Camp Hardwood by Alexa Riley

Chapter Five

Piper

I’ve lost my mind,I think to myself as I stand outside the cabin Tia shares with Van. My body is still humming with pleasure and I curse myself for falling so easily under his spell. I can still smell him on me and the wet reminder of our pleasure coats my legs. I did get a small bit of satisfaction that it was me doing the leaving this time. I don’t care if it was in search of a way to break him out, it still counts.

If there’s anyone I know that can get the key to the cell it’s Tia. I know she’s on my side and I think that’s what best friends are supposed to do. Even if one is being dumb. Which I’m pretty sure I am. I always wanted a girlfriend that I could get into trouble with.

Tia and I have become the closest of everyone from Camp Hardwood. At least for me she has been. I didn’t get to have many friends growing up since everyone stayed away from me because of who my father is. One girl once told me her parents told her not to be my friend for that reason. It was Tia and Van who took me to the hospital when I had my small scare and I’ll always be grateful for them.

“You going to knock or stand outside all night?” I let out a small scream at Van’s voice. I turn to see him standing there with his arms folded over his chest waiting for my reply. How someone can look stern and gentle all at once, I’ll never understand.

“Where’s Tia?” I ask instead. “I wanted a little girl talk,” I lie.

“Liar.”

Damn it. I should have known better than to lie to Van. The man is a human lie detector. He’s good at reading people and I swear he can see past the surface and right into someone. He’s maybe a year or two older than me in age but he’s definitely an old soul at heart.

“I can’t see Tia?” I lift my chin in defiance.

“I never said that.” His arms drop from being folded over his chest. “Come on. She’s making hot chocolate.” He motions for me to go in. But before I can open the door it swings open and Tia’s eyes widen in surprise. Probably because I told her I was going to sleep and it’s pushing midnight.

“That doesn't look like a bear to me.” Tia looks over my shoulder at Van.

“I knew something was moving around outside.” He lifts his phone in his hand and I think I see a security camera on the screen. I only recognize it because Hawk did the same thing when I lived at home. I knew he could check all the cameras in the house right from his phone.

“Why do you have cameras?” I ask Van.

“Don’t get me started.” Tia grabs my hand and pulls me inside. “He used to just have them on the barn to watch the horses, but now that I moved in he put them here too.” She rolls her eyes but she’s not fooling me. She enjoys that Van has put up cameras. I’m just not sure if it’s for her safety or if he likes watching her when they aren't together. I’m guessing it’s both.

Tia pulls me over to the kitchen where I see she’s already making hot chocolate. She pushes one of the two cups over toward me and I’m guessing one of those was meant for Van. I don’t have to turn around to know he’s still standing at the door watching Tia and me.

“I’ll make you another,” she tells him as she takes a sip of her own.

“I’m good, darling girl. I’m just waiting to see how long it takes Piper here to get you to crack.” I look down at the cup Tia put in front of me, suddenly feeling guilty.

“Van!” Tia yells at him.

“He’s right,” I admit. “I came to ask for something.”

“I don’t see the problem with that. You’re my best friend. Of course you can come to my home and ask me for something.” Her words are laced with fire and when I look up she is glaring at Van.

“Tone, Tia.”

“Tone, Tia.” She parrots his words in a sassy voice before sticking her tongue out at him. I glance over to Van, who is still by the front door with his arms folded over his chest. He’s trying to maintain a stern face, but his lips twitch as he fights a smile.

He shakes his head, walking toward us, and slaps Tia on the ass while mumbling something about her paying for her smart mouth later. She lets out a squeal and I’m not shocked that he did it. I know they’re into some dominance play or something because I’ve seen the marks on her wrists where he’s tied her up. I’m just not used to him being public about it more than a kiss or pulling her into his lap.

“Give me a kiss and I’ll let you talk to your friend.”

Tia leans her head back, letting Van kiss her before he walks out of the room. She looks back at me with a dreamy smile on her face and I love that he gives that to her. Tia was so lost in life and I think it’s why we bonded so quickly. We spent a lot of our lives on our own. I want with Hawk what she and Van have, but I’m not so sure it’s possible.

When she comes back from her kiss haze, she looks down at her hand and opens it up to reveal a key. It takes us both a second to realize what Van gave her.

“You really want to let him out?” Her eyebrows furrow together and I’m still surprised Van gave her the key and didn't say a word to me about anything. All I can think is that he wants Hawk to leave, but with the way Hawk was talking he isn't going anywhere without me.

“If you let him out he’s going to take you with him.” Tia says what I’m thinking. “Van told me what happened and he isn’t going to let you go.”

I reach out, taking the key from her hand. “I know, but I’m tired of running and he already knows where I am.” I shrug.

This is going to play out however it’s going to play out. They can’t keep Hawk locked up forever and I don’t want to bring any trouble to Camp Hardwood. This place has been good to me.

I hope that I can trust the look in Hawk’s eyes and that he came here for me because he wants me. I just pray it’s not because he knocked me up and that it’s something more.

I want to be his everything.