Page 15 of The Summer Intern

“Okay, maybe not quite that far.The bathroom is tiny,” I said, laughing.

“I’ll think about it.I honestly just need a place to crash while this lawsuit mess is worked out.I’ll owe you big time.”

“Nah, I’ll be the one who owes you.After all, I need a music classroom.”

“Oh my god, you are his bitch.How even?He’s a head shorter than you and what, like 19?20?”

“He turns 21 this summer.And I’m not his bitch.He just made some very good points.”

Wade just shot me a skeptical look.

seven

Casey

May25

After nearly two months of working with Matt and Sutton, I shouldn’t have been nervous.Should I?I yanked out my phone and scrolled through my text message chain with them.They both seemed excited by the progress we’d made towards the arts program.

My stomach flip-flopped.What if I was moving to the wilds of Washington only for Matt to suddenly decide all of my ideas were bad?

“It’s a good thing Mom and Dad have a basement, because you guys have way too much stuff.”My older brother, Simon, set one final box into our parents' garage and brushed off his hands.Behind him, Oliver slammed the U-Haul's back door with a clattering crash.

"Yah!"I yelped, fumbling for my phone.

Oliver raised an eyebrow."Are you sure you’re ready for this move, Casey?You seem jumpy."

"Excuse you, I'm not jumpy.I’m focused.No one expects loud crashing noises while reviewing very important business messages.”Okay, maybe I was also a bit nervous, but my brothers didn’t need to know that.

“All right, all right,” Oliver said, laughing.“Sorry to scare you.Good news from camp?”

"The music room is already halfway done!Can you believe that?It’s all so exciting.And Matt says our cabin is ready to go.I can’t believe we get to spend the summer together!"

A grin spread across Oliver's face."Wow, you're getting really invested in this summer camp you supposedly hate."

Heat crept up my neck."I don't hate it.I just have a healthy skepticism of outdoor activities.And insects.Also sunshine," I mumbled.“Besides, you can’t make fun of me, you’re just as invested in your science thingy.”

“The Eagle Ridge Conservancy.”

“Sunshine?”Simon butted in.“You’re afraid of sunshine?”

“I don’t spend a fortune on Korean skincare just to go out and spend my days getting sun damage.”

Simon fixed me with an exasperated look."Well, there's no sun in the basement, so why don't you focus less on your emails and more on carrying all this crap down the basement stairs?Or if that’s too much for you, you could help Ollie return the U-Haul."

My eyes darted to the hulking U-Haul, then to our stuffed-to-the-gills Prius.

"Oh hell no," I blurted."I can't drive either of those death traps."

"Casey," Simon sighed, "you're 21.You need to learn how to—"

"Nope!"I sang, spinning on my heel."I know how to operate a car, I just choose not to.I choose life, thank you very much.”

“That’s our car,” Oliver said.“If you think it’s a death trap, why do you make me drive you everywhere in it?”

“Because it’s only a death trap with Case at the wheel.”Simon's laughter rang out, sharp and teasing."Casey, your driving skills are about as developed as your ability to carry boxes.Which is to say, nonexistent."

I felt my cheeks burn, a witty comeback dying on my lips.But before I could wallow in embarrassment, Oliver stepped in, his voice steady and firm.

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