Page 21 of The Games We Play (Balance of Power #3)

SEAMUS

“ L ineup in alphabetical order by your first name. It’s been a week, so by now you should know everyone’s names, but if you don’t, ask and introduce yourself, then get into line,” the camp leader announces to all of us as we stop in the middle of a wooded area surrounded by trees.

“Are we in kindergarten?” Wes spits out as he walks to the back of the line.

“You’re just pissed because you’re always at the back end ,” Nathan yells, with a chuckle at his immature joke, as he takes his place in line right next to Mimi.

He bumps her shoulder playfully, then leans in closer to talk to her.

There are only a few people between us, but it’s enough that I can’t hear what he is saying.

My jaw tightens as I watch him talk to her, all smiles with his cocky personality taking full flight.

She seems interested, but I find that Mimi always makes everyone feel good by listening, engaging with them, and making them feel like the only person in the room .

I know because it’s how she’s made me feel since the moment I got here.

I have to admit it’s been nice, not having to worry about my dad or what’s going on at home. I worry about my mom, but I always worry about her. I’m trying to do exactly what she wants me to do and just have fun.

I’ve befriended my cabin mates, and we’ve been staying up after lights out just shooting the shit about almost anything, playing cards. And it’s actually been…nice.

Our group leader rallies in front of us, whistling to get our attention. “Alright, everyone, starting with Wes at the rear,” Nathan chokes out a laugh, “break out in groups of four. You three,” he points to me, Shane, and Toby, “follow Wes to obstacle number one.”

We head that direction, stopping at the wooden sign staked into the ground with the words OB-1.

Appraising the area around us, it’s expansive, wide open, and lined with trees and huge rope displays.

Between the trees are ropes criss-crossing over each other, secured in different places between them that completely surround us.

Some have ladder style ropes, others are just one lone rope with vertical hanging ones that look like you can use as a grip.

I’ve never seen anything like this, and it’s clear that the guys haven’t, either.

“This is like American Ninja Warrior but for lumberjacks, man,” Wes says. “This wasn’t here last year.”

Mimi’s angelic voice rips my gaze away from the rope course as I look over my shoulder and see her group walking by.

She glances in my direction, her eyes meeting mine almost instantly, and she gives me that gorgeous smile of hers. It sets my fucking soul on fire that she went out of her way to look for me and I can’t help but smile back.

“Group three to obstacle course three, baby. Let’s go!” Nathan yells out to…well anyone that was listening, which really wa sn’t anyone. He skips up behind Mimi and wraps his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. Our eyes break apart as she turns to push him away.

I seriously hate that guy.

Everyone in my group goes through the rope course. We help each other as we talk through the balancing, foot placement and grips, trying to refrain from falling through the more difficult parts of the obstacle course. Wes is actually helpful and we’re all getting along shockingly well.

I glance over to the other rope courses, craning my neck as my eyes bounce around trying to find her.

“She likes you, you know.” Giving myself whiplash, I turn to look over at Shane who’s staring up at Wes and he takes slow, calculated steps over the rope course's final leg.

“Who?” I ask, attempting to be coy.

Looking over at me, he huffs out a laugh, shaking his head.

“Just don’t be an idiot. She’s a good person with a good heart.”

“Are you guys good friends?” I ask, since he’s just cutting through the bullshit.

“Yeah, just friends, though. She’s been there for me through a lot. We talk throughout the school year and always see each other here.”

“Have you guys ever been anything more than friends?” I hate how ridiculous and jealous I sound.

He looks over at me, eyeing me for a moment, and it looks like he’s sizing me up.

“Nah, man. She’s uhh…not my type.” His lips thin out as he presses them together. His eyebrows raise in a knowing look and…ah. I get it.

That explains a lot about that first night at camp, with Wes during spin the bottle. His comfort level. How he handled everything .

My eyes bounce between him and Wes, his eyes never leave him. Hm. Interesting.

“Well, that’s probably the only reason why someone wouldn’t be into her, I suppose.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” He laughs, pausing for a brief moment. “That’s not really public info, though, like I don’t talk about it. So if you don’t mind…”

He doesn’t finish before I place my hand on his shoulder. “I get it.” I use my other hand to imitate a zipper crossing over my lips.

He returns a tight lipped smile before returning his gaze back to Wes.

“Alright campers. Switch!” our camp leader yells out.

And, we’re on to the next course.

After a long ass day moving through the obstacle courses, we start our trek back to the cabins.

I’m fairly athletic, in decent shape, but this kicked my ass.

Even with the lethargic feeling that weighs over me, I keep stealing glances at Mimi who’s walking directly ahead of me, near the back of the group.

Her ponytail bounces with each step, and even though we just spent a majority of the day in the blazing heat running obstacles, she still has that addictive, radiant energy.

I glance ahead to the front of the group. Everyone is either focused ahead, ready to get to their cabins, or they’re looking down, just zombie walking with the group.

There’s a small path ahead that veers off behind a row of high bushes and even taller trees.

Fuck it.

Right as we come up at the hidden dirt crossroad, I gently wrap my fingers around her elbow and pull her into the small path hidden behind the shrubbery .

“What are you doing?” she whispers as she ducks, but then peers over the top of one of the bushes.

“Meet me tonight. After lights out.” I have no idea where that came from or why I said it. I just want to spend more time with her.

“What? We can’t.” She peeks again, watching the group as they move further away.

“Meet me by the lake. Tonight.” I plead with both my eyes and my tone.

She bites her lip as her eyes skim over my face, and a small lopsided smile appears. “I’ll try.”

“Yeah?” I reply with more excitement than I should.

“I said I’ll try,” she presses her palm to my chest as she replies playfully. My hand folds over the top of hers, keeping her in place as my eyes roam over the face I’ve been obsessing over since I first laid eyes on it.

I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck and pull her face close to mine.

Our lips create a channel between our bodies, as the mountain air moves between us both.

I look into her gorgeous, chocolate eyes and back down at her lips, pausing to breathe her in.

No one has ever made me feel like she does. Feral, desperate, so goddamn needy.

I press my lips to hers and she purses hers against mine. It’s awkward for a moment until we both part our lips and our tongues collide in perfect rhythm. My heart is pounding out of my chest and I feel the thumping all the way to my bones.

I’ve kissed a few girls, but nothing has ever felt like this.

“Wow,” she whispers as we pull apart. My eyes are still closed, living the dream that is all Mimi.

“Mimi?” a voice calls out, ripping us out of the moment.

Shane steps into our line of sight and peers down the pathway we are hidden behind.

His eyebrows hit his hairline when he sees us together before his head snaps back to check if anyone else is near .

“Come on,” he waves, “they’re counting heads.”

Our legs shuffle to keep up as we duck through and catch up to everyone just in time.

“Go clean up. Dinner’s in thirty, then we’ll have a little time before lights out.” The camp leader finishes, then everyone goes different directions as Shane gives us the stank eye with a smile.

I turn to Mimi.

“Meet me by the lake. Tonight.” I step backwards as I remind her.

“That’s a bad idea,” she whisper-yells back.

“Are you backing out of a challenge?” I hold my fist in my palm, challenging her to rock, paper, scissors.

She immediately matches and we battle.

My scissors cut her paper.

The glare she pins on me could rival Hades.

I can’t help but smile.

“An hour after lights out. By the lake.” I turn and head the other direction, not giving her a chance to respond.