Page 14 of Hot Summer Nights

I have to dig through my suitcases to find my swimsuit. I tug that on, pulling on a loose-fitting summer dress over it. I have a pair of slip-on flip-flops and I shove my feet into them before I head back downstairs.

“I just want to warn you again—” I start as I come down the stairs and he grabs my hand, cutting me off as he pulls me outside.

“Yeah, yeah, that you're cursed and something bad is going to happen. I’ll take my chances.”

“You should take this seriously!” I argue as he pulls me over to his Jeep.

“Oh, I am,” he says. My heart kicks against my ribcage as his blue eyes meet mine.

He helps me into the passenger seat and then climbs behind the wheel.

“Where are you taking me?” I ask him as he heads toward town.

“I’ve today all planned out. We’re going to go zip-lining, parasailing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and we’re grabbing a bite to eat.”

“Are you crazy! We’re going to get hurt. Or one of us is going to die!” I argue as I turn to grab the door handle.

“No, we’re not. Well, we’re not as long as you don’t jump out of a moving car!” he says, grabbing my hand and tugging me back into the seat before I can get to the door.

“Are you crazy?” I ask him again and he shakes his head.

“No, and you’re not cursed.”

“Okay, but I tell you that I’m cursed and you decide to test it out by doing a ton of dangerous things. That seems pretty crazy to me.”

“It’s the fastest way to make you see that you’re not cursed.”

I fold my arms over my chest as we start to head down the coast. When he pulls up outside of the Mystery Cabin, I’m a little surprised.

Maybe this won’t be that scary.

Teller greets us as we pull up, and I wave at him as I hop out.

“Hey, you two,” he greets us and I stand closer to him.

Gavin rolls his eyes at me, and Teller just grins.

“Ready to go?”

“Go where?” I ask.

“Zip-lining,” Teller says as he starts to walk toward the woods.

I glare at Gavin, and he grabs my hand and pulls me along after him.

The zip-lining course at the Mystery Cabin isn’t very big or very tall and I let out a deep breath as Teller hooks Gavin and me into harnesses and goes over the rules.

“So, you just walk off the platform. You want to get a good push so that you don’t get stuck halfway across. Then once you’re close to the other side, you tug on this strap to slow down. I’ll be over there to catch you,” Teller assures me, and I nod.

“We got this,” Gavin says, and the guys fist bump before Teller heads off down the line to the next platform.

“I hate you,” I tell him, and he smirks at me.

“So, you want me to go first then?”

“Not a chance.”

He laughs as I get a running start and push off of the platform. I suck in a breath as I go weightless but the harness catches me and soon I’m flying through the air. I laugh as I get halfway, and I can see Gavin cheering from behind me.

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