuck in a shop all day.

  But, for Tucker . . . and for his family . . .

  “How do I do that?”

  She cleared her throat, turning back to her breakfast. “I’ll ask around and see which departments have openings. Off the top of my head, I know the Boathouse needs help, but I’m not sure about anywhere else.”

  The Boathouse. Nick was in the Boathouse. Hopefully there were other options.

  A familiar form passed by my periphery. I glanced over at Tucker, his two brothers following behind him to the table where Mal and Hunter were sitting.

  “Let me know as soon as you find out,” I told her, Tucker scanning the room until his eyes found mine. Something weird passed over his face, and he looked away.

  What was that look for?

  I had a feeling he wouldn’t be happy with my plan, but I wasn’t exactly happy he left the whole risking his promotion part out of our conversations. Especially yesterday.

  “I should introduce myself to those boys,” June said, clearing her throat as she stood. “They’re hanging with me all day.”

  “I’ll stop by on my break to check in with you about other openings.” I stood and parted paths with her to head for the exit. I wanted to go over and introduce myself to Tucker’s brothers, too, but I didn’t need to add any fuel to the rumor fire. Besides, if Tucker wanted me to meet his brothers, he’d let me know. I headed to the pay phones instead, because I hadn’t called home in a couple days, and Mom would freak out if I didn’t touch base with her enough.

  -Tucker-

  Walker and Kyler ate their breakfast in silence, like ghosts of the boys they were before Dad walked out. I tried to make myself eat a decent amount, but my appetite was gone. Between my family’s reality, and the pull in my chest to go find Emery, life was super peachy. I couldn’t help but notice Lauren and the jerk at their own table in the corner, cozying up like they’d been together for years.

  Nice.

  I was sure Emery saw it too.

  I’d made plans to talk to her about where I was at today. To tell her that, as much as I wanted to, I wasn’t in the place to pursue anything right now. But a twinge of pain pulled in my chest when I saw her leave with her head down.

  It could wait until tomorrow.

  June came across the cafeteria, approaching us with a warm smile. “Hey, Tucker. Heard you have some family visiting.” She turned to Ky and Walker.

  “Hey, June. These are my brothers. Walker. And Kyler.”

  “Hey.” She lifted a hand to them before turning back to me. “Pastor Gregg told me both boys are going to come help me get the welcome packets ready. Sound like a good plan?”

  “Welcome packets?” Kyler’s eyes widened as he studied her. “What’re those?”

  “Envelopes with important papers in ‘em, stupid,” Walker interjected, rolling his eyes.

  “Hey,” I nudged him with my elbow, “not here.”

  When did he start in with all the attitude?

  Walker sighed. “Yeah. Whatever.”

  June lifted her brows. “I guess, if welcome packets don’t sound interesting, the port-a-potties always need a good scrubbing—”

  “Oh. Sick,” Kyler said, cringing.

  “No. Envelopes sound good.”

  “Great.” She nodded. “Let’s go then. Campers should start rolling in at ten. I think we’ll get you guys assigned to your camp cabins for the week tonight after we do a headcount.”

  “Sounds good,” I set my fork down and wiped my mouth. “I’ll come and get them after work.”

  “Perfect. See you then. Ready, guys?”

  They glanced back at me. I nodded. “You heard her. Be good, all right?”

  They both stood and followed her out. I cleared my tray, glancing at Nick and Lauren again, Lauren leaning her head on his shoulder, pointing at something on his phone. I had no idea what they could do on a phone without service. Probably taking selfies. I didn’t really care enough to find out. My stomach twisted worse and I headed outside, making my way up to the Maintenance yard with an urge to see Emery, even though I knew it couldn’t go anywhere. I was an obvious glutton for punishment.

  Help me see Your plan, Lord.

  The crew gathered for the morning devotion and split off for their jobs. Emery hung behind, staring at the ground as I approached her.

  “I saw your brothers at breakfast,” she said, softly, toeing a pebble. “You guys look identical. Well, except for the age gaps.”

  “We get that a lot.” I wanted to pull her close and stay like that for a while, but it wasn’t possible. “Are you ready to roll?”

  She frowned, lifting her eyes to mine. “Do you think that’s a good idea?” Something in her face killed me. A caution that wasn’t there before the kiss.

  “What do you mean?”

  “People saw us yesterday. Lauren knows. You’re not worried about that at all?”

  Mal and Hunter filled me in on the rumors at breakfast. I actually was worried about it, but that didn’t mean I was ready to send her off with someone else. “I think it’s fine. Pastor Gregg knows my situation. I can talk to him about it.”

  She frowned. “What about risking your promotion?”

  “Risking my promotion?” Now I was the one frowning. “Who told you about that?”

  She shrugged. “You didn’t. And, you let me jeopardize your position without knowing it. Tucker, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I knew you lost your job because of me. Not when you have your brothers to worry about.” She ducked
her head, back to toeing the ground. “I talked to June about it at breakfast.”

  June. I should’ve guessed.

  “I’m transferring out of Maintenance after today.”

  “Wait. What?” She wasn’t serious, was she? “Emery, it’s not a big deal. So we kissed once. It was a blip on the radar, and it’s behind us. We can just go back to being friends and we’ll be fine—”

  “So, that’s all that was to you?” she asked, lifting her chin. “A blip on the radar?”

  No! I wanted to tell her it wasn’t, but my thinking was way off yesterday, and I crossed a line I shouldn’t have crossed yet when I kissed her. “Yes, and no.”

  She scoffed.

  I sighed, not sure how she wanted me to respond. “Look. I like you, Emery. A lot. But you’re not dating. Neither am I.”

  She swallowed, staring at something behind me. Or, nothing maybe. I didn’t know.

  “Let’s just finish out the day, and we can talk about your transfer when we’re done,” I added. I didn’t know how else to convince her to come with me, but I wanted her to. More than I should. “I want to tell you about my brothers.”

  Cheap shot? Maybe. But, it was true.

  She swallowed and tucked her hair behind her ear, contemplating before she nodded. “Okay.”

  TWENTY-TWO

  -Emery-

  “Things at home are worse than I thought,” Tucker said, as he dumped one of the year-round resident garbage cans into the back of the truck. He set the first can back as I dragged the next one over. We lifted it together, and shook it out, sitting in the cab again as he drove to the next set of houses up the road. “Walker told me my mom’s been out of it since I left.”

  I didn’t miss the guilt in his tone. I didn’t want to feel bad for him, because it made me want to comfort him, and I already knew where that got us . . . into little blips that we could forget in two seconds flat if we wanted to.

  I shouldn’t be bitter about it. He had a good point, but still. I didn’t just kiss guys like that. I was completely bitter. “Have they heard anything from your dad?” I asked because I needed to stop over-analyzing it.

  “No. I guess they tried calling him a bunch of times, but he never answered, and he never called back.” His tone was off, his lips downturned.

  “That’s terrible.”

  He sighed, scratched his chin, and leaned forward as he slowed and set the brake in front of the next house. “I can’t stop thinking about my mom.” He put it in park and opened his door. I slid to the ground beside him, helping him lift the first trash can and then the second.

  “How is she?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I talked to my Aunt this morning. I was ready to drive down there again after I got the boys settled, but I guess it’s a thirty-day program, and they don’t want her having outside contact.” We set the can down and he shook his head, his eyes watering.

  “I’m so sorry.” I felt like it was all I was saying to him lately, but I didn’t know what else to say. Everything happening to him was awful. I couldn’t imagine being in his shoes.

  We climbed back into the truck and he cleared his throat. “Did you see our exes this morning?”

  “Yes. So predictable, right?”

  “Right?” He turned out onto a back trail, leading up to another set of houses on the hill.

  “She came with him for basketball last night, too. He joined us for a pick-up game, and she was like his personal little cheerleader.”

  Tucker shook his head, rubbing a hand across his mouth with a sigh. He threw the truck in park in front of the next house and we hopped out to dump the cans, hopping back inside in less than a minute. “I should talk to her,” he mumbled.

  “Who?”

  “Lauren.”

  That didn’t sit right at all. Was he secretly talking to her like she said? “You? Why?”

  He shrugged. “She’s doing the whole rebound thing again. She needs to slow down and figure herself out for a minute.”

  Funny. Lauren and I were polar opposites, but that’s exactly what I was trying to do. “Do you really think you’re the best person to talk to her, though?” I refused to read into it. It wasn’t my place to care anyway. But, still. The whole ex-to-friends situation.

  And, whether or not it was my place, I did care. But why?

  “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll send Nolan to talk to her.”

  “What about Mila? She seems like she has a decent head on her shoulders.”

  Tucker grinned. “That’s an understatement.”

  “Really?”

  He laughed. “That girl could be the president if she wanted to.”

  “Seriously? Doesn’t that make them complete opposites?”

  “Something like that.” He slowed in front of the next house, and sighed. “Whatever goes down from here, I’m really glad you came out with me today.”

  I swallowed and unbuckled, bracing myself against the warm waves his words spread through my veins. Even if it was true, it didn’t matter. I refused to get in the way of his job. I glanced through the window over my shoulder. “It’s about half-full. How many more houses before we dump it?”

  -Tucker-

  We spent the next two hours loading and dumping, and talking about everything from her brothers’ girlfriends to my high school basketball career in between. She went quiet when I asked her about her basketball experience.

  “I mean, I’ve said it before. You’re an animal. So, I’m guessing you played all four years in high school?”

  “Yup.”

  “On Varsity,” I added.

  She sniffed, cheeks flaming. “Uh huh.”

  Was she really being shy about this? “What has you blushing, Chuck?”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear and pulled her water bottle from the floorboard, lifting a shoulder. “I love playing, but I hate talking about it.”

  “Really?” I didn’t get why when she had as much talent as she did. “Why is that?”

  Twisting the cap back on, she drew a deep breath and shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s just not my favorite topic. I think it’s because of my brothers’ teasing. I get all self-conscious.”

  “Because you’re good?’

  She clammed up worse.

  I wanted to kiss her again, but that couldn’t happen. Get back on topic, bro. “Emery, I’ve seen a lot of girls play, but I’ve never seen anyone play like you.” It was a fact.

  “We can change the subject now.” Her blush deepened, and it threw me for a serious loop. How could someone so good be so humble about it?

  “I don’t get it, but all right.” I turned the radio on, and scanned through the stations until some random song came through, static crackling in random places. “So, we’ll drop this off at the garbage center, then we’ll head in for lunch. Are you ready to meet my brothers?”

  She frowned. “You want me to meet your brothers?”

  “Heck yes, I want you to meet my brothers. I told them a little bit about you this morn—”

  The engine squealed.

  I grunted. “I thought you fixed that, Chuck.”

  She leaned over, her arm brushing mine as she squinted at the dash. Just that little touch set my skin on fire, the scent of her hair taking me straight back to yesterday. To how good she felt in my arms. How good her lips felt on mine. How right.

  “It was a fix, but it wasn’t permanent. We should probably call it in after we’re done.”

  I nodded, and loosened my seatbelt, taking a deep breath when she settled back in her seat, her arm on mine just a memory. “Anyway. I was telling my brothers about you this morning.”

  “What about me?”

  “I bet you want to know,” I joked.

  She wasn’t laughing.

  “No.” I sniffed, playing it cool. “I just told them I’ve been training a girl. That she’s pretty amazing. That she’s a beast on the courts. My brother Walker doesn’t believe me. I told them we’d have to play some time
to prove him wrong.”

  The engine squealed again as we climbed the last stretch of the hill before the garbage center. It screeched at a higher pitch, almost silent. “Dang, that’s weird.” A pop sounded and the whole frame shook, freezing to a halt.

  “It snapped,” Emery said.

  “Nice.” I sighed, and leaned my head back against the seat, motioning for the two-way.

  She handed it to me. “Tucker to June. We need a replacement truck up at the garbage center.”

  “Copy that, Tucker. I’ll put some guys on it. Hang tight for about twenty.”

  “Thanks.”

  The line cut out and I let out a tight breath, scanning our surroundings. The road was shaded by a canopy of towering sequoia pines, the garbage center only another couple hundred yards up the hill, and we were the only ones heading there today.

  This wasn’t what I had in mind when I asked her to come with me. Not that I was complaining.

  “What now?” she asked, her voice laced with a hint of caution.

  I cleared my throat and nodded toward the glovebox. “Grab me the deck of cards in there?”

  She did, our fingertips brushing when she handed them to me. I ignored the magnetic draw of our skin and opened the box, dealing out two sets. “Have you ever played Rummy?”

  “My Grandpa taught me when I was ten.”

  “Good.” I nodded, squinting at my cards. “I won’t feel too bad when I beat you then.”

  “I’d like to see you try.” She narrowed her eyes at me as she took her set of cards and fanned them out in her hand, like some type of expert. “You go first.”

  TWENTY-THREE

  -Emery-

  On my third move in, I felt Tucker’s eyes on me. I studied my cards like I didn’t notice, but there was no way not to. Not with the chemistry buzzing so thick between us. Making it harder to breathe. Not when I knew what kissing him felt like, and when I could probably kiss him again. Right now.

  “So, you’re really transferring out of Maintenance?” he asked, randomly, as I laid down a King.