Unknown (The Secret Life of Cassie Martin #1)(8)
“Hey, I just wanted to make sure. I don’t know you, so I didn’t want to make any assumptions.” He smiles softly at me, trying to convey his sincerity. “I could be like some of her underlings and believe what she says, but I’m smarter than that. Clearly, something did happen, though.”
“It was a huge misunderstanding. Kelly took care of it.” I refuse to engage with this guy again, but he continues to stare at me.
“I’m really sorry. Don’t worry about Mindy. Everyone knows how she is. I just like giving my little sis a hard time. I shouldn’t drag you into it.” He raises his eyebrows, waiting for some response.
Fallon mumbles softly, “Little sis. I’ll show him little sis. Three minutes his little sis.”
“You two are twins? I have twin foster brothers.” I tear up slightly as I remember the boys running around and playing with their cars.
“Yes, we’re twins. I’m clearly the smarter, better looking one.” Parker straightens in his seat. “Fallon probably didn’t mention me because of my awesomeness. She’s still salty because my team beat her team last year. She’s vowed to not only beat me this year, but win. Silly girl, she doesn’t know what’s coming for her.”
If he was a bird, he’d be preening himself.
“Well, hopefully, Fallon and I will be on the same team so I can help take you and your team down.” I tilt my head and raise one eyebrow at him to make sure he notices my challenge.
“Oh, I like you already. Challenge accepted. We can work out the details tomorrow evening after we meet our teams.” With that, he stands and saunters away.
Fallon doubles over with laughter after Parker leaves. “You were great. We better be on the same team.”
“Is he always like that? He’s very confident.” I wonder what his secret spy skill is that makes him assume he can take on the world, or at least his sister.
“He’s like that around here. When we’re at home, he’s much more reserved. He’s a science geek. It doesn’t matter what the science, he knows it. At school, he was teased because of his obsession with all things science. He was also teased because, up until recently, he was short and slightly overweight. He didn’t have many friends.” Her eyes widen as she stares at me. “I shouldn’t have told you any of that. Please don’t say anything to him.”
Fallon’s love for her brother is obvious. I wish someone would clean up my messes like that.
Parker’s background reminds me of myself. I learned earlier than he did to hide my true self from others because I was afraid of the ridicule I would receive. Even though I bounced between houses, I didn’t always change schools. Everyone knew my background and stayed away from me.
Here I can be anyone I want because no one knows better. I decide to take it easy on Parker; although, I will make sure his team loses whether I’m on Fallon’s team or someone else’s.
CHAPTER FIVE
After lunch, we’re given free time to hike, swim, play games, or socialize. I decide to spend my time reading through the informational packet we received so I know what I can and cannot do and what I can get away with by bending the rules.
As I walk back to the cabin with Lily and Lara, I notice how similar everything is. All the cabins match in size. Some appear to be mirrors of mine with the bathroom located on the opposite side. A bench and a water fountain sit out in front of each. People congregate around the steps leading up to the door or sit on the bench chatting. The casual contact between the other campers puts me more on the outside since it’s obvious they know each other by their closeness.
Once we arrive at our cabin, Lily and Lara decide to go with a group headed down to the lake. From our view near the top of the mountain, the lake shimmers with threads of gold and blue as the sun hits it. They invite me along, but my interest lies in finishing my reading.
I walk to where my stuff still waits on the bunk next to the door and grab my pamphlets, planning to find somewhere to read them before I check out the computer area. It seems like my best option to discover more about this camp and the area.
As I get ready to leave, Fallon returns to the cabin. I pause at the door and say, “I’m going to take a walk, then check out the computers. Do you want to come?”
She glances at the papers in her hand and winks. “No, thanks, I have a super-secret spy meeting that requires my attention. I plan on reviewing this paperwork before tomorrow.”
Shrugging, I wave goodbye, and head down the stairs, opening the packet as I go. The first page lists the head counselors, Kelly Whitney and Harold Baker.
With my head down reading, I meander down the path. Sitting at one of the picnic tables under the trees near the Corral sounds relaxing. About two cabins down and not far into my reading, I run into a wall, or at least, a solid object the size of a wall. I crane my head up and peer into electric eyes. The blue seems to spark as they smile down at me.
I take a step back, overwhelmed by his large body that ripples with muscles. He’s like a Norse god. I can’t seem to pull my gaze away from him as I stammer, “I’m so, so sorry. I’m normally more aware of my surroundings. I would ask if I hurt you, but it felt like I hit a brick wall.”
In my musings over the eyes and body of Thor, I miss the guy next to him. He doubles over, laughing at both of us. “Ha, ha, ha. Stud here gets that from all the ladies.”