Free Keeping Her Secret by Sarah Nicolas Page A

seems, we’re enemies.”
    Bridget shot some serious side-eye at Courtney’s tone. “I thought you loved prank wars.”
    Courtney shrugged, knowing Bridget would accept it and let it go. She didn’t want to explain why this time was different. She didn’t want this time to be different at all.
    “Well, if you need any help, let me know. Even if you just need a lookout. It must be tough being in the same cabin with her, knowing she could walk in at any time.”
    And that was, quite possibly, the most insightful thing Bridget had ever said to her, and the girl didn’t even know it. “Thanks, Bridge.”
    Courtney switched the topic to David’s abs, and Bridget picked up the conversation, running full-speed with it until they walked into the dining hall.
    Riya and Trey stood in an aisle halfway between their two tables, talking. Their cheeks were flushed. Riya had pulled her hair into a side braid and loose strands stuck out, caressing her shoulder. Courtney walked right by them without so much as a nod, but neither of them seemed to notice her presence. Riya was laughing, hand fisted over her mouth, her brown eyes wide with amusement.
    Ugh, Courtney wished she could grab a plate and sit with her brother. But that was strictly against the rules. She’d gotten away with not sitting at her table at a couple breakfasts, but only because she’d moved from table to table, never lingering too long in one spot. Plus, it had left her starving, and she needed the energy. She planned to dance during the post-lunch quiet time.
    Courtney slumped into a spot on the end, as far away as possible from where the other pair of twins and the loud-mouthed Elise sat, knowing Riya would sit with them again. Across the room, her brother met her gaze and raised an eyebrow, smirking. The bastard.
    She sat up straight, raising her nose high into the air, and pulled on a practiced mask of self-importance.
    Courtney smiled at Jenna and Kanda, her two friends in her cabin this year. Luck of the draw, she’d ended up in a cabin with so many jocks. Jenna and Kanda were both sweet and—even though they played sports at camp—were definitely not jocks.
    Riya finally joined their table when Delores delivered the tray of food. Courtney watched her scoop heaps of mac and cheese onto her plate, then top it with veggies and a thin slice of turkey, mixing it all together. Courtney decided to try it the same way. When she looked up from mixing the dish, she caught Riya watching her with a half smile on her face.
    Courtney did not look at Riya again.
    At the end of what felt like a four-hour lunch, Colt sauntered up to her.
    “What are you doing this afternoon?” he said.
    She raised one shoulder, then dropped it. “I don’t know. I’m trying to figure out how many times Dewey will let me lie by the pool and call it swimming.”
    Colt laughed. “Probably depends on which bikini you’re wearing.”
    She made a face. “Gross.”
    “Come on, Court. Dewey’s a nice guy.”
    “Yeah, okay.”
    Colt rolled his eyes. “You’re terrible. Anyway, I was wondering if you’d join me for singing. David apparently has plans to help Bridget with…something? I’m not really sure. So I need someone to keep the beat.”
    He did, huh? Wow, Bridget moved fast. Courtney was an awful percussionist if it required more than two drums, but she could bang a bongo with the best of them.
    “Sure, why not.” Courtney sounded bored, but she loved playing with her brother, even if she’d never say that out loud.
    “You’re a goddess,” he said, making a mockery of a bow.
    “I know.”
    …
    Instead of dancing like she’d planned, Courtney had spent the rest period rehearsing with Colt in the cafeteria. She did dance for a couple minutes, when Colt busted out some classic Tchaikovsky. One of the counselors technically taught the singing session, but Colt had been more-or-less running it going on three summers now.
    They’d been discussing which song they should do