Chapter 27
Twenty-Seven
NOAH
From my rental car, I follow Summer into the city.
As if getting dumped on my parents’ thirtieth anniversary trip wasn’t enough, when Killian dropped me off at home, we discovered a massive branch had fallen on the roof of my sedan.
So that’ll be in the shop for at least a month.
A doctor confirmed I did, in fact, sprain my ankle, I’ll probably never see Prick again—the only hedgehog I’ve ever loved—and Edgar Allan Paw’s owner abandoned him at my house.
Left him behind without a note, only two bowls for food and water on my porch that were both empty by the time I got home.
Who knows how long the poor little guy had been out there.
And then there’s Summer.
She floats like a breeze to a little bistro stuffed between a tattoo parlor and a wedding boutique.
I squeeze my steering wheel hard enough to rip it from the dashboard.
She doesn’t have a care in the world. She’s forgotten all about me.
I’m not sure if she’s still drawing. She either blocked me on social media or deactivated her art account altogether.
My chest tightens. I hope not. Even if I can never have her again, I hope our breakup doesn’t stop her from doing what she loves.
I couldn’t live with myself if I took that from her.
Summer lingers outside the bistro, giving a small smile to passing patrons as she continually checks her phone. Types. Waits.
My phone doesn’t ping with a message. She’s not texting me. Doesn’t even sense my eyes on her from the dark interior of my rental car parked just feet away.
I grit my teeth. I hate being a stalker relegated to the shadows. This was so much more fun when it was out in the open, when she was completely aware of every move I made.
My last strand of hope is the camera in her room. She turned it back on. She hasn’t closed the door on our relationship completely. Her way of telling me I can still keep an eye on her, still keep her safe, even if that’s as far as she’ll let me into her life right now.
In the cupholder, my ringtone splits the quiet. I jump and fumble with my phone, heart lifting with hope—
Vee’s name pops up on my screen.
In front of me, Summer offers a wave and a bright smile to someone else. To another man. Not me.
Maybe she’ll meet his family next. Then fall in love with him.
I memorize his face, his gait, his outfit. Anything that can help me track him down if necessary.
I’ll keep following her. Keep up the stalker roleplay, though I’m not sure it’s something I can turn off anymore. I’ll do whatever it takes to get Summer back. To prove my devotion to her.
Hopefully, she’ll see that someday. Hopefully, it’ll be enough.
When my ankle is fully recovered, I strap on my running shoes and jog down the sidewalk.
I’ve been eagerly anticipating the day I could finally run again.
Pushing my body to its limits until I’m pouring sweat, heart pounding hard enough to burst, is the only way I can turn my brain off.
The only way I can silence the constant cycle of memories.
Summer, Summer, Summer.
I don’t realize I’m passing Vee’s house, her front yard in full bloom, until she calls out to me, waving over her head and racing to catch up despite the gardening hat, gloves, and overalls not at all suitable for running.
My sister keeps up with me when I don’t stop moving. I can’t stop moving. Can’t keep thinking about her.
Summer, Summer, Summer.
“Hey, I’m sorry about what happened with Summer.”
“Are you?” I almost laugh in her face. She’s the person who wanted this the most. “If the next words that leave your mouth are I told you so, I’m telling Carson about your fungus obsession.”
“It’s not an obsession,” she pants, her boots slapping against the concrete while she holds her hat to her head.
She looks ridiculous running next to me in those clothes, but at least she’s not trying to stop me.
“It’s a perfectly normal, healthy level of interest. And you swore you would take that to your grave. ”
“Why be with someone if you can’t be yourself, Vee? You’d be better off alone than hiding parts of yourself for the rest of your life.”
At last, Vee tugs me to a stop. I heave a sigh, bending at the waist before stretching my quads. I expect her to object, yell at me for criticizing her relationship with Carson for the millionth time, but she doesn’t.
Somehow, she’s not even mad. “Is that how you felt when you were with Summer? That you could be yourself?”
Summer and I might’ve lied and pretended with my family and hers, but I never had to pretend with her. With Summer, I got to be exactly who I am. “Of course. That’s one of the things I love most about her.”
Vee doesn’t have a fraction of that with Carson, and she’s planning to marry him. She twists her gloved hands together. “Love? You still love her?”
“Yeah. I always will.”
I don’t even have to think about it. Summer is the one for me. The only woman I want. No matter how far she pushes me away, that will never change. Even if that means pining after her forever. Even if that means spending the rest of my life in the shadows, watching from a distance to keep her safe.
“Don’t talk like that. You’ll find someone else.” But even as she says it, Vee doesn’t look entirely convinced.
“I don’t want anyone else. Can you say that about Carson?”
Silence. That’s what I thought.
After a few quiet beats pass between us, Vee’s gaze sharpens. “Then you should get her back.”
My brain works overtime to process her words. I almost ask her to repeat herself because there’s no way I heard her right. “What? You’re the one who wanted us to break up in the first place.”
“I didn’t trust her, and I didn’t want you to get hurt.” Vee exhales like she’s finally throwing in the towel. “But it’s clear that’s happened anyway. It was wrong of me to get involved.”
“Holy shit. Are you . . . apologizing? Are you admitting you . . . made a mistake?” I drop my jaw in exaggerated astonishment.
She swats at me but ignores the jab. “If you love Summer, you should go after her. Show her how much you actually care. If she still doesn’t choose you .
. . well, then at least you can move on.
” My heart starts to sink until Vee adds, “But I talked to her, Noah. She really does love you. I don’t think she actually wants to be without you either. ”
God, I hope that’s true. Vee is definitely right about one thing, though: I need to prove to Summer how much I care. How much she means to me. The lengths I’ll go to for her.
Vee waves me off. “Go. Finish your run. I’m not running in these damn things anymore.”
I give her a quick hug while she remains stiff in my arms. My sister hates most forms of physical contact, so letting me hug her—especially while covered in sweat—is a huge win, even if it’s for just a few seconds. “Thanks.”
I race back home. Time to make my plan.