Page 80 of The Summer Intern

Sutton sighed."Matty, you said he has anxiety, right?Like Ben.You know how this works.Don't let him overthink this.Go.Chase him."

I didn't need to be told twice.I burst through the lodge doors, my boots heavy on the wooden porch as I scanned the grounds for a glimpse of pink hair.The afternoon sun beat down on the camp, highlighting the familiar paths and buildings I'd known my entire life.Dozens of campers milled about, enjoying their last days of summer freedom before returning to the real world.

I jogged down the gravel path, the rocks crunching beneath my feet, raising little clouds of dust with each step.My eyes darted between activity buildings, searching for Casey's slim figure.He wasn't by the arts and crafts hut where he often spent his free time.Not at the communal fire pit or the cabin he shared with Oliver.Not even on the path toward my house.

A knot formed in my stomach.Where would Casey go when upset?I glanced towards the lake and frowned.There was someone at the end of the dock, but Casey had made his distaste for water activities abundantly clear since his first day at camp.Sure enough, as I approached the edge of the water I saw his telltale pastel hair.I couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep in my chest.Of all the places in camp, he'd chosen the one spot I would have thought he'd avoid at all costs.

I slowed my pace as I walked out onto the weathered planks, the wood warm beneath my feet after baking in the sun all day.Casey didn't turn, but his back stiffened, letting me know he was aware of my presence.

"You know," I said as I sat down beside him, leaving just enough space between us to be respectful of his mood, "if you wanted to throw me off your trail, you picked the perfect spot.Last place I'd expect to find you."

He made a soft huffing sound, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the lake met the tree line.In the distance, I could hear the happy shrieks of campers playing volleyball, the rhythmic thwack of someone practicing archery, the constant symphony of summer camp that had been the soundtrack to my life.

I nudged his shoulder with mine."You realize you're only about three feet away from at least a dozen fish right now, right?They're probably looking up at your toes thinking they're worms."

Casey yelped and yanked his feet up from where they'd been dangling over the water."What?I didn't even think about that!"He scrambled backward, only to lose his balance and tumble onto my lap.

I caught him easily, my arms wrapping around his waist as he squirmed against me."Relax," I laughed."I'm just messing with you.The fish here aren't piranhas.At worst, they might give your toes a curious nibble."

"That's not helping!I don’t want to be nibbled!"Casey protested, but he settled against me, his body gradually relaxing into mine.He fit perfectly there, as if the space between my arms had been designed specifically for him.We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, Casey nestled in my lap, both of us looking out over the lake.The water sparkled under the afternoon sun, tiny diamonds dancing across its surface.

"It's peaceful here," Casey admitted after a while."I can see why you like it so much."

I rested my chin on his shoulder."The dock is my thinking spot.Always has been, ever since I was a kid.Ben’s, too."I felt something wet drip onto my arm.Looking down, I realized Casey was crying, tears silently rolling down his cheeks to splatter against my skin.

"Hey," I said softly, turning him in my lap so I could see his face."What's going on?What did you mean back there in the lodge?"

Casey shook his head, trying to turn away, but I gently cupped his face in my hands, using my thumbs to wipe away his tears.His skin was soft under my fingers, his eyes filling with fresh tears even as I wiped the old ones away.

"Talk to me," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

He melted against me then, the dam breaking."I'm such a fucking mess, Matt," he choked out between sobs."This morning with Oliver...I nearly drove into a rock.A stationary rock.In an empty parking lot."

"Maybe driving’s not for you," I said, stroking his back."That’s okay."

“I’m an adult!Adults drive.I just… panic.”

I chuckled softly, kissing the top of his head.“Your tendency to panic is an endearing quality, honestly.Gives me an excuse to cuddle you.”

"Whatever.You lie because you like sex with me.”He sniffled a little.“And it's not just that.Camp ends in three days.Three days!Then what?I go back to Oregon State, and you stay here, and we try to do the long-distance thing?I'll be four hours away.Six hours if there’s snow!And I can't even drive well enough to come see you."

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest.I'd been so consumed with planning our future that I hadn't realized Casey was worried, which made me feel like an idiot.Of course he was worried.Beneath his cocky confidence, Casey was always worried.

"And then," he hiccupped, "I overheard you and Sutton this morning.Talking about the camp's budget problems.The deficit.How things aren't sustainable."His face crumpled."It's my fault, isn't it?The art programs I pushed for.The extra supplies.The renovations to make things more accessible.I came in here all righteous and demanding changes without considering the financial implications, and now Camp Eagle Ridge is in trouble because of me."

I stared at him, momentarily speechless.Casey had somehow twisted himself into knots, assuming responsibility for problems that had existed long before he arrived.

"Casey," I said, keeping my voice level despite the urgent need to correct his misconceptions."Look at me."

He raised his tear-stained face to mine, those expressive dark eyes swimming with guilt and fear.

"None of this—absolutely none of it—is your fault."I held his gaze, willing him to believe me.

A fresh tear slid down his cheek."But I heard Sutton say—"

"You heard part of a conversation without context," I interrupted gently."The camp's financial issues have been building for years.We’ve been talking for a long time about how we need to make money in the off-season.The summer here is just too short.That's all that conversation was.Sutton wants to do it without the fundraising we usually rely on, and I'm worried about that."

"Oh god," he whispered, horror dawning in his eyes."What if you sell the camp?What if you have to sell your family legacy because of the financial issues?Matt, I couldn't live with myself if—"

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