10 Weeks (9 page)

Bill has the beer gut to match his job, and the biggest, friendliest smile anyone could own.

“Jody.” He squeezes me into him. “How’s my girl?”

I shrug. “Fine.”

He cocks a brow. “I saw that good-for-nothing Jeff last night.”

“Yeah. We split.” We. Ridiculous. I think Jeff decided I w
as too much for him to handle.
He didn’t use that word because he knows better, but it’s the distinct impression I got when he mentioned that we w
ere “going different directions
”
.
I wasn’t aware we were going different directions. I was pretty sure we were moving toward matrimony and forever. But. We obviously weren’t. Or at least he wasn’t. I think Jeff and I would be happy. Actually, I
thought
we could be, but he’s handled all of this breakup stuff in such a juv
enile way that I’m no
longer sure.

“He’s an ass,” Bill says.

“He’s a good guy.” But even as the words come out, I start to wonder how true they are. Who dumps their girlfriend they claim to love for no real
reason
?

“
Liam
asked about you.” The beginnings of a grin twitch at the corners of his mouth.

“
Liam
?” My voice makes me sound like I don’t know exactly who he is. And that I maybe didn’t think about him as I fell asleep last night. And that I wasn’t planning on thinking about him as I fell asleep again tonight.

I know just by looking at him that
Liam
and I would definitely not get along, but I can’t remember having such a strong physical reaction to someone, and that’s a really happy way to fall asleep.

“You know, t
he one all the girls are drooling over this year?” He gives me a nudge.

My cheeks flush, and I just hope that the heat’s hiding my embarrassment better than I think it is. I really hate this about myself. Every emotion crosses my face. And there are times when that’s a good thing—like when I want someone to know I’m pissed. And then there are times like this—when I’d rather no one know that I’m one of many who thinks the Irish guy looks pretty insanely incredibly gorgeous. Even if he’s not my type.

“Oh.” Which almost makes me laugh, because that was a whole lot of thinking to come up with one stupid word.

“He’s my nephew. My sister’s son. Had a rough year last year and wanted to do something else for a while.” His gruff voice is completely filled with kindness and maybe a little bit of pity, making me wonder what
Liam
’s story is.

“Oh.” I’m apparently incapable of actually speaking.

“Well, I’ve got to head back. Make sure we have enough of the cheap stuff to last for the rest of the week.” He winks. “
And I stocked up on that cherry-
flavored stuff you like.”

“Thanks.”

Liam
. Right in this moment I wish I were
Kay-Kay
or Sam
so that next time we ended up the Little Minnow, I could do something with the way I feel about him. Even if it didn’t go anywhere, it might be nice to not be afraid. And I am definitely curious as to what brought that guy from Ireland to backwoods Wisconsin.

Chapter Fifteen

The heat has officially taken over. We’re all going to be in the water today.

“Okay.” I shout, my hands on my hips
, in front of a line full of girls
. “If I can pull your suit off by tugging a string, turn around, go back to your bunk, and change. I don’t want an eyeful.” We have
Kay-Kay
for that. I don’t think
she
own
s
anything I’d call a swimsuit. My bras and panties cover more than
her
suits.

And
Sam
… Just because
her
body is perfect, doesn’t mean we always need to see it. Even I stare at her, and I don’t swing that way. She doesn’t do “lakes” and is in a lounge chair with a whistle to help her look official in her silver bikini.

A few groans and at least a fourth of the girls turn in their miniature swimsuits
to head back to
their bunks.

At twenty-one I can’t imagine wearing something like that. How are these girls so sure of themselves so young? It kills me. I thought I was going a little crazy today wearing a blue sporty two-piece with boy shorts, but I still feel completely exposed.

“For the rest of you. This is free
swim
. It’s too hot for me to care about
any lessons
.” I wave at them dismissively
,
knowing I just made their day.

Squeals are followed by splashes, and total chaos. As much as I love the structured activities, I remember this being one of my favorite parts about going to the camp I grew up at.

“Jody?”

Holy Irish lilt. I cannot do this right now. In a bathing suit.

I rub my hand over my face once like it’ll somehow hide my reddening cheeks and spin around on the dock
,
feeling completely exposed.

He pauses
and
his eyes widen slowly as they float down my body. He’s not obnoxious about it, but he’s not hiding the way he looks at me either. I snatch my towel and tie it quickly around my waist before walking up the dock.

“I’m on lifeguard duty right now.” Pathetic. This is what I come up with? The whistle around my neck was probably a dead giveaway.

“I see.” The smile on his face strips another layer from me, and I’m suddenly itching to get away.

“What are you doing out here?” I fold my hands, only now I do look like I’m fourteen and trying
to hide—well, not the fourteen-
year olds here who are openly gawking at the hottie in skinny jeans and chucks on the dock. I drop my arms from my waist, but there are no pockets in a towel
,
and I still don’t know what to do.

Guys don’t
do
this to me…

“Bill fixed a wooden jewelry box of Irene’s. I offered to drop it off.” He shrugs, which is such a relaxed gesture, but his eyes don’t waver from mine. It’s way more intensity than I’m used to. Or maybe I was just settled into Jeff.

“Oh.”

“Glad I ran into you,
though
. Maybe you could take me swimming sometime without all the little helpers.” He winks.

I swear my body half explodes with this bit of information until reality sets in. He
has
to be messing with me. I could pick out more than half the counselors here as better matched to his hotness. I’m stuck in cute territory, which is fine, but he definitely needs more than cute.

“Yeah.
Huh. Well,
I’m at work
now
. I’m sure I’ll see you around
.
” I want to walk away, but can’t bring myself to do it.

“A
l
l
right.
Cheers.
” His eyes linger on mine for a moment longer before he turns around.

I watch his ass.

I am not an ass-watching girl, but his definitely deserves watching. I need to figure out what nights he has off so I know I can go to the bar without feeling inept.

The girls and I are heading to the Minnow again tonight, and I have no idea how I feel about it—especially since I didn’t check
Liam
’s schedule. I did spend more time than I should have getting ready, but for what, really? I don’t have it in me to flirt with
Liam
whether he means it or not. And probably dressing up puts me in an even better position to make an ass out of myself.

“Hey, Jo Jo,
” Jeff says as soon as I step outside my cabin.

I freeze, suddenly angry that he feels like he can just walk over here and be friendly.
Why is he here?
“Don’t call me that.”

He sighs, shifting his weight, but this is a Jeff fidget thing, so I’m thinking he’s nervous. “Come on. Are we really going to do this?”

Instead of giving him the argument he’s so obviously after, I turn and continue toward
Sam
’s cabin.

He grabs my
arm
, warm and familiar, forcing me to wait. I don’t want him to touch me, but also don’t want him to stop. I hate this. Why couldn’t he just disappear after breaking up with me? Seeing him all the time is throwing me, and I hate to be thrown.

Jeff’s eyes are safe. His hair is safe. His job is safe. Everything about him is comfort and all the things that I know, that I’m used to. Things I don’t need to be afraid of.
But maybe I want to be afraid.

“My parents are swinging through town on their way to Alberta and want to have dinner with us.” He doesn’t have to ask, because I know what he wants from me.

I choke, and then cough. “Wait. With
us
?”

He suddenly won’t meet my eyes. “They don’t know we split.”

I step back. I’ve been dealing with parental backlash for two weeks. I’m half amazed our parents haven’t spoken about it yet. “We didn’t split.
You
split.”

He sighs and flips the phone over in his hand. This is classic Jeff—fidget when the conversation turns to something uncomfortable.

When he doesn’t say anything else, it’s like a rejection all over again. No comfort of “we’re still good friends,” or “I didn’t want to hurt anyone,” or “we were both moving on,” even though I wasn’t. Silence.

I’m done here. I can’t look at him. There’s too much history. Too much
us
.

“Jo, wait!” He jogs to catch up. “Please. One dinner. That’s all.”

“And when did you plan on telling them?” I cross my arms, feeling stronger than I have since he told me we should break it off. A little bit back to my normal self—less
thrown
.

“I…” He shrugs. “I don’t know.”

I know right now I’ll do
the stupid dinner
, but there’s this small sadistic part of me that wants to make him sweat. “Let me know when it is, and maybe I’ll come.”

His whole body relaxes in relief. Why hasn’t he told them?

“Thanks, Jody. Really. I owe you one.” He nods with this look of sincerity that I’m not sure I buy before turning and jogging off.

I take a few deep breaths trying to push all the Jeff-tension away when
Kay-Kay
leaps on my back and knocks it out of me.

Sam
and I are at the Minnow alone—
Kay-Kay
bailed on us, which means she’s definitely after Alex. Nothing keeps her from this place.

“No bullshit, Jo. He’s already looked at you twice. If you don’t take advantage of this pretty ideal situation, I migh
t be tempted to kick your ass.”

I just nod, having no idea what to make of anything she’s just said.

Sam’s pocket buzzes. She pulls out her phone.
“Oh, hell…” Her body slumps. “
It’s my brother.
I gotta
talk to him
.”

And now I’m alone.

Liam
gave me an odd smile when I came in, but I don’t know if he’s being polite and noticing me, or if he’s offended that I didn’t chat with him more the other day. If I wasn’t dying of thirst, nothing could drag me to the bar—not even
Sam
’s threat to kick my ass.

After basically agreeing to have dinner with Jeff’s parents, I’m feeling on edge. Like I know something’s up, but don’t know what it is. And
Kay-Kay
’s out seducing an older man, and I’m weirded out by the way I feel around a guy I don’t know, even though the wide wooden bar
is
between us.

Okay. I’m stronger than this. I should be. I’m thirsty. He works here. He already knows the drink I want, and so I’ll hopefully be spared some of the run-around I get from ordering, making me wonder again why on earth I insist on getting the same thing. But who would get a regular soda when you could get one with cherries?

I tilt my chin up and take a seat.

Liam
’s there in seconds, letting the other guy finish his order.

“Jody.” He pauses a half step from his side of the counter, and I swoon a little at the way he says my name. I should probably stay a long ways away from a guy who only needs one word to turn me soft.

“
Liam
.” I’ve paralyzed myself by completely over-thinking the situation.

“Usual?”

I wait for the smirk or a wink, but it doesn’t come.

I nod and swallow a few times. The noise of the bar and everyone else sort of disappears
,
making ordering a drink the center of the universe. I’ve got to stop this. “Thanks.”