Page 43 of It Started at the Lake

“Make sure you stop by Scoop’s and Linda’s downtown. If you like waterfalls, about half an hour north of here is a hike that will end at a waterfall with a pool you can swim in.”

She readjusts her fingers resting on my shoulder. “I’ll look into that. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

We make small talk as we finish up the song. Knowing this isn’t going anywhere, I wish her a fun rest of her stay and safe travels home. At the table with my family, I stay seated for a while, listening to them talk about activities they want to do in the upcoming days, life back at home, and what drinks to get next.

Evie’s so caught up in Eric, she doesn’t talk to me either. Sitting here, seeing how fun and carefree my brothers and cousins are, I wish I were still like them. That I could let loose and live in the moment.

Once upon a time, I was just like them.

More than ever, I’m feeling my age. Our life experiences separate us. I’ve changed.

Ready to get this last dance over with, I choose the closest woman I can find. There’s nothing physically about her that puts me off, but there’s also nothing that stands out. For the sake of the experiment, I should find a partner I find attractive. But I’m ready to leave, so she’s who I’m working with.

I tap on the shoulder of the brunette. She’s wearing denim cut-offs and an oversized shirt that hangs off one shoulder. Though I’m not in the mood for smooth talk or flirting, I try with her. I’m going all in with my effort so when I tell Mom and Evie it’s a no-go, my conscience is clear. “Hey.”

She jumps, whipping around to face me. “Oh. Hi.”

“I like your outfit.”

She fiddles with the hem of her shirt. “Thanks.”

I smile seductively. “But do you want to know what you’d look really beautiful in?”

She puts a hand on her hip at the same time her brows rise and her head cocks to the side. I’m obviously not doing a great job of flirting.

“What?” she asks.

“My arms.”

She snorts out a laugh. “Wow. I’ve heard a lot of awful pick-up lines before. I think that was one of the worst.”

I hold back a wince, refusing to let her words affect me. This whole experience is like wrecking a motorcycle, skidding on asphalt, then having to pluck rocks from my skin without pain meds. “Are you saying you don’t want to find out then?” I’m using a teasing, flirty voice that sounds like me from ten years ago.

“I don’t need a man to make me feel beautiful.”

I’m kicking myself for not being pickier. Just dance with me, woman, so I can go home! “What if I need you to make me feel better?”

“Now, that I can believe.” She takes my hand, pulling me to the dance floor.

After spending a minute in her company, she’s moved from the “I’m indifferent” to “I could find her cute” category.

But since this is happening after I met the love of my life, this relationship is D.O.A. As cliché as it is, it’s not because of her. It’s me.

My hand stays in hers as we dance, but there’s no physical reaction. I’m dead inside. I do my best to keep up with the conversation, but all I really care about is leaving.

Tonight’s proven I’m not ready to move on.

CHAPTER 19

Camille

Ditching out on dancing was easier than I anticipated. I thought Evie would beg until I agreed to come, especially since Eric was going and she’s dying for us to meet. I’m not even working like I told her. After they left, I snuck down to the front coat closet, snagged that same black hoodie that I’m ninety-nine percent positive is Bennett’s, and came to the rock with a lantern and my journal.

My butt tingles, going numb from sitting on the tree stump chair for over an hour. I stand, shaking out my legs. Stabbing pain radiates through my hamstrings and rear. The rock isn’t large enough to move too much, but I walk around as much as I can, letting the feeling painfully come back into my limbs.

When I work, or have classes all day, the thing I need most is time by myself. Recharging is how I keep going. Evie, I’m sure, is having the time of her life with Eric. I’m glad she has him to hang out with, since the plan when I agreed to come to Lake Lloyd was the two of us doing everything together. It’s silly to think being somewhere new would change how I regroup.

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