Page 50 of Even Exchange

A rustling outside the tent has me bolting up, Charlotte pressed to my chest, and our eyes lock.

“What was that?” Charlotte whispers, clutching my neck, and my heart pounds.

“Probably a raccoon,” I reply, squeezing her hand for reassurance, hoping to ease her fear. “Wait here.”

She releases me, and I quietly roll off the mattress, slip on my shoes, and grab a flashlight. Pausing, I listen for signs of movement. Hearing none, I unzip the tent and step out into the darkness.

“Be careful,” Charlotte whispers behind me, and her concern for my safety pleases me.

The twins’ tent is dark, and I shine the flashlight around the campsite, finding no signs of a furry friend.

Rounding the back of the tent, I direct the light into the trees, scanning. Chirping birds and singing cicadas are the soundtrack to what seems like the start of a horror movie.

A movement in the bushes catches my eye, and I consider getting a closer look but opt against it. It’s not as if I’m actually going to catch this vermin. Another loop around the twins’ tent and I deem it safe before returning to mine.

“And?” Charlotte asks, her head popped out of the opening.

“Luckily no serial killer, or you’d be pretty silly for showing yourself.”

She steps out, slipping on her shoes, breath heavy. “So coast is clear?”

“Yes, it’s—” Another loud scuffling in the bushes cuts off my reply. She flies against me, and my arm wraps around her, the other pointing the light toward the clamor and seeing nothing. “It’s okay,” I assure her, rubbing her back.

She presses her head against my bare chest again. “Your heart’s beating even faster now… You should get that checked out.”

I wrap both arms around her, resting my chin on top of her head.You’re safe.“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Clearing her throat, she pulls away, and my arms fall to my sides. The warm summer breeze dances across my chest, amplifying her absence. “I should get back to the twins,” she says. “Don’t love the idea of them being alone with all these sketchy noises.”

“For sure,” I say stupidly as a strand of hair blows across her face, sticking to her lip. I reach out, grazing my thumb along her mouth to brush it away, and tuck it behind her ear. “Goodnight, Charlotte.”

“Goodnight, Noah.” A devastating smile spreads across her face, and she slowly backs toward the tent, breaking our connection.

Turns out I’m pretty bad at rules.

Who knew?

* * *

“It’ssoooohot,” Denny grumbles from her spot on my shoulders as we hike through the campgrounds.

“You’re not even walking!” I laugh, gripping her little legs. “Imagine how I feel.”

“You’re a football person,Noah,” Denny points out. “You can carry a tiny person for infinite periods of time.”

“You sound too old for your age,” I say, shaking my head and opting not to mention I’m exhausted from barely sleeping last night. While I’m pretty sure it was nothing more than curious critters around us, I didn’t like Charlotte and the twins being unprotected.

Why did I suggest camping again?

“Denny did both our science projects this year,” Nash says matter-of-factly, and Charlotte’s head snaps to him.

“Excuse me, Mister?” she says with her eyebrows raised to her hairline as she folds her arms over her chest.

“I got an A.” Nash skips ahead, and Charlotte chases after him. They both laugh as she scoops him up, tickling his sides.

“That true, Denny?” I ask her.

“Yep.” Her little hands grip my forehead. “There were two ideas I wanted to test anyway.”

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