14. Seth
FOURTEEN
Seth
The next morning, everyone is in a rush. Our whole group went out to a bar after the show, and while Mae and I left early, we stayed up talking until three a.m., and Abi wasn’t back yet. They all stayed out late, so we all ended up oversleeping. As a result, we had to rebook our flights, adding another layer of chaos to our already hectic travel arrangements.
I’m also distracted. I can’t help but think about all the things that need fixing back at the campground. The leaky roof on the main cabin, the broken fence near the lake, and the overgrown weeds that need to be cleared out. Levi and Mark are struggling to get everything done. Levi texted me this morning and said they found mold in the bathroom of a cabin they’re currently working on. I’m suddenly eager to get back there.
We still have issues that I’m not sure how to resolve. Things Dad could probably handle, but he’ll only be able to do that for so long. The resort needs a manager. A good one. Someone who can spot trouble before it becomes an issue.
Someone like me.
I had hoped Mark would be the guy, but after being home with him for several weeks, I realized he has no interest in being a problem solver. He wants to play in the river, and that’s it. Sure, he can run the campground office and manage employees, but he has no vision. It might not be fair of me to accuse him of that, but it’s true. Noah’s too into the numbers to see the big picture, and Levi isn’t good with people. Abi is too young. That leaves Jacob, Ethan, and Isaac. They are the three that I’ve had the least to do with since most of their jobs take them away from the resort.
Maybe one of them can do it, but maybe not.
In a flurry of activity, we gather our bags and make our way onto the bustling streets. I quickly give hugs to all my friends. Abi is being her usual gushy self, showering everyone with affection. She avoids making eye contact with David, and I wonder if he made a move on her last night. He’s not really the type, but it is weird that she gave both Tristan and Hayden massive hugs and then skipped him.
Before we know it, a taxi pulls up to the curb. Saying goodbye always sucks. I miss my friends and our adventures. Seeing them only a few times a year isn’t enough.
Mae’s walking this morning, but carefully, and I help her into the back of the cab.
“Where to?” the driver asks, nervously fiddling with his GPS.
“JFK.”
The driver’s eyes widen. “Woah, that’s a bit ambitious for my first day on the job.”
I’m not sure if he’s trying to be funny or not. I laugh. “We’ll be fine, right, girls?”
They shrug, not looking convinced.
After we take off, the driver starts sweating profusely and muttering under his breath. “Accidents on all the bridges? Traffic? Oh boy.”
“Don’t worry. We have faith in you,” I reassure him. I don’t want to miss our flight.
He gives a weak smile but then suddenly turns onto a residential street. “Oops, wrong turn. Sorry, folks.”
Abi looks at me and mouths, “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Meanwhile, Mae is laughing at the absurdity of our situation. “Just get us there as fast as you can, and we won’t report you to your boss.”
The driver takes a deep breath and steps on the gas.
“But don’t kill us,” Abi shouts half-jokingly.
The driver glances at us with a panicked look. “I can get you there fast, or I can promise not to kill you. I cannot do both.”
“Fast,” I say.
He steps on the gas.
“So spill,” Abi says.
“Spill what?” I ask.
“Oh, come on. You and Mae were alone in our hotel room all afternoon and most of the night. What happened?”
“We weren’t…” I start, but Mae hits me.
“Nothing happened.” She forces a sigh. “We just watched movies, and I slept. Those pain meds Hayden gave me knocked me out. Also, Miss Walk of Shame, I was up late, and I didn’t see you come in.”
“I stayed with Anna and Hayden because I didn’t want to walk in on something awkward.”
Neither of us says anything, and Abi narrows her eyes at both of us. “Come on, nothing more than that? You guys just need to kiss already and get it over with. Better yet, sleep together, make a baby, and get married already.”
Mae flushes.
“Abi,” I warn. As much as I agree with her, we are treading dangerous ground.
“Why won’t you two admit that you’re made for each other?”
“Because my dad will ruin everything,” Mae says in a soft voice. “If Seth and I admit that we’re in love with each other, then it makes it harder to keep things platonic.”
She meets my eye, and I can see it there. The love. It’s not just a friendship love. It’s real and deep, and I don’t know if I’ll ever find this with another woman.
I reach over and grab her hand. “Abi’s right though. I am totally in love with you. And I don’t think I can deny it anymore. We’ll figure out your dad. We don’t need to do it right now. We’ve got time. We will be together in the end. We just have to hide it until things blow over.”
Mae squeezes my hand. “And if it never blows over?”
I lean over and kiss her forehead. “It will. We just need to get through this summer, and then we’ll reassess where we are.”
Abi squeals. “Yes! I knew it. Mae’s going to become my real sister after all. I get to be the maid of honor, right?”
I shake my head. “Abi, stop planning our wedding. We’re not ready for that yet.”
But one look in Mae’s eyes and I know. If I were to ask her to run away and elope with me this weekend, she’d do it.