Chapter 6

Eventually, word got out about the Westerly's parents and brother. Know one knew what to think. It was something that happened on TV or in a movie, maybe a book. It wasn't something that happened in real life, at least not to you or one of your friends. Both Bradin and Nikki's campers were very sympathetic towards their beloved counselors and tried their best to cheer them up.

They could see how much the kids were trying and put on a strong face in front of them. Bradin was handling things a little bit better than Nikki. That was partially due to the fact that she hadn't been on the best terms with them when she had left for camp. She could distinctly remember telling them how much she hated them and how she wished they would just butt out of her life. Many of Nikki's evenings were spent with Cameron, who readily listed to whatever she chose to say. Sometimes they talked about trivial things like baseball and other times they got down to the meat of Nikki's problem. Over and over, he assured her that her parents knew that she loved them. Still, Nikki wondered.

There was also the question of where they were going to go after camp was over. Neither Nikki nor Bradin had any desire to return to their old home. Living with Great Aunt Elsie wasn't an option because she, herself, was getting up there and planned on relocating to the community nursing home within the next few months. They certainly couldn't live there. Bradin had just decided to sell the old house and get an apartment when Cameron approached him with an idea.

"Hey, I've been doing some thinking," he sat down on the cabin steps, next to Bradin, "Why don't you guys move in with me?" Bradin raised his eyebrows in question. "I mean, I'm renting the house from my dad, since he's never there anyway. It's got tons of room and it's got a great view. I know you were probably thinking about getting a place in Kansas but why not start again in someplace new?" Bradin thought for a moment. It might be a good idea... a chance to start over. It would definitely be good for Nikki. He had been worried about her, leaving Cameron and all. She had come to really depend on him for reassurance. "What do you think," Cameron asked.

"Let's do it." Bradin replied, "I'm going to go call Aunt Elsie and get the house up for sale. We can go back as soon as camp is over and get our things." He paused, "I don't know how much Nikki is going to like this. Ever since that letter she's been saying that she didn't ever want to go back." He leaned back against the railing and scratched his head, "Could she just go right out with you?"

"Yeah, that could work." Cameron nodded.

"Let's not tell her about selling the house yet, though," Bradin added, "She doesn't want to go back but she might not want anyone else in it either. It just doesn't make sense to keep it if we're not going to be there, does it?"

"No," Cameron agreed, "I'll tell her that she's coming with me for a couple of weeks to visit. You can go and get everything taken care of and meet us out there. It'll be like a big surprise for them"

"Them?" Bradin was confused now.

"Steph..." Cameron prodded, "Your girlfriend as of now? She doesn't live that far from me, remember?"

"Duh..." Bradin laughed at himself as he stood up, "I'm going to go start making calls. Why don't you go find Nikki and tell her about her little visit? I think she's down by the sweet shop with her girls."

Cameron nodded and started off. He mentally gave himself a pat on the back for coming up with such a good idea. Lately, his good ideas seemed few and far between. He only hoped that Nikki wouldn't be too upset with him when she found out that she would be staying for good instead of only a couple of weeks. No, she wouldn't be mad about that, maybe mad about the fact that he didn't tell her the whole truth, but not that. He found Nikki sitting at a table with a couple of the girls in her cabin, slurping on a slushy.

"Hey, Nik can I talk to you for a minute?" He came up behind her. She nodded and told the girls she'd be right back. Quickly, she followed Cameron around the corner of the building.

"Well, what is it?" She inquired, putting her hands on her hips. "I was having a perfectly good conversation with Natalie and Cassie about which Carter brother is the cutest."

"Huh?" Cameron asked, "Carter brothers?"

"Yeah, you know Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys and his younger brother Aaron," she replied, "The Carter brothers..."

"Oh, I see," he laughed, "So who did you say was cutest?"

"Neither," Nikki smiled, "You're cuter than both of them." Her statement caused Cameron to blush. "The scary thing is that they agreed with me..."

"Oh boy..." Cameron rolled his eyes, "more teenage groupies for next summer." They both laughed. Finally, he spoke up, "Anyway, I've got good news for you. I was just talking with your brother and suggested a little vacation for you." Nikki raised her eyebrows. "Surprisingly enough, he actually agreed. So, my dear girl, as soon as camp is over you'll be driving out to California to spend a couple of weeks with your favorite boyfriend." Silence filled the air. Cameron laughed inwardly. He had shocked the words out of her mouth.

"Seriously," she finally began, "you're not joking?"

"Seriously," he nodded solemnly, "You're coming to California with me." With a shriek of glee Nikki threw her arms around his neck. She was squeezing so hard that Cameron was having trouble breathing. "Ah, Nik..." he gasped for air, "we're not going to get there if you don't ease up a bit..."

"Sorry hun," she kissed his nose. "This is going to be so great!" Cameron hoped that she would still think that way after she found out what was really going on.

Okay, okay, I know it was really short but I don't have a lot of time to write at the moment. The next one should definitely be longer...I promise!