Page 51 of It Started at the Lake

“When I played growing up, only one person hid,” I say to the group.

Henry shakes his head. “The property is too big, and with coyotes, black bears, and bobcats in the region, it’s safer for everyone to have a partner.”

What! Why hasn’t anyone warned me about the dangerous animals lurking in the woods? When Bennett came to the rock, it really could have been a wild beast? I’m rethinking my nighttime excursions.

Evie checks her phone. “Eric says he’s almost here. I’ll go meet him and then we can get started.”

Evie takes off to the front of the house.

I’m ticking people off on my finger. “Wait. If Eric comes, our numbers will be uneven.”

“Nope,” Henry says. “My date just arrived as well.”

I eye Emerson and Cam. “Do you two have dates too?” This night game has turned into a group date. With everyone wearing head-to-toe black, my stomach tenses at the thought of stumbling upon one of the couples hiding. My eyeballs are not prepared to see other people making out.

“No date for me,” Cam says, holding his hands out to the fire.

“Cam is all I need to stay warm and protected,” Emerson teases, pulling Cam into a side hug. They pretend to be lovey-dovey with one another.

Bennett and I laugh.

“You better watch out,” I joke. “I might want Cam if warmth and safety are being offered.”

Bennett lets out a pointed cough. “You don’t think I’m up for the task?”

A glowing warmth heats me up on the inside, like an ember danced out of the fire and settled into my core. From our brief, but friendly hug in the library, I’m aware of how easy it would be for Bennett to step into that role. I want him to do it. But I’m also scared I’ll like it all too much, and I need to keep myself safe in this fake relationship. If I believe we’re real, I won’t recover from Bennett. “I’m not sure. Maybe you can embrace Emerson and I can compare you and Cam. That way, I can make an informed decision.”

“Oh, yes, Benny Boo Boo,” Cam coos. “Come keep me company, pwease.”

I erupt in laughter. Evie’s family is incredibly fun to be around. The entire summer has been like this. They love to tease and taunt one another. Since it was just Steph and me growing up in a tension-filled home, I missed out on sibling banter.

Bennett, who’s more playful around his brothers and cousin, sidles up to Cam, wrapping him in a full embrace. He rubs Cam’s back in soothing circles. “Hush now, my wittle Camy-Cam. Big Benny Bear has you. No one will hurt you.”

Tears leak out the corners of my eyes. I can’t breathe. My laugh cuts off my air. I love that Bennett can be serious, but he also will do silly things like this. He’ll make a wonderful father someday. Too bad it won’t be to my children.

Hunched over, I grip my stomach, begging my body to inhale.

Emerson sees me silently laughing. “Enough, you two. You’re going to make Millie pass out.”

Bennett lets Cam go and faces me. “Are you okay?”

Finally, I’m able to catch my breath. “Yes,” I wheeze. “I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. Thank you.”

“We’ll cross ‘laughing until you almost pass out’ off on your list of firsts for the summer,” Cam says, smiling.

Voices interrupt our conversation. I glance over my shoulder. Evie is holding hands with a tall guy with big muscles, and from what I can tell in the dark, I nailed it. He has dirty blond hair. She so has a type.

Henry is right behind Evie and Eric with his date. The woman is petite, but that’s all I can make out with Eric blocking her.

“Hey,” Eric greets those of us standing around the fire pit. “Good to see you guys again.”

Bennett holds out his hand. “Glad you made it.”

Henry joins the circle, pointing to his date. She’s wearing black yoga pants and a black hoodie, her dark hair pulled into a high ponytail. “This is Janessa. Janessa, this is my family.” He says each of our names as he points to us.

My heart gets all mushy like bread pudding. Henry claimed me as family. I doubt he understands how good it feels to be wanted by people who have only known me a month.

“Hi, Janessa.” I hold out my hand, shaking hers. I spin to Eric next. “And you must be Eric?”

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