Wait (The Fast Series) (6 page)

All the couples who were huddled around the fire have sauntered off with the exception of Cassie and Sawyer, who are making-out like animals in front of everyone.
Very trashy
. I’m surprised Mark isn’t bothered by his sister’s shameless activity, he doesn’t even seem fazed. He’s focused on Courtney, not so much as a glance in Cassie’s direction, like he has on blinders. I don’t have a brother, but I would think a brother would be more protective of his sister than letting a guy grope her in front of a large crowd.

Another hour goes by, no Tucker. His decision must be no. I exhale and my stomach drops. My “I take those things more seriously” speech is probably what sunk me. It always does. I’m annoyed at myself for being disappointed. Because I’m not just a little disappointed, I’m
really
disappointed. I have a small crush on Tucker already, the man whore of camp. Just like my big crush on the man whore of high school. Is this my type? What an awful and weird type for a girl like me to be attracted to.

Cassie and Sawyer’s raunchy scenario in front of the fire is still going strong, stopping only to guzzle down more beer in between big sloppy kisses. My mouth drops as I see Sawyer slip his hand underneath Cassie’s shirt right in front of everyone. And she
lets
him. We are surrounded by an entire forest. Really? They can’t go somewhere and find a little privacy if that’s what they want to do.

My feet are aching and looking down I see my polished pink toes are brown from the dirt. The one can of beer I had is making me need to pee. Peeing in the woods is not an option for me. I think it’s time to call it a night.

After circling around to say a few goodnights, I leave the partying crowd. Walking alone up the dirt path, the whispers and giggles of couples coming from the trees makes me uneasy. The same way it always did in high school when people snuck off to empty rooms and dark corners. When I pass the infamous hut I’m startled to see Mark and Courtney holding hands and disappear inside. People move so fast.
Why?

My sandals are filled with gravel and dirt, stupidest decision ever to wear them tonight. I dressed up for someone who didn’t even show up. Once again I’ll be stopping when I reach the big rock to shake out my shoes.

“I knew you’d come. I’ve been waiting for ya.” Tucker’s leaned back on the rock, legs crossed at the ankles, arms folded.

“You were waiting for me here?” I ask trying not to sound or
be
as happy as I feel.

“It’s our spot, isn’t it?” He grins.

“Oh we have a spot? It’s only been twenty four hours. I didn’t realize we had a spot.”

“Yup.” He slaps the rock with his hand. “This is it, our spot.”

What should I do? This is only the second night and this guy is all wrong for me. This place is some lusty hell-hole. I don’t fit in and this has mistake written all over it.

“Tucker, um, I don’t want to do this, okay.”

“Do what? Sit on a rock and talk to me?”

My left knee starts shaking nervously. “Just talk?” I tilt my head unsure.

He nods and gestures for me to sit. Coconut scent flows from his skin and his chiseled face has a scruff of blonde hair. Honestly, what choice do I have? My butt creeps up onto the rock next to him.

“So, what would you like to talk about?” he asks.

I want to talk about him. I want to know if he’s the nice guy he seems, or if he’s the guy with the reputation as a “dog” like Sawyer said. Is there a small chance he’s this fantastic guy and everything I heard was wrong? “If I ask you a few questions will you answer them honestly?”

Tucker gives me a smirk and nods. “Yes I will.”

I take a deep breath and dive in. “Have you ever been to the hut?”

“Yes.”

“With how many different people?”

“Three.”

“And you had sex with them?”

“I did.”

“Then what happened?”

Tucker’s brows crease together. “What do you mean?”

“Did you break up?”

“No, it wasn’t really like that.”

“Ew.” I need a second to cringe. He’s being honest with questions I have no business asking, but I hate his answers. This isn’t going so well. “How many times do you think you will go to the hut this summer?” I continue.

“None.”

“None? Why is that?”

“Because I’ve decided to take those things a little more serious this summer,” he says repeating my sentiment from this morning. His eyes are directed at me and I glance up briefly to meet his stare. Is he being serious or is he toying with me? I swallow and push my hands into my belly to try and stop it from flipping.

“Alright, now it’s my turn to ask some questions. I would like honest answers as well,” he says.

“Okay.” I guess it’s only fair.

“I take it you’re a virgin.”

“Yes.” I try and own it, being cool like Ashley says I am.

“Who is waiting for love?”

I hesitate. Why am I more embarrassed to answer this question? “Yes,” I sigh.

“Are you waiting for marriage?”

“Um, no. I just want to make sure it’s with the right person and I want to be in love. Is there something wrong with that?”
God. People always think because I want to wait that I’m some bible-toting good girl waiting for her wedding night. I’m not
.

“No. There’s nothing wrong with that.” He takes a second, tucking away his grin before continuing. “Someone in your past hurt you? What was his name?”

“Josh.”
Not sure how he knew that, probably just a good guess
.

“Are you over him?”

“Yes.”
I’m totally over that asshole. See - not very bible-like
.

“Do you think I’m hot?”

I gasp at the change in questioning. “What? You can’t ask that!”

“I can ask you if you’re a virgin, but I can’t ask if you think I’m hot?” he laughs. “You said you would answer honestly.”

“Do you think I am?” I ask sitting up straight.

“Your questions are over. I’m asking you.”

“You’re okay.” I blush. Thank God it’s dark. If he could see the way my cheeks are burning right now he’d know for sure that I definitely think he’s hot.

“Well, let me know when you find me hot and I’ll give you that kiss.” He leaps off the rock. “Are you going back down to the lake?”

“No.”

“Can I walk you back to your cabin?”

“Yes.” I pull a blonde curl over my lips to cover my smile. I should not be smiling right now. This is not the guy for me. Three girls in the hut is just appalling.
Run
the little voice inside my head whispers.
Nope
a bigger voice from somewhere inside me booms back.

The questions are over. Normal conversation takes its place. I never emptied my sandals and I still have to pee. But I walk slowly in no rush to get back to my cabin. When we reach my door I brace myself for the kiss he keeps talking about.

“Goodnight.” His jaw tightens and he licks his full perfect lips. I take in every detail of his seaside appearance. The traces of cute freckles scattered across such masculine features is a sexy combination. I want to slide my hands up his arms, reach up to touch that messy hair and run my fingers over the blonde stubble on his face. I bite my lip realizing how bad I’m actually craving this kiss.
Mmm hmm, yeah, I shouldn’t be, but I’m ready for this kiss
.

Tucker gives me a curt nod and takes off down the long trail of stairs in front of my door.

What? My lips are completely let down. Is it because I didn’t tell him he was hot? I saunter around the cabin getting ready for bed analyzing all our questions and answers. I didn’t really like the answers he gave but at least he was honest. Even after hearing his
unpleasant
answers I still wanted to kiss him. What is that all about?

I wish I had just told him he was hot so he would have kissed me. Then I could just realize he’s all wrong for me and move on. Why can’t I just like some normal inexperienced guy? Why do I need to like the guy who will do stuff with just anybody? Why would a guy like Tucker even waste his time on a girl like me?

Ahh! Enough!
This is way too soon to feel this frazzled and confused over a guy I just met.

Cassie

I’m left all alone to stumble back to my cabin. Last time I saw Sawyer he was throwing-up in the woods. Way too much beer for both of us.

The trail is swaying underneath my feet making it hard to walk. If I could just get the road to stop moving I’d be okay. Mark helped me home last night, too bad he isn’t here now. Where did he go? Is he off making out with Courtney? If he is, that sucks.

The noise from the crickets is deafening, little high-pitched screams pounding in my head. I won’t be eager to drink again anytime soon, that’s for sure.

Footsteps come up behind me, and I whirl around hoping to see Mark. He’ll take good care of me. My buddy Mark won’t leave me to go throw-up in the bushes. Mark will hold me up and make sure I’m safe and bring me some water to drink. Because that’s the kind of guy he is.

“You need help?” Tucker asks, reaching for my arm to steady me. “Here, let me walk you back.”

It isn’t Mark. But I’m in no shape to refuse Tucker’s offer. Luckily he knows the way to my cabin, because right now I have no idea. A couple appears from the woods and I try to whistle but can’t. I giggle at my childish attempt toppling forward. Tucker steadies me once more. He walks me all the way to the door and leaves once I’m safely inside.

Tessa’s sound asleep and has turned the fan on, this time pushing down the button to take turns to give us both air.

“No, no, no!” I stomp over and scrape the fan noisily across the floor. “This is my fan. Mine,” I announce loudly. I pull. The button to stop it from turning is stuck or something. I pull and pull some more until the fan crashes down with a loud thud waking Tessa. I flick the switch to the dim light in our room on, pick the fan back up and continue dragging it noisily to my bed. I finally manage to unstick the button, positioning it just right in my direction only.

Tessa is sitting up in bed watching me all sleepy eyed, an extremely displeased expression on her face.

“Ha Ha,” I taunt her falling back on the bed. I don’t wait to see her reaction, my eyes close as soon as my head hits the pillow.

Early the next morning I am rudely awoken by Tessa’s shrill voice shrieking into her cell phone. I try to drown out her conversation by putting my pillow over my head, it doesn’t help. Tessa rambles on and on giving loud details about the camp, the bugs, the weather, and our cabin. The person on the other line isn’t getting a word in. When she finally hangs up, she announces she’s going for a walk.

“What time is it?” I croak out from under my pillow. My dry mouth feels coated with cotton and I’d pay a million dollars for a bottle of water right now.

“Six thirty,” Tessa answers cheerfully.

Way too early. I lift my pillow and blink through the bright light coming in through the window over at Tessa. “I thought we don’t have cell service up here.”

“We don’t. Enjoy your fan. Ha. Ha.” Tessa flashes me a vicious smile and leaves.

I almost smile. Why do I hate this girl again?

CHAPTER SIX

Tessa

I can’t help it. My legs take me right to the rock. Our spot. It’s crazy to think he’ll be there, but you never know. The kids start coming tomorrow. The busy week is about to begin. I probably won’t even see Tucker again until next weekend after the first group leaves.

He isn’t there but I sit down on the big rock anyway. It’s a pretty spot, peaceful, comfortable, nice view. For those reasons, and those reasons only, I’ll stay and hang out on it a bit longer.

“I knew you’d be waiting for me.”

The thick voice brings a huge smile to my face. He’s wearing a bright green shirt paired with a pair of relaxed navy shorts. He isn’t shaved and for the first time I notice the bottom part of a tattoo under his sleeve.

“How do I look?” He holds his arms out and grins.

“Good.” My eyes take in and enjoy all of his, way more than
good,
looks.

“Just good?”

I give a nervous laugh and look away. He expects me to say hot? I can’t, it isn’t even seven a.m. yet.

“Alright, just good, I’ll have to try harder later.” He slips his hand in his pocket and pulls out a set of keys. “Want to go get some breakfast?”

“Okay,” I answer automatically. I don’t even ask where, I just say
okay
. Pathetic.

“Do you have your phone on you?”

Because of my earlier spiteful revenge with Cassie I do. “Yeah, why?”

“They’ll have service where were going, you can call home, and go on the internet.” He offers a hand and helps me down off the rock. Once I’m steady on my feet I reluctantly let go of his hand and follow as he leads the way.

The camp’s parking lot is filled with cars. Only one sticks out; the big red pickup with Jersey plates. He opens the door and offers to give me a boost into the elevated seat. I don’t mind when his hands linger on my waist before hoisting me up.

“Are you hungry?” He turns the key and the engine roars to life. Even over the scent of new leather seats I can smell his yummy suntan scent.

“Yeah, starved.” I don’t normally eat breakfast, but today I will make an exception.

Twenty minutes down the windy road we drive into a little town. He drives down a street lined with old fashioned store fronts. Nothing looks like it’s been updated since way before I was even born. Tucker parks the shiny truck perfectly between two cars on the side of the road. I pretend to struggle getting down from the big truck and two strong hands are back around my waist to help me out. This time I’m facing him and I get to rest my hands on his massive shoulders. He leads us into a small diner with a free wi-fi sign in the window. The waitress tells us to seat ourselves anywhere and we choose a booth in the back.

“How did you get that scratch?” Tucker traces his finger along my cheek giving me chills. He takes his finger away but I can still feel his touch on my skin. I reach up and rub it trying to make the sensation he left go away. It’s screwing me up, making it hard to think straight.