Camp Payback (23 page)

I held up a hand. “Enough. I’m convinced.” Wow.

Brittany brushed by me though the door, her ponytail swishing. “Good, because we need to make changes on pages three, seven, twelve to sixteen…to start.”

O-K. I trailed behind her into the large space. Vampires and werewolves weren’t the only beasts I’d unleashed.

……………….

After a chaotic activity period of tryouts, followed by an afternoon spent hammering out the script and casting, Brittany and I were ready for our first after-dinner rehearsal. Luckily, Gollum had given us this extra free time or we would never have finished. I owed a lot to Brittany. Who knew giving up things would gain you more in return?

I was sacrificing the limelight for a behind-the-scenes role. And it was…fun in a lot of ways, actually. It didn’t feel like it did when my parents ignored me or told talk show hosts to pretend I didn’t exist.

“Cut!” hollered Brittany for the eleventh time in the last ten minutes. We were near the end of our evening rehearsal, and from the tired looks around the room, most were ready to call it a night.

Rafael, a stand-in for our leading man, Javier, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and glared at Brittany.

“I’m sorry, but I certainly did not expect tongue. It wasn’t written in the stage directions.” He pushed up his wireless glasses and squinted down at the script we’d photocopied. “Besides, won’t I be wearing a wolf mask?”

“Certainly seems logical.” Siobhan stepped in front of her fellow wolf pack members and tugged on a dog-ear flap to straighten her hat.

Brittany, who we’d decided to cast as Maria the vampire, tapped her black high-heeled boots. “When is Javier coming back? I can’t work with a boy who’s never been kissed.”

Several gasps echoed in the large space.

“How dare you.” Siobhan looked ready to stake Brittany on the spot.

Rafael hung his head, and my heart went out to him. He’d been a good sport to stand in for Javier when he clearly was more comfortable working the special effects we’d planned with him. But we’d all sacrificed today. I, for one, had given up my dream of starring in my own musical…and kissing Javier again. But Brittany had threatened to walk if she didn’t get the lead—a part she said she was clearly perfect for—and take her impressive number of friends with her. If I’d had any chance of having my skit, she was it.

“Tell her it’s not true, Rafe.” Siobhan folded her arms across her chest, her eyes still locked with Brittany’s.

“Enough.” I moved out of the shadows and stood under the hot spotlight. Note to self: Ask Brittany to have Vijay, our tech wiz, to turn down the watts. Second note to self: What the hell had I been thinking in letting this creep on the set? But Brittany had insisted we needed his expertise. “Look. There’s no tongue. Rafael’s right. It’s not in the script.” I returned Rafael’s relieved smile. “We’re keeping this strictly PG for the kids in the audience.”

“What’s the dif? It’s time we spiced up Juniper Point.” Rachel, another Diva, bared her teeth in a fairly convincing vampire snarl.

“Look, time’s almost up.” I held my thick hair off my steaming neck. “We’ve blocked the scene, and everyone’s read through the script.”

“Everyone but lover boy Javier!” called Vijay from his state-of-the-art light and sound effects board. When he’d heard of my idea for the show, he’d had his parents express mail it from home. “How did he get the lead and not even show up?”

Murmurs of agreement sounded. Brittany held up a hand, and the group quieted. “Yeah, Alex? Why does Javier have to play the lead? We all know you wanted to kiss him, but since you’re directing—maybe it’s time to reevaluate?”

Despite my hot face, I marched up to her and blew a bubble so close to her nose she flinched. “Because we agreed he’s best for the part, remember? I’ll fill him in on what he missed when he gets back from his trip with Bam-Bam.”

Vijay snickered. “I just bet you will.”

“Shut it, Vijay,” Julian hollered. The rest of the boys from the Wander Inn jumped off the stage and crowded around him. “It’s time we talked, bud.” Julian looped a long arm around Vijay’s shoulders and guided him toward a back room while the rest of his cabin followed.

“Bye, Alex!” called Brittany as she and the Divas wandered out the door.

“Wait!” I looked around at the room littered with props and the beginnings of co-opted costumes. I’d be up until “Taps” cleaning up this mess. But I couldn’t stay, not when there was a chance I’d see Javier at tonight’s senior movie night—mine and my cabin’s favorite:
Titanic
. For the first time, Leonardo DiCaprio wouldn’t be the one I stared at. I really missed Javier, even if I could only be with him from a distance.

“We’ll help,” offered Trinity. She peeked at Jackie’s watch, then frowned. The rest of the group shuffled around, beginning to pick up items. But I could tell from their worried glances they wanted to make the movie. It started in five minutes.

“It’s fine, guys. Victoria will help.” I pointed to our dozing counselor who woke at her name, wiped the wet from her cheek, and sat up, holding her head.

“See—we’ll be fine,” I continued. “Plus, I think Siobhan and Rafael are staying.” I gestured to the couple talking quietly in the corner.

Piper hesitated while Jackie continued gathering up bits of fur.

“Really. Go.” I pointed at the door. I was over being the needy, selfish person who only wanted fun. It was hard to believe, looking back at the start of camp, that “payback” had been my goal for the summer. Now I wanted to pay back my friends by letting them shine in the skit and by staying away from Javier, giving him the trouble-free summer he deserved.

“We’ll save a seat for you!” Trinity called as she followed Jackie and Piper outside. Yasmine paused at the door and gave me a long look followed by a nod that could have passed for approval.

The crowd was thinning. I wasn’t sure where the Wander Inn guys had gone, but hopefully they’d taken Vijay back to the cabin.

“I just don’t see why you had to let her paw you like that.” Siobhan’s whisper was now audible in the nearly empty room.

“Technically, I was the one with the paws,” Rafael pointed out matter-of-factly. His lips quirked slightly, as if enjoying this flustered, red-faced version of Siobhan. I had to admit, I did too. She was always so calm and cool. What a switch for someone else to be in the emotional hot seat for a change.

“And the tongue.” Siobhan poked Rafael’s chest with an eraser she’d been using while helping Trinity draw the sets.

Rafael’s laugh rang out. “Now that was hers.”

“Whatever.” Siobhan brushed by me and stormed out the door. “Oops. Sorry,” she said when she bumped into a departing Victoria.

The door shut with a click behind them. Rafael scratched the back of his head and peered at me. “Girls are completely illogical.”

I grabbed a few sets of claws and stashed them in a box. “And boys are easier to understand? Please.”

Rafael stacked some leftover scripts and put them on a table. “I just don’t understand why Siobhan’s so mad about Brittany.”

“No?” I wanted to tell him so badly, but that would be a major breach of girl code.

“Something isn’t computing. Siobhan doesn’t like me, does she? She—” The paper fluttered to the ground between us. “She likes me?”

I shrugged, doing my best to keep my grin at bay given his shocked expression.

“She likes me.” His voice rose to a squeak at the end.

“Umm.” I blew a bubble. It was the only way to keep my mouth shut.

“That’s why she didn’t like me kissing Brittany.” Rafael took off his steamed glasses and wiped them on his shirt.

I nudged his shoulder as the last of the stage lights dimmed. “Why don’t you go talk to her, Sherlock?”

Suddenly I was caught in a tight embrace and released just as quickly. “Thank you, Alex. You’re awesome!” He raced to the door, passing another, shadowed figure on his way out.

“Have I been replaced?” spoke a deep voice I instantly recognized.

“Javier!” Although my heart leaped, I stayed put while he crossed the room. Though the spotlights were off, the dim overhead fluorescents couldn’t hide his sinewy, athletic walk.

“Hey, Alex.” His smile gleamed against his tanned skin, the color darker after his mountaintop camp out. Maybe it was not seeing him for a couple days, but he looked handsomer than ever, his brown eyes sparkling, his hair so thick I wanted to run my fingers through it. “Look. I’m sorry for walking out on you the other night. If you still want me, I’ll help any way you need.”

Wow. That trip with Bam-Bam must have been a game changer. He stood taller, had a firmer set to his chin and an open look in his eye. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but he was different. Better yet, he wanted to be around me by choice, not because I’d begged.

“Of course I still want you,” I breathed, stepping closer. “We changed things a little, but you’re still the lead.”

His fingers laced in mine, and he leaned in. “Do I still get to kiss you?”

Our foreheads touched. His breath smelled like something spicy I really wanted to taste. “No. I gave Brittany the part.”

“It’s too bad I won’t get to kiss you in the play.”

“I could show you how that part goes,” I whispered.

His hand cupped the back of my head. “I might have a few ideas of my own.”

And suddenly our bodies and mouths fused. It was like we’d been separated for years instead of days. His hands roamed down my back, squeezing my hips and drawing me close. Our lips pressed against each other, then opened, his tongue on mine. I slid my hands along his back, and he pushed me against the stage wall.

Suddenly a pinpoint spot of bright light cut through the dimness, followed by an unmistakable sneer. “And cut!”

We froze, and I looked over Javier’s shoulder to see Vijay race toward the door, his right hand clutching some kind of electronic device. A phone, I guessed, judging by the square of blue light that flashed near his hand as he ran.

Oh, God. He’d been in the building the whole time.

“Was that—” Javier shook his head, his eyes still fuzzy.

“Vijay?” My heart sank as I imagined the possibilities. “Yes.”

“Why is he so obsessed?”

I shook my head. The better question was, what did Vijay intend to do with that video? All this time, I’d been on a payback mission. It’d never occurred to me that my ex might be on one, too.

Javier

“We’ve got to get that camera.”

The objective flashed into my brain with perfect clarity.

Setting Alex aside, I shook off the last of my hot-for-her haze and sprinted toward the exit.

“Wait.” She held me back, her fingers clutching my forearm. “Don’t go.”

“Are you kidding me?” I shook my head. “All the times you’ve gone tearing headfirst into trouble and now you want me to wait? You realize that bastard is going to post that video all over the Internet, right? That your parents will see it? This is not the way for them to find out about us.”

“I’m already going to boarding school, so what’s the worst they can do? Plus, it’s not like I haven’t been humiliated on the Internet before.” Alex put herself between me and the door. “It’s my fault you almost got ejected from camp before, and I’m not going to let that happen again.”

“That wasn’t your fault.” I unhooked her fingers from my arm. Gentle, but firm. “Alex, I’m not going to lose it, okay? I know that now after my trip with Bam-Bam. Besides, it’s time someone confronted that kid and found out what’s wrong with his lame ass.” He held up his hands. “I’ll use words, not fists.”

I was going to control myself if it killed me.

“Then I’m going with you.” She took off like an arrow from a bow, making a straight shot for the door.

“Seriously?” I caught her, tugging her back. “Go home, Alex. I’m ending this tonight.”

She shook her head fast, her face white.

“No.”

“Yes. I get distracted when you’re around because I worry about you and want to protect you and…hell. I can’t think straight. This time? Please. Let me do this my way.”

She hesitated only a moment. Then she nodded, the movement jerky.

“Okay.”

Whoa. Hadn’t seen her agree that quickly before. I was already running by the time she shouted, “Good luck!”

Yeah. I’d freaking need it.

I took off into the dark, wondering where the creep would go with the video. Gollum? One of the other counselors? Or would he try to embarrass Alex by showing it off to his friends before using his 4G to post it?

Banking on the last option, I ran through the woods, ignoring the paths in case any counselors were out. When I arrived at the boys’ cabins, the lights were on in Wander Inn.

Score.

Leaping up the steps onto the porch, I pounded on the door frame. The door was open, with only a screen between me and the Wander Inn guys. Three of them were scattered around the floor.

“Vijay?” I shouted, willing myself to stay calm. Focused.

“Not here, dude.” Julian slid off his bunk and padded across the cabin floor. “He took off for the movie when we tried talking to him about—uh—what’s up?” Julian quickly changed the subject.

“The punk snapped a picture or video of Alex and me at the arts and crafts building after the skit.” I levered open the screen door and looked around, half-convinced they were hiding him somewhere. “He’s been harassing Alex all summer and even during the school year. It’s going to stop now.”

After weeks of worrying that BLISS Network would pop out of some bushes and catch us, it was ironic that Vijay had been the real threat.

I waited for Vijay to step out of the bathroom or otherwise show himself. The kid never backed down from a fight that was for damn sure. But his cabin mates were the only ones here.

“The rest of the cabin is at the movie night.” Rafe put down his cast notes from the play and looked up. They were a copy of the set tucked into my pocket.

“I need to find Vijay. Who’s going to help?” I wasn’t backing down on this. Besides, I was running out of time to stop this jerk from doing major damage to Alex’s life.

“Whoa.” Bam-Bam’s voice echoed through the room as he arrived suddenly on the front porch. “What’s going on here, Javier? I could hear you from two cabins down.”