AllFreeNovel
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I really do.
* * *
We head down in one of the camp golf carts. The night air is bracing against my cheeks as Jake rounds a curve between the cabins, taking us to the center of the property where the firepits and mess hall are located.
I get a better view of the camp up close, more than just the white fairy lights. Stout wood cabins are arranged in scattered intervals underneath the looming pines, along with the cobblestone street rumbling underneath us, all of it transforming the night into a glowing, hobbit-like wonderland.
A swell of emotion clogs my throat and I swallow it down. I’m so proud of Finley and Jake, of everything they’ve accomplished, and how hard they worked to turn our family property into this magical fairyland. But underneath the pride is regret.
I shouldn’t have stayed away so much. This last stint was the longest, six months. I’ve missed out.
Jake parks outside the firepit. Finley and Archer are in the middle of a swarm of kids, while a smattering of counselors valiantly attempt to herd the children into the mess hall.
The adults stand out, their heads above the kids, all wearing the same matching blue zip-up hoodies, the logo for Camp Aria emblazoned across the front.
Involuntarily, my eyes search the group, but there’s no sign of Atticus.
“Taylor!” Finley extricates herself from the center of the small group, making her way through the gaggle of elementary-aged kids.
She flings her arms around me, encompassing me in the scents of home, like dirt and pine and a hint of soap.
She steps back and Archer is the next to wrap me in a giant bear hug. “Hey, Taylor. We’re glad you’re here.”
“I’m happy to be home. Everything looks so different.” I gesture behind me. “Finley, the house looks amazing. All of it does.”
She beams. “Thank you. They’re all finishing up s’mores and then heading into the mess hall to make lava lamps. Want to sit with me out here for a bit and catch up?” Her eyes are hopeful.
“Absolutely.”
A few noisy minutes later, the campers have been herded away by counselors, Archer bringing up the rear of the group and squeezing Finley’s hand before he leaves.
Jake claps a hand on my shoulder. “I’m going to check out the stargazing. They’re up on the hill if you want to stop by later.” He tilts his head toward the hill that juts up between the camp and the pond on the other side of the property.
“Stargazing?” I sit on one of the benches, stretching my fingers out toward the fire.
Finley takes the spot next to me. “Atticus and Eve are doing star maps with some of the older kids. Tonight was the perfect night since it’s a new moon and the skies are clear.”
“Ah.” Eve. The woman at Luke’s show. She stuck to Atticus like glitter sticks to everything and looked like a kicked puppy when Atticus and I danced together.
He said there was nothing there, but it’s been months. I wonder if they’re dating now. Maybe they’ve hooked up. My stomach squirms at the thought.
Ridiculous. I’m the one who left. I always leave. I can’t be counted on to be anyone’s... anything.
If I’m being real, deep down inside, he scares me a little. I’m not a safe kind of person. I’m wild, free, unfettered. Safe sounds great to most people. Security. Shelter. A soft place to land. For me, standing still is terrifying.
Tossing thoughts of Atticus to the side, I focus on catching up with my sister. I tell Finley about the past few months, and she gives me the lowdown on everything I’ve missed including updates on my siblings and their significant others.
“Oliver really hung up on you?”
“To be fair, I called him a fuckwad with the emotional maturity of a jellyfish.”
I throw back my head and laugh. “And what did Piper have to say to that?”
“That because of her hard work, his emotional maturity is at least hamster level.”
“She does love the fool.”
She sighs. “And he loves her too, in addition to making her deliriously happy so I can’t totally bag on him, as fun as it is.”
