Twelve Years

Alex

“I’m not looking for anything serious. Just a summer fling.”

Blake blew out a long breath before he hopped onto the treadmill next to me. “I won’t tell Gretchen that.”

“You better not.”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Okay. So what are we going to do about it?”

“We are not going to do anything.”

“You don’t want my help?”

“If you want to contribute, how about you get out your lifeguard schedule and make sure I always work with her? I can handle the rest.”

“You got it, man. You are so gonna get laid.”

The treadmill pounded under my feet as I broke into a run. There weren’t really any good running trails around the lodge. Uneven paths, holes and tree roots made it too risky. Not to mention that damn mountain air. But I had to work out. I was heading into my final year at The University of Michigan. If I wanted to make the pros, I had to have a great year. Football players needed to stay in shape. It wasn’t an option.

We completed our run in silence. I entered my cool-down phase, wiping the back of my hand across my sweaty forehead while I studied my friend’s face. He was grinning like the cat that ate the fucking canary.

“Guess you got some mud for your turtle last night?”

“Yeah. We had to sneak into an unoccupied room, but it was totally worth it.”

“You’re gonna get busted,” I warned, shaking my head.

“My dad is away for a few days. His wife has no fucking clue what goes on around here. If it wasn’t for Bart, I could’ve snuck Gretchen into my bedroom, and my darling step mommy wouldn’t have even noticed. She’s too wrapped up in herself.”

“That little bugger doesn’t miss a thing, does he?”

“No. He’s a giant pain in the ass.”

“Which stepmother spawned him?”

“Number two.”

“And which one is your dad on now?” I laughed, jumping off the treadmill and heading to the weights.

“Number four,” he groaned. He followed me and perched on the edge of the bench next to the free weights. “At least she’s a little older than the last one.”

“Oh yeah? How old is she?”

“Twenty-eight,” he sighed. “Anyways, as much as I love talking about my father’s wives, I’m more interested in your love life.”

“I told you I’m just looking for some pussy.”

“I don’t believe you.”

I shrugged, not wanting Blake to know I was interested in more than just sex with Shelby.

Very fucking interested.

Shelby was hot. Pretty face, a perfect set of full round tits, and legs that went on for miles. Sexy legs holding up a rockin’ hot body. But beyond the fact that she was totally fuckable, Shelby was smart. I spent thirty minutes talking to her while we went through the end-of-night closing chores. She had more intelligence than all the other female guards put together.

“Gretchen said Shelby likes you and thinks you’re hot.”

“Oh yeah?” I said, faking nonchalance while I did some arm weights. “What’d she say about me?”

Blake laughed, pointing his finger at me. “You like her!”

I tried to keep a straight face, but my friend knew me too well. “She’s nice to talk to. She can actually carry on a conversation.”

He rubbed his hands together, grinning like a giddy teenage girl. “I knew it!”

“You’re right,” I admitted. “I’m interested in more than just sex with her.”

“You’ve never shown any interest in having a girlfriend before. I thought you were kind of a love ’em and leave ’em type of guy.”

“I am. I’m not looking for anything serious. Just a summer fling. But with someone who brings something to the table other than just a hot body.”

***

I sucked in deep gulps of air as I walked down the well-worn path toward the dining hall, the wood chips crunching under my feet. I’d been there for a month, but I still wasn’t used to the mountain air.

After a quick cursory glance around the cafeteria, I headed to the self-serve food station. A few other staff members were scattered at the long tables. A blonde chick with a great rack lifted her head and shot me a seductive grin. I’d worked with her a couple of times.

The lifeguards worked in pairs, rotating around the various slides and attractions in the water park. I couldn’t remember her name. She always came on to me, flaunting her big tits. But there was nothing going on upstairs. I preferred a girl who could carry on a conversation.

I surveyed the hot food options, lifting the metal lids to take a peek at the contents. The last one caught my attention, offering up some kind of meat and egg mixture. I scooped a generous portion on my plate, grabbed a glass of orange juice and settled at an empty table.

The mystery dish was delicious, delivering a taste explosion in my mouth with a bit of everything in it. Scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, sausage and ham pulled together with melted cheese and a hint of syrup.

I had to compliment the person who whipped up the tasty dish I just consumed.

And I had a pretty good idea who it was.

The same girl who baked delicious cookies every morning.

I deposited my dirty dishes in the bin and returned my tray before heading toward the kitchen door.

The heavenly aroma of fresh-baked cookies reached my nostrils as I rounded the corner by the massive fridge and spotted her pulling trays out of the oven.

“Did you make that yummy breakfast thing?” I asked in a low whisper.

She jumped, almost dropping the tray of cookies. Her face lit up when she saw me lurking by the fridge where the chef couldn’t see me. Nobody was supposed to be in the kitchen unless they worked there.

“Hi, Alex,” she gushed, her plump cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. “I made it. Did you like it?”

I didn’t know her name. I’d never asked. Some of the lifeguards nicknamed her Bubba Chunks.

“I loved it. What kind of cookies you got there, sweetheart?”

“Oatmeal raisin,” she giggled. “You want one?”

“How about two or three?”

“You got it,” she whispered, wrapping three cookies in a napkin and handing them to me.

“Thanks.” I winked at her before sneaking back the way I came.

***

I muttered under my breath, resisting the urge to curse at a group of young teenage boys who kept dumping buckets of water on Shelby’s head. The only thing worse than working at the wave pool was supervising the splash pad complex.

“All right, cool it!” I yelled, blowing my whistle before handing her a towel.

“Thanks,” she said, wiping her face.

“No problem.” I tilted my head, grinning as she tossed the towel in the bin. “You know why they keep doing that, don’t you?”

“Cause they’re little brats.”

“Well, yeah. But they’re trying to get your shirt soaked,” I chuckled as my eyes traveled down to her chest.

She followed my gaze. Her wet tank top clung to her bathing suit, hard nipples protruding through the thin material. Her cheeks took on a deep shade of red. “Great. Little perverts in the making.”

“Nah. Just normal boys.” I pushed a strand of wet hair out of her face, my finger grazing her cheek. “Can I walk you home tonight?”

“Okay,” she squeaked, her deep chocolate eyes staring up at me with conflicting emotions.

I sensed a mixture of fear and desire emanating from her. There was an unmistakable chemistry between us. I flirted, she flirted back. But she always had a guilty look on her face afterward. It was strange.

***

“Are you ready?” I asked as I put the rope across the stairs leading up to the splash tower.

“Yep.” She glanced around the empty water park. “I guess Gretchen already left.”

As we strolled down the path, I took her hand, lacing my fingers with hers. Her skin was warm and soft.

She gazed up at me, sending a jolt of electricity straight to my dick as it hardened and pressed against my shorts.

Jeez. I’m worse than a horny teenager.

“Listen, Alex,” she said, pulling her hand free when we reached her cabin.

I turned to face her, running my thumb up and down her jaw. Her beautiful brown eyes sparkled in the glow of the moonlight. “Do you want to go for a hike with me in the morning? We could pack a picnic. There’s a nice clearing by the stream.”

“I can’t,” she said, lowering her eyes.

“Why?” I tilted her chin up and searched her eyes. “I like you, Shelby.”

A shy smile spread across her gorgeous lips.“I like you too, Alex.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

She chewed on her lower lip, her eyes darting around nervously. “Penny has a huge crush on you,” she said with a reluctant sigh.

“Um. Okay?” I scratched my temple. “Who’s Penny?”

“My best friend. She works in the kitchen.”

“I have no idea who she is.”

“Blonde girl. She always gives you cookies?” She stared at me expectantly, her eyebrows raised as if I should’ve known who the girl was she was talking about.

“Bubba Chunks?” I laughed, realization dawning on me.

“Her name is Penny,” she said sternly.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know her real name, and some of the other guys nicknamed her that. I had no idea she was your friend.”

“Yep. We grew up together. She’s a very sweet person.”

I sighed and rubbed my chin with the back of my thumb. “She has a crush on me?”

“Yep. And she saw you first. Therefore, you’re off-limits.”

“What?! That’s absurd. I like you, Shelby. I’m not going to ask Penny out, regardless of whether you’re in the picture or not.”

Holy fuck.

That chick must be delusional.

There’s no way she is going to keep me from being with Shelby.

“She would be devastated if she knew that.”

“So, we won’t tell her then,” I whispered, leaning in close, my lips grazing the top of her ear.

“I’m sorry, Alex. But I can’t do that to my friend.”