chapter 20
Ashley, Britney, and I stopped for breakfast first before we made our way over to the salon for some manicures and pedicures. Britney and I had spent most of our time over breakfast getting to know one another. Ashley, of course, would fill in the gaps as Britney told me funny stories of things that happened in the past. It was obvious that the girls were best friends, and knew everything about each other. Watching them giggle as they reminisced made me miss Tracey, so I vowed to call her later this afternoon and fill her in on everything that had been happening. Regardless of what her opinion might be, I wanted her to know what was going on in my life and I felt guilty that I had kept her out of the loop thus far.
Both of the girls talked to me about the charity, and wanted to help in any way possible. Britney had been a cheerleader/dancer as well, so I was more than excited to let her be a part of the dance. It was going to be fun working with the girls, and teaching them the dance this summer.
“Huh,” Ashley said as she was looking down at her phone with a puzzled look on her face.
“What’s up?” Britney asked, beating me to the punch.
“Travis wants me to come by after we get back, so that we can chat. Wonder what’s up?” Ashley said. “The last time he wanted to talk, he told me how Scott wanted to date me and asked me out for him. Let’s hope he’s not going to propose for Scott this time,” she teased, giggling at her remark making us all join in with laughter.
“Right, this should be good. Can’t wait to hear what he wants to tell you,” Britney chimed in. I secretly smiled knowing darn well what the topic of conversation was going to be. My giggling was caused by my realization of how this morning’s events really were motivational.
“You know what, I think I’m going to get a bikini wax while I’m here,” I said and then let the manicurist know of my intentions.
“Ouch, you have fun with that.” Ashley said, and then turned her attention back to Britney as they speculated what Travis could possibly want to discuss. My nails were finished and dried, so the lady took me back to the waxing parlor. She handed me a menu that consisted of lots of different style options. The one that I ended up choosing was called a martini glass. I figured in honor of Travis bringing us out of the closet today, I would surprise him with a special bikini design.
After I was all set, I met up with the girls in the lobby. They were also finished with their beauty treatments, so we made our way back to Ashley’s car. “So, Miss Paige. Is there a guy in your life?” Ashley asked. In half an hour, once she talked to Travis, the answer to that question was going to be obvious. Since I didn’t want her to think that I had just blatantly lied, I answered vaguely.
“Yes, possibly. We are working on it, let’s just put it that way,” I said.
“Aw, nice. Well, I hope that being here with us this summer isn’t putting a damper on your relationship,” Britney said. That was an easy one to comment on, so I spoke.
“No, it’s actually enhanced our relationship.
“Yep, it’s what they always say, distance makes the heart grow fonder,” Ashley added.
“Too bad we don’t have any single guys at camp, we need to find you a man Brit.” Ashley stated.
Ashley’s remark threw me for a minute because she failed to acknowledge Travis, but I figured since he’s like a big brother to the girls she just didn’t count him.
“No, I’m good. I want to be single for a while. Maybe once I get to New York I’ll be up for dating,” Britney said.
“Yep, I guess you are right,” Ashley conceded, dropping the subject.
We were pulling into the campground and I noticed Travis’s Porsche parked in the parking lot. “Sweet. Travis brought the new ride! Hope he’ll take me for a spin in it. Maybe that’s what his message was about,” Ashley said, pulling into a parking space and putting the car in park.
We hopped out of the vehicle and the girls immediately rushed over to see it. Travis came out of the building, and smiled when he saw us. “So, what do you think ladies?” Travis asked.
“Nice! I have to say you are the most unspoiled spoiled brat I know,” Ashley teased. Her statement was so accurate because although Travis had everything, you would never know it based on his personality.
“So do you want to take me for a ride in that thing, while we have our little chat?” Ashley asked.
“I don’t want to pull you away from your girl time, we can go later,” Travis said.
“I actually need to go work on the dance for a bit, so you all can go. Do you want to come work on it with me Brit, and then Ashley can join us when they get back?” I offered. I wanted to make sure that Travis had his opportunity to talk to Ashley and I didn’t want anything standing in his way.
“Oh, well then, Ashley should go and work on the dance with you guys. She and I can talk later,” Travis said.
Here Travis was being handed his opportunity to have the private discussion with Ashley, and he was backing down. I was starting to become upset by the situation, which I could tell was beginning to show on my face.
“I may be going out with Scott later. Besides, we have the bonfire tonight, so let’s go chat now. I’ll just meet up with the girls when we’re done,” Ashley stated. It seemed from her perspective that it was now or never if the talk was going to happen today, so I crossed my fingers and hoped that Travis would get up the nerve to take care of this now, if nerve was even the issue here?
“Hey babe!” Scott said coming out of the building to where we were standing. “Did you all have a nice time?” he asked, putting his arms around Ashley for a hug.
“Yes, we did,” Ashley replied, giving him a chaste kiss.
“Hey man! Why don’t you take your girl for a spin in the Porsche?” Travis suggested to Scott.
“Seriously? Heck yeah!” Scott practically shouted out in joy. “Come on babe, you want to go?” he asked. Ashley’s confused expression matched what my mind was silently thinking. Travis had just avoided the opportunity to have the conversation, and now Ashley was aware of it as well.
“Okay. Um, sure. Hey Trav, when I get back, we will have that talk?” she stated rather firmly.
“Okay,” Travis agreed. Scott took the keys and then he and Ashley got into the car and took off.
“Hey Paige. Let me go change into some more appropriate clothes and then I’ll meet you to work on the dance. Where do you want to work on it?” Britney asked. “How about the back deck?” I said.
“Okay, I’ll be there in fifteen,” she said, turning to make her exit.
“I guess you changed your mind?” I said once Travis and I were alone.
“No. I just wanted to let Scott be the one to take Ashley for the first spin in the car. It’s more of a romantic thing.” Travis provided his excuse, but I found it to be lame.
“Well, I guess you have your priorities,” I stated and then started making my way back towards my campsite.
“Paige, it just wasn’t a good time,” he said, grabbing my arm and halting me to a stop.
“I didn’t realize there was a perfect time or place to tell Ashley that you are in love with me. I’m sorry, my bad. I guess her feelings on the matter are more important than mine,” I snipped and then began my stride again down the path. Travis called out for me, but I chose to ignore him.
I could hear his footsteps catching up to me when all of a sudden a car horn started honking behind us. I turned to see who it was, thinking it may be Ashley and Scott trying to get our attention to show off the Porsche, but it wasn’t them. I recognized the Jeep though, and was completely surprised to see Tracey hanging out of the passenger window.
“Paige!!!” she shouted as they pulled up next to me.
“Oh, my Gosh Trace!” I shrieked and then bounced over to give her a hug through the window. She quickly opened the door and hopped out to give me a real one. Tom was driving, so he put the car in park and got out too. I noticed then the rear passenger door opening and saw Jared climbing out. He had mentioned wanting to visit me during our text exchange, and since I had yet to discuss anything with anyone, I knew the reason behind their trip. I instantly felt guilty that Jared would shortly be disappointed once he learned that Travis and I were together.
“Hey Paige!” Jared said, coming over and picking me up for a big hug. He was tall, with his blond hair all tousled up from the drive but he still looked really good.
“Hey you!” I said, squeezing him back.
“Surprise, surprise!” he said, smiling brightly placing my feet back down on the ground. Tom came over to give me a big hug as well, and I was able to get a glimpse of the expression on Travis’s face. He definitely looked confused by the scene that was unfolding in front of him. I figured now would be a good time to introduce everyone.
“Trace, Tom, Jared, I want you to meet Travis. He is the campground owner’s son, and Travis, these are my good friends from home. This is my best friend Tracey, her boyfriend Tom, and his best friend Jared.” I saw Travis’s expression change when I introduced him to Jared and I knew he was registering what we had talked about last night and realized that this was “THE Jared.”
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Travis said. “I didn’t realize we had people coming in today,” he said, looking over at me accusingly like I had kept the information from him.
“We called last night and spoke to Barney, is that your dad?” Tracey asked. “It was a last minute decision to come and surprise Paige!” she cheered, putting her arm around me. I was thankful for her remark hoping that it would alleviate Travis’s upset towards me.
“Well, let me get you all checked in. I take it you guys are staying on one of our tent sites?” he asked.
“Yes, we went out and bought tents yesterday. Now, we’ll just have to see if these guys can manage to put them together,” Tracey teased.
“Hey now!” Tom said, pulling her close to his side. Jared came up to me and put his arm around my shoulder. I was worried about what Travis would think, but I wasn’t going to brush off my friend. It was innocent and soon enough he would know that I was no longer on the market.
“Hey, can we camp out on your site Paige? Is there room for two tents so that we can all be together?” Tracey asked.
“Why don’t we get our own site, and have Paige stay with us so that we don’t have parental chaperones all night,” Jared proposed.
“Right, good point,” Tracey agreed. Travis was overhearing everything and I could tell that he was bothered by the plan. He should know that I wouldn’t actually sleep in a tent with Jared.
“Hey man! Where’s your bathroom?” Jared asked.
“It’s around the side of the building,” Travis answered.
“Hey, I’ve got to go too,” Tom said.
“Me too,” Tracey chimed in.
“Out those doors to the left,” I pointed, and then the three of them shuffled out together.
“That’s Jared, huh?” Travis inquired once we were alone. “Turns out he has a thing for you after all.” His voice relayed his irritation in the matter.
“He missed his chance,” I stated.
“Probably not. Looks like you’ll be staying with them in the tents.” Travis’s jealousy was getting the best of him, which was a little irritating considering he was the one that was making us keep our relationship a secret.
“Don’t get your boxers in a bunch. I will stay with Tracey, and if for some reason she decides to share a tent with Tom than I will go back to the RV.”
“Right,” Travis said, rolling his eyes in disbelief.
“Don’t be a jerk, Travis. I’m in love with you and am not some slut that would ever cheat on anyone. So quit assuming otherwise. My friends came to visit me and I am going to hang out with them. That’s it,” I stated, grabbing his shirt from across the counter to pull him forward for a kiss. The bells rang as the doors opened, which made Travis pull back before our lips could touch.
“That is one sweet ride man, I’m officially jealous,” Scott told Travis, tossing him the keys.
Ashley and Scott had returned from their little joy ride, and were raving about how smooth the Porsche drove. Ashley bounced up onto the counter, parking herself right next to Travis. “So, are you ready to go have that little chat now?” she asked.
“I can’t right now, some of Paige’s friends just showed up and I’ve got to get them situated.”
“All you have to do is give us our site number and we can figure out the rest,” I said, not letting him back out this time.
“Really? Some of your friends are here? Did you know they were coming?” Ashley asked, excited about their arrival.
“No, they came to surprise me,” I said.
“Is this by any chance the guy that you are kind of with now?” Ashley whispered, gesturing with her head toward the doorway, where we saw Jared enter followed by Tom and Tracey.
“No,” I stated adamantly, shaking my head to reiterate so that Travis would know there was nothing between Jared and me.
“Well, he is super sexy. If he’s not taken, maybe we should introduce him to Britney,” she said.
“Good idea.” I agreed.
Tom, Tracey and Jared came back up to the counter and finished registering for the night. We needed firewood, but I told Travis that he could deliver it when he and Ashley were finished. She pressed his arm, urging him to tell her what was going on and the rest of us made our way out.
Tom and Jared hopped into the car to pull down to the site, but before Tracey and I got in the back she whispered in my ear. “You and I need to have a little chat missy. Apparently, you and Travis worked your stuff out and you didn’t tell me,” she said.
“Yes, you and I need to talk, but how did you know?” I asked, curious as to what gave it away.
“Um, it was pretty obvious. All the stares he was giving you and the jealous glares that Jared was receiving.” I smiled at the thought of how obvious Travis’s feelings were for me, and I just hoped he was able to express them to everyone else.