Summer Ever After: A Sweet Romantic Comedy

Chapter 37

I wokeup to a kiss goodbye on my cheek. I didn’t roll over or even let Walker know I was awake. What would be the point? Another last goodbye hug? One more last kiss? None of it would ease my heartbreak or keep him here.

So I let him go.

I lock up Faye’s house and leave the keys under the mat.

The first ferry of the morning drifts through the water, making its way to the mainland. It’s peaceful how it gently glides into the early morning sunlight. I can picture Walker standing by the rail, looking back at me as I walk down the canal road toward Tala’s house. Or maybe he’s not even looking back at all.

It’s too early to knock on someone’s door on a Saturday morning, so I sit in the middle of the lawn, looking up at the blue two-story building that holds so many memories from my life.

I take out my phone and text Capri, hoping her phone isn’t on silent or that she’s already awake, working on stuff for her book release.

Jane

Look out your window.

I glance up, waiting to see her curtain pull open. After a few seconds, she pops into view. Her expression drops.

Capri

Why are you outside sitting on Tala’s grass?

Jane

Because I have something to tell you.

I see her nod through the window. She holds up a finger, signaling one sec, before vanishing.

Capri is not stupid. She knows it’s about Walker, but that doesn’t make any of this easier.

The front door opens, and the second I see her concerned face, I lose it. Tears stream down my face in an uncontrollable way. The always-happy, always-optimistic, look-on-the-bright-side Jane is gone. I’m tired of holding it all together.

Capri rushes to my side, dropping to the grass beside me. She lets me curl into a ball and cry in her lap without asking any questions. Her fingers comb through my hair as my tears consume me.

It’s a while before I’m calm enough to speak.

“I’m sorry,” I finally say, sitting up. “I probably got snot on your leg.”

“I think you might’ve.”

I puff out a laugh, wiping my eyes.

“Walker left this morning.” She frowns, already piecing together my heartbreak.

“I’m the worst friend ever. You probably hate me.”

“Jane”—she reaches out to me, grabbing my hand—“I don’t hate you. I feel bad that you didn’t think you could be honest with me, but I don’t hate you.”

“So you’re not mad?”

“Honestly, I don’t even know what to be mad about. I’ve just sensed that things have been different with you since the Fourth of July, and every time I turn around, you’re with Walker. I can guess what’s going on, but I’d rather you tell me.” She tilts her head, giving me a pointed look. “We don’t keep secrets from each other, remember?”

“I know!” I drop my face in my hands. “I should’ve told you.”

“How about you tell me now?”

I glance up, drawing in a steadying breath. “I’ve had a crush on your brother ever since you moved in.”

“On Walker?” Her lips twitch as her brows slowly rise.

“Yes.”

“All these years, I thought you were annoyed by him.”

“I pretended to be so you wouldn’t find out.”

“Why?”

“Because I never wanted you to think that I was using you to get to him. I mean, we even made a BFF Code of Conduct based off of it. Walker was off-limits, and I wasn’t going to betray your trust by telling you that I had a crush on him.”

“You could’ve told me. I wouldn’t have cared.” It’s my turn to give her a pointed stare. “Okay, I would’ve cared a little.”

“You would’ve cared a lot. You hated when people only saw you as Walker’s little sister or used you to get to him. I didn’t want to pile on and add to that.”

“That was in junior high. I was insecure and immature back then, but I would’ve known you weren’t hanging out with me just to get to Walker. You consistently proved yourself as my friend.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter now, because I didn’t tell you, and he moved away, and I thought it was over.”

Her lips push to a frown. “But then he came back.”

“He came back.” Tears pool at the backs of my eyes. “I tried to stay away from him, I really did.”

“Jane, you didn’t have to stay away from him because of me. I only said that so you wouldn’t end up on my lawn at six a.m. with a broken heart.”

“I should’ve told you. I just got scared that you’d be mad at me for not listening to you.”

“I could never be that mad at you.”

“Uh…”—I blink back at her—“we both know the best-friend’s-brother trope never ends well. There’s always a massive friendship-ending fight.”

“This isn’t fiction. We’re stronger than the best-friend’s-brother trope. Besides, I should’ve stayed out of it, but I was trying to protect you. I love Walker. He’s a great guy. He’s been trying really hard to build a relationship with me since he came back to Sunset Harbor. I’ve noticed and appreciate all his efforts. But none of that changes the fact that he might not be a good fit for what you want. We both know golf is his first love.”

Wet tears pour down my face at a steady speed. “I know.”

“I don’t care that you dated my brother. I just didn’t want to see you get your hopes up only to be brokenhearted when he left.”

“I should’ve listened to you.”

She laughs with a somber smile. “Sounds like you couldn’t have stayed away from him even if you wanted to.”

“Probably not.” I sniff out a laugh.

“So is it over over?”

I bite my lip, fighting off the next wave of tears. “Yeah, we both know there’s no way it could work out. I live here. He doesn’t.”

“Well, look at the bright side.” She smiles. “You finally got to date Walker Collins, like every other girl on the island—a notch on your belt buckle. Now you can move on and find someone better.”

“Capri…” My lips quiver. “I love him.”

I thought I loved him in seventh grade, but this is different. This is real and powerful.

Her shoulders slump. “Oh, Jane!”

“I know.” I fall into her arms, crying all over again.

“Does Walker know?”

“I couldn’t tell him. I didn’t want to make him feel guilty or pressure him into more than he wants.”

“It will be okay. I know it hurts right now. But we’re going to get through this.” She grabs my shoulders, forcing me to look up at her. “We’ll get through this together.”

“You don’t have time for me. You’re with Tristan.” I sob some more until it turns to laughter.

“Shoot. I know. Terrible timing, but I’ll still be here for you. And you will get over Walker.” She smiles down at me. “He’s not that great.”

I laugh to appease her, but inside, I know Capri is wrong.

Walker Collins is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.