Page 6 of Beyond the Summer

I picked up an arrow of my own and pictured Sutton's smug face at the center of the target.Then, I pictured his thickly muscled ass instead, smiling at the thought.Not that I was into picturing his ass getting penetrated.It was pure revenge, that was all.

With a smirk, I released the bowstring, and my arrow hit the target dead center with a satisfying thud.

"Nice shot, Ben!"Sutton called."I never knew archery was so…" His eyes darted down over my body, and a subtle smirk quirked up the left side of his mouth.

"Focus on your own campers."I closed my eyes for a beat, then reached for another arrow, quickly putting it into the target next to the first.

"Alright, alright," he said, chuckling as he turned to help one of the younger kids with their bow.

"Hey, Ben?"a freckle-faced boy named Jeremy asked as he struggled to pull back his bowstring."Why do you and Sutton keep fighting?"

"Because Sutton's an ass," I muttered under my breath before turning to Jeremy with a forced smile."We just… have different ways of doing things, that's all."

"Uh-huh," the kid said skeptically."You two argue like my parents."

Rowan, the kid standing next to him, giggled."Ben and Sutton, the old married couple."

I grimaced at the comparison."Definitely not a couple.Now, let's keep the bow aimed down the range, not at our friends."

Working with Sutton was getting on my last nerve, and I'd been alone with him way too much.Parker and Ravi had taken their campers on a backpacking trip, leaving me alone to deal with the obnoxious antics of my cocky co-counselor.Turning, I watched Sutton, begrudgingly fascinated by how effortlessly he interacted with the campers.He had them all laughing as he told some ridiculous story, his hands animated as he recounted the tale.As annoying as Sutton was, even I had to admit that he had a natural charm when it came to the kids.

I turned back to my own campers."Anyone else?"I asked, holding up an arrow."Toby, you haven't gone."

Toby glanced at the kid next to him, whose name was Cole, his cheeks turning pink."I think I hurt my arm."

"Do you need to go to the nurse?"

He shook his head."No, I think I'll just… rest it."

There was something about that kid that brought back my own childhood, and I instantly let it drop, wondering if he was feeling anxious.I knew the pressure of performing a new sport in front of a bunch of guys you barely knew.I'd been there myself, countless times.

Sutton clapped his hands together, startling me out of my thoughts."Okay, guys.It's almost time for afternoon bell!That's enough for today."As he spoke, the bell started to ring, and he grinned."Put your bows away in the rack, then go enjoy your free time before dinner."He continued to rattle off instructions as the campers dispersed, leaving me alone with my cocky co-counselor and my thoughts.I glanced over at Sutton, who was busy straightening up the archery equipment.His broad back turned to me.

My stepbrother walked up, waving at me as he approached, coming to stand next to me, and I tried to pretend I hadn't been watching Sutton."How are things with the new guy?"

"Fine," I muttered, trying not to sound too annoyed."I wish he wasn't so…"

"Charming?"Matt offered, raising an eyebrow."Good with kids?"

"Infuriating!"I corrected him, crossing my arms."He's always making these stupid jokes, and he's so damn cocky.I don't know why Parker wanted him to stay in our cabin."

"He had his reasons."Matt chuckled, patting me on the shoulder."Give him time.He's trying to fit in."

"Seriously, Matt.Being a cocky asshole is not how you fit in."Not that I knew much about fitting in.

"Ben, trust me, there is more to Sutton than meets the eye.Give him a chance."

"Fine," I huffed."But why did you schedule Ravi and Parker on that backpacking trip first?You left me alone with Sutton."

"Ravi asked for it.He wanted to give Parker some space from Sutton.Don't mention it to Parker, though.Ravi didn't want Parker to know he was meddling."

"Really?"I felt a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.I didn't know Ravi very well yet, but he seemed like a good guy.Unlike my damn co-counselor.

"Exactly," Matt agreed."So while Ravi cheers Parker up, do you think you can cut Sutton some slack?Maybe distract him from whatever he intended to do with Parker."

"Alright, alright."I sighed."Ravi seems nice.I wish I had someone as great as him for a co-counselor."

"Maybe you do," Matt said, tilting his head towards Sutton, who was across the range, tugging arrows out of the targets.

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