Page 42 of Never Will I Ever

Huffing out a sharp breath, I turn my attention back to the capsized canoe.

Glass Lake isn’t all that large or cold, so while I could use this as an opportunity to teach the kids how to right a tipped canoe and clamber back in, I’m too pissed off to try. So instead, I grab the edge of the water craft and start hauling it to shore, all the while ignoring the building rage inside me.

I’ve spent years kayaking or canoeing the waters around camp, and not once have I fallen in. Then Avery shows up this summer and I end up looking like a drowned rat, fully clothed, in themiddle of the fucking lake.

Un-fucking-believable.

The sound of water sloshing behind me draws my attention back to the shore to find Avery’s sopping wet form finally back on dry land. His clothing clings to his toned body in a way that makes my own take notice, and though I didn’t think it was possible, I become even more enraged.

Because why thefuckdo I have to want this…this—

“Why can’t you fucking listen to me for once?” I shout, the crack in my composure turning into a chasm.

If Avery’s surprised by my outburst, it doesn’t show, because he’s immediately stomping toward me with flared nostrils and brows drawn down in fury.

“I’m not one of these kids, Kaleb. You’re not in charge of me out here; I’m yourequal!”

“Really?Really?Then why are all the kids still dry and in their canoes while we’re soaking wet after tipping into the lake?” I scoff and peel my shirt over my head to wring out the excess water. “If you wanna be an equal, start acting like one.”

When I glance back at him, I find his gaze tracing over my body before his glare collides with mine. And in that moment, I swear I can see right into his brain.

Or maybe those are just my own screaming thoughts.

“Like I said up on that mountain: I would if you’d actually fucking let me.”

I wasn’t aware of justhowclose he’d gotten to me in the midst of our shouting match, but I realize now, as I see the flecks of indigo is his otherwise sky-blue irises, we’re far closer together than we should be. Only inches separate our chests, our faces…our lips.

The power of his proximity paired with my unfortunate desire engulfs me in heat, roaring through my veins like a wildfire, and if I don’t garner some distance, there’s no telling what I’ll do.My sanity is hanging on by a thread, ready to snap at any given moment.

Right now, it could end with one of two things: kissing him or decking him.

Neither option feels preferable to the other, and so I do the only thing I can. I focus on the rage instead. On the frustration and resentment that’s fueled every interaction we’ve had over the past fewweeks before whispering in a low, deadly voice.

“I swear to God, Avery. You need to get out of my fucking face.”

The warning doesn’t work. If anything, Avery inches in closer, his nose nearly brushing mine now.

“Or what, golden boy? We both know you won’t do a goddamn thing besides run back to Colin.” His lip pulls back in a hateful snarl. “After all, tattling is what you do be—”

“That’s enough,” an authoritative voice booms from farther inland, cutting Avery’s blow off at the knees.

My attention immediately snaps toward it, finding Colin with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at the two of us.

I take a measured step away from Avery, my teeth gritting with irritation and rage.

“Can either of you account for the kids right now?”

My immediate reaction is to motion out to the lake, where the kids are…fuck. They could all be drowning at this point, and neither of us would have any clue. We’ve been too busy screaming at each other.

Shit.

“Sir—” I start in a feeble attempt at an explanation.

He holds a hand up before I have the chance to get more than a single word out, though, and I know better than to press further. Instead, I just watch as he grabs the walkie-talkie from his hip and lifts it to his mouth to speak.

“Christian. I need you to come watch the kids on the lake while I take care of something,” he says stiffly.

Then, to just me and Avery, he utters five words that have my blood freezing to ice in my veins.

---