“Stay close,” Mom yells from the bedroom they’re staying in. Dad’s in there with her, and I’m pretty sure they’re unpacking all their stuff and getting settled. “There are bears out there.”
“There’s bears at home,” I call back.
“They’re meaner up here!” Mom starts to laugh, and I can’t help it, so do I.
“See ya,” I say, as I open the door.
“Dinner is in less than an hour.” Mom approaches the door of their bedroom, her gaze meeting mine.
I check the time on my phone, frowning. “But it’s only five o’clock!”
We always eat late at our house. Everyone’s so busy, so it’s hard to get us all around the table at the same time.
“We have to be at the dining room by five forty-five,” Mom explains, exiting the bedroom to smile at me, clutching a sweatshirt in her hands. “If you want, just meet us there. You remember where it is?”
“Right next to the office where we checked in.” I open the door, leaning on it. “I probably won’t be gone long. I’ll just meet you back here.”
No way am I going to the dining hall alone, surrounded by about a bazillion teenage boys. I mean, that’s every sixteen-year-old girl’s dream, I suppose, but not mine. The last thing I want to do is gain their attention, especially since I’m probably one of the few girls here their age.
How embarrassing.
“Have fun.” She offers me a little wave, before she turns and goes back into her bedroom. “Bye, honey!”
“Bye.” I shut the door behind me and stay on the wraparound porch, breathing in the pine scented air. The lake isn’t too far. I can walk along it for a while, most likely with no one else around. All the guys are off participating in football things. Jake’s not in the cabin. He took off with his friends, Diego and Caleb. I don’t even think he’s staying with us at our cabin.
At least he has something to do.
I skip down the stairs and head along the dirt path that takes me to the lake. A breeze washes over me, making the water ripple, and I can hear the pine trees sway in the wind. Birds are chirping, wild flowers are still in bloom and scattered everywhere. All I can see is blue sky, blue water, green grass and towering trees. No humans in sight.
It’s actually kind of nice. Peaceful.
Pulling my phone out of my shorts pocket, I take a few photos of the scenery, wishing I could post them on my Instagram story because this place is gorgeous. But there’s no service out here. The lack of bars on my phone screen confirms that fact. I literally have no internet, and I’m a teenage girl.
I’m totally thinking like a spoiled brat, but this feels like a death sentence.
I walk around the lake for a while, but eventually get bored. Pretty sure this is going to be my weekend mood.
Good times.
I’m about to head back to the cabin when I hear something.
Like footsteps.
Pausing, I turn around, but see nothing.
I keep going, following the dirt trail that leads directly to our cabin. That’s when I hear a voice.
“Hey! You play football or what?”
Stopping, yet again, I glance over my shoulder, squinting, since the sun is shining directly in my eyes.
There’s a boy about twenty feet away. He’s tall. Lean.
Vaguely familiar.
“No, I don’t play football.” I turn to face him fully, holding my hand over my forehead, so I can shade my eyes. He’s still standing there, watching me, and I see recognition dawn on his face.
“I know you.” He points at me.
“I know you too.” Tilting my head, I try to place his face. He has sunglasses on, so I can’t see his eyes, which would probably help me recognize him. I know, for sure, he doesn’t go to my high school. Maybe our rival high school? Yeah, I think that’s it. He’s…
Oh. Shit. I know exactly who he is.
“You’re Ava Callahan.” He saunters up the walkway, pushing his sunglasses up, so they rest on top of his head. His eyes are hazel. He has a bit of a baby face. Sparkling eyes and full lips.
He’s super cute.
And my brother’s worst enemy.
“You’re Eli Bennett,” I tell him, turning up my nose because hello, I can’t talk to the enemy. Jake will flip.
His smile is dangerous. As in, seeing it makes my belly flutter. “My reputation precedes me.”
“More like my brother hates you,” I remind him.
He laughs, completely unfazed. “It’s just a fun rivalry.”
“If you say so.” I cross my arms, studying him. He’s a good football player. Not as good as Jake, though. They’re both quarterbacks, just like my dad. Just like Autumn’s boyfriend, Ash. In my life, I’m constantly surrounded by cocky, arrogant QBs—though Dad isn’t cocky or arrogant. Maybe he was when he was younger.
I can tell the boy standing in front of me certainly is.
“Why are you here?” he asks.
“I came with my dad.” I wave my hand toward the cabin behind me. “My whole family is here.”
“I thought I saw some of the guys from your team around.” He shakes his head, scratching his jaw. It’s razor sharp and very attractive. “Huh. This changes everything.”
“So, your team is here, too?” Oh man. Jake is gonna be so pissed.
“Yeah. This is the best camp around. Is your dad speaking?”
“I think so.” I take a step back when he takes a step forward, uncomfortable with his nearness.
More like, uncomfortable with my reaction to him standing so close to me.
“Your dad is an inspiration. I wish he coached us at our school, but then I wouldn’t be the QB.” He shrugs, a smirk on his face. “Gotta give the position to daddy’s boy.”
Oh. Those are fighting words. “Pretty sure my brother earned his position.”
“If you say so.” He throws his words back at me.
Ew. I kind of hate this guy.
“I have to go.” I turn and start toward the steps that lead up to the cabin, my heart hammering. He says nothing, but I can feel his gaze on me. Assessing me. Sizing me up.
I’m tempted to look back, and I tell myself not to. Don’t do it. Don’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that you’re curious.
But it’s like I can’t help myself. I stomp up the stairs noisily, glancing over my shoulder at the last second to find him standing in the spot where I left him, his gaze on me, a smile curling his full lips.
“See ya around, Ava Callahan,” he says.
I offer a halfhearted wave like a complete dork and bolt into the cabin, slamming the door before I lean against it and release the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
Well.
That was interesting.
Two
Ava
We enter the dining hall together as a family—minus Jake—and it’s just as intimidating as I thought it would be. The dull roar of hundreds of teenage boys yelling and talking fills the air, and it grows semi-quiet when my dad enters the room.
Reverence for the former pro football player. They idolize him. I spot Jake at his table already, surrounded by his friends and teammates, and he’s smiling. Looking proud.