Contents
Chapter Thirty-Three: Russ
Overview
At the camp talent show, Russ and Xander’s dog act lands, but Aurora’s dance with Clay sparks Russ’s jealousy and pushes the couple into a concealed hookup. With camp closing, Aurora decides to attend her father’s wedding. Russ, still guarded about his father’s problems, stays supportive while planning a quick trip to JJ’s.
Summary
Russ catalogs daily gratitudes—Aurora, friends, Jenna’s tolerance—while bracing for camp’s end. Onstage with Xander and the dogs, he survives their loosely planned act thanks to the dogs’ tricks. When Aurora performs a choreographed dance with Clay, Russ battles jealousy despite knowing the touch is harmless.
Aurora teases his mood, then pointedly lures Russ away. They slip to his cabin to avoid attention, where their mutual desire turns the jealousy into urgency and they have a fast, intense hookup. Russ returns smug; Xander ribs him as the talent show winds down.
That night, the group prepares for departures and teardown. Russ reflects on Aurora’s decision to attend her father’s wedding, proud she’s choosing for herself even as he worries it stems from fear of closing the door on that relationship.
Russ admits he softened the truth about his father’s visit, wanting to spare Aurora while her own family pain was fresh. Though Aurora keeps asking, he isn’t ready to share everything and clings to a cautious hope his father might change. He resolves to support Aurora regardless.
Looking ahead, Russ plans to fly to JJ’s housewarming in San Jose while Aurora goes to the wedding. Buoyed by what they’ve built, he’s grateful he won’t face his family baggage alone, even as he navigates how much to reveal and when.
Who Appears
- RussNarrator; performs with Xander and the dogs, feels jealous of Clay, hooks up secretly with Aurora, withholds family truths.
- AuroraDances with Clay at the talent show, initiates a secret hookup, decides to attend her father’s wedding, seeks Russ’s openness.
- XanderPerforms the dog act with Russ, teases him about jealousy, provides cover for their sneaking around.
- EmiliaLeads choreography for the dance group and jokes about Russ’s fake smile.
- ClayDance partner who holds Aurora during the routine, unintentionally provoking Russ’s jealousy.
- MayaPerforms in the dance routine, seen with the group post-performance.
- Fish, Salmon, and TroutCamp dogs; perform tricks for bacon in the talent show with Russ and Xander.