16. Chase
Chase
The moon casts a rippling glow over the dark waters. A gust of wind rolls in off the ocean and a shiver runs through me.
I pull my T-shirt from my back pocket and tug it on. “I’m gonna grab a sweatshirt,” I say to Steele.
He nods, bringing a new cup of beer to his lips. “Sweet.” He lifts his free hand for a fist bump before turning back to the crew.
When I reach the parking lot, I fish around my back seat, smiling to myself when my hand closes around the sweatshirt Summer borrowed last week. I pull it on and catch the faint scent of her perfume still clinging to the fabric. Honeyed and floral—it suits her.
When I return to the bonfire, the guys have dispersed. Some are ankle-deep in water, others are dancing on a makeshift floor near the speakers, the rest are spread across logs and camp chairs around the fire.
I find Xavier, Steele, and Jasper standing with a few of our old teammates—Luke and Zeke—and join them.
“Whitmore, I’m gonna grab another beer in a minute. You want one?” Xavier asks.
“Nah, man,” I reply. “Driving.”
He shrugs. “So? Leave your car here. I can take you to pick it up in the morning. Your place isn’t far to walk.”
I shake my head at Xavier. “I’m good, thanks.”
“Did you hear what I said?” Luke, our edge rusher, says to Jasper, nudging him lightly with his elbow.
“Huh?” Jasper replies.
I swing my focus to Jasper who looks distracted. My eyes follow his, where they land on Addie. Beside her, Cody goes still. When I trace back to Jasper, his posture is rigid.
Where’s Summer?
I scan the rest of the group around the bonfire until I find her.
She’s perched on a log, plastic cup in hand.
The uneven flickering of flames illuminates her face and bare legs.
I start at her feet, dragging a line up her calves and over her lean thighs.
She brings the drink to her full lips, and I catalog the movement.
The way her mouth parts, the delicate line of her throat bobbing as she swallows.
Auburn tresses spill down her back, almost touching her hips, and my hand flexes, wishing I could twist it between my fingertips.
She’s drinking.
“What are you looking at?” Xav asks, following my line of sight.
I quickly glance away, but it’s too late. A shit-eating grin spreads across his face.
“Knock it off,” I say.
He lifts his hands, feigning innocence. “I didn’t say anything, man.”
I shake my head. “Fine. You know what? Get me a beer.”
“That’s my boy.” He smacks my chest as he passes me on his way to the coolers.
I force myself to focus on the other guys’ conversation, talking about college, girls, dorms, the football house, rather than spying on Summer like a lovesick idiot.
“Here,” Xavier says, returning with a cup. He knocks his against mine and we both take a swig.
“Thanks.”
“No worries,” he replies.
Like a moth to a flame, my attention drifts back to Summer. There’s a sparkle in her eyes as she drops her head back, laughing at something. My mouth twitches at the sight of her so happy, so carefree. Then I notice what’s making her laugh. Or who.
Some random guy with dark blond hair has taken the spot next to her.
He’s sandwiching a marshmallow between two graham crackers, offering her a s’more.
She accepts, taking a bite. Her eyes softly shut as she chews and the guy leans in, wiping a glob of chocolate from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.
He doesn’t know her. The gesture is way too intimate.
I see the moment her spine stiffens at the contact, her eyes jerking open. My heart stampedes like a herd of elephants in my chest. The guy holds up a hand, clearly apologizing. She edges away from him and pastes on a friendly smile, but I see the way it falters.
He fucking touched her.
My grip tightens on my cup.
Cody and Addie sit opposite them, raising their drinks toward Summer in cheers.
How can they not see? I’m standing twenty feet away and I fucking noticed it.
Then again, why should they? She’s out having fun.
She’s good at pretending.
I tear my gaze away and take a long pull of my beer.
Steele appears at my side, voice low. “You good?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
He follows my eye and understanding flickers across his face. “Ah. I see.”
I grunt.
“Go to her.”
“And say what, exactly?” I ask.
“I dunno. Ask her if she’s thirsty or something.”
“She has a drink.”
“Then bring her a fresh one.”
“No. She’s not a big drinker. I’m not going to push another beer on her.”
“Fine. Then tell her you need to talk.”
I do want to talk to her. Even if it’s just to get that guy away from her. He’s too close for my comfort. I know that’s fucking selfish, but the way he reaches out and brushes her hair over her shoulder and nudges her with his arm? That’s stuff only I do with her.
This guy is interested, and I really hope she doesn’t return the feeling.
Am I going to cock-block her? I exhale. Yeah. I think I am.
“Fine,” I say. “But only if you talk to Addie.”
He stares at me. “Low blow.”
A smile teases my lips. “Now’s your chance.”
He rakes a hand through his hair. “Shit. You think?”
I shrug. “She’s right there. You need to hash this out, and she’s not answering your calls or texts. Do it before you lose the chance.”
I see him mulling it over.
His jaw tightens. “I don’t know. Maybe there will be other opportunities.”
“Like when?”
He chews his lip, staring off at nothing. Then he exhales sharply. “For fuck’s sake.”
Parties won’t last forever. Soon everyone will scatter in their own directions. College, jobs, new cities—you name it. Everyone’s moving on. If she isn’t answering her phone, Steele could miss her before he leaves for L.A.
I think about leaving and consider if Summer and I weren’t neighbors. It would kill me if I didn’t get to see her again.
They both look relaxed and happy here. Now’s as good a time as any.
I drain the last of my beer. “All right. Let’s do this.”