Hi,

Chapter 15

"You'd like a leash," I say, staring her down.

She groans, her frustration evident, and gives me a weak shove. I can't tell if that's her best shot or if she's just holding back, but it barely budges me. A quiet chuckle escapes my lips as I watch her walk away. I find myself very amusing.

I start heading back to camp, realizing I probably killed the vibe when I punched that idiot in the face. Oops.

Searching for the guys, I find the boys' cabin mostly deserted. Inside, Dustin is sprawled across his bed, lazily puffing on a joint, while Marco has his girl nestled on his lap, her arms draped around his shoulders. Haze, meanwhile, is charming one of the girls I introduced him to earlier; I'm relieved he's stayed clear of Mackenzie tonight. As soon as I plop down next to Dustin, I swipe the joint right out of his hand.

"Hey!" he protests, his voice raspy with indignation.

"I thought you only had five of these," I say, giving him a smirk.

He throws his hands up in mock surrender. "Man, I lied. Spare me the judgment."

I take a long drag, feeling the smoke settle as the buzz deepens. "So, where's Connor?"

Dustin snickers, tipping his head toward the cabin's makeshift bathroom. "Last I checked, he was making out with that redhead in there."

"Good for him," I mutter, sinking further into the mattress. I'm buzzing now, and all I can think about is finding that brunette from earlier, maybe a little more out of my mind this time. I pass the joint back to Dustin with a lazy grin.

"So," I ask, glancing over at him, "what happened with your girl?"

"Already took care of business," he shrugs, blowing out smoke. "She went back to her cabin."

I burst out laughing. "Bro, same."

We dap each other up, a shared moment of victory. I notice Marco's girl giving me a scrutinizing look. Catching her gaze, I raise an eyebrow. "You're Mackenzie's friend, right?"

She tilts her head with a smirk. "Best friend. And I don't like you."

"You don't even know me," I challenge, amused.

She narrows her eyes. "I know enough."

"Oh yeah?" I grin, leaning back. "Bet Mackenzie's told you all sorts of nice things."

She stands, crossing her arms in thought, tapping her chin for dramatic effect. "Oh, she did mention something... your little 'attitude problem.' By that I mean that you are a total dick."

Marco snickers, squeezing her waist. She shoots me a smug smile and settles back onto his lap, content with her dig. I shake my head, amused, and get up, grabbing my towel and a fresh change of clothes before heading out for the communal showers.

As I push open the door, I run smack into Connor and his "date" as they exit, looking equally disheveled and satisfied. I give him a subtle high-five as we pass, sharing a quick smirk before stepping inside.

The shower room is empty, and the only sounds are the echo of dripping water. I strip down, pull the curtain, and turn the knob for the coldest possible stream. The icy water hits, clearing away the haze, forcing me into the present. I close my eyes, exhaling. Cold showers—they're sobering, grounding. Maybe exactly what I need right now.

Letting the water run down my back, I throw my head back, feeling it soak my hair. I close my eyes, and my mind drifts. I imagine Mackenzie in the shower, envisioning sneaking in with her...

I imagine what itd be like to shower with her. She wouldn't resist, anchoring her green eyes in mine. I'd turn the water cold, pulling her against me and feeling the goosebumps rise on her skin...