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“It’s okay,” I tell her, a crooked smile on my lips. “She never really does. Just, you know, don’t follow in her footsteps, okay? No need for you to go swinging like Tarzan your first time up there.”
The girl smiles, nervous, and takes a deep breath before she heads up the ladder to the platform with the others, obviously determined not to be left behind.
Not that I can blame her.
With my attention fixed on the light rope burns on my hands that could’ve definitely been prevented if I had been smart enough to wear my gloves instead of stuffing them in my pocket, I don’t notice the footsteps until a twig cracks right behind me.
I jump, twisting around on my log seat in front of the snapping fire with suspicion bubbling up my throat. The sun is setting, and I’m sure after today Kayde is just salivating for his chance at making my night miserable. If sneaking up on me is how it starts, then it’s definitely going to be bad.
But the person who sits on the log beside me isn’t Kayde.
It’s Kinsley.
She offers me a soft smile and wraps her arms around her knees, drawing them up to her chest as she stares at the small campfire outside of the staff cabin. It’s not nearly as big as the ones we build for the campers, and we rarely cook anything here other than trash. But the light from the flames plays over her face, casting harsh relief on her expression and making it look almost sinister in the dimness.
“Hi,” I greet, dropping my hands to my lap after one more flex. “Your camper okay? The one who tripped off of the log jumps?”
She makes a face at that, and leans into me with a groan. “I really thought she broke her arm,” she admits. “But Liza says it’s fine, and Tara, that’s my camper, says it doesn’t hurt anymore.” I feel her shrug, and her sharp sigh against my shoulder. “I owe you an apology, though.”
“Me?” My eyebrows jump for my bangs, and I turn to look down at her. “For what? If you mean Melody being in my cabin again, I think it’s just fate that I get the little murderer-to-be?—”
“I mean that I’ve been distant for the past few days,” Kinsley is quick to interrupt. “I’m your best friend, and I’ve been kind of shitty. I didn’t even ask what happened to your damn neck. I had to find out from Kayde.” She looks at me with a pinched, apologetic expression as I swallow back my horror.
Kayde had told her what had happened to my neck?
“What did he say?” I keep my voice as level as I can, and watch her grimace with guarded hope. Surely if he’d been honest, she’d be freaking out right now.
“That you fell when he startled you last night. Said you guys came out of the showers around the same time, he called your name, and you tripped in surprise.” Her eyes find mine, still glinting with apology. “I should’ve asked this morning. I’m a bad friend.”
“You’re not a bad friend.” My heart flutters in my chest, and I lean against her the same way she leans on me. “You’re my best friend. And you’re in love. How’s that going, anyway? You guys were adorable this morning.”
From the corner of my eye I can just make out the red staining her cheeks courtesy of the fire light, and Kinsley shifts nervously against me. “I like her more than I’ve ever liked anyone,” she admits softly. “I didn’t think I’d be this nuts for Liza.”
“Seems like she’s just as nuts for you?”
“Yeah.” Kins bites her lip, then reaches out to grip my hand in hers. “You’d tell me if something was wrong, right? Even though I can be a little oblivious and stupid?”
“You’re in your summer love phase,” I tease her gently. “You’re not stupid.” My fingers curl around hers, and the words I so want to tell her bubble to life in my throat. She’d help me. She’d do something stupid, probably, like commit a crime. But together we could get out of the situation I’ve gotten myself into.
Or Kayde would kill her.
My brain takes that moment to conjure up the idea of her dead, chopped to pieces, and strewn around the camp for me to find. My heart picks up, stomach turning along with it, and I suck in a deep breath to try to fight back the sudden nausea.
She must pick up on something, because Kinsley sits up. There’s a question in her eyes as she leans her shoulder against me so we’re using each other for support while sitting on the log. “Is something wrong?” she asks, searching my face for an answer before I can really give it.
I hesitate, and God, I need to tell her no. I need to tell her that nothing is wrong, because if I don’t, if I say something else?—
Footsteps bring both of our eyes up, and my gaze falls on a figure walking past the staff cabin. It doesn’t take long for the firelight to define his blond curls, wet as they are from his shower, and Kayde turns to glance at us, a small smile on his lips as he gives a quick wave. “Hey girls,” he greets, not stopping. “Sorry to interrupt. Just heading to bed.” His eyes find mine for a moment, just a short second, but I don’t need words to convey what he’s thinking.
Don’t do it, Summer.
It’s enough for me to sit back, trying not to stiffen as he continues walking toward his cabin. Thankfully Kinsley doesn’t notice my abrupt shift, though she does throw her head back onto my shoulder with a groan.
“He’s too pretty for his own good,” she mutters when he’s far enough away he won’t hear. “Too bad he’s not your type though, right? Though I guess if he was, you’d be fighting Darcy for him.”
“She can have him,” I whisper, wishing that I was anyone else, anywhere else, and this wasn’t real. Dread builds, pulsing in my stomach, and finally Kinsley takes notice.
“You okay?” she asks, putting a hand on my arm. “Is your brain doing shitty, neurospicy things today? Because just in case you need to hear it, you’re a good human and your brain is wrong about you. Though…” She digs in her pockets, trailing off, and finally produces a small white plastic container.
