Page 14 of Seashells and Other Souvenirs

The next week, I ran dozens of copies on the machine at the library.

When the July day finally came, we couldn’t have been more prepared.

Set up under the deck of one of the beach houses, we had craft supplies, a basket full of sports gear, and an assortment of juice boxes and snacks we’d promised to reimburse my mom for once we’d been paid.

Sure, there were a LOT of campers, but these were our cousins, little kids who knew and loved us. What could go wrong?

An hour in, little Katie Grace had cut Maria’s hair with scissors, two of the beach balls had popped, all the snacks were gone, and Alan had tripped and skinned both knees so badly that Sutton had to carry him upstairs to my aunt.

“Maybe we should end early,” a tearful Elle suggested. “This is a disaster.”

“But we still have an hour and a half before the parents are supposed to be back.” Rebekah sighed as she took another pair of scissors from our cousin Russell. Where were all these scissors still coming from?

I looked out across the backyard and to the right where Gavin and Jude had just walked out onto their deck.

We’d told them our brilliant plan after dinner the night before.

The two boys assessed the situation, eyes wide and mouths slightly ajar.

I’m not sure if I mouthed the word “help” or just thought it, but they seemed to understand either way and came galloping down the stairs, our suntanned knights in shining armor.

Gavin rummaged through the sports equipment and extracted a red rubber ball. “Okay, everybody line up in the backyard!” The little kids took one look at the cool teenager with the shark’s tooth necklace and willingly obeyed.

Jude set up orange cones for bases while Gavin divided the two teams as evenly as he could.

What followed was a game of kickball so epic and hilarious that when our adult family members returned, everyone wanted to join in.

Even Alan, both knees heavily bandaged, begged for one turn after another to kick the ball and be carried around the bases.

Once everyone had left to get ready for dinner and we’d cleaned up the remnants of our first—and last—day camp, we counted our earnings and divided out a share for the Alfords. They refused to take it.

“Nah, this was fun,” Gavin deflected. “We were looking for something to do anyway.”

They did, however, take my aunt up on her offer to join us for her famous chicken and rice casserole. Which, to be honest, was worth far more than all our money put together.

I’ve been a ball of nerves all evening. Who am I kidding? All day.

After Jude left for work this afternoon, I spent an absurd amount of time doing my hair and choosing an outfit that I hoped looked both casual and cute.

For the past hour or so, I’ve sat in the living room with a book I have no intention of reading, listening for cars pulling onto the street and tensing every time one does.

Finally, the slam of a car door in the driveway drives me from my couch cushion and to the window. It’s only Jude. I check the time; how is it already this late, and how close is Gavin now?

Jude jogs up the steps, and I sit back down before he has a chance to see me acting like a bona fide stalker.

“Hey,” he greets me as if this were just any other night. “What are you reading?”

I hold up the book. “I borrowed it from your shelves. I hope that’s okay.”

“Of course. That’s a really good one.” He sits to unlace his shoes. “What part are you at?”

“Um.” I close the book. “I really just started. I haven’t gotten into it yet.”

He frees his phone from his pocket and taps the screen. “Gavin texted a little while ago. He’s here, but he’s going out to play pool with some friends. He says it will probably be late, and he has a key, so we shouldn’t wait up.”

“Oh.” All of that nervous energy, for this? I hate the way I have to fight not to tear up, but I refuse to lose it in front of Jude again this week. Especially over Gavin.

“Have you eaten yet?” he asks.

“I’m not very hungry.” It’s the truth.

“Want to play a game or something while we wait?”

I move the book to the coffee table and pull my feet up under me. “What kind of game?”

Jude shrugs. “Card game? Board game? Video games?”

“Video games?” I’m intrigued. “What system do you have?”

Jude grins and moves to the TV cabinet. He opens one of the doors under the TV to reveal, not one, but three different gaming systems and a plastic box full of games. “Did I or did I not reassure you when you got here that I am still very much a nerd?”

I laugh and join him on the floor. “Got any racing games?”

“I do.” He pulls a cartridge from the collection. “But are you sure you want to challenge me to a race right off the bat?”

“What do you mean?” I squint.

“Not to brag, but I’m pretty amazing at this game. And didn’t you tell me you failed your driver’s test?”

“Why did I tell you that?” I swat at his arm. “And how do you know it wasn’t for going way too fast or for throwing turtle shells at the other drivers?”

“Okay.” He puts the game in and turns on the TV. “Let’s see what you got.”

He wins the first two races easily, but by the third, I’m keeping up.

Right when I’m about to pass his car, I look over to see that he’s taken his finger off of the gas button.

“Jude! Don’t you dare let me win on purpose.

I will be personally offended if you treat me any differently than any other legitimate gamer.

If—” His car slams into mine, and I spin out.

“Jude!”

“Just doing what you requested. Are you playing to win or not?” he challenges.

I reach for the cord of his controller and unplug it, then steer my car back onto the track and over the finish line.

“That was dirty.” He plugs his controller back in and tamps down a smile. “But I admire your commitment. And now I won’t feel as bad when I obliterate you on the next turn.”

Several games and a whole lot of trash talk later, I’ve almost forgotten about waiting for Gavin. Almost.

When I check the clock on my phone around the tenth time, Jude pulls up his messages and shows me the screen. “Still no word. Sorry, Alex.”

I sigh.

He turns off the TV. “I should probably do a little bit of work. You gonna write tonight? I could make us some coffee or cheese toast or something.”

I finish wrapping up my controller and return it to the cabinet. “I’m kind of tired. I think I’m going to go to bed.”

“Sure.” He looks almost as disappointed in Gavin’s tardiness as I am. “Goodnight, Alex.”