Chapter 17 (Chapter 16): Wilder Stands Up — and Causes Chaos

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

After dinner, Wilder raves about the baked potato, and Scottie notes his consistently positive outlook. The group is invited to a s’mores gathering by Finky; Wilder accepts despite Scottie’s reluctance. Around the firepit, the Brads, Chad, and their partners launch into a virgin version of Never Have I Ever. Wilder fabricates wild stories about sex on a car roof and handcuff play, drawing attention to their supposed sex life. Chad grows suspicious and accuses the pair of faking their marriage crisis to secure the coveted “kinky cabin” and possibly a special “tent” from Sanders. Wilder defends Scottie, then the two leave.

Later, Wilder returns alone to the firepit carrying a basket of items from their cabin — a dildo, handcuffs, a nipple picture, and condoms — and distributes them to each coworker as a pointed lesson. Back in the cabin, Scottie confronts Wilder, saying his actions embarrassed her in front of people she must work with. Wilder argues he was protecting her, and suggests Scottie’s ex may have conditioned her to accept bad treatment. The argument escalates into their first genuine fight. They turn away from each other in silence, both frustrated and hurt.

Key Events

• Wilder enthusiastically accepts Finky’s invitation to s’mores against Scottie’s wishes.
• The group plays “Never Have I Ever” (virgin version) and Wilder makes up sexual exploits.
• Chad accuses Scottie and Wilder of faking their marriage to manipulate the camp system.
• Wilder returns to the firepit and hands out sex-cabin items (dildo, handcuffs, nipple picture, condoms) to each coworker.
• Scottie and Wilder argue in the cabin; Scottie says she feels embarrassed, Wilder insists he was defending her.
• Wilder implies Scottie’s past relationship taught her to tolerate poor treatment; Scottie rejects the accusation.
• The chapter ends with the couple lying back-to-back in silence, marking their first real fight.

Character Development

Scottie is forced to confront her own pattern of minimizing conflict. She admits she “take[s] that stuff from them all the time,” revealing a habit of absorbing disrespect to keep the peace at work. Wilder’s pushback makes her uncomfortable, and she resents being put in a position that could affect her professional relationships. Her vulnerability shows a crack in her usual composure.

Wilder displays a side Scottie has not seen: genuine anger and protectiveness. Until now he has been carefree and agreeable; here his temper flares when he perceives an attack on Scottie. He acts impulsively (the basket giveaway) out of a sense of justice, but fails to consider the consequences for Scottie. His comment about her ex suggests he sees her more clearly than she sees herself, yet his delivery is clumsy and accusatory.

Their first fight reveals that their fake marriage is taking on real emotional weight. Each person’s reaction stems from genuine feelings — a sign that their arrangement is becoming more complicated.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Performance vs. Authenticity: The “virgin Never Have I Ever” game and Wilder’s invented stories highlight how the couple must perform a passionate marriage. Chad’s accusation that they are “faking it” echoes the central premise of their deception.

Jealousy and Entitlement: The coworkers’ envy over the kinky cabin drives their hostility. Chad’s belief that the cabin is “reserved for the most problematic couple” reveals that status at Camp Mariposa is tied to perceived marital dysfunction.

Protectiveness vs. Embarrassment: Wilder’s desire to protect Scottie clashes with her need for social harmony. His actions — meant to defend her — instead humiliate her, creating a rift between intention and outcome.

Communication Breakdown: The argument demonstrates how even well-meaning words can escalate when partners do not listen. Wilder’s assumption that he knows what Scottie needs, and Scottie’s refusal to see his perspective, mirror the very communication problems the camp aims to solve.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for the fake-marriage plot. The coworkers’ suspicion forces Scottie and Wilder to confront the possibility of exposure. More importantly, their first real fight introduces genuine emotional stakes: they are no longer just playing roles but are reacting to each other as real partners. The conflict also sets up potential future consequences — Chad’s mention of “the tent” hints at a camp reward that could deepen their deception or bring it crashing down. Scottie’s vulnerability and Wilder’s protective (yet clumsy) response lay groundwork for character growth and romantic tension.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Scottie feel that Wilder’s actions at the firepit were embarrassing?
Scottie works with the Brads and Chad every day. Wilder’s distribution of sex toys and a nipple picture makes her the subject of gossip and ridicule in her professional environment. She values maintaining a low-key, respectful reputation at work, and Wilder’s dramatic gesture threatens that.

2. How does the game of Never Have I Ever reveal the underlying tension between the couple and the coworkers?
Wilder’s exaggerated confessions draw attention to the pair’s supposed sex life, which contradicts the image of a marriage in crisis. Chad seizes on this inconsistency to accuse them of faking. The game becomes a pretense for the coworkers to voice their jealousy over the kinky cabin and to challenge the authenticity of Scottie and Wilder’s relationship.

3. What does this chapter reveal about Wilder’s character that we haven’t seen before?
Wilder’s easygoing demeanor vanishes when he perceives an injustice against Scottie. He becomes angry, impulsive, and defensive — traits that show he cares deeply about Scottie’s well-being. However, his lack of awareness about workplace politics and his tendency to lecture her (e.g., his comment about her ex) also reveal a blind spot: he assumes his protective instincts are always welcome.

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