Love Fool (One Night Only Season 2: Hunter's Story)

Chapter Twelve

Morning dawns with a clear sky on the third day we're in town. Thank all the powers that be for that, because it's been raining for most of the time we've been here. I've been cooped up indoors and trying to block out Paisley's music selections by wearing my AirPods almost every waking moment. I'm ready to climb the walls.

The blue sky and sunshine I peep through my bedroom window inspires me to action, though. The only friends I talk to these days are at their camps, and this includes Deni. My camp is where I should also be. The original plan was to return tomorrow, but I'm going to do my best to persuade my parents to let me drive out there on my own today.

My chance comes almost as soon as I open my bedroom door and step into the hallway. By some stroke of good fortune, my dad rounds the corner at that time.

"Hey, Dad?" I decide to skip morning small talk and immediately ask for what I want. "Is there any chance I could take our other car and head back to camp today? It's so nice outside, and I don't want to waste the day."

"Only if I can come, too," Paisley calls out from somewhere else in the house. I didn't know she was already awake, since it's usually Dad and me who are the early risers, but it sounds like she's in the living room.

"Your mother and I were actually discussing going back out there today, now that the storms are over. Want to drive?"

"Only if I control the music and can veto all requests."

Dad chuckles, a knowing look on his face. Between Paisley's fixation with pop stars of the moment, and Mom's love for nineties pop and alternative, the music during our family drives has become repetitive.

"I heard that!" Paisley yells.

"Good," I reply. "Then you'll know not to ask for a Cayden Indigo or Bowie Nelson song."

"Fine." She materializes in the hallway, her hands on her hips. "I'm requesting a Sawyer Santiago song."

"You can have your Sawyer Santiago song when you're old enough to drive."

"Dad!" she complains.

"You two are on your own to fight this one out," he tells us, then continues on his way.

"Bring your headphones and listen to what you want," I suggest. "Then everyone is happy."

My suggestion has two purposes. First, it will spare the rest of us from Paisley's complaints about the music I choose and ongoing commentary about why the songs we're all hearing in our sleep at this point are superior to anything else. We've heard this lecture before. Second, it may keep her quiet in general, and less talking means fewer chances for her to speculate out loud about Deni, plans I might have to see her, and if she's famous or not. The first two items aren't topics I want to discuss with my parents listening in and no way to escape.

"You have no taste in music," Paisley proclaims. "None at all. Period."

She turns on her heel and flounces down the hallway, toward her bedroom. I hold in a laugh at her theatrics, but can't stop the smile that's spreading across my face or the unfamiliar, lighthearted feeling bubbling up inside of me.

I survived our stay in town, my sister's graduation ceremony, and my first encounter with Trinity since everything that went down between us. Now it's time to take charge of my life again and make this the best summer ever.

* * *

I'm careful to stick to the speed limit on the drive to camp, as much as I wish I could pick up the pace. The relief to be here again courses through my body once I turn into the driveway of our camp, bring the car to a stop, and shift it into park.