Don’t Fall for the Summer Fling

by Andresen, Tammy

  “Like what?” I straightened my shoulders. I’d had this vague sense something wasn’t right, but now the twisting in my gut sharpened.

  She shrugged, one of her shoulders going up. “You know. More casual.”

  “No,” I said. My voice was louder than I’d intended. “I don’t know.” I clenched and unclenched my fists. It was a single date. I shouldn’t be this upset. Yet, I wanted more, a lot more, and I wasn’t sure she did.

  She looked out over the water. “I just mean that you’re leaving the country at the end of the summer and I’ll go back to Boston.”

  It was then it clicked. She hadn’t expected this to be anything serious. I was a casual thing to her, a summer fun guy. “Well that’s just great.”

  She crinkled her brow. “Where am I wrong?”

  “I really like you,” I said. “But I’m glad to know you don’t feel the same. At least we didn’t hang out the entire summer before I realized it, because then I would have really gotten hurt.”

  Her brows drew even closer together. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I don’t think I need to.” I turned and left.

  “Sven,” she called out after me. “Don’t leave like this.”

  I turned back to her, running my hands through my hair. “I’ve gotta go. I need to pack.”

  “To go where?” She followed me back into the rain.

  “I’ve got an entrance exam at Boston College on Friday.” There, I’d done what I had come to do. “I leave first thing in the morning.”

  “Boston College?” she said as she stopped walking again.

  “I applied months ago.” I stopped too. “It had nothing to do with you.”

  Her chin pulled back and she blinked several times. “What’s happening here?”

  Rubbing the back of my neck, I closed my eyes. “I’m not sure. Let’s talk when I get back.”

  She nodded, expressionless. “Good luck with your trip.”

  “Thanks.” I turned and left.

  Alyssa

  I watched him walk away and tried not to cry. Crap. He was supposed to be a fling. In my head, I’d made a few rules. Kissing was a must and hanging out a definite. Meeting family, however, was not on the list. He was temporary. The only problem was he seemed to have figured that out and he was not happy about it. Now that I had to face the possibility he was angry enough to ditch me, well, I wasn’t happy about that either.

  I headed back to Mimi’s house. I should have known I couldn’t do the fling thing. Why had I even tried? Even when Josh was kind of jerky, I hadn’t broken up with him. He’d left for two hours at prom to go drinking with his friends. He’d ditched me for my best friend when I’d had to leave for the summer and it was hard for me to simply shrug it off. I was not a girl who did casual.

  And Sven? He was the last guy I could keep at a distance. All those muscles and protective vibes coupled with those kisses was too much. I had gone and fallen for my summer fling. Crap.

  As I reached the front porch, my phone rang. Looking down at the screen, I saw it was my mom. I hadn’t called her back. I didn’t want to talk about it now, but I couldn’t ignore her either. “Hey, Mom,” I said as I answered the phone.

  “Hi, sweetie, got a minute?” she asked.

  I stopped on the covered porch, not wanting to go inside. “Sure.” My stomach twisted into knots.

  “Your dad and I have made some decisions.” She paused and so did I, holding my breath.

  “Mom,” I said. I didn’t want to do this now and my voice cracked.

  “Honey,” she said. “I’m sorry this is hurting you.”

  I swallowed my emotions back down. “It isn’t just that,” I said as I wrapped an arm around my waist. “I think I just messed something up with a really great guy.”

  She paused. “We have to talk about next year, but we can talk about this boy first, if you’d like.”

  I shook my head and then realized she couldn’t see me doing it. “No, you go first.”

  She explained she was looking at condos in town. She didn’t want me to move school districts and my dad was keeping the house. “You can live with him if you want, and only visit me…” This time, it was her voice that cracked.

  “Mom,” I said as I covered my forehead with my hand. “My home is with you. Always has been.”

  She made a choking sound. “You love the house.”

  “So do you,” I said back. “Mom, did you think Josh was like Dad?”

  She paused. “I guess I did. Honestly, watching your relationship with him made me take a hard look at my own.”

  What a punch in the gut that was, but I understood. “I met this other guy. Really cute, great listener, strong and kind, but I didn’t think I was ready and I pushed him away. I might have pushed too hard.”

  My mom was silent. “Don’t blame yourself. You’re leaving at the end of the summer.”

  “That’s just it, Mom. He’s interviewing or something at BC tomorrow or Friday, I guess.”

  “Oh dear,” my mom said. Then she took a long breath. “All you can be is honest and kind. And that is the advice I am trying to take with your father.”

  “That’s great advice, Mom. Thanks.”

  We talked for a while longer. By the end of the conversation I felt better. As I hung up the phone, Mimi stepped out onto the porch. “I’ve made popcorn. How about a snack?”

  With a nod, I stepped inside. Amazingly, I felt all right with my mom’s news. I didn’t have to switch schools, and I’d still see my dad at my old house. We’d get through this together.

  The stuff with Sven, though, well that was another matter entirely. I had to do something. I had his number. Pulling out my phone, I started a text. I must have erased it seventeen times, but I finally wrote a text I was happy with.

  Sven, it’s Alyssa. My mom told me to be honest so here goes. I really like you. But I’ve been scared of moving too fast and I’d thought you’d leave and be a new heartbreak. I was trying to protect myself but I didn’t mean to hurt you in the process. I’m sorry.

  Before I could erase my words yet again, I hit send. Then I dropped my phone face-down on the stand next to me. He might be so mad he doesn’t respond. He might tell me to get lost. He might…

  Ding. I grab the phone with so much force it tumbled to the ground. Scrambling, I picked it up.

  We should talk.

  I look up at Mimi, who’d been doing a crossword on the couch. Without looking up she said, “Invite him over, for crying out loud. I’ll give you enough privacy so that you can talk.”

  My fingers flying over the buttons. I send off the invitation in a flurry of activity only to realize every word had a typo. I wondered if he’d understand it, but I worried for nothing. Three seconds later, I got his response.

  I’ll see you in five.

  I let out a long breath, relief rendering me limp. That was until I realized he might be coming over to tell me in person he never wanted to see me again. Jumping up from my chair, I paced the living room. How had I made such a mess of something that should have been so simple? There was a beach, a cute boy, and endless free time, and yet, somehow I had made it way too complicated.

  Mimi huffed and stood. “I’m going to my room but the door will be open.”

  “Thanks, Mimi,” I said as she climbed the stairs. Not knowing what else to do, I continued pacing. Was my apology enough?

  Sven

  As I came up to the house, I could see Alyssa in the front window. She was pacing back and forth holding her phone in both hands. She looked super worried. Her adorable nose was crinkled as a frown created furrows in her forehead.

  My heart melted.

  Heading to the front door, I took three long steps and then knocked. Almost immediately it wrenched open and she appeared in front of me. Her eyes were wide and her breathing was shallow as she pushed her phone against her chest, clasping it there with both hands. I couldn’t hold back, so I reached for her waist, pulling her ag
ainst me. She melted into my chest and her chin tilted up so she could look up at me.

  “Hi,” she said in a whisper.

  I didn’t answer. Instead of speaking, I dropped my lips to hers. It was a quick kiss, but somehow, it said a great deal. She was pliant underneath my hands, her own hands clinging to my shoulders. They crept up to my neck as she held on to me. She broke the kiss, her big brown eyes staring up into mine. “I thought if we kept things light, I wouldn’t get hurt again when you left. I—”

  I stopped her. I had my own apology to make. “I shouldn’t have put so much pressure on you so soon. You’ve been through a lot and we’ve only had one date.” I took a deep breath. “I knew Boston was a possibility, but how could you know that?”

  She smiled, one corner of her lips lifting higher than the other, her fingers still pressing against the back of my neck. “Do you want to meet Mimi?”

  That made me grin. I dropped my lips to give her a tiny kiss. Mimi? She’d always said grandmother before. I guess I really was making progress with her. “I definitely want to, but how about we wait until I get back?”

  She nodded and pulled me inside. “She went up to her room give us some privacy.” Alyssa winked at me over her shoulder. It was so cute my stomach clenched. Then she stopped, holding her hand over the front of her mouth to whisper. “The door’s open though.”

  I chuckled. I couldn’t help it. Everything she did was utterly enchanting. “I’ll behave.”

  After leading me to the couch, her hand still in mine, we both sat. “So, tell me about Boston College.”

  I looked down at our locked hands and brushed my fingers over hers. “It’s an international scholarship. The candidate who beat me out didn’t accept it, I guess. I’m next in line, but I do have to achieve a high enough score on the entrance exam.”

  She turned toward me then, her flowery scent wrapping around me. “You’ll do great.”

  “How far outside of the city do you live?” I asked. “Where is Hopkinton?”

  “I can’t believe you remembered that.” She nibbled her a lip again, a gesture I was growing to love. “It’s like a half hour drive, but I often take a train when I go anywhere. Fast and easy.” Her head dropped to my shoulder.

  I turned and rested my cheek against her silky mass of hair. “That’s pretty good. We could get together every weekend. I mean…”

  She nodded. “And Simmons is just down the street.”

  “I know. I looked it up.” I scrunched my face a little, wondering if I had revealed too much.

  She lifted her head to look up at me. “I can’t believe we’re going to be in the same city.” Her cheeks burned bright red. “It’s almost like we were meant—” Her eyes grew wide before she stopped herself from saying more.

  I leaned in and kissed her again. “It’s like we were meant to meet.” I finished the thought for her. I felt like that too.

  “So when are you coming back again?” she asked in a quiet voice as she squeezed my hand. “I’m going to miss you while I’m hanging out at the beach all by myself again.”

  “I’ll be back on Saturday. I won’t be able to hit the beach, but we could go out on Saturday night.” I lifted our hands and angled hers so I could kiss the back of it.

  “I’d like that.” She rose up and kissed my cheek. “Pick me up at seven?”

  “You know it,” I said and then brushed my lips against hers. “We’ve got the whole summer to be together.”

  Epilogue

  Alyssa

  The disco ball spun, throwing daggers of light around the gymnasium as Sven held me close, his forehead pressed against mine. Someone opened the gym door and the October wind burst through the room, skimming across my bare shoulders as he pulled me closer. Tucked against him, I couldn’t be warmer. I shivered, not because of the cold, but because it felt amazing to be so close to him.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Fantastic,” I said. Normally, I went to hang out with him in the city, but this weekend, for the first time, he’d come to stay with me and my mom in our new apartment. It had a small third bedroom, but Sven had insisted it was big enough for him and the air mattress we’d bought for the occasion.

  He was a good sport about it, and he’d been right about a lot of things. My parents were getting along better now, which was a huge relief. They were even discussing my mom and me living in the house while my dad got a place of his own. They weren’t getting back together, but I was all right with that. I was more than all right, as I hadn’t seen my mom as happy as she was in years. It showed me the importance of an open, honest relationship in which you never take the other for granted.

  Those thoughts were heavy on my mind when we had arrived at the dance. I had seen Josh at school almost every day and I had been surprised at how much it did not bother me. Josh had dumped my ex-friend, Kelly, and moved on to Jenny. I almost pitied Jenny—almost. As time had gone on, I’d learned more and more about Josh. I now felt our parting had been a blessing. I’d avoided a bigger heartache in ways I couldn’t have imagined when he dumped me.

  Josh and Jenny danced close by, and Josh stared over at Sven and me every chance he got. I ignored him and rolled my eyes for Sven’s amusement. Josh had done me a huge favor by breaking up with me, so I didn’t hold a grudge. I was so lucky to have found Sven.

  “Is he bothering you?” Sven asked, his teeth grinding together.

  I raised an eyebrow. “Not me. Is he bothering you?”

  Sven’s brows lowered. “He’s looking at me like I stole his bike and he wants it back.”

  I pressed my lips together to keep from giggling. “Who cares?” I moved even closer, my body brushing Sven’s. “I like dating my super-hot Swedish exchange student way better.”

  “You do, huh?” His scowl lightened instantly as he spun me away from Josh.

  I nodded as our foreheads pressed together once again. “My new boyfriend is strong, handsome, and the best listener I’ve ever met.”

  “Keep talking.” He grinned and he brushed his nose with mine. That was when I noticed a whole gaggle of my former friends staring longingly at the two of us. I didn’t care. Maybe someday they’d figure out there were more important things than dating the most popular guy.

  “Did I mention he’s a fantastic kisser?” I whispered as he squeezed my waist. “Thanks for coming to this high school dance with me.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Besides, it was about time I met your new friends.” He gave me a quick kiss right there on the dance floor. That was the thing about Sven. I could count on him no matter what. Honestly, my summer fling was going to have a tough time getting rid of me.

  “Sven.” I swallowed hard. “I want you to know that I love you.”

  I was rewarded with a grin. “I love you, too.” He spun me around again. “Imagine if I hadn’t planted myself next to you on the beach.”

  “No,” I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I don’t know how I ever made it without you.”

  Camp Crush

  Tammy Andresen

  Chloe

  My fingers tapped against the wheel of my Lincoln Mercury classic convertible, my already racing thoughts needing an outlet.

  “This traffic sucks,” Millie humphed next to me.

  My best friend’s words made me relax. Coastal Connecticut’s traffic was a bear but it helped to know she was just as anxious to get to Camp Winni as I was. “Totally,” I replied giving her a grin. Since we were at a dead stop, I used the opportunity to check my reflection in the rearview mirror. Messy ponytail, with cute little tendrils, check. Even coating of pale pink lip gloss, check. Stylish dark sunglasses, double check.

  I am not normally so fixated on the details of my face but I couldn’t help it today. First of all, I was finally a counselor at Camp Winnipeg’s Summer Recreation Program and not just a little camper anymore. I’d been waiting for this since day since the age of ten.

  At least that’s what I told m
y mom as I had rushed out the door. And I was excited about finally being a counselor. I was going to study early education at Simmons College in Boston this fall so this was an amazing opportunity for me to teach kids and gain some experience.

  The truth, though, was that I was far more eager to see my not-so-secret crush, Alex Gorski, again. It had been ten months since I’d last caught of glimpse of his deep blue eyes and charmingly boyish smile. I’d started to wonder if I was making it up, just how handsome he was. More importantly, would I still feel the same after almost a year had gone by? I was sure I would. How would he see me now that I was a counselor and not just another little camper?

  He and his friend, Drew, had joined the staff last year and I had been instantly smitten with Alex. Just thinking of him made me fiddle with the loose curls about my face. Another quick glance in the mirror revealed an entirely different Chloe. My nose turned up too much, my glasses where crooked, and too many curls had fallen from my ponytail. Ugh, just thinking of Alex caused all kinds of self-doubt.

  But he was a god among college-age boys. Blonde and tan, with rock hard muscles. I’d been too awestruck last year to do a thing about it and by the time I’d pulled myself together, Tiffani Parker had already swooped in to claim him. Even her name sounded snotty. Tiffani. Okay, it was a great name. I was being petty.

  Tiffani was the statuesque redhead that had a way of looking down her nose at everyone. Even people who were taller than her. And her lips were always pursed, nose wrinkled as though she had smelled something foul. She made me uncomfortable, especially because I could tell she never liked me. She was always rolling her eyes when I was around her. I was relieved she wasn’t returning to the camp as a fellow counselor.