Say You Still Love Me(120)

“No! You’re coming with me. I can’t hide us anymore. I don’t want to. This isn’t summer camp and I’m not sixteen years old. I need to get this all out in the open, confront my father about what he did, and move on with you, whether he accepts it or not.”

Kyle’s gaze wanders the corners of the bathroom ceiling, his forehead etched with worry.

“Look, I know this isn’t going to make our lives easier in the short term. He’s going to be difficult.” A hint of dread weaves its way through the impending victory over Tripp. Difficult may be an understatement. It’ll likely end up in a fight and a few carefully launched threats from both sides. But what my father did was wrong, and I’ll make sure he’s aware. “We need to do this, Kyle. So we can move forward.”

Kyle takes a deep breath. “Okay, Piper.” He sighs heavily. “You want this all out in the open. So let’s get it all out in the open.”

I can’t help but catch the sorrow in his voice.





Chapter 24



THEN


2006, Camp Wawa, End of Week Seven

“I dare you . . .” Kyle pauses to take a long drag from his cigarette, his gaze on the last bit of daylight as we lie sprawled out in the alcove at the bottom of the cliff. Our place. It’s cool and cast in shadow now, after a hot, sun-filled afternoon. “I’m tired of playing this game.”

I peer up at him, my head resting against his stomach. “You want to go back to your cabin?”

His head tilts downward to meet my gaze. “Do you?”

Yes, I mouth. Right now.

I get a lazy, suggestive smile in return as Kyle’s eyes drift over my bikini-clad body.

“Well, I want to go. I’m getting cold,” Ashley whines, wrapping her arms around herself and exaggerating a shiver.

“You need another one of these, then.” Eric holds up a shot of tequila. We hit Provisions early and then came out here to drink and swim under the sun. Hours and too many shots later, the very idea of climbing this rocky hill and walking home is exhausting.

Ashley pushes his hand away with a groan. “No more. I’m going to puke.”

“Fine.” He lifts the shot glass to his mouth.

“Haven’t dared you yet!” Kyle objects, waving an arm haphazardly in the air.

“Fine. I dare me to kiss Freckles.” Eric dives down to plant his mouth on hers, spilling half his tequila over the rocks in the process.

“That doesn’t count, jackass,” Kyle mutters, but he’s grinning, as am I, because Ashley hasn’t pushed him away. “Finally,” he murmurs, his stomach muscles tensing as he sits up, his hand gripping my head as I slide downward. “Let’s get this over with. I’m getting cold, too.”

We collect the empty bottles.

“Man, we drank a lot,” Kyle murmurs, chuckling and stumbling a touch. “Thanks, Piper, for bankrolling all this.”

“Whatever.” I didn’t even think; I just handed my card to him. I also filled his car up with gas and picked up our burger tab. It felt good to do that.

It takes three times as long to climb the rocky hill. Ashley and I are on our hands and knees, laughing, by the time we reach the top. “I just want to sleep now,” I moan, inspecting the scratches on my palms from the thorny branches and rocks. I’m going to feel them tomorrow.

Eric stumbles over to the edge of the cliff. “I can’t believe we only have one week left here.”

“Careful . . . You’re drunk,” Ashley warns. “I don’t want you falling off.”

Eric turns to grin at her. “Aw, you finally admitting that you care about me?”

“No.” She giggles, her cheeks flushing.

And then Eric leaps over the edge, his “Yahoo!” following all the way down to a splash.

“Shit!” Kyle rushes to the edge, stepping carefully as he peers over. “You crazy asshole!” he bellows.

“Jump!” Eric coaxes from below.

Ashley and I both sigh with relief.“So I can climb back up that hill? Hell no.”

“Lame!” comes the response.

“Remember, you’re a shitty swimmer. Just get back up here.” Kyle backs away from the edge, stumbling a touch. “This is going to take a while.” He more falls than sits on the boulder. “I drank too much.”

“We all drank too much.” I hunker down next to him. Ashley falls into him on the other side. We lean against one another while we wait.

“I think I’m going to pass out,” Ashley moans. “Or puke. One of the two. Or maybe both.”

“Hurry up, Vetter!” Kyle hollers.

Silence answers.

“Eric?”

Nothing.

“Fuck . . .” Kyle stumbles to his feet and heads for the rocky pathway down. “Hey! Eric!”

“I’m coming . . . I’m coming . . .” comes the answer between ragged breaths. “This was a really bad idea, wasn’t it?”

Kyle laughs. “Yeah, you’re full of bad ideas, asshole.” He watches with his arms folded over his chest, as his drunken best friend scales the treacherous path.

It’s another few moments before we spot Eric’s curly blond hair crest.

“Ugh. Finally. Can we go now?” Ashley pulls herself to her feet.