Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
SUMMER
Something’s off.
I can tell by the way Indy and River silently communicate, and their body language… Part of me wonders if they’re getting threatening notes too, but I can’t exactly ask.
If Indy was getting them, I have no doubt she would turn them over to the police. Maybe she has, and River is the only one that knows about them. Before I can fully lean into my dread spiral I realize my group’s up next, and the kids are so excited. It’s all I’ve heard them talk about all day.
River stays the whole time, working in tandem with Indy, who only offers me passing glances. I get it, we agreed it was only physical and I have no right to want more from her, not when I can’t be completely honest about my past and these notes.
The problem is, I do want more. I want Indy all to myself and it doesn’t help my newfound jealous side knowing that her and River have history. From what I understand it wasn’t sexual, but when I catch River looking at my girl it still makes me want to gouge their eyeballs out.
The kids all crowd around the ring to watch each other, and it’s cute how they cheer each other on, even though I can tell Indy’s trying to teach them something. River and I end up staying and Kiri sticks by my side, her foot up on the bar, hands hung through the railing.
“You two aren’t subtle, you know,” she nods to Indy, then looks back to me and I lift a brow in question. “Don’t bullshit me, I’ve known since the bar.”
With a sigh, I lean my forearms on the bars and lace my fingers together. “There’s really nothing to tell.”
I hate how true that is. Sure I know surface level things about Indy, but I don’t know her beyond how she tastes and how fucking perfect she is.
“No judgement,” she says, looking over at the kids and pulling one of them away from the bars. “Keep your feet outside the bars or you’re gonna get stepped on.”
Santi’s group is up now, and I just know he’s going to come over here and press, just like Kiri.
“Wanna go for a swim before supper?” I ask my kids, and they all whoop and holler. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
They jump up and head for their bunks where we hung their suits to dry from earlier. Zaye and her group join us, though she doesn’t speak much. I have a feeling whatever’s weighing on her mind will stay there until she’s ready to talk.
All the kids take turns changing in the bathrooms at their cabin. Of course, the boys are ready before the girls, and they complain about the additional two minutes it takes for the girls to finish.
“One day, y’all won’t mind waiting on a girl so much.” I casually say as we wait.
They look at each other and make faces of disgust. Zaye cracks up, laughing at the boys’ obvious distaste for girls at this stage of their life.
“Just you wait,” she says, pointing toward the lake that’s opposite of Indy’s cabin. Grabbing their towels, the kids set off running in that direction, leaving Zaye and me to catch up.
When the kids get to the sandy shore, they drop their towels and rush in, playing and splashing water. I usually sit in one of the adirondack chairs right on the edge, just in case, but it’s hot and I’m in need of a cool off.
I’ve worn my bathing suit under my tank and shorts all day, so peeling my clothes off and wading into the water feels glorious. To my surprise Zaye joins me, and the two of us watch the kids in silence.
They float and giggle, splash and swim. I’m a little envious of how carefree they are.
“Can you imagine being that little again?” Zaye asks, surprising me. Turning to look at me, she shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “I know people are talkin’ about me’n Molly, I’m not stupid.”
Throwing up my hand, I stop her before she feels the need to spill. “That’s your business.”
“Apparently it’s the camp’s business,” she scoffs, crossing her arms and looking back out at the kids. “Don’t go any further!” She hollers at them before turning back to me.
“It’s not,” I tell her, “and you can absolutely tell people to fuck off.”
One of the little boys near us gasps and chuckles behind his hand. Sometimes I forget how well kids can hear, especially when they’re eavesdropping.
“It’s not even that,” she sinks down to her knees, covering her body with the cool water. “I know this is going to sound kind of bizarre, but I found Molly burning Finn’s stuff last night.”
“I thought he took his stuff with him when he left? Isn’t that what River and Mr. Harris found in the woods?”
“That’s what we all thought, but I know it was his,” her eyes find mine and she stands, water sloshes around us as she moves toward the bank, and I follow.
“How can you be sure?” I don’t think Zaye has a reason to lie, but also, wouldn’t River have known if it wasn’t Finn’s things?
“He was always braggin’ about this stupid signed t-shirt,” she says, once we’re situated in the chairs. “Some famous surfer guy he ran into signed the t-shirt he was wearing, and he was always tellin’ the story.”
“And you saw Molly with it?” I ask, to make sure I’m following what she’s saying.
She nods, and pulls out her cell phone, swiping through the code, she hands it over. Sure enough, there’s Molly with a small fire built behind her cabin, and Finn’s shirt in her hands.
“Shit,” looking up at her, she nods and takes her phone back. “Have you sent that to Indy, or the police?”
She shakes her head and leans back. “That’s why we were fighting…”
“You and Molly,” I confirm.
“Mhmm. I wasn’t alone,” she says looking down at her toes, which she’d buried in the sand. “Which is why I haven’t sent the picture to Indy. Molly followed me after I snuck out and saw me meet up with someone. She threatened to tell Indy why I was out if I said anything about what I saw.”
“I understand, but Zaye, this really is something the police need to know–”
“I know,” she groans, pulling at her hair. “I’m not embarrassed, but I want to be respectful of the person I was with, they’re not ready for anyone else to know.”
I nod, understanding completely. “Did this other person see Molly, too?”
She shakes her head, pink hair flying in every direction. “No, we separated before I walked into Molly’s burn party.”
“I’m not about to say anything,” I promise, “but I think you should tell Indy, both things.”
She lets out a breath and nods.
The rest of the day goes by in relative ease.
The kids eventually wear themselves out, and after changing back into dry clothes, we hit the mess hall and enjoy dinner.
Our groups are so tired, they don’t even ask for a bedtime story.
The moment they all get tucked into bed, their eyes are so heavy with sleep they’re out.
The counselors all go their own ways, once all the kids are counted to make sure we didn’t miss anyone, and I head to my cabin. I want to shower before Indy gets here, and I need to tidy up a bit too.