Something in the Way (Something in the Way #1)(47)

When I returned to my girls, my smile must’ve been as bright as a light bulb. I was sure it took up half my face.

“I want dessert, too,” one of the girls said. I handed over my pudding without protest.

“Have you seen Tiffany?” Hannah asked, nodding across the cafeteria. “You might want to go check on her.”

I looked over. Tiffany had her finger in one of the girls’ faces as though she were scolding her. She’d been assigned to a cabin nobody wanted—the twelve-year-old girls. They were vain, boy-crazy, and learning to test boundaries. Part of me thought it was fair payback for how snotty she’d acted at that age, and the other part worried only Tiffany or the girls would survive the week—not both.

I got back up, crossed the hall to cabin eleven, and plopped down next to Tiffany. “How’s it going?”

I hadn’t meant to sneak up on her, but she jumped a mile high, whirling on me. Dirt streaked her temple, and her normally perfect hair looked as though it hadn’t been brushed in a week. “Jesus, Lake. Hell on earth. That’s how it’s going.”

I had to laugh. “It’s the first day. Things are always a little crazy.”

“You have to get me out of here.”

A couple of Tiffany’s campers looked over. I shushed her. “They’ll hear you.”

“I don’t care. They’re a bunch of brats.”

“You’re a brat,” said one girl.

“Shut up.” Tiffany pointed at her. “I told you all to be quiet.”

“Tiffany, stop. You can’t say that to them.”

She sighed, her upper body slumping. “I don’t like this, Lake. My co-counselor is only two years older than them and she’s not any help.”

I bit my thumbnail. “Try to remember what it was like to be twelve. There’s a balance between being their friend and commanding their respect.”

“Can you help me? Please?”

“I have my own cabin to deal with,” I said. Since I felt sorry for her, I added, “Once they’re in bed, all the counselors come back here to hang out. We can vent then.”

Tiffany grabbed my arm as I stood. “Don’t go. Please.”

“I have to. I’ll see you tonight.”



The girls were in their beds by eight and after some policing, including a lecture on gossip, they’d fallen asleep soon after. Once I was sure they were out for the night, I grabbed Hannah to take her to the dining hall. It was a short walk, but we had to pass through woods to get there, guided only by the moonlight the trees let through.

“You’re sure this is allowed?” Hannah asked.

“Yep. Once the kids are in bed, we all hang out, even Gary. Head counselors take turns throughout the week walking through camp to check on each cabin. You might have to at some point.”

“By myself?”

“Are you afraid?” I teased. “You know I made up that story about the bear to get the girls to hand over their candy, right?”

“Really? So there aren’t bears out here?”

One quick glance around the deadly silent dark made me shiver. “No, there are.”

Hannah made a noise. I hurried her along—it actually was a little scary—but I also wanted to see if Manning would come tonight. I supposed I should talk Tiffany off the ledge, too.

Inside, the tables had been moved to the room’s perimeter, clearing the area. A boom box sat on the fireplace mantel and a junior counselor rapped along to “Nuthin But A ‘G’ Thang.” Some people stood off to the side talking, while others had brought cushions and blankets to sit on the floor in a circle.

Manning sat with Gary and some other counselors in plastic chairs they’d formed into a half circle. Hannah and I walked over, all eyes on us as we approached.

“What’s up?” Gary said. “Grab a chair.”

Manning stood. “I’ll get some.” He walked off to the side and lifted a seat in each hand. A girl I didn’t recognize had her chair a little too close to Manning’s. Now I not only had to worry about Tiffany, but other girls, too? “Move over,” I said to her.

“Um.” She glanced behind me at Manning.

“Please,” I added.

She scooted aside as Manning added our chairs to the circle.

“When did you get so bossy?” Gary asked me as I sat. “Last year you were much more shy.”

Even though my cheeks warmed, his teasing made everyone look at me, even Manning. “I said please.”

“You should see her with the girls,” Hannah said. “She’s the boss.”

“That so?” Manning asked.

I arched an eyebrow at him. “You look surprised.”

“I didn’t say you were shy.”

Neither of us smiled, but the energy between us was light. Playful. Something about today had obviously softened Manning’s outer layer and I couldn’t help feeling responsible for that.

The song changed, and Hannah bobbed her head with the music. “God, I love LL Cool J.”

Manning shifted his eyes to her. “Yeah? I would’ve guessed Mariah Carey or something.”

She laughed. “I listen to both. LL is good to get in a certain kind of mood.”