Summer's Unfinished Lyrics

1. Chase

Chase

“Holy shit. Chase.”

“What?” I stab my board into the sand and unzip my wetsuit, peeling it down to my waist.

The late-May sun beats down, heating the skin on my back, and I rake my fingers through my hair to push the soaked strands off my face.

“Look!”

I turn toward the shoreline and shield my eyes from the glare. “Dude, are you seeing this?” Steele jabs his elbow into my side.

I follow Steele’s line of sight and—

“Holy shit.”

“I know.”

Summer and Addie are wading out of the shallows, water cascading off their skin. Addie’s laughing, head tossed back, dark curls wild, but my eyes aren’t on her.

They’re firmly fixed on Summer.

My mouth goes dry as I take her in.

Black bikini. Fair skin. Small curves.

I’ve never seen her in a bikini before.

Her wet tresses cling to her, reaching down to her ribcage. She has the cutest little birthmark halfway up her left thigh. Haven’t seen that before either.

Her porcelain shoulders are tinted the faintest pink from the sun, I guess.

Perfectly shaped eyebrows and thick lashes frame her deep blue eyes.

Her white teeth flash as she gathers her long, thick, auburn hair in both hands, wringing it out as they make their way over to Cody, who’s sunbathing.

The movement sends rivulets of water racing down her stomach.

She has more freckles scattered over the bridge of her nose too. More than the usual fifteen I’ve counted. I think the sun’s been bringing them out.

She’s average height—a lot shorter than me—but right now, her lean legs look endless.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful in my life.

Summer’s hand drifts to the silver pendant resting against her throat, dragging it back and forth along the chain as she scans the beach. When she spots me, her steps falter.

I give her a small wave, trying to act like I haven’t noticed she’s half-naked right now.

She waves back and dips her head before flopping down beside Cody.

Steele snorts beside me. “You two are adorable, Whitmore.”

“Shut up.”

“Hey, Shitmore!” Addie calls—her charming nickname for me.

“Hey, Walker.”

“You just gonna pretend you don’t like what you see?” Steele shouts.

Addie rolls her eyes and flicks her hair over her shoulder, ignoring him.

“I love it when she plays hard to get.” Steele strips off his own wetsuit. Then, because he’s an idiot, he puffs out his chest, staring straight at Addie, and starts circling his fingers around his nipples.

Addie chokes out a laugh. Even Summer cracks a smile.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I ask.

“She loves it.”

When I turn back to Summer, I catch her watching me. She traps her lip between her teeth and turns away.

I shake my head and take a swig from my water bottle. “So. You and Addie on or off today?”

“Jury’s out. I’ll hit her up after I drop you home. She can’t resist me.” He waggles his brows.

One day they’re sleeping together, the next they hate each other. Summer and I can never keep up with them.

He turns his attention to drying himself. “So, is Summer coming to Xav’s party tomorrow?”

“Parties aren’t really her thing.”

“I’ve noticed.” His focus shifts to the water. “Speaking of Xav …”

Xavier and Jasper emerge from the surf, boards tucked under their arms, dropping them beside ours when they reach us.

“How fucking sick was that swell?” Xav asks, shaking his hair out like a golden retriever.

Jasper sticks his finger in his ear, tipping his head to drain the water. “I could do this every day.”

“We can for the next four months,” Xavier replies. “We’re free.”

Xavier’s parents own a bunch of commercial properties.

When they are home, which isn’t very often, all they ever talk about is their portfolio.

They’re usually jet-setting, whether for business or pleasure.

Either way, it’s enough for his house to have become Ocean Grove High’s party central.

Which is why he’s throwing our graduation party tomorrow night.

It’ll be epic.

Jasper gives him a fist bump.

We start gathering our stuff. I’m reaching for my board when I catch Jasper’s expression shift. His sight pins on something for a beat before he turns away fast, busying himself with his board strap.

I follow his line of sight to Cody, still sprawled on his towel.

“Whitmore.” Xavier snaps his fingers in my face. “You in there?”

I blink. “What?”

“Pregame drinks at mine tomorrow. I’m thinking seven?”

“Yeah, man. Wouldn’t miss it.”

“Attaboy.” Xavier claps me on the shoulder before pulling his cell from under his towel, muttering a curse. “I’ve gotta get going. Mom’s on my case about this graduation dinner before they fly out tomorrow morning.”

“All right. We’re out too,” Steele replies.

We say our goodbyes and I grab my board, sparing one last glance toward Summer. She’s lying on her back now, one arm draped over her eyes. My feet itch to walk over there.

“Chase!” Steele’s already halfway to the parking lot. “Move your ass.”

“Coming!” I reply.

I let myself look for one more second. Then, I pluck my board from the sand and follow Steele.

Music pours from the speakers when the engine roars to life. Steele cranks up the volume and drapes his wrist over the steering wheel. I crack my window to let the fresh breeze whip against my skin.

I lean my elbow on the center console. “Did you get the confirmation for dorm arrangements?”

“Yeah, man. It’s gonna be so sick.” He beams. “Four months till we’re officially UCLA Bruins. Roommates. Teammates.”

“Livin’ the dream.” I adjust my seat all the way back and kick up my feet, crossing my ankles over the dash.

My parents and I moved from Dallas to Ocean Grove—a small coastal town in Northern California—a year ago. Before then, I’d never heard of this place. I didn’t know Steele or Xavier or Jasper. Didn’t know Summer Hayes even existed.

Now I can’t imagine leaving. I only have four months left here.

Something in my chest twinges. Four months sounds like forever and no time at all.

“You good?” Steele asks after a few minutes.

“Yeah. Just thinking.”

“About Summer?”

I give him the side-eye. “The season or my neighbor?”

“You know which one.”

Steele’s the only one who knows how I feel about her. He’s a loyal friend and only ever brings it up when we’re alone. Just like he only ever opens up to me about his true feelings for Addie, not just the performance he puts on around Xav and Jasper.

I don’t need to speak to answer his question.

“You gonna tell her how you feel before we leave?”

I shrug. “I don’t see the point.”

He swings a right. “You like her. She likes you. I don’t get why you haven’t just told her.”

My being in Ocean Grove was only ever going to be temporary.

I didn’t see Summer coming. I didn’t expect her.

I don’t have trouble pulling chicks, just like anyone else on the football team. I’ve hooked up before—I’m not a saint. But Summer’s different. She’s always been different. I knew it the moment I saw her. The moment I heard her voice drifting over the neighboring fence that first night.

I haven’t tried to kiss her because I know what would happen if I did.

I’d be completely fucked.

She isn’t the kind of girl you mess around with. She’s dating material—the kind of girl you hold on to. And once that line is crossed, there’ll be no coming back from it.

The harsh reality is that I’m leaving Ocean Grove and she’s staying. She doesn’t have her plans figured out yet. I’ve had my sights set on the NFL since I was old enough to throw a ball. I’ll be gone in a few months, and everything will change.

I can’t start something with her knowing I’ll have to walk away. That wouldn’t be fair to either of us. I settle for friendship because that’s the best I can offer, even when it’s the furthest thing from what I want.

Then, sometimes, I wonder if maybe she doesn’t feel the same way. Maybe I’ve built this whole thing up in my head.

I couldn’t handle that sort of rejection.

“Let’s just drop it.”

He snorts. “She sees you that way, you know.”

“How would you know? You’ve never spoken to her.”

“I’ve talked to her enough. We’ve had classes since fifth grade.”

“All right.” I twist in my seat to face him. “Go on. Tell me everything you know.”

He chews his cheek. Silence. I smack the center console. “Thank you for making my point.”

He lifts his hands in surrender, chuckling. “I’m just trying to support my best friend.”

“Watch the wheel, man!” I say, shooting forward.

He waves me off and takes hold of it again.

I huff a laugh and turn back to the window.

“Her dad wasn’t at the ceremony yesterday,” I say. “Who doesn’t go to their own daughter’s graduation?”

I’d been catching up with Mom and Dad after the formal part of the event finished.

Everyone was celebrating. I saw Summer with Addie and Cody.

She looked happy enough. Then Addie’s and Cody’s parents joined them, and I didn’t miss the way Summer’s face changed.

She held her smile, but I’ve seen enough of hers to know when they’re real or forced.

“Yeah, well.” He stares straight ahead as he turns into my street. “Just because parents attend doesn’t mean they give a shit either.”

Something in his voice is off. I’m about to respond, but he changes the subject as he pulls up outside my house. “Your parents get a new truck?”

I lean forward. “Nope. Don’t know whose it is.”

“Want me to wait?” He shifts the car into park.

“Nah, it’s fine. Probably just someone from the bakery.”

I climb out, grab my board from the back, and bump his fist through the window.

When I’m halfway up the footpath, he hollers after me, “Ask her to the party!”

I flip him off over my shoulder and head inside.

The door clicks shut behind me, and I’m immediately hit with the scent of vanilla and lime floating through the air. The corner of my lips ticks up.