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ChapterTwenty-Four
SPENCER
Fine.
It’s fine.
Everything’s fine.
Who cares that Tess won’t give me the chance to talk to her yet? Last-minute decisions like this rarely go well for me. That’s why I’ve always been a fan of thinking things through. But a delay on the front end gives me the time to decide exactly what I want to say to Tess. About Frank and my ego. About how I let him get the better of me. About the fact that my brother turned me into a neanderthal, but I’d never intentionally hurt her. Or any woman, for that matter.
But especially not her.
As soon as I picture this part of the speech, though, my hands begin to sweat. So I wipe them on my jeans and focus on the fact that Tess’s unavailability now is a rock solid sign that I’m supposed to talk to Kayla first.
Still, that kind of conversation won’t be easy, either—telling Kayla she’s just not the one for me. What if I hurt her feelings? That’s the last thing I’d want to do. Kayla’s great, and I know all too well how it feels to have my heart crushed.
But as much as I dread finding the words to gently brush Kayla off, there’s another possibility that’s almost as bad: What if she looks at me like I’mnutsfor even thinking that she’s interested? Sure, Tess claims Kayla’s into me.
But you’re not exactly Colin Firth.
Which is exactly what I’m thinking when I spot Kayla in the third row. And funny enough, she’s sitting with Clive. On second thought, this isn’t funny.
It’s hilarious.
Meanwhile, Tess steps in front of the audience to introduce herself. Well, it’s not so much an introduction, since everyone in town knows who she is. It’s more of an introduction to the camp. And she starts by thanking Fix and Mac, whose donations are helping fund the program. Then she mentions Maddie, the head lifeguard. And Clive, who I now exclusively think of as the fish-stick vomit chef.
Finally, Tess thanks Mrs. Lockhart and the town council for trusting her to be the director. The sky is growing dark, but the lighting—courtesy of the audiovisual guy—accentuates her flush. Her eyes are shining, and she can’t hold back her smile. Tornado Tess wasmadeto be in charge. She’s a natural but also humble about it.
Be still my beating heart.
All those times I joked around with her, teasing and taking her down a peg, I was probably just masking how I really felt. She’s not a mess. She’s impressive.
I’m impressed with Tess.
She sweeps her hand along the front row where the mayor is sitting with Mr. Dudley. And as the crowd claps, Mrs. Lockhart stands to take a dramatic bow. And then another. No surprise.
There’sa woman who doesn’t mind tooting her own horn.
While the mayor is still accepting applause—basking in the attention—Tess holds a hand to her forehead, blocking the light. It’s like she’s searching for something.
Or someone.
“There he is!” Tess points at me. Everyone stops clapping and swivels in their folding chairs. “Let’s give a last big round of applause to Spencer Crane.” Mrs. Lockhart sinks into her seat. The shift in focus clogs my throat. Everyone’s eyes are on me. Not one patron. An entire audience.
Toto, we’re not in the library anymore.
“In case you didn’t know,” Tess says, “Spencer stepped up and took on a role to help ensure everyone’s safety here. And without his willingness to show up every night after work, our camp wouldn’t be happening at all.”
She applauds with the rest of the audience. As I survey the crowd, my entire torso constricts. Apple Valley residents are clapping. For me. Yes, I’d expect my parents to clap. But my brother? I almost pass out. Frank is applauding. Kayla is too. Even Clive.He’sclapping for me?
Must be ironic clapping.
While I stand there, waving awkwardly, the mayor makes her way over to me, takes my hand, and drags me over to where she’s sitting. There are two seats on the other side of her and Mr. Dudley.
Great. They’re both still empty.
That’s when Mrs. Dodd lets out a shriek of a whistle through two fingers and a loose pair of dentures. When everyone quiets, she shouts, “Can we please watch the movie now, people? I’m not getting any younger!”
