Summer
CorylaughsasNatereplays their eventful date from the night before. We’re having a long lunch in the college cafeteria, and while I’ve heard the details from Cory, it’s actually funnier to hear it from Nate. It’s been a little over a week since our camping trip, and I’ll admit, I should have started third wheeling it with these two earlier. Really getting to know Nate by the campfire made a world of difference, and I’m not even sure why I hesitated to begin with. I can’t keep the smile from my face as I watch the two of them from across the table. Cory’s gaze meets mine, and she smiles back with hearts in her eyes, until her gaze travels to above my head, and a sassy grin replaces the smile.
I feel a presence behind me, just as two powerful hands grip my shoulders. In the past, my response would have been to stiffen and move away, but Cory’s reaction tells me exactly who it is, and the gesture feels oddly comforting. I don’t even flinch. Another bonus to come out of the camping trip was the start of a genuine friendship with Dylan. We’ve been texting most days and even hung out together at Reilly’s Place, a popular local bar for Heartwood University’s students. It’s a surprise, but I’m enjoying his company and friendship.
Now, if I could just get one little image out of my head, I’d feel much better, but the night at the lake is hard to let go of. The visual of Dylan’s eyes focused on mine, the slight flicker of heat that crossed them, the conflicted expression that followed, and the warmth that finally settled there is running on repeat through my mind. I’m not used to seeing that kind of warmth directed my way. It’s almost like his internal monologue was playing out in front of me, and he wasn’t even aware he was doing it. We both felt the attraction between us. It was impossible to ignore. But, the second his nose brushed mine, I knew he’d made a decision. A decision to be friends. To be honest, my chest felt lighter at that revelation. I can’t shake this strange feeling that I need him in my life, andfriendsis a great place for him to be.
So what if he has a body like a Greek god and piercing eyes that make you want to divulge all your secrets? He’s a relationship guy,in a relationship,and I want nothing more than a night. He’s off-limits. I know this. I rarely obsess over men. Although I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve wanted someone but held back, so maybe I’m succumbing to the “want what you can’t have” philosophy. In theory, that would mean that as soon as I haditI wouldn’t wantitanymore.Nope, Summer, get that thought out of your head right now.I shake off my thoughts and bring myself back to the present.
Without acknowledging me, Dylan joins the conversation. “You’re not still talking about that disaster, are you?” he asks Nate.
Nate laughs and shakes his head. “Can’t tell the grandkids, but it’s one we’ll be talking about for the rest of our lives, that’s for sure.”
Cory gasps and her eyes shoot to me before quickly looking at Nate in a mix of awe and panic. Nate and Dylan continue on in conversation, oblivious to Cory’s reaction. She remains a little doe-eyed until I change the subject.
“I ran into Lisa at Campus Coffee yesterday,” I say, bringing Cory back down to earth. “She asked how you were considering your favorite childhood band broke up.”
“Oh! I’d actually forgotten about that.” She laughs and visibly relaxes into her seat.
“Seems you’ve got more important things to focus on,” I say with a smile.
“What band?” Nate asks, jumping from his conversation into ours. If he had noticed Cory’s reaction earlier, he wasn’t drawing attention to it. Dylan sits down in the empty seat beside me and bumps his shoulder into mine affectionately, looking at me for the first time since he wandered over. My heart rate increases at his genuine smile, and I inwardly curse myself.Pick another guy.
Dylan’s eyebrows pull in, and he twists his mouth to the side in thought.God, what is my face telling him right now?He opens his mouth to speak, just as my phone vibrates loudly in front of us. Private number. I raise my finger to his lips. “Hold that thought.” I smile and answer my phone. “Hello.”
“Is this Summer Kelly?” the caller blurts in a rush.
Dylan bites the finger I still have pressed to his lips, and a tingle shoots through me. Is he flirting? This is going to complicate things. Trying not to laugh, I respond to my mystery caller. “Sorry, who is this?” I’m completely distracted trying to pull my finger away. Dylan grabs my wrist, keeping me in place, and opens his mouth with a mischievous grin. I stifle another laugh until the caller’s next words freeze me in place.
“I just have a few questions about your brother, Thomas.”
Dylan’s smile drops, a look of concern replacing it. “Summer, what’s happened?”
I feel the gaze of Cory and Nate without having to look their way. For a few minutes, or maybe just a few long-feeling seconds, nobody speaks, until Cory breaks the silence. “Summer, you’re scaring me.”
At the same time, the caller says, “Are you there? Is there any truth to the rumor that you stole from your family?”
My chair crashes to the floor as I jump from the table and run outside, phone still clutched to my ear. The door opens again behind me, and I pray that it’s Cory. A quick glance over my shoulder confirms that, so I relax before yelling into my phone. “I don’t know what you heard, but it’s absolute bullshit. Lose my number. I have nothing to say to you.” With that, I hang up and turn to Cory, her sheer panic strangely warming my heart.
“What’s going on? Who was that?” she asks.
My eyes dart back toward the door, knowing that Dylan is likely to walk out any second.
“I told them both to stay there.” Cory answers my thoughts, then grabs my hand and pulls me farther away, just in case. “Summer, please?” Cory begs, and it’s only then that I realize I don’t exactly know what just happened, but I can guess.
“I’m pretty sure it was a reporter. He asked about my family and mentioned Thomas.”
“Thomas? Why?”
As much as I like to pretend that I don’t know or care about Thomas’s life, I do. I’ve looked into him. Couldn’t help it. I might hate him for turning his back on me, but I stilllovehim.
I blow out a breath. “He’s creating a buzz in Seattle. Guess supporters want to know everything about him now that he’s gone pro,” I say, and Cory’s face softens a little.
“You keep track?”
“Can’t help myself.” I shrug.
“So, what exactly did they ask?”