“Alright, enough about Summer and my problems. What are we doing today? I need a distraction.”
“Ahh…” Joel cringes and then smiles apologetically as he sees recognition on my face.
“Shit!”
“Yep—lunch at Summer and Cory’s place.”
“Of course. I don’t think she’ll want me there. Maybe we should cancel.”God, when did I become such a pussy? I should be able to face her.
“I hate to say this, but I think you are readingwaytoo much into last night. My guess, she’ll be acting like nothing even happened. Might be wise to do the same.”
Ouch. “So I shouldn’t even talk to her about it?”
“If it was me, I’d wait until she makes a move.”
That doesn’t sound like a good plan, but he’s generally right. No matter her feelings, Summer will need to process what happened last night. Maybe giving her that time won’t be such a bad thing.
After a quick run and a shower, Joel and I head over to the girls’ place. Cory doesn’t cook, ever, but said she wanted to cook for Nate, and Joel, Summer, and I invited ourselves along. Was that a little harsh of us, considering she’s never cooked before? Probably, but too late.
As we approach their building, I start regretting my decision to come. I need time to process how I feel about last night, and Summer does too. I know IwantSummer, but I want more than just sex. How can I expect hernotto think of me as just another notch when I act like one? So much for wooing her first.
Joel waves his hand in front of my face when we reach Summer’s door. “You ready?” he asks. His eyebrows are furrowed in concern, but there’s also a hint of a smile on his face, like deep down, he finds my mess hilarious.
I shove him away and knock on the door. Within seconds, it flies open, and a frazzled looking Summer steps out. “Thank God. Cory is going out of her mind with worry because you’re late. Wait…”
She looks from me to Joel and then behind us. We both turn to see what she’s looking at, but I can’t see anything.
“Where’s Nate?” she asks in a panic.
“What?” I ask. “Isn’t he inside?”
“Uh, no. Do you think I’d be out here, asking you, if he was? Shit! Can you call him?”
“Sure.” I pull out my phone and dial. It’s strange that he’s not here, but I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation. I mean, I hope there is. I donotwant to be the one to have to break any news to anyone. I’ll kill him if he’s done something stupid to hurt Cory. But that can’t be the case. On the plus side, this has caused quite the distraction from a potentially awkward encounter with Summer. Remind me to thank Nate when he gets here.
He doesn’t answer on the first try, so I call again. Smiling at Summer, I pretend I’m not at all concerned, while out of the corner of my eye, I see Joel discreetly reach for his phone and start texting, obviously getting nervous like I am. When my third call goes unanswered, I flinch. Keeping my phone to my ear, I pretend it hasn’t hit voicemail, to buy myself a few seconds to think of something to say. I need to give Nate the benefit of the doubt and try to keep him in their good graces, at least until I figure out what’s happened. “He didn’t answer but…” I pretend I’m reading a text. “I’ve just got a text that says—”
“I’m here. Shit! I’m here,” Nate yells, running up the stairs.
“Thank God!” I mumble repeating Summer’s earlier sentiment. I was not looking forward to the repercussions of lying for him.
“Family emergency,” is all he says as he pushes past the three of us and runs through the door.
“We should probably give them a minute,” Summer says with a smile. “He’s about to get his balls busted.”
Joel and I laugh and cringe at the same time.God, what time was he supposed to be here?
“So, Joely boy, you’re still going to cash in on this celebratory lunch even though you don’t play?”
“Sure am; just like you.” He laughs, but then his expression becomes somber, for the second time today, and I know he’s thinking about last night. “Are you—”
“It’s a new day, Joel. I’m good,” Summer answers, cutting him off at the pass, but then her voice softens, and she adds, “Thank you both. For caring so much.”
I want to pull her into my arms and show her just how much I care, but I resist. Instead I do the one thing I know Summer wants; I change the subject. “Glad you’re okay. Can we eat yet? I’m dying here,” I joke, and her thankful smile beams at me, making me happy I did therightthing over what I really wanted to do.
Summer presses her ear to the door. “I can’t hear any yelling. I think it’s safe to go in.” She pushes the door open, and we all freeze at the sight before us.
Cory and Nate are hugging, but it looks like he’s comforting her, rather than a lovers’ embrace. There’s a food bowl on the floor, its contents spread throughout the kitchen, and a pitcher of water has tipped over on the counter, the liquid running over the edge like a waterfall. If I wasn’t ninety percent sure something was wrong, the scene would be comical.