Page 14

Gavin

A fter making my usual rounds of the camp after dinner, I went to the firepit to start setting up for tonight’s campfire.

Everyone was excited to make smores and I was happy to see them all embracing the outdoors.

Then there was Wyatt. He’d taken to everything like he’d been waiting his whole life for the chance to go out and show the world he could learn how to survive outside; he just needed a chance.

“Need some help?” Wyatt asked, snapping me out of my thoughts and startling me.

“I’d love some. I wanted to put the stumps into small semi-circles with another stump in the center so you can use them to set up your smores.”

“Sounds good,” Wyatt said and the two of us rearranged the stumps. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course. Is everything okay?” For a split second I worried he wanted to leave but then he sat on a stump and patted the one next to him. When I sat down, he took my hand.

“Everything is perfect. I’ve never had a blister before and I wouldn’t mind not having another one, but other than that it’s all great. Would you like to spend some time with me later?” His eyes were full of hope but like the last time we spent time together, also a hint of uncertainty.

“I’d love to.” I wove our fingers together before meeting his eyes. “I can’t stop thinking about you,” I whispered and leaned closer. It was so tempting to kiss him, but I still wasn’t sure that was a great idea out here in the main camp area, so I held back.

“Good. After we have smores maybe we can go for a walk?” he suggested.

“That sounds great. Unless you want to go up to the roof again?”

“Maybe after we go for a walk. I really want to kiss you right now,” he said, far braver than me.

“I want to kiss you too, and as soon as we’re alone tonight I will.” My hand went to his cheek and my thumb brushed under his eye. His hand covered mine and I could see the fire in his eyes as he fought the urge to lean in.

“My mountain man,” he whispered making me smile. “Not like Grizzley Adams.” We both laughed at that.

“I hope not. I don’t think I could grow a beard like that if I didn’t cut mine for a year or two.”

“I like your beard,” he said and this time he did lean in, but only enough to press himself against my side. “I’ll see you later.”

“I can’t wait,” I said, and tried not to watch him walk away but gave up when I couldn’t stop myself. “What is it with this guy?” Once he was out of sight, I made sure everything was in its place and set up the kindling and logs for the fire.

As soon as dinner was done everyone brought their winnings to the fire pit.

There was no need to tell them to split into groups—they already knew and none of them were overly picky about who they were with, they were all just happy to sit with their friends.

I was putting another log on the fire when Wyatt walked over to me holding a smore.

“I made this just for you,” he said, and held it out to me.

“Thank you, it looks delicious.” I took it from him and took a bite of what had to be the millionth smore I’d eaten in my lifetime but was the best by far since he’d made it.

Oh my god and I was officially the corniest camp counselor since my dad.

I shrugged and told myself it didn’t matter because I was done trying to ignore him.

Not that I’d been successful at all, but in just a few days he’d made sure I’d never forget him.

“John said to be sure and ask Drevon to show off some constellations,” Wyatt said.

“That’s right. You know we have a telescope. Why don’t we see if everyone wants to have a stargazing night?” We’d done this in the past, but while I wasn’t sure adults would be as interested as the kids were, I was beginning to understand that everyone liked the same things when they were at camp.

“That would be amazing,” Wyatt said. “I’m going to go make another smore.” He squeezed my arm before hurrying off to see who had ingredients left.

I walked over to Drevon and John and asked them if they’d like to have a night of stargazing. Both of them were excited and even more so when I told them we had a telescope. “There are so many stars up here. It’s incredible away from the city lights,” Drevon said.

“I would love for you to help with finding the constellations. I hear you’re a bit of an expert.”

“No, I wouldn’t say that,” Drevon said.

“Don’t be modest. He knows all of them and more,” John said and slung his arm around his boyfriend because there was no way they were just friends.

“Okay, well I’m going to hold you to helping everyone else find something to look at through the telescope.” They both grinned and I moved to the edge of the campfire area where the light barely reached. Wyatt walked over and brushed his hand against mine. “Ready?”

“I’ve been ready all night.”

I led him away from the light of the fire and pulled him behind the first tree we came to.

He pressed his back against it and rested his hands on my hips.

“Kiss me,” he whispered and who was I to keep either of us waiting any longer than we already had.

The sweet taste of chocolate and toasted marshmallows was on his lips and when I dipped my tongue into his mouth, his arms wrapped around my waist. We broke apart gasping for breath before he pressed his forehead against mine. “You make me want more than a kiss.”

We were both hard, but I took his hand and pulled him along the path that led to the lake.

“Come on.” He laughed before hurrying behind me.

When we got to the storage shed, I kissed him again before hurrying inside to grab the blanket and small cooler I’d stashed here earlier.

I stepped back outside to find him facing away from me toward the lake, and once again I couldn’t stop myself from staring.

He was thin but not frail, and he’d proven to me how strong he was, not to mention smart.

Because he was very smart and resourceful.

But he’d changed in the few short days since he arrived.

He was more relaxed while at the same time more confident and it was such a good look on him.

“You gonna stand there and stare at me all night?” he asked without turning around.

“Possibly,” I mumbled before walking over to him.