Something in the Way (Something in the Way 1)

Tiffany grabbed my arm as I stood. “Don’t go. Please.”

“I have to. I’ll see you tonight.”

The girls were in their beds by eight and after some policing, including a lecture on gossip, they’d fallen asleep soon after. Once I was sure they were out for the night, I grabbed Hannah to take her to the dining hall. It was a short walk, but we had to pass through woods to get there, guided only by the moonlight the trees let through.

“You’re sure this is allowed?” Hannah asked.

“Yep. Once the kids are in bed, we all hang out, even Gary. Head counselors take turns throughout the week walking through camp to check on each cabin. You might have to at some point.”

“By myself?”

“Are you afraid?” I teased. “You know I made up that story about the bear to get the girls to hand over their candy, right?”

“Really? So there aren’t bears out here?”

One quick glance around the deadly silent dark made me shiver. “No, there are.”

Hannah made a noise. I hurried her along—it actually was a little scary—but I also wanted to see if Manning would come tonight. I supposed I should talk Tiffany off the ledge, too.

Inside, the tables had been moved to the room’s perimeter, clearing the area. A boom box sat on the fireplace mantel and a junior counselor rapped along to “Nuthin But A ‘G’ Thang.” Some people stood off to the side talking, while others had brought cushions and blankets to sit on the floor in a circle.

Manning sat with Gary and some other counselors in plastic chairs they’d formed into a half circle. Hannah and I walked over, all eyes on us as we approached.

“What’s up?” Gary said. “Grab a chair.”

Manning stood. “I’ll get some.” He walked off to the side and lifted a seat in each hand. A girl I didn’t recognize had her chair a little too close to Manning’s. Now I not only had to worry about Tiffany, but other girls, too? “Move over,” I said to her.

“Um.” She glanced behind me at Manning.

“Please,” I added.

She scooted aside as Manning added our chairs to the circle.

“When did you get so bossy?” Gary asked me as I sat. “Last year you were much more shy.”

Even though my cheeks warmed, his teasing made everyone look at me, even Manning. “I said please.”

“You should see her with the girls,” Hannah said. “She’s the boss.”

“That so?” Manning asked.

I arched an eyebrow at him. “You look surprised.”

“I didn’t say you were shy.”

Neither of us smiled, but the energy between us was light. Playful. Something about today had obviously softened Manning’s outer layer and I couldn’t help feeling responsible for that.

The song changed, and Hannah bobbed her head with the music. “God, I love LL Cool J.”

Manning shifted his eyes to her. “Yeah? I would’ve guessed Mariah Carey or something.”

She laughed. “I listen to both. LL is good to get in a certain kind of mood.”

“Yeah,” he said and laughed as if it were some kind of inside joke.

Maybe it was. I didn’t know what an “around-the-way girl” was, but they seemed to. “What mood?” I asked.

Manning looked at something behind me. “Never mind.”

“What are we talking about?” Tiffany asked a second before she fell into Manning’s lap. He oophed, and she put an arm around his neck. “Oh, please. You’re twice my size.”

“Now I see where Lake gets it,” Gary said.

Tiffany flipped her hair over her shoulder, sending a telling waft of Herbal Essences in my direction. There was no sign of the dirt I’d seen earlier, and she had on a full face of makeup. The girl had showered. “Gets what?”

“Playing the boss.”

“I don’t play. I’m bossy, and I make no apologies. How else would I get what I want?” Her eyes twinkled with everyone watching her. She looked up at Manning. “Right, babe?”

“Are you two dating?” Gary asked.

Tiffany looked at Manning, so we all did, too. “No.”

“We’re taking it slow,” Tiffany said.

“It’s cool,” Gary said. “Just leave that stuff at home this week.”

“You have my word, man.” Manning patted Tiffany’s outer thigh. “Up.”

She kissed his cheek and stood, then motioned for me to let her sit. “Scooch.”

I could barely function enough to slide over and share my seat. She just kissed him when she wanted. Hugged him. Sat on him. She didn’t know how lucky she was. I didn’t think I’d ever just reached out and touched him. I looked at my hands, at the dirt in my cuticles from planting trees earlier.

“How’d today go?” Manning asked her.

“Great.”

Her smile was so fake, I couldn’t believe Manning bought it, but he smiled back. “I’m glad. I was worried about you.”

“Aw. Next time come check on me,” she said. “I missed you, and I could’ve used some back up.”

“Thought you said it was all right?”

“It was . . .” She shrugged. “But they’re a little hard to handle.”