One Temptation

In the field (Chapter 74)

Madisons POV:

The campground was already madness.

Absolute chaos.

We'd barely even pulled into the place and I could feel the buzz of it all hitting me like a brick wall.

Cars — hundreds of them — lined up in uneven rows across the open field.

People were weaving between vehicles, dragging overflowing coolers and tangled tents behind them, yelling to their friends like they hadn't seen each other in years even though we'd all literally been at school two days ago.

Some had already staked out full corners of the area, walking around in small packs with drinks in hand and sunglasses way too expensive for a trip like this. Camp chairs were already out, music was blasting from someone's car speaker.

And it was only going to get crazier.

Hundreds of teenagers, seven days, and one camp.

What could possibly go wrong?

Famous last words.

We parked in the grassy area closest to the entrance, half the wheels sinking slightly into the uneven earth, and I let out a low sigh, stretching my arms above my head as I climbed out of the car.

"Okay, so we made it," I muttered, slamming the door shut behind me. "Barely."

Lia twisted around, still in the car, yanking her phone from where it had been buzzing non-stop in the cup holder. She glanced at the screen, then groaned. "Cole again. Bloody hell, he's clingy today."

I laugh, "Answer it, might be important."

She sighs and picks up, "Yes baby?" she answers. Shoving our chargers into a bag, the phone tucked between her cheek and shoulder. "Yeah—we just got here. Yes, don't worry I packed it —" she argued with him.

Em came around the back of the car, sunglasses perched on top of her head.

"She sounds like a full-time wife," she whispered to me, and I laughed.

Lia flipped us off without missing a beat in her call.

"No, Cole, I told you, I packed the sunscreen in my red duffel, not the black one. Yeah, and make sure Jake doesn't open the marshmallows. Tell him I'll kill him." She hung up and tossed her phone into her open bag. "We've got like ten minutes before all the good spots get claimed, he says. Back corner by the trees has a good view apparently."

"Of what?" Em asked.

"Does it matter? He said it's empty right now. We just need to run."

"Easy for you to say," I grumbled, eyeing the bags we had to carry.

My stuff had been packed over two days with military-level precision, yet somehow I still felt underprepared.

It had taken all my strength to lift the two heavy suitcases into the car, and I was not ready to carry them and walk around this massive field.

Just as I popped the trunk open, two figures walked up to us, both in black and white training jerseys with our school's footie logo printed over the chest.

One had the number 4, straight black hair with a middle part. The other one —15— had curly brown hair, and they both looked like they'd been dragged out of practice an hour ago.

"Uh..." I blinked at them. "Can I help you?"

One of them—15—grinned. "You Madison Monroe, right?"

My brows lifted. "Depends, why are you asking?"

"West sent us," he grins.

"He what?" I blinked.