20. Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty
Alec
I’m bored out of my ever-loving mind.
Practice ended over an hour ago, and I’m lying on my couch with my head against the armrest, tossing my hacky sack up in the air. My lip quirks up at the memory of Summer throwing it at me just a few nights ago.
There’s a tug in my chest that is just growing because she hasn’t responded to my text today. I normally never care if anyone answers my messages. But I haven’t had a reason to before.
My phone vibrates on the end table. I spring off the couch in eager anticipation, a surge of excitement pulsating through me that she may have finally responded to me. That’s replaced with disappointment as soon as I see Chase’s name light up the screen.
I answer the call. “Chase, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
“We have a problem.” His voice is sharp.
Shit.
I sit back down, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Don’t tell me this is about Denverson.” I already know it’s going to be.
I hear him sigh. “Look, I’m sorry.”
“Fuck. No. You said they agreed.”
“Jesse agreed. Come to find out, it wasn’t her decision. Her brother owns the bar. She only manages, and I guess he’s refusing to change the date. Says it won’t look good for business.”
I can feel a headache starting between my eyes. “Is there any way you could talk to him?”
“You don’t think I tried that? Alec, this is it. You can either agree on the date or lose the gig entirely.”
There’s a knock on my door.
I close my eyes, frustration seeping down my neck. “Have you talked to the guys?”
“No, I called you first.”
Nodding, I take a couple of minutes to think. Considering I called my master plan to win Summer over off, it wouldn’t make much of a difference if I agreed to play this weekend instead.
“When would we need to leave?” I ask as another round of knocks sounds. I get up and head to the door.
“Tomorrow evening,” Chase says as I swing open the door.
My brows furrow. There is a sting in my chest as I stare into Summer’s puffy red eyes. Her hair is messy like she just rolled out of bed. Her arms wrap around her stomach tightly. She doesn’t say anything.
“Chase, I’ll call you back.” I hang up the phone. My arm drops to my side. My eyes follow the tear streaming down her cheek. My muscles tighten, my hand clamping tight around the phone in my hand as my eyes trace a visible red handprint on her face.
“I-I-I…” she stutters between sobs.
Jesus.
“Pretty girl.” I slip my phone into my pocket at the same time. I reach for her arm and pull her into my chest. “Come here.”
Her cries become muffled by my shirt as she smothers her face into me. I press one hand against her head, running soothing circles on her back with my other.
We stand like this for a long while, and I’m unsure of what to say. I just comfort her because that’s all she needs right now.
My blood heats underneath my skin. The thought of someone laying a hand on her makes me damn right pissed off. Whoever did this… whoever hurt her is going to pay.
I squeeze my eyes shut, resting my head on the top of hers. “You’re safe here.” I cup her face in my hand, forcing her to look at me. “You’re safe here, OK?” I repeat.
She looks up at me through thick, wet lashes, but she doesn’t say anything. She only nods. I stare into her eyes, my heart pinching tight. Running my thumb across her cheek, I wipe away some of her tears.
“Who did this?” She shakes her head, her gasps coming in heavy. I nod, understanding that she isn’t ready to talk about it. “Do you need anything?”
She blinks a few times, taking in air in an attempt to regain her breath. “I-I um… I think I need to sit down.”
I nod and guide her into the living room. I sit with my legs across the cushions and then maneuver her to sit between my legs. Her back rests against my chest. I wrap one arm around her and hold on tight. Using my other hand, I comb through her hair with my fingers to soothe her.
I want nothing more than to ask her who did this again, but I don’t. Instead, I continue to feather my fingers across her soft skin.
There is no way I can go to Denverson now.