Page 44 of The Games We Play

“This is likeAmerican Ninja Warriorbut for lumberjacks, man,” Wes says. “This wasn’t here last year.”

Mimi’s angelic voice rips my gaze away from the rope course as I look over my shoulder and see her group walking by.

She glances in my direction, her eyes meeting mine almost instantly, and she gives me that gorgeous smile of hers. It sets my fucking soul on fire that she went out of her way to look for me and I can’t help but smile back.

“Group three to obstacle course three, baby. Let’s go!” Nathan yells out to…well anyone that was listening, which really wasn’t anyone. He skips up behind Mimi and wraps his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. Our eyes break apart as she turns to push him away.

I seriously hate that guy.

Everyone in my group goes through the rope course. We help each other as we talk through the balancing, foot placement and grips, trying to refrain from falling through the more difficult parts of the obstacle course. Wes is actually helpful and we’re all getting along shockingly well.

I glance over to the other rope courses, craning my neck as my eyes bounce around trying to find her.

“She likes you, you know.” Giving myself whiplash, I turn to look over at Shane who’s staring up at Wes and he takes slow, calculated steps over the rope course's final leg.

“Who?” I ask, attempting to be coy.

Looking over at me, he huffs out a laugh, shaking his head.

“Just don’t be an idiot. She’s a good person with a good heart.”

“Are you guys good friends?” I ask, since he’s just cutting through the bullshit.

“Yeah, just friends, though. She’s been there for me through a lot. We talk throughout the school year and always see each other here.”

“Have you guys ever been anything more than friends?” I hate how ridiculous and jealous I sound.

He looks over at me, eyeing me for a moment, and it looks like he’s sizing me up.

“Nah, man. She’s uhh…not my type.” His lips thin out as he presses them together. His eyebrows raise in a knowing look and…ah. I get it.

That explains a lot about that first night at camp, with Wes during spin the bottle. His comfort level. How he handled everything.

My eyes bounce between him and Wes, his eyes never leave him. Hm. Interesting.

“Well, that’s probably the only reason why someone wouldn’t be into her, I suppose.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” He laughs, pausing for a brief moment. “That’s not really public info, though, like I don’t talk about it. So if you don’t mind…”

He doesn’t finish before I place my hand on his shoulder. “I get it.” I use my other hand to imitate a zipper crossing over my lips.

He returns a tight lipped smile before returning his gaze back to Wes.

“Alright campers. Switch!” our camp leader yells out.

And, we’re on to the next course.

After a long assday moving through the obstacle courses, we start our trek back to the cabins. I’m fairly athletic, in decent shape, but this kicked my ass. Even with the lethargic feeling that weighs over me, I keep stealing glances at Mimi who’s walking directly ahead of me, near the back of the group.

Her ponytail bounces with each step, and even though we just spent a majority of the day in the blazing heat running obstacles, she still has that addictive, radiant energy.

I glance ahead to the front of the group. Everyone is either focused ahead, ready to get to their cabins, or they’re looking down, just zombie walking with the group.

There’s a small path ahead that veers off behind a row of high bushes and even taller trees.

Fuck it.

Right as we come up at the hidden dirt crossroad, I gently wrap my fingers around her elbow and pull her into the small path hidden behind the shrubbery.

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