“I’m gonna punch you,” I grumble and rush out of the truck, putting as much distance between me and the menace as possible.
“Isn’t that against one of the commandments?” he laughs, popping a cigarette between his lips as he hops out after me. My fist strangles the nylon backpack strap. Rather than rip the cancer stick out of his mouth like I want to, I pick up the pace toward the Parish Hall.
“Jesus doesn’t condone violence!” Cade calls at my back, the echo chorusing through the quiet gravel lot.
“When it comes to you, I’m sure he’ll make an exception.”
The imbecile catches up faster than I expected and bumps my shoulder.
“Well, that’s a bit hypocritical, isn't it? Not very saintly of youeither. You’re supposed to be a role model for these young, impressionable children of the corn.”
I can’t help it. I gaze heavenward, praying for him to miraculously become tolerable.
“Children ofGod.”
“Same thing.”
The second my shoe touches the front steps, Cade stops short and shrieks. My bones fly out of my skin. I whip around?—
The cigarette he's been smoking now burns a hole in the worn black canvas of his sneaker, the tiny flame quickly snuffed by his frantic bouncing.
“You lied! They're trying to light my ass up already!”
My chest aches from holding in a laugh. “Some would call that divine intervention.”
Mismatched eyes narrow. Before he can spew more blasphemy, I push in one of the weather-worn wood doors, a gust of Pinesol and powdery air freshener enveloping me. Crossing the thin teal and purple carpet toward the welcome table, still grinning at Cade’s expense, I join the short line of other counselors checking in.
An older woman with a greying blonde bob and a name tag reading, Susan, bustles back and forth behind the table, muttering to herself. She waves at two girls waiting for their badges. “Can one of you get Andrea?”
The shorter one nods hastily and disappears through a pair of double doors while Susan exasperatedly explains to the remaining girl which team she’s on and where to go next.
A familiar scent tainted with cigarette smoke wafts from behind me.
It’s giving me a headache.
“What’d I miss?” Cade asks, chomping into a stick of gum. The girl, arms filled with welcome kits, glances at my stepbrother.
He flashes a charming smile.
Her cheeks flush bright red as she immediately shuffles aside to make room for us in front of the table.
I shoot Cade a warning look. “Behave.”
He rolls the gum over his tongue and blows a bubble. Thenwinksat me. “Don’t worry, I’ll be on mybestbehavior.”
Yeah. Fucking. Right.
“Andrea!” Susan snaps. “Where have you been? You were supposed to be checking everyone in!”
A petite brunette strides into the lobby, chewing something. She levels a bored expression at the older woman.
“Eating a donut. You know, the ones you said I needed to put out?”
Beside me, Cade snickers.
Reddish brown eyes dart to us. Her head tilts like a cat. Even her features are feline: elongated eyes, slightly upturned button nose and lips curved in a curious smirk.
Slowly, she brings her finger to her lips and sucks the remaining glaze off the tip, releasing it with a pop. The temperature in my veins skyrockets.
