Unknown (The Secret Life of Cassie Martin #1)(35)

His fingers run over the little silver beads. “The beads are for each milestone I hit, like there’s one for when I could move my fingers the first time and one for when I could tie my own shoes. The last bead, the black and white one, stands for the last goal I made for myself to show that I was truly recovered. I had to run a mile in less than five minutes. I wear this to remember that there’s no journey too long or so hard that it can’t be made.”

Warmth fills my chest at the touching tribute to what he went through. “I’m honored you let me see it. Were you hiding it from the paint?”

“Yes. I know Parker said that it washes off, but I don’t want to risk it.” He hooks the necklace back on and tucks it into his shirt. “It was an honor showing it to you. I don’t tell many people about my accident because they tend to think I’m not capable, even though I’m fully recovered.”

Once he has the necklace safely tucked away, I grab his hand and drag him back over to the group. We have to hurry now because everyone else is half covered already.

Parker and Lucca dump about a can of paint each on me and in the early dusk, I now glow slightly. Lily and Lara whip yellow and pink paint down my arms while Fallon paints green in my hair. When they’re done, I’m pretty well covered except for my face.

Jay walks over with a couple bottles and some small paintbrushes, and I guess he’s going to do some sort of war paint on my face. He holds up one of the brushes. “Would you like me to draw something on your face? It can be whatever you want. I’m told I’m decent at this sort of thing.”

“Put a monkey on her cheek and then maybe a banana on the other,” Parker encourages.

I sigh. Looks like I might get stuck with this monkey nickname.

“If that’s what she wants. It’s her face.” Jay gives me an out if I want one.

Parker went through all the trouble to make this night special, and he included me, so why not. “I’m good with the monkey.”

I trust Jay to make sure I don’t look like I have something eating my nose.

A few minutes later, he finishes. I can’t see it, but I can tell he approves because his electric eyes sparkle brightly.

“That’s not fair,” Lily whines. “You didn’t draw something on my face.”

Is she going to go back to Jay as her target for the evening? Will she complain about this once we’re back in the cabin? Her flirting was adorable at first, but now, she’s getting irritating. They said no, so she should accept that.

“Maybe next time, Lily. I don’t have time to paint on everyone,” Jay quickly deflects.

Lily perks up, excited she may have his attention sometime in the future.

The walk back is quick because we’re excited to see how we look in the black light. As we get closer, Fallon and Lara begin to glow, and it doesn’t take long before the rest of us join them. The music in the distance goes from a dull beat to us being able to recognize the song. The other campers stare at us, envy painting some of their faces. Others come over and tell us how great it looks.

Parker hands the leftover paint to someone. “Matt’s in my cabin. I told him if I had any left he could pass it around.”

It makes me feel better we won’t stand out as much.

“Parker, this paint is great,” Lucca say to him. “I need to get some of this stuff to wear around the house and scare the staff in the middle of the night.”

“I’ll tell you where to buy it, and I’ll be happy to come over and help anytime,” Parker jokes.

Lucca looks pleasantly surprised at the offer. “Maybe I should fly all of you over.”

Is he serious? Fly us all to a different country? But he looks excited at the idea. As if it only just occurred to him.

We dance for about an hour before people start to take a break.

Lucca, Parker, Jay, and Noah walk over to the food table, load up, and then stand at the tree line to people watch. From the dance floor, I watch as several girls stop to talk to them, but the guys don’t seem to pay them any attention. I remember comments from earlier about the guys being focused solely on their team and can’t help the relief that rushes through me that I’m a part of that.

They go out of their way to make sure to show they’re there for me. That I’m not alone here. Even without the paint, I could pick out my guys from the crowd. They each have an inner strength that makes them stand out from everyone around them.

It makes me feel bad that I’m holding back from them. Even with the story I told them earlier. I could have gone into more detail, told them something more revealing, but hiding has become a way of life for me. It’s difficult to open up, no matter how at ease I am with them.

I’m having such a good time I don’t want to stop, though. Lily, Lara, and Fallon stay and dance with me. So far, the DJ played techno, country, and pop songs. When the music changes, another pop song comes on. Since it’s a popular song right now, a few people join us, but there still aren’t many.

“I know I said I wouldn’t show off but want to see something fun?” I ask Lara. “I’ll probably get yelled at for this.”

“I’m ready as long as you don’t get hurt,” Lara responds, and it’s hard to tell if she’s excited or nervous.

Taking a deep breath, I make sure my path is clear and then backflip, the sand soft beneath my palms. I land in a crouch and surge upward, launching myself into the air. Twisting, my feet land solidly on the nearby table. When I straighten with my arms over my head, Lara stands with her mouth open in shock while Lily bounces on her toes and Fallon claps. Behind them, the other dances stare with expressions ranging from awe to open disdain.