“Really. I’m fine. Thanks.” I cleared my throat as I readjusted my duffle and glanced up at him for a second. But for the love of everything right in the world, that was a mistake. He looked like one of those guys from the sports ads, all defined and sweaty, his muscle shirt hanging just slightly over the edge of his broad, tan shoulders. He had a chiseled jaw, deep brown eyes framed by long lashes, dark brows, and jet-black hair, cut like someone from the military.
He probably thought I looked ridiculous in my worn-out PE shirt from sophomore year. I’d completed the whole slob-look with a pair of basketball shorts, and flip-flops to top it off. He had no idea I’d dressed for comfort for the three-hour drive up here. I planned on changing in my room before meeting anyone. Of course, I had to meet a gorgeous jock right off the bat.
The corners of his dark eyes crinkled with his grin. “Nice try . . . Emery,” he said, squinting at my lanyard. “Hand it over.”
A quick glance at the court told me the rest of the guys were already back to their scrimmage, not one of them seeming to miss their friend Tuck for a second.
He lifted his brows, hand still extended.
I sighed, handing it to him. “I take it you’re a little stubborn.”
“Your observation skills are impeccable.” He slung the duffle over his shoulder and motioned toward the path. “Women’s lodge, right?”
-Tucker-
I don’t think I’d ever felt like a worse idiot. I didn’t see her coming until my no-look pass was on its way to Mal. Usually, he would’ve caught it, but he was too busy gawking at the new girl. Honestly, I couldn’t blame him.
I walked her to her lodge in a dumb attempt at an apology, finding out it was her first summer on-staff. She came from a suburban town three hours away. Had three older brothers. No mention of a boyfriend. Not that I needed to know . . .
We stopped outside the double doors and I handed her the bag.
She gave me an awesome grin, ducking her head as she took the strap. “Thanks.”
“Hey, don’t thank me when it was my pass that got loose.”
She lifted a shoulder, squinting into the sunlight behind me, the sun doing all kinds of crazy things to her gorgeous blue eyes. “Wasn’t the first time I’ve been hit by a wild pass.”
“No?” I scratched the back of my neck trying not to notice her blonde hair, or cute dimples, but dang, how could I not? “You play ball?”
“A little,” she said, pointing toward the door. “Anyway, I should probably get in there. I need to go figure out my life for a second.”
“Good luck with that.” I couldn’t help my grin. “What department are you working this summer?”
“Maintenance.”
What?
A girl like her wouldn’t come to Bridgeport to trim lawns and plunge toilets. There was no way. When June told me I had a new recruit coming this week, I just assumed it was another guy. I should have double checked the application she sent me. But, still.
My grin widened. “Are you playing around?”
“Why? Are you a chauvinist or something?”
“Hey, don’t go labeling me already.” I lifted my hands, spreading my fingers in surrender. “I just . . . you seem like . . . Uh . . . like a girly girl.”
Her face soured.
Smooth, Tuck.
“Like what?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I would’ve pegged you more for the coffee shop type. Lifeguarding maybe?” That spot on the back of my neck tightened. “Or, the Boathouse.”
“Right.” She narrowed her gaze. “And what about you? You must be heading up Games, right?”
“Games?” Was she serious? I ducked my head, cracking my knuckles before crossing my arms. “Why would you peg me for Games?”
“You just seem like the kind of guy with an affinity for bullhorns.”
“Affinity for bullhorns?”
“You know, the kind who likes to hear his own voice blasting across camp.”
“What?” I scoffed. Did I come off like a jerk? “Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know.” Something strange flashed through her eyes before she shook her head. “Never mind. Thanks for carrying my bag. I should get in there.” She turned to leave.
“I’m the Maintenance lead,” I said, to her back. “I usually train new crew members. We’ll be working together a lot if you’re really on my team.”
She paused and then nodded, continuing into the building, glancing over her shoulder once before she disappeared.
Interesting.
I walked back to the courts, waiting on the sidelines since the game was almost over. Mal headed toward me, wiggling his thick brows as he adjusted the sweatband at the base of his short afro. “Already moving in on the new girl?”
“The ball hit her hard, Mal.” I rolled my eyes and walked with him toward our lodge. “And I’m not in it for a girl this summer. I came back to clear my head before fall hits.” Summer just started, and I hated thinking about the changes coming when it was over. It was all I could do to get through the last month to make it here. If there was a way to stay forever, I might give it a try.
“Thought you were trying to get Lauren back this summer, Tuck. New Chick change your mind?”
My chest tightened, the spark in Lauren’s caramel eyes coming back to mind. I thought we’d be able to keep up the communication after summer last year, but she went back to college, and I went back home. Everything kind of fizzled out, and then . . . “She has a new boyfriend.”
“She what?” His eyes bulged. “I thought she broke up with you to focus on school.”
I lifted a shoulder, nodding as I remembered her awesome breakup text. “Yup. Some Junior at USC. Apparently,
