This Summer (9 page)

We enter the storage room, barely big enough for the five of us with all the wood pieces we’ve been assigned to bring to the back of the building. I grab two sets of canvas gloves from a nearby shelf and hand a set to Hadley.

“Thanks,” she says, meeting my eyes.

I lead her to one of the smaller pieces in front. “Lift with your legs.”

“I know,” she snaps, but her eyes sparkle. “This isn’t my first rodeo, cowboy. Remember I helped build your tree house?”

I heft a majority of the weight and begin to walk backwards out of the room. “I hardly think carrying my tool bag was helping.”

“Well I lifted it with my legs,” she notes, rolling her eyes.

I guide us down the hall and through the propped open back door. Hadley’s teeth dig into her bottom lip from effort and I pick up the pace before she drops her end.

“By the tree,” she pants.

We manage to get the piece down and she drops it like it’s on fire. She shakes her hands out and I suppress a grin.

“I guess I won’t need a workout today!” she says, flexing her fingers.

I go to her. “Are your hands okay?”

“Just had a bad grip—” Her words fall from her lips as I take her hands in mine. All rational thoughts disperse from my mind as I take the gloves off her hands and turn them over. Even with my gloves on, I can feel the smoothness of her skin. And besides a small red line across her palms, she’s fine.

Our eyes lock and a weight settles in my chest. A flicker of what I saw in her eyes the night I left flashes once across her face then it’s gone. I return her gloves and pull my hands away. “I think you’ll live.”

Her lips part but a scream catches our attention. We turn just in time to see Tyler negotiate a long thin piece through the back entrance, barely missing the propped door. Skye hardly hides her exuberant giggles.

Hadley and I move out of the way as Tyler and Skye drop the piece by our feet.

“If we break a window, I’m not paying for it,” Taylor says, his face red with effort.

“I’m not a body builder,” Skye says, turning to Hadley. “Why did your Dad assign girls to do this part? I’ve already scratched myself.”

She shows us a white line on her arm that hasn’t even broken the skin. She sticks her bottom lip out.

“Tyler and I will get the bigger pieces from now on.” I clap him on the back and we walk toward the building.

Tyler and I heave one of the larger pieces out of the storage room. One of the better parts about working with guys, less talk. But more time for my mind to mull over what happened with Hadley. Not one of the good parts. She seemed cool with us working together yesterday, but am I missing something? She’s always been open with me in the past…

“Yo!” Tyler calls and I realize I’ve lost my grip on the piece. It crashes to the floor, the sound echoing off the walls.

“Shit. Sorry.” I make a show of adjusting my gloves and pick up the piece again.

“Everyone okay?” Mr. Beauman asks.

“Yeah!” I call and he returns to sorting out the pieces in the closet.

I tighten my grip on the piece as my mind wanders to the night we kissed. For me it was like a light switch, finally seeing her as the sexy and amazing girl she was, and for the better part of that summer I tried to find a way to see if she felt the same way. But the second I flat out told her how I felt, it was as if the slow burning candle in her eyes ignited into a blaze. Has she held on to that night just as hard as I have for two years? Will I ever be able to see that radiance in her again with the knowledge that it will turn to embers just as quickly?

Someone whistles in the distance just as we drop the piece with the others by the tree.

Hadley appears in the doorway. “Let’s go guys!” She disappears into the building.

Tyler swipes his forehead with his arm. His hair is slick with sweat.

“Looks like someone needs a break from the break.”

He turns a glare to me. “Shut up.”

I laugh.

***

We meet the kids in the gym and split into our groups. Oliver finds me and his eyes widen, his body vibrating with excitement. The kids talk over each other and get louder by the minute.

“Let’s take this conversation outside,” I say and Hadley and I guide the group out of the gym and through the front foyer.

“How was your elective, guys?” I ask and am bombarded with the kids talking at once over each other. The boys have dirt on their shirts from the football and baseball electives and the girls keep their distance. All except for the one girl Allison, who is equally if not more so caked with dirt.

We reach our assigned spot on the front lawn and the kids sit in front of us.

“This week,” Hadley starts. “We’re going to brainstorm our plan for the end of year Talent Show.” The boys groan and some of them lay on the ground snoring.

“Hey, guys,” I warn and they look at each other before sitting up.

Hadley pushes on. “We have two slots to perform solos in and a group performance. No one will be forced to participate but if you don’t perform then you will be helping with the set-up and other tasks for the show.” The girls move closer to Hadley, their eyes widening as she speaks.

Jaclyn’s raises her hand first. “I want to do a ballet solo with Kelli and Casey.”

Kelli bobs her head.

“Well I want to do karate,” Allison chimes in.

Jaclyn and Kelli share a look that is lost on Allison.

I turn to the boys. “Do any of you want to do a solo?”

All of them avoid my eyes. “We don’t have to make any decisions today, that’s what the rest of the week is for.”

Hadley swipes a patch of dirt from her leg as she stands. “Today we can focus on the group performance. Any suggestions?”

“How about a dance?” Jaclyn suggests.

Devon cups his hands over his mouth. “Boo!”

I nudge him in the arm. “Do you have a better idea?”

His nose scrunches in thought. “Nope.”

Jaclyn smiles, satisfied.

Hadley speaks up. “A dance is the easiest thing to do in a group. Any ideas for a song?”

The boys come to life and seem to blurt the first song in their head. This goes on for a few minutes until I suggest we make a list then vote as a group.

“Each of you can put a suggestion on the list and then we will vote,” Hadley says. “I’ll be right back.”

The kids talk over each other about their suggestions. Oliver sits at the edge of the group. I make my way over to him and drop my voice. “What song are you thinking of?” I ask him.

He shakes his head.

I try again. “What’s your favorite song?”

His head tilts up to mine. “Picking a favorite song is like picking my favorite note,” he says, matter-of-fact.

“Okay. What’s the last song you learned on piano?”

“Clair de Lune,” he says, in a low voice, eyeing the other boys.

I cock my head. “You learned that on piano?”

He shrugs as he recedes into his shell again. I turn my body to him, desperately trying to keep him with us. “If Jaclyn wants to do a ballet number I’m sure you could provide the music.”

He shakes his head furiously. “I don’t play for anyone except my mom and sometimes Harry when he barges in my room and I don’t hear him.”

Hadley returns to the group holding a notebook and a pen.

I turn back to Oliver. “Think about it. I’m sure she’ll be willing.”

He nods but says nothing else.

Hadley hands me the notebook and pen. I lightly squeeze his shoulder and turn to the group. “One at a time, tell me your suggestions.” ***

After a half hour of voting, we’re at a three way tie with the song choice. The kids’ attention span starts to wander a few minutes in and Hadley suggests they think over the final three choices and we vote tomorrow. We bring the kids to the main building a few minutes before three-thirty.

Mrs. Yates approaches as we enter. Her gaze shoots down to Oliver by my side. She smooths her fingers over his head, pushing the hair from his face as if she’s inspecting him for injuries.

“Mom,” Oliver hisses just as Harry says, “He did fine, Mom.”

She licks her lips nervously, and stands up. “Let’s go,” she says, nodding at me. Oliver is close enough to Harry that they bump arms as they exit the building.

Hadley chats with Lily near the trophy cases at the back of the room. I make my way to Ethan who is sitting on one of the check-in tables from the morning.

He nods at me. “Hey, man. How was the first day?”

I sigh. “Long. But just like I remember.”

“Yeah, man,” he says, distracted.

I catch his gaze and note two of the other girl lifeguards picking up their bags and leaving the building.

I nudge him in the arm. “Nice pickin’s this year at the pool.”

Ethan smiles. “You know it. This summer’s going to rock.”

“Casey?” a woman calls from the middle of the room. Sarah. I scan the room and see Casey talking to Jaclyn, oblivious to Sarah’s arrival. I hop off the table and go to her.

I touch her arm and she stiffens before noticing me. “Oh, hey Will.” She rubs her stomach absently while still looking for her step-daughter.

“Casey’s over there,” I indicate.

“I’m happy she’s in your group,” she says, leaning close to me. “Other people in this town don’t really understand about me and Lawrence. They can be a bit judgmental.”

Casey squeals when Tyler scoops her up into the air and swings her around. The younger girls preen at him while other mothers shoot disapproving eyes at the family dynamic. Sarah beelines for him and urges her brother to let Casey down. Just as he does Sarah grabs her hand and pulls her toward the front door.

I say goodbye to the other kids as they join with their parents and greet those I didn’t have a chance to earlier, assuring that their kids are in good hands. Some ask about my father but I give them the same line I’ve given everyone else so far.

“Be sure to tell him I said hello,” Greg’s father says. I vaguely remember they went to school together.

“Okay,” I lie.

Before I know it, the group has dispersed and all that’s left are tired-looking counselors. I should be tired too, but there’s something about the first day of camp, excitement I thought I forgot about, but it comes rushing back to me like a swift second-wind.

Lily tugs Hadley along by the arm. Hadley gives me a small smile. “Do you need a ride home?” she asks.

Lily’s nostrils flare and I take that as her uninviting me.

“No thanks. I’m going to walk.”

I have a strong urge to take her hand and bring her with me, even just for the ten minute walk, but Ethan’s presence breaks that spell.

“I’ll walk with you,” he says, fluttering his eyelashes with his hands clasped under his chin.

I shake my head and laugh. Clapping a hand on his shoulder I take the lead from the room. I hold the door for Ethan and notice Hadley watching us.

Ethan gives me the rundown about his day. Mostly describing every encounter with Isabelle that he can recall. I vaguely remember her from high school: she wasn’t in the group that Hadley hung around, but I do recall stories of her escapades that Lily and Hadley came home with.

“Right, man?” Ethan says.

“Yeah,” I say, hoping he doesn’t realize I haven’t been paying attention.

“Although, I’m not sure Hadley would be too happy,” he confesses.

A grin tugs at my lips. “You mean, Lily?”

Ethan clears his throat. “That was a while ago.”

“You know I’d never say anything, but I don’t think you should hold out for her.”

Ethan sighs and changes the subject. “I bet there were a lot of hot girls where you lived.”

I chuckle. “Is that all you think about?”

“I’m seventeen!” he exclaims. “What else is there?”

“True,” I placate. “Yes, there are plenty of hot girls in the South.”

“Nice!” he says, punching a fist into his palm.

“There are plenty up here as well,” I say softly.

Ethan curls his lip. “I’m looking for something different.”

“I understand that,” I say honestly. “But sometimes it’s nice to come home.”

“Why did you leave?” Ethan asks.

I grind my teeth together, but Ethan just waits. I remember when he was the annoying kid next door, always trying to hang out with us, but just like Hadley he’s grown up. But not enough to break me.

“My uncle died and my aunt needed help on the farm.”

Ethan’s lips twitch. “You could have said goodbye though. You have no idea—” He stops.

My head snaps towards him. “No idea what?”

He shakes his head a few times, not meeting my eyes. “Even though she’d never admit it, Hadley was messed up for a while, man.” He stares at the ground while he speaks. “I annoy her because she’s my big sister, but I’m not above splitting skulls of those who hurt her. It’s a good thing I’ve known you so long.” He says the last part with a hint of humor, but witnessing what my departure did through his eyes makes my stomach drop.

“I won’t leave again without saying goodbye,” I say.

“Or you could just stay. You might be a farm boy now but you had bigger dreams once.”

“Things change,” I say.

He nods a few times. “They do. But at some point you have to do what you want.”

“And what do you think I want?”

“Freedom.”

The air between us changes and for a second I think he might know about my past and that I’m lying about my present situation.

He scratches the back of his neck again. “It seems like working on a ranch might not give you the time you need to yourself.”

I turn away from him and exhale through my teeth. “It’s a lot of work.” I turn back to him. “But I do whatever it takes to help my family.”

“I understand that.”

We exit the edge of the woods that spills out onto our street. Ethan quickly changes topic to setting up a game of Enter Strike that night. “Do you have your computer with you?”

I never took it with me. “Yes.”

“I play Enter Strike with these guys from Canada between eight and eleven every night. If you jump on just message me and I’ll get you in there.”

“All right.”

We reach the end of my driveway and part ways.

“See you tomorrow,” Ethan says.