Page 35 of Brick Wall
“You’re welcome. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay longer. I had fun.”
“Oh, no big deal,” she says while waving her hand over her face. “I’m sorry if my brothers forced you.”
“They didn’t,” I confirm. Ryan casually mentioned it to me on my last day working at the summer camp and then texted me the details later. I was looking forward to celebrating Annie’s birthday with her.
She rolls her eyes. “Just like they didn’t force you into the closet with me.” Her words drip with sarcasm as she grabs the door handle for effect, and the shed door easily opens.
“Um…” We both look at each other in confusion.
“Did we even check to see if the door was locked?” she awkwardly laughs. “I’m sorry. I think I just assumed.”
“Hey, I didn’t check either.” I was too busy having a minorbreakdown.
We both exit the storage shed and look around. There are no other cars in the parking lot and no one in sight, although there are a lot of buildings and trees nearby, so someone could easily hide if they really wanted to.
“Are you heading home now?” I ask her.
“No, I think I’m going to stay a little longer. I love it here and haven’t been in the water yet. What about you?”
“I don’t have anything else to do.” I don’t have any set plans for the rest of the day, which is unusual for me.
“Here or today in general?”
“Both, I guess,” I say, shrugging.
“Do you want to stay for a little bit? We can take a boat out or something if you want,” she says, but there’s a hint of vulnerability there.
I can’t help but to say, “Yes.”
Her eyes dance with pleasure as we approach the water’s edge.
Chapter Seventeen
Annie
“It’s so quiet here,” Sebastian observes.
We are in the middle of the still lake in an old blue canoe. Both of us have quit rowing, and we are just chilling, sitting on wooden benches, currently facing each other.
He looks almost comical sitting in the canoe. He must be so uncomfortable; he barely fits, but he hasn’t complained—yet.
“Yeah,” I say in a daze. I’m so happy and content. I can’t believe I’m spending time in my happy place with Sebastian right now. I was honestly surprised when he said yes to staying a little bit longer. I figured he had to get back, but I’m glad he’s still here.
“It’s so different from a few weeks ago.”
“Yes, it is so crazy when camp is in session—a good crazy.”
“Yeah, I agree. I had fun, but I didn’t relax much. I didn’t get in or on the water at all.”
“Really? That’s a shame. I’ll have to tell my brothers to goeasier on you next year,” I say, without realizing my stupid assumption. “Uh, I mean, if you decide to team up again with us,” I backpedal.
“Oh, I plan on coming back. I already talked to your brothers about it. I had a lot of fun, and I’m excited to do this again. I’m hoping to make it an annual thing.”
“Really? That’s awesome.” I try to limit the excitement in my voice, but I totally fail.
“Yeah.”
“Next year, I’ll make sure I change the lock from the shed and hide an extra one or two keys inside, just in case.”
