Something in the Way (Something in the Way #1)(41)

“No it’s not,” I said. Actually, I didn’t know who set the clocks in my house, but I’d always been on time for school. “Is it?” I asked. “Are we really late?”

He lifted one corner of his mouth.

When he smiled, I smiled. “Are you teasing me?” I asked.

His expression changed when he looked behind me. “Hey, Tiffany.”

“Hi.” She brushed by me and opened her arms.

“What?” he asked.

“I’m trying to hug you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like a ten-year-old girl?”

“Please?”

With a sigh, he opened one arm. Tiffany snuggled into his side, wrapping herself around his torso.

My stomach soured like I’d eaten rotten seafood.

“I missed you,” Tiffany said.

I turned away. If they were hugging, he might kiss her again—and I was certain I’d puke if he did. “We should go in,” I said, walking off.

There was no time to introduce Manning to the director before the meeting. Gary was already standing at the front of the small, crowded room, trying to get everyone to settle down. There was a podium in the center, but Gary never used it. I’d know him anywhere just by his thick, black curly hair that would’ve been down past his ears if it didn’t grow straight out. A beach bum his whole life, he had a perpetual tan and bloodshot eyes, and he was the only person I knew who’d rather have a conversation with kids than adults.

There was only one pair of seats left, and the rest were singles. Fine. Let Tiffany and Manning sit together. I took a seat near the front so I wouldn’t have to see them hug.

“Welcome to the first Young Cubs counselor meeting,” Gary said. He must’ve been at least thirty. He’d been running the program since I’d attended as a camper. “I’m happy to see familiar faces and some new ones.”

Throughout the meeting, I refrained from looking back at Manning. He probably thought all this was childish, bored out of his mind. Being a counselor was fun, though. Last year, I’d been in charge of one of the younger cabins, and the girls had been endless in their love and affection. They’d thought the world revolved around my co-counselor and me. There was no feeling quite like a group of little girls all arguing over who got to be the one to hold your hand.

The meeting lasted a half-hour and after, I found Manning and Tiffany seated at the back of the room. “What’d you think?” I asked them.

“Outdoors for up to eight hours a day?” Tiffany asked. “Sounds awful. And dirty.”

I shrugged. “Don’t bring nice things, and you’ll be fine. Manning?”

He gave nothing away. “Let’s find out if they have any openings first.”

As if on cue, Gary wandered down the aisle between the seats, a big smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Well, well. Lake Kaplan. We’re lucky to have you for another year.”

“Thanks. This is my sister and her friend.” Manning didn’t even look at me as he stood. I’d done what he’d asked by introducing him as Tiffany’s friend, and that was my reward—nothing. At least if I’d called him my friend, I would’ve gotten a warning glance.

They shook hands. “Gary, right?” Manning asked. “Manning Sutter.”

“Nice to meet you, Manning. You don’t look like you’re in high school.”

“He’s not,” I said. “I was wondering if there were any paid counselor positions open for him.”

“It’s a little late for that. We’ve already done all the hiring.” He twisted his lips. Gary was the kind of guy who liked to find solutions for everything. If he could help, he would. “We did discuss bringing on one more counselor due to a rise in campers this year.”

“I’m interested,” Manning said. “I work construction, and we’ll have a break for a few weeks during that time.”

“Construction? Think you could help out with some projects around the campgrounds?”

“Absolutely,” Manning said.

“Great. Let me talk it over with the board and see if I can swing the budget. As for you—” He looked down at Tiffany. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name?”

“I’m Lake’s sister.” She paused. “Tiffany.”

“Hi, Tiffany. I’m almost certain I wouldn’t be able to convince them of a second position. We’ve got plenty of female hires. I’m sorry.”

Tiffany opened her mouth. I’d seen that look on her face before. Dad had taken her car away for a week her senior year because she’d snuck out in the middle of the night to go to a party. She’d gotten it back two days later. “But I really want to go,” she said, glancing at Manning. “And you just said you might need more help.”

“We will.” Gary smiled. “We’d love to have you as a volunteer.”

Tiffany laughed nervously. “You mean for free?”

“For fun,” Gary said, grinning some more. He turned back to Manning. “We’ll need some information from you guys. Background checks and things like that since you’ll be around a bunch of kids.”

“No problem,” Manning said.

“Good. Let me get your number, and if I can work it out, I’ll give you a call.”