Free Camp Payback by J. K. Rock Page B

strawberry sauce and whirled, splashing my ex.
    His puffy face twisted, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he’d break it himself. “What the hell, you little—”
    “Let’s keep the line moving,” Javier barked, his forceful voice silencing whatever rude thing Vijay had been about to say.
    “But I want dessert,” Vijay protested, his thick eyebrows meeting.
    Javier leveled narrowed eyes at Vijay. “Looks like we’re all out of apple pie.”
    Vijay’s mouth opened and closed like a fish, his skin flushing a deep plum shade. I clapped a hand over my smile to suppress a giggle that would get Javier and me in trouble again. And not just with Gollum.
    Vijay jabbed a thick finger at Javier. “Watch it, man,” he growled, then marched away.
    “Great guy,” Javier gritted out between clenched teeth.
    I snorted, relieved he was talking to me, finally. On impulse, and because the kid behind me was poking my back, I blurted, “Do you want to watch the fireworks with me?”
    “What’s the hold up?” someone called down the line.
    “Get going,” another added.
    I stepped to the left and waited for his answer, my heart in my mouth.
    Javier’s eyes darted to Helena, then back to me. He gave me an apologetic look then placed triangles on the next camper’s tray. “I’ve got to work.”
    “I’ll help you clean up,” I said, trying to keep the pleading note out of my voice. My plan had to work. Not just for my summer of payback, but because I wanted to spend more time with Javier.
    Javier shook his head and dished more servings to the stream of kids flowing by him, his mouth set.
    Knowing it was useless to argue in front of others, I forced a smile and said, “I’ll be back.”
    My stomach did a little flip when the corners of his mouth quirked. “You don’t give up easy, do you?” His brown eyes flashed up to mine, then dropped once more.
    It was all the encouragement I needed.
    “Never.” I added an extra swivel to my non-existent hips as I headed to my table.
    Our chemistry was real, and we were overdue for a little experimenting. What better time to go for it than while magnesium and potassium (as my science-minded friend Lauren had once explained) exploded overhead in tonight’s big display?
    Once we were alone, I’d make him admit he was into me. I couldn’t stop thinking about the flower and his hand lingering over mine. Something held him back from showing his feelings. I knocked over a salt shaker as I brushed by Vijay’s table, pretty sure I knew what it was.
    Or who it was.
    Maybe my ex was to blame. Not that Javier looked like he’d shy away from a fight. The light silver scar that cut through his left eyebrow said he’d been in a few. No. Maybe he wasn’t sure how I felt. Once he knew I liked him, he’d open up. Want to be with me for real this summer.
    The fact that being together would help me pay back my parents would be the icing on the cake. I glanced at my tray as I set it on the table.
    Or the chocolate on the cinnamon triangles.
    ……………….
    “Alex?” Helena called while I wiped down the last of the tables and stretched my aching back. “Do you have someone to walk with down to the beach for the fireworks show?”
    Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Javier’s stare and felt a flush of pleasure. He did like me.
    “I was hoping you might let Javier walk me.”
    “The big pots need to be scrubbed, and we need to prep for breakfast,” Javier protested, looking incredibly handsome in a white tee that hugged his lean frame and showed off his smooth, light bronze skin. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his low-slung jeans.
    The downward lines around Helena’s face deepened. “I did want Javier to see the fireworks…” Her voice trailed off, and she looked between us. “You did well today, Javier. Your mom would be proud.”
    Pink tinted Javier’s cheeks, and he smiled, the light-hearted expression transforming him from a smoldering hottie to a cute boy next