Читать книгу This Summer - Katlyn Duncan - Страница 9

CHAPTER ONE

Hadley

“There’s the heartbreaker!”

I stop in the middle of my driveway and glare at my best friend, Lily. She’s grinning madly.

I roll my eyes. “Is this going to be a thing?” I shout over the radio blaring from her car. I glance at the houses across the street and hustle to the passenger door.

Lily reaches for the volume and turns the music down to a level just below ear-shattering as I slide into the passenger seat. She snaps her gum, still holding onto her smile. “Probably.” Her hand leans on the horn.

I slap her hand away from the steering wheel.

“What?”

“You know Mrs. Jones hates that.” My neighbor across the street spends most of her day peering between her curtains, taking her self-appointed neighborhood watch duties very seriously.

Lily blows a raspberry and I shake my head.

“You know you love me,” she says.

Ethan, my eager seventeen year old brother, bounds out of the house.

“It’s not every day that Hadley Beauman breaks it off with the most drool-worthy guy in school,” Lily continues.

“That’s the thing,” I say, adjusting the hem of my shorts over my tanned legs. “We aren’t in school anymore. So technically it’s not a big deal.”

Lily hoots. “I see my methods are finally rubbing off on you. It’s about damn time.” She flips her chestnut waves over her shoulder. “It feels good, doesn’t it?” she says in a low, seductive voice.

I roll my eyes. Lily has no experience with a boyfriend but she has plenty with guys. Men, mostly. She finds high school boys too immature.

“Not really,” I say honestly. Carter and I were together for barely a year.

Ethan opens the back door and jumps in.

I sneak a glance at him and I’m blasted with his scent: some cologne that Mom gave him for Christmas. It’s a fight to get him up and showered in the morning, never mind put on scent, but I knew he didn’t do it for me.

Lily turns around in her seat and unleashes a smile at him. He gives her a lopsided grin. I don’t know how she does it, but with just a look she manages to turn even the most confident guys into blithering idiots. My brother never stood a chance. “Looking good, Ethan. A two-week cruise really does the Beauman clan well.” She flicks her finger at a lock of my sun-kissed blonde hair that had lightened even more over the graduation vacation from my parents. Dad was busy with work so it was my mom and her best friend along with Ethan and me.

Lily puts the car in reverse, then brakes so quickly I’m thrown back in my seat. I grab the seatbelt. “Why are you stopping?”

Lily’s head is turned toward the house next door. The two story cape that I’ve avoided looking at over the past two years. “What’s with the sign?”

“Dad told me they are selling the house,” Ethan chimes in.

My breathing constricts as I break the promise to myself and look up at the sharp lines of the house. I can just see the corner of Will Carson’s window from this angle, but I tear my focus away and look over the overgrown lawn to the 'For Sale' sign near the curb. A blue car idles in the driveway and I squint to make out who is in the driver’s seat.

As if the person heard the hammering of my heart, the driver’s side opens. A woman in her mid-fifties with a short black bob and black pantsuit exits the car. Her stick-thin legs look as if they are about to crack under the pressure of standing on five-inch heels. I’ve seen this woman’s face all over town on benches and other 'For Sale' signs.

My damp hands pull into fists in my lap. My head snaps towards Lily and she nods. There wasn’t an exact moment or time we spent on our mental connection, but it's strong enough that we can convey entire stories across a crowded room with one look. And sitting in the same car I sent the strongest message I could.

I made a point to be over my neighbor and best friend since childhood leaving my life without a word since. I take a slow breath and exhale, turning my gaze to the glove box, focusing my thoughts away from him.

Lily peels out of the driveway, away from our house.

The further down the street we get, the easier my breathing comes and I unfurl my hands and wipe them on the plush seat.

The car is silent except for the roar of my heartbeat in my ears. Lily reaches for the volume and turns the music up again. I swallow, attempting to dislodge the lump in my throat. It’s not until we reach the main road that I’m able to breathe normally again.

“Ethan!” Lily calls over the music. “Did you meet any hot babes on the cruise?”

“Oh yeah,” he says, dragging the words out. “But none as hot as you.”

Lily cackles and I can’t help but smile. She has no idea how he feels about her, and I would never spill the beans.

“Do you know which pool you’re assigned to?” Lily asks, pushing the subject farther away from the near fatal freakout she just witnessed.

“No way,” Ethan says. “You know Dad doesn’t treat us any differently than the rest of the staff.”

Lily nudges my arm. “Have you talked to Carter since you got back?”

“Seriously?” Ethan groans. “We had a nice two weeks without talking about Carter.”

Lily glances at him in the rearview mirror.

I shake my head. “We just got in last night. I passed out like the second we got home. I don’t see a problem though. We’re still friends. I don’t see why anything will change.” I don't mention the dozens of angry and sappy texts I returned to, all dated the first week I’d been gone. I know I'm seeing him today and, by the late timestamp on most of them, I'm not sure if he still feels the same way after a week of silence.

Ethan snorts.

I turn in my seat. “What?”

He tilts his head as if I just told him the world was flat. “You can’t be that stupid.”

I sock him in the leg and he wrinkles his nose.

“He’s right,” Lily says. “It’s going to be awkward as hell if you two are working as co-counselors together. You better not get back together.”

I turn in my seat to face her. “That’s not going to happen. He’s going to California for college. It was going to happen eventually. And he agreed to still work at the camp.”

Lily turns the music lower. “What if he hooks up with another girl? Then you have to work with him every day.”

I shrug. “He can hook up with whoever he wants.”

“You say that,” her tone is serious. “But you know you are going to feel like crap.”

“I forgot you wrote the book on boyfriends.” The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop them.

I don’t look at her, but I know she’s chewing her lip.

“You’re right. But I’ve dated enough to know that this isn’t going to turn out well.”

We rarely argue and she has to know I didn’t mean it. I don’t do conflict so, in typical best friend fashion, she drops it. Our relationship is strong because we’re able to be honest with each other. She’s dished it out at me a few times but I never faulted her. But that doesn't make it feel any better.

“Maybe Dad will switch Carter with someone else,” I offer by way of apology.

She points a solitary finger up as if strengthening her point. “As long as I’m not with Umber again.”

Ethan leans over the console. “I don’t think Umber applied this year after you sent him that beauty basket.”

She cracks a smile. “After a summer working with his body odor, it was just a small suggestion.”

I laugh. “I think he got the hint. Especially the amount of soap you put in there.”

She shrugs. “His future wife will thank me.” We arrive at the park in twenty minutes. Walking through the woods across from my house we would have been there in half the time, but it was humid enough for June that we drove. Lily refused to walk, not wanting to arrive sweaty for her first impression at camp orientation. We were all certified for the job earlier that year during spring break, but today we’ll be paired up and strengthening the relationship amongst the staff. Dad’s phrasing. Mostly it's first impressions and final pairings for the staff that we care about.

Lily pulls into a parking spot at the back of the tan brick building that serves as the office for the Parks Department. Dad is the head of the department that takes care of the local parks and the summer camp program that I’ve been involved with since I was old enough to attend. When I turned sixteen I took the role of counselor. I managed to convince Lily to apply two summers ago. It was the best summer at camp by far. And also the worst.

Ethan jumps out of the car just as Daisy Luster pulls up in the spot next to us. He slams the door and hurries over to her, scooping her up in a bear hug. She squeals and tucks her head into his neck, her black hair coiling around his neck like a snake.

“Who’s the girl?” Lily observes.

I don’t acknowledge the undertone in her voice. “Daisy? She’s a swimmer at Foster’s Academy. Her and Ethan coach the kids at the community center over the winter. I guess she made the cut this year.”

Lily pulls her keys out of the ignition and opens her door without another word. When we reach the sidewalk I sling an arm around her and we walk towards the entrance.

“You’d tell me if you saw who I’m paired with this year right?” Lily asks.

I open the front door and usher her inside. “You know my dad,” I reply. Dad insisted from the start of us working here that Ethan and I go through the same process as the rest of the employees. He didn’t play favorites, which made us proving ourselves to the staff that much harder. But neither of us minded the challenge.

“Hey Rocky,” I beam at the man sitting at the front desk. The corners of his eyes crinkle with his sweet smile. He lifts his worn fishing hat in greeting, revealing a smattering of thin white hair poking up at all angles.

We wave and pass through another door.

“That’s not an answer,” Lily says in a sing-song voice.

“No I have not seen it,” I assure her.

“God, how can you stand it?” she gripes. “You know you’re with Carter.”

“Because we were last year,” I say. Dad rarely separated returning co-counselors since the bond is already established.

“Hadley,” a familiar voice calls from behind us.

I turn to see Carter, meeting his ice blue eyes. He swipes a chunk of dark hair away from his face as he pushes away from the wall. Was he waiting for me? I still don't understand why the Adonis walking towards us came down the high school social ladder to pluck me from the masses, but I never questioned it. Not when he filled the truck-sized void in my heart, at least for a little while. But the tightness at the corners of his eyes makes me pause.

“Hey Carter,” I say.

“I’ll see you inside,” Lily adds and slowly walks backward towards the meeting room, her eyes darting between us.

I shake my head. Lily can be a drama queen sometimes. “What’s up?”

He shoves his hands into his pockets, avoiding eye contact. This was that weird place exes went to, but I promised myself throughout my vacation that we’d make this work over the summer. “I called you.”

“I know, I got home late.”

His gaze flicks towards the room then back to me. “I wanted to tell you before you found out…”

“Found out what? Are you okay?” I don't want him to think that we can't make this work.

“I’m fine. I just—”

Ethan and Daisy come through the door, his arm around her shoulders. “Hey Carter!” he says, nodding in our direction.

“Hey,” Carter says, deflated.

They enter the meeting room and I turn back to Carter. “It’s fine,” I say, just as he says, “I need to tell you something.”

I press my lips together, hoping that he won’t ask for us to get back together, as some of his earlier texts suggested.

“I spoke with your Dad,” he says. “And—” he pulls his fingers through his hair, nervously. “I took another position.”

I stare at him. “What?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I can’t work with you and not,” he pauses and continues in a low voice, “be with you.”

My mouth goes dry and I have to force the words through my lips. “What do you mean?”

“Remember when Justin Hardy broke his leg at Katie’s house?”

I take a deep breath. “Yes? What does that have to do with camp?”

He leans in. “He lost his position at the pool because he won’t recover until at least the middle of the summer. And with me working at the pool two years ago, it worked out. I give you the space you want and I won’t have to want you, like, every second we’re together.” He tucks my hair behind my ear, just like he always used to.

I almost lean into his hand. The familiarity of his touch makes me pause. I can’t fall back into this. “So you just quit the camp?”

“I’ll technically be working with the campers, just not as a counselor. Come on Hadley, you were the one to break it off.”

I raise my fists at him. “We both did!”

“You suggested it.”

I touch my temples. This is not happening. “This isn’t high school anymore, Carter. We’re leaving in the fall. Whether we break up now or then, we’re still going to break up.”

He steps away from me, his hand falling to his side. “I can’t be friends with you. Not when I’ll be with you for eight hours a day. It’s not fair—”

“But you said—”

“I know what I said. But if we’re breaking up, we need to break up. I’m not really friends with my exes.”

I shake my head, wishing I could understand where he's coming from. “I can’t believe this,” I say, my mind spinning. The summer was planned out so perfectly and in one second it came crashing down.

“I just wanted to tell you so you wouldn’t be surprised.”

I shake my head, backing away from him. “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t be like that,” he says, almost pleading.

“I’m fine. Really. Have fun at the pool.” I turn towards the room, my eyes burning with unshed tears. The one person I counted on for an entire year made my summer crash and burn in minutes.

I enter the room, thankful that not many people have shown up yet. Lily is in front of a table at the far corner, talking with Tyler, only recently a rotating regular in our group of friends. Lily cackles about something Tyler says but when she sees me, her expression turns serious.

I can’t deal with questions so I plaster on a smile and walk to them. “Hey Tyler,” I give him a one-armed hug. His arm wraps around my waist and stays there.

Lily’s eyes dart to the door then back to me. I shake my head slightly. Not now.

“Did you have fun on the cruise?” Tyler asks.

How could Carter do this? And where would Dad have found a replacement? At the very least he could have warned me last night. My throat constricts as I calculate the number of people in the room. With the last minute change in plans he has to pick someone who is already trained. I rack my brain thinking of who else was at the training.

Tyler clears his throat. “Sounds fun.”

I force a laugh. “Sorry. I’m just a bit distracted right now. I’m going to see if my Dad needs any help.” And if he has any more surprises for me today.

“I’ll come with!” Lily offers. No doubt she wants more information about what happened with Carter. I don’t have the energy to argue.

The door opens and Dad steps into the room. A herd of others come in right behind him and filter through the rows of chairs to their seats. Carter is the last to enter the room and I turn around, bumping into Lily to get the furthest seat from him. I can’t even look at him.

“Welcome staff!” Dad says. A few of the returning lifeguards cat-call him and Lily offers a loud whistle. “I’m so glad you are all here, and on time,” he eyes the stragglers who came in after him. But his smile quickly returns and as much as I’m pissed at him, I can’t help but smile.

“I hope you are hungry because there is more than enough food to go around.” His green eyes widen as he takes in the group. “Before we start orientation I’d like for the pool staff to head into the other room with Head Guard, Heath, for your assignments while I partner up the counselors.” He runs down the names of the pool staff.

Daisy and Ethan stand from their seats along with a few others I recognize from the training we had during spring break. As much as the two groups work together at the camp, the counselors and pool staff form strong bonds within their groups during the summer.

Carter’s name is called and he slinks out of the room. I don’t look up even though I can feel him looking at me.

“Uh.” Lily slaps my arm.

“Yup,” I say, heat prickling my neck. “So did I.” I glance around the room and note that someone is missing. Each age group is co-ed which warrants a male and female counselor. And without Carter in the room, I’m the odd man out. Fantastic.

With a few minutes to process the situation, and with Carter out of sight, I make a promise that even he can’t ruin the summer for me. I’ll make it fantastic with whoever I’m paired with.

Dad continues. “As for the rest of you,” his eyes are on his clipboard, as if he hasn’t memorized the list already, “I’m going to call your assignments.”

He’s halfway down the list and hasn’t mentioned my name yet. I sink further into my chair and try to act happy when I hear Lily’s assignment with Aiden, the elusive mid-year transfer to our high school. He floated among the groups at school not picking one, but he was the shiny eye candy for most of the girls. And by the glint in Lily’s eyes, I can tell she's happy with the pairing.

The door to the meeting room opens and Dad’s eyes flick up.

“Are you happy?” I ask Lily.

She turns to me smiling, but her eyes lift to something behind me, and her jaw goes slack. She grabs my arm and squeezes.

“Ow,” I say.

“Looks like we’re all here now,” Dad says.

I meet Lily’s eyes, nearly popping out of their sockets. “What is wrong with you?” I turn to the newcomer, and all of the pieces fall together.

I take in the apparition in the doorway. My breathing slows and I blink a few times, my mind not quite believing who is only a few feet away from me. In a few steps I could touch the person who shattered my heart into a million pieces nearly two years ago.

My previous next door neighbor, Will Carson, looks the same, but different. His boyish face is a golden brown and the lines are more pronounced. His hair is shorter than I remember, barely touching the tips of his ears. My fingers numb knowing what the strands feel like. Or what they used to. He was thin as a boy, his strength coming in the later years of our friendship. But now his lithe muscles are tight. His chest fills the black t-shirt in a way that elicits a shiver down my spine.

His jaw clenches in that nervous way as he looks around the room. It tightens further when his hazel eyes meet mine.