Chapter 14

The night air is sticky with leftover sun and salt from the outtrip. Campers are winding down, some talking near the sinks, some whispering in their cabins. Staff are exhausted, but still buzzing, the chaos of the day’s games settling into laughter and stories.

I’m sitting on a bench near the water with Annabelle and Emily, toes digging into sand, laughing over some minor camper drama.

And then… he shows up.

“Hey, Kennedy,” one of the older male staff—Reid—says, leaning a little too close, smirking like he’s the funniest person on the planet. “You were killing it in the relay earlier. Ever thought about, you know… teaching me some moves?”

I stop laughing, feeling a little uncomfortable. He’s standing way too close. I force a smile.

“Uh… thanks, but I’m good,” I say, stepping back.

He chuckles, shrugging. “Come on, don’t be like that. I’m just being friendly.”

“No,” I say, firm. “I said I’m good.”

But the little smirk on his face doesn’t fade, he walks away. And just like that, my stomach churns.

Quinn is nearby. Of course she is. Watching. Taking it in. And in one heartbeat, she’s beside me, oversized hoodie hanging off her shoulders, shorts barely catching the firelight, hair damp and messy from earlier kayaking. Her presence is immediate. Protective.

“Everything okay?” she asks, voice calm but edged.

“Yeah… just… Reid.” I mutter.

Quinn’s eyes narrow, that sharp, bossy look I’ve learned to recognize. “…Do I need to handle this?”

I blink at her. “No its fine, I got it.” I reply, not wanting to be a bother.

She take a step closer to me, “If you need anything, just tell me.”

I nod, chest tight, suddenly aware of how close we are. Her hoodie brushes my arm. Shoulder nudges mine slightly. The air between us hums.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

“Anytime,” she replies. Voice low, soft. Eyes flicking over mine in a way that makes my heart flip.

Annabelle rolls her eyes at me. “Dude, Quinn is… intense.”

“I know,” I mutter, brushing sand off my leg. “…But also, yes. Very.”

I glance at Quinn again. She’s leaned back on her hands, hood falling just enough to show a little collarbone, shorts catching the firelight. Breezy, relaxed. Dangerous in that teasing, casual way.

I shift in my seat, trying not to notice everything.

Later, the staff start a mini sand volleyball game. Me and Quinn get put on opposite teams. She took off her oversized hoodie, showing her bikini top as she sprints across the sand, laughing, absolutely in her element.

We collide mid-rally. Shoving each other playfully. Arms brushing. Sand sticking to wet skin. Laughing too hard.

“You’re insane,” Quinn pants, hair sticking to her forehead.

“And you like it,” I tease.

She grins, flicking sand at me. “…Maybe,” she replies. Shoulder nudging mine again. That small touch makes my chest tight.

“Come on, Kennedy, let me help your team!” Reid says, grinning.

“Uh… no thanks,” I reply, stepping back, already feeling the familiar irritation.

Quinn immediately steps between us, body angled slightly toward me. “Were good over here.”

“Relax, it’s just a game,” he says.

“No,” Quinn snaps, voice sharp. “She doesn’t need any help.”

He flushes, mutters something, and walks off. Quinn watches him go, then turns to me. “…Are you okay?”

I nod, heart still racing. “…Yeah. Thanks.”

She steps closer, in a protective. “…You know, I don’t like people trying to touch my friends without permission,” she murmurs. Shoulder nudging mine again. That slight contact, deliberate or not, makes my stomach twist in the best way.

The rest of the night is a mix of chaos and fun. Staff and campers pile into the waves for a late-night swim. Quinn and I end up floating near each other, backs against the tide, toes in the sand underwater. She splashes me lightly. I splash back.

“You’re annoying,” I say, grinning.

“Yeah,” she replies, smirk wide. “…But you like it.”

I roll my eyes but can’t hide the small smile tugging at my lips. “…Maybe.”

There’s a long pause. Stars above. Waves whispering. The entire camp quieting down around us.

“…You know,” Quinn says softly, voice almost serious, “…I like this, right now.”

I glance at her. “…Yeah. Me too.”

Shoulder brushes shoulder again. Closer. Dangerous. Electric.

I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this in for.