Stolen Summer

Chapter 30

Chapter Thirty

F or the next few days, I stayed locked in my room, avoiding everyone, avoiding the world. If I thought leaving the first time damaged me, I wasn’t prepared for the injury to my heart the lies caused. How could he do that to me? How could he go on pretending to be his brother? And to make matters worse, I slept with him. I had sex with someone who I thought was someone else—his damn brother.

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

No wonder he flinched when I moaned his name. I thought about the time he told me not to use his name. Now it made sense. It had been Crew, not Cole.

And I’d nearly fallen in love with him.

Another bruise formed on my heart.

My life was in shambles. I didn’t know if I should be angry, sad, confused, or a magnitude of other emotions.

But when the hospital finally released Frankie, it gave me something else to think about, at least for a little while, and despite not wanting to leave my room, I made myself shower and get dressed. My hair desperately needed a shampoo.

I stepped outside into the cheerful sunlight, wishing it would storm instead, wanting moody clouds to match the turmoil churning in me, but I didn’t want to bring my negative energy to my friend’s home. She should have happy vibes to help her heal faster. I might be a mess, but she didn’t need my chaos during her recovery.

Taking a deep breath on my porch, I closed my eyes, listening for a few stolen moments to the ocean at the back of my house ebb and flow over the sandy beach. Salty air brimming with moisture and hints of seaweed filled my nostrils. A flock of seagulls mewed.

And when I opened my eyes again, the world felt more centered as did I. An ache still panged in my chest when I breathed, but the pain was a little lighter. Tossing my hair on top of my head, I headed to Frankie’s, keeping my eyes averted from the house next door. I didn’t want to know if they were home. My days of breaking into my neighbor’s house were over.

Frankie’s mom let me in when I arrived. She hugged me and then left for work, leaving me in charge of Frankie, not that my best friend couldn’t take care of herself, because she’d always been independent. A few stitched-up wounds wouldn’t keep her down.

And I was right.

I found her standing in front of her bedroom closet in a white bralette and a pair of plum-colored cotton shorts that were low on her hips, just under her bandaged abdomen.

“Should you be on your feet?” I asked, drawing her gaze to the doorway.

Her face lit up, a smile curving on her lips. Frankie had the kind of smile that always looked like she was up to something—mischievous, and most of the time she was. “You’re here, thank God. Nirvana or Green Day?” she asked, holding up two baggy band T-shirts from the closet.

“Green Day,” I said, walking over to her and plucking both tees from her hand. I put the Nirvana shirt back in her closet and slipped the Green Day shirt carefully over her head.

She lifted her arms slowly, putting them into the sleeves one at a time. “Are you okay?” Frankie asked.

I blinked and glanced at her. What had she seen in my expression? I thought I put on my happy face. Sometimes it scared me how well we knew each other. I’d barely said two sentences, and she could tell someth ing was wrong. “I should be asking you that,” I replied, the horrible cloak masking my true feelings fading.

“For the millionth time, I’m fine. I swear. It’s not me you should be worrying about. And so help me, if you blame yourself for what happened, I’ll never talk to you again.”

“I heard you the first time.”

She took cautious steps to the bed, easing onto it and only wincing once. “You need to believe it. Remember, I know how your mind works.”

Normally, I would plop face down on the bed, but I couldn’t risk hurting her. Frankie acted tough. She’d already been hurt enough. I sat on the edge of the bed, mindful of every movement I made.

Frankie wasn’t having it. “Get over here, bitch.” She tugged on my arm, pulling me toward the head of the bed beside her.

I did my best to crawl in. “I missed you.”

“Are you going to tell me what happened with you and Cole?” she asked, her foot lightly bumping mine at the end of the bed.

My lips tipped up but projected a hint of sadness. “You’re going to love this.” I gave her a quick rundown of finding out about the Cole and Crew situation and how they’d been switching roles with me. I left no detail out, confessing I’d slept with Crew but thought it was Cole. She loved the part when Cole stumbled into the room while I was straddling his brother.

My twisted friend smiled, her grayish-green eyes twinkling. “Okay, that is messed up but also kind of hot.”

I wrinkled my nose. “What’s wrong with you? I promise there was nothing sexy about finding out I’d slept with the wrong brother.”

Frankie had a different outlook. “But they’re twins. You could look at it as getting a two-for-one special.” After hearing her take, I preferred mine.

I blinked at Frankie before my straight lips cracked with a disbelieving chuckle. “God, I can always count on you to make a shitty situation less crappy.”

She looked proud of herself. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Did you know they were twins? ”

Frankie shrugged, adjusting her auburn hair to one side. I got a whiff of her shampoo before she quipped, “Everyone knows.”

Pouting, I grabbed Mr. Floppy, a stuffed bunny Frankie had kept on her bed for as long as I could remember. Its fur remained soft despite showing years of love and wear. “Well, I didn’t. How could you fail to tell me that important detail?” Was it fair to put my ignorance on Frankie? No, but I relied on her for all the local town gossip, specifically when it came to the summer assholes to avoid. She was literally the gossip queen.

She shrugged, taking no offense. “Like I said. Everyone knows. I assumed you did too. But looking back, I should have realized you wouldn’t have paid attention to the talk circulating the Riley twins.”

I shared the bit about Gianna walking in on us during the grand reveal and my epic freak-out.

“Good, that psycho deserves a reality check. I’m disappointed you didn’t get to show her what happens when you mess with Arie Quinn.”

My brow lifted as I hugged Mr. Floppy. “And what exactly happens?”

Frankie twisted to the side, stretching slightly to pick up a glass off the nightstand. She winced again softly before she spoke, settling back against the bed with her drink. Judging by the color of the contents, it wasn’t just juice sloshing inside the glass. “Should we ask Stacy Brecket? She might have a first account of how ruthless you can be.”

I smirked, recalling how ten-year-old me had grabbed Stacy by one of her blonde ponytails, yanking her head back before I shoved her to the ground. “I couldn’t let her pick on my best friend.”

Frankie lifted her glass to me before taking a sip. “Only friend as I recall.”

I plucked the drink from her and tossed back a healthy swallow before scrunching my nose from the burn. Definitely whiskey. “You’re all I ever needed.”

A fraction of her teasing slipped from her expression. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Isn’t that my line?” I set the glass on the nightstand closest to me.

“Surgery changed me.”

“Not funny.” Resting my chin on Mr. Floppy’s head, I stared at the ripples on her bedding. “I think I fell for him, and I don’t know what to do now,” I admitted, my voice soft and a bit sorrowful .

She grinned, shaking her head. “Crew Riley, huh? I would have put my bet on you falling for Cole, not Crew.”

“Why would he lie?” I muttered softly.

“You tell me?”

“The girl I’d been before I got to know either one of them would have been sure it was a cruel joke played by two jackasses who had nothing better to do than torment me.”

Her expression turned thoughtful. “From what I’ve heard about them, that wouldn’t have been a far-off assumption. And what does the Arie who spent weeks of her summer with them believe?”

A sigh breezed through my lips, rumpling Mr. Floppy’s fur. “That she no longer should trust her judgment of character.”

Frankie adjusted the pillow behind her back, brows drawing together. “Seriously, though.”

“I don’t know if it is me wanting him to be a better person or if he is.”

“We’re talking about Crew, right? I just want to clarify,” she added.

“I think so. Hell, I don’t know,” I groaned. “I’ve spent the last few days sorting through my memories, attempting to separate them.”

“You know, as soon as I can move without wincing in pain, I’m paying the dickish duo a visit, and I don’t plan to give them time to defend their roguish behavior. Their balls are mine.”

“As much as I appreciate your enthusiasm to protect me, it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m done with them,” I said with added conviction and meaning. I wasn’t sure who I tried to convince more. Me or Frankie?

My best friend also wasn’t convinced. “Are you?”

I didn’t answer immediately, and my silence was damning. “The truth is I don’t know. I hate to admit that I miss him.”

Frankie rested her head on the back of the headboard, twisting her face toward me with a somber expression. “So, you’re not going to like this, but considering what happened, I think you should know.”

Alarm bells went off inside me. “Know what?”

“There’s a rumor going around about you,” she said.

“And I care why?” Rumors were always circulating in Fallen Oaks. How bad could it be? They’d already done their worst.

“Apparently, you’re pregnant. ”

I snorted, fighting against the knot rising in my gut. “That’s the best someone could do?” I plucked the drink off the table.

“Here’s the fun part. You don’t know whether the baby is Cole’s or Crew’s.”

I spit out my drink, spraying booze all over my shirt and Mr. Floppy’s head. “You’re shitting me?”

Worry edged into her eyes. “Wish I was.”

Bottom line, the rumor was I was a slut who slept with twins. Some things in Fallen Oaks never changed.

T he bell rang at the diner, announcing we had more mouths to feed, as I wiped the back of my arm along my forehead where beads of sweat had gathered. Ann was all too glad to give me my job back when I went to see her two days ago. It had been ten days since I’d stormed out of my neighbor’s house. Ten days since I’d last seen either Cole or Crew, but that didn’t mean the twins didn’t grace my dreams. Or haunt them, depending on the direction my sleeping subconscious steered.

Neither were pleasant, and both had their own sets of torment.

Tingles danced on the back of my neck, and I got this sick feeling in my gut like something bad was about to happen.

My intuition turned out to be right.

I lifted my gaze as Gianna strolled in, and my spine stiffened along with my chin. The chatter of the diner faded. “Son of a bitch,” I said under my breath, rubbing my suddenly sweaty palms on the back of my pants. I couldn’t imagine what she wanted with me.

I stayed behind the counter, waiting for those sharp, scheming eyes to find me, and when they did, they flared with hubris. She was up to something, that much was evident, but what? Hadn’t she done enough? I left. I was out of Crew’s and Cole’s lives. What else could she want with me? Perhaps she just enjoyed inflicting torture. Nothing like getting a fancy manicure one moment and then bullying me for fun. “What are you doing here? It certainly isn’t for a shitty cup of coffee,” I greeted her dryly from behind the counter.

She had the guts to come alone. I didn’t want to feel an ounce of respec t for this she-devil, but it took courage considering how much I still wanted to beat her ass. Her lips formed a savage grin. “It’s not for what you think.”

“I somehow find that hard to believe. Say what you came to say. I’m busy, and I don’t have the time to be toyed with.”

Her expression was nearly predatory like she had a secret weapon to destroy me. “Trust me, you’ll want to hear what I know.”

As if she’d dangled a forbidden fruit in front of me, my intrigue piqued, and yet, I couldn’t help but think I’d regret listening. Untying my apron, I bundled it up behind the counter and told Mir I was taking my break. She’d cover my tables for me. I walked to the side door leading out to the alley. Gianna followed. Once the door swung shut behind her, I faced Gianna and crossed my arms. “You’ve got fifteen minutes. That’s all I have.” More like it was all I’d give her.

Two overturned buckets the smokers used as stools lingered a few feet from the building. I sat down and waited to see what she would do. Would she stand or take the other bucket and risk dirtying her white shorts?

Her face scrunched in disgust.

I swallowed the fire in my throat and raised a brow. “Do you want me to get you a napkin to lay down?”

She flipped her silky hair. “It’s fine. I’ll stand.”

“Want to make sure you have a quick getaway in case I decide to throw hands?”

Amusement twisted at her lips. “Something like that.”

“Fourteen minutes,” I counted down.

She made a show of rolling her eyes. “You’re so fucking annoying. I don’t get what he sees in you.” I assumed he was Crew.

“The same can be said for Cole and you,” I retaliated. Nothing like a little tit-for-tat to start my afternoon off.

“God, I hate you,” she said, but there wasn’t the usual heat behind her tone. I sensed a bit of tiredness from her. Perhaps she was over this feud as I was.

“The feeling is mutual, sis. Are we going to just exchange barbs for the next”—I glanced at the nonexistent watch on my wrist.—“thirteen minutes and counting? ”

Gianna’s lips pressed into a firm line. “When Cole and I were together, he told me something that might interest you.”

“Doubtful, but since you dragged me out here, spill it already,” I retorted dryly.

“It’s about the accident with your father.”

Suddenly she had my full attention. “What about it?” I asked, my eyes narrowing, a sinking feeling forming in my stomach.

Her fingers fumbled together in front of her. The first sign of nerves I’d seen from her. “The car that hit him…it was Crew.”

Shock punctured my lungs for a single breath. The idea… The audacity of her to suggest… Years of pain dredged up to the surface. I’d relived that night so many times in my past, and I wanted it to stay there. “Wow, you must really be salty to make up such lies about Crew. Are you that upset you didn’t get the twin you wanted?” What other motive could she have? Everything she’d done to me had been rooted in her obsession with Crew.

Or maybe it was getting something she couldn’t have. Crew had rejected her, and for someone who was used to having everything she wanted or asked for, it must have stung her pride.

Anger snapped in her eyes. “I’m not lying. Cole told me when we were together.”

“I’m not a threat to you anymore. Just leave me the hell alone.” I shot off the bucket to head back inside the diner.

“Why do you think he was interested in you? It was guilt,” she quickly said, preventing me from entering. I kept my back to her as she continued. “Crew drove the car that night. They’d both been drinking at a party down on the docks. They flew from the scene, leaving you there with your dad. If you don’t believe me, ask Cole or Crew yourself.”

Holy shit.

No. It can’t be.

I swallowed over the lump of betrayal and hurt lodged in my throat.

It couldn’t be true.

I didn’t want it to be true.

Had I fallen for the guy responsible for injuring my father, for changing my life?

My skepticism remained, blocking off the pain trying to resurface. Pressi ng a hand to the building, I twisted to glare at Gianna. “Why would either of them tell me the truth? They’d lied this long to keep their secret.”

She frowned, and unless I was mistaken, I swore I saw a flash of sadness flutter through her features. “I hate to admit this. I’ve known Cole and Crew most of my life, and I’ve never seen Crew care about anyone other than Cole, but there’s something about you. They never fight over anything, but when you left, hell broke loose. You caused a rift between them. Do you think it was over nothing? Believe me or don’t. My conscious is cleaned.”

“We both know you didn’t tell me to so you could feel better about yourself.” It was more about hurting me, driving the knife deeper into my heart.

She succeeded.

T he impulse to leave work and barge into the Rileys’ house overwhelmed me. Countless patrons waited too long for drink refills. I mixed up orders left and right. Ann took pity on me, clearly noticing I was off my game, and sent me home two hours before my scheduled shift ended.

If I had been a new employee, she probably would have told me to take my tips and fired me on the spot.

I could have called him. I could have texted. But this was a conversation I wanted to have in person. I wanted to see his face when I asked him about Gianna’s outlandish accusation. If he lied, I wanted him to do it to my face. Then again, it could be Gianna stirring up trouble.

How would I know?

Who did I trust?

It was tempting to let myself inside as I had done so many times before, but I opted to spam the doorbell a dozen times until it opened, and I stared at Crew. Shit, maybe it was Cole. I couldn’t tell through my rage.

Then I remembered the lip ring, and my gaze darted to his lips.

Crew .

I loathed the way my heart jerked in my chest.

It hurt to see his fucking handsome face, to remember the moments we had together, even the times he was an ass. I understood him more then than I did now.

“We need to talk.” I stayed on the porch not wanting to cross the threshold. This wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have on his turf. It needed to be somewhere neutral—somewhere I felt confident.

Crew had a hand on the door as his eyes drank me in, and if my insides weren’t churning in agony, I would have spent longer staring at him with the same appreciation he gave me.

It was difficult to separate my feelings. Part of me ached to be pulled into his embrace. The other part, the one afraid Gianna’s words were true, wanted to lash out at him, inflict years of pain parallel to what I’d endured. It wasn’t just the suffering but the loneliness too. My father not only lost the use of his legs that night but so much more. He lost a piece of himself, and it had never fully returned.

“Sounds serious.” He opened the door further, a silent invitation inside.

My blood pounded in my ears as I shook my head. “Is Cole here?” I asked, contemplating if it were best I confronted them both.

“No. It’s just me,” he said gruffly as if he was annoyed I’d want to see his brother.

“Can we go to the beach?” I suggested.

Crew arched a single brow. “Are you afraid to be alone with me?”

“Perhaps, but not for the reasons you think.” And it wasn’t Crew I wholly mistrusted. I equally feared myself, specifically my body and what it wanted, even now with the possibility Crew could be responsible for the biggest tragedy in my life.

His features darkened, but he slipped on a pair of slides before walking out and closing the door behind him. I didn’t say a word until we were feet from the water, the lapping of waves licking the sandy shore. “Are you the one who hit my car?” I blurted, staring up at him expectantly, beseeching him for once in his life to tell the truth.

He jerked, his gaze yanking from the ocean’s horizon to clash with mine. “What?”

I took a moment to study him before I responded not so sweetly. “You he ard me. Were you the one driving the car that paralyzed my father?” I elaborated to make it clearer.

His body tensed. “Why would you think that?”

“Just tell me if it’s true or not,” I pushed, standing my ground.

Flecks of pain showed in the gold of his eyes, but it couldn’t compare to the hurt squeezing my chest. When he didn’t deny it, a cold numbness entered my blood.

“It’s true,” I whispered, Crew reached for me, but I took a step back. That flash of anguish gave me the answer he couldn’t. Or wouldn’t.

He nodded.

“Oh god.” My throat worked around the words I could barely get out.

“Killer—”

I held up my hand, cutting him off. “Don’t. Just don’t. I can’t handle the excuses. You lied to me. But what hurts the most is you made me care for you.”

His face conveyed everything, but I didn’t want to see it. Not the remorse or the sorrow.

“Say it. I want to hear it from your mouth.” I wouldn’t give him a pass or make it easy on him.

His eyes were fixed on me, a wintery frost blowing over his features as he hardened himself. “Fine. I did it. It was me. Happy now. I’m the one who hit your car that night.”

Even hearing the words, I didn’t want to believe it. My heart didn’t want it to be true. Shit, I cared more for him than I thought. It had to be why the truth hurt so much. I don’t know how my legs remained bracing me. I swore they would buckle if I moved. My hand flew to my chest, right where my heart shattered as if Crew had frozen the organ and smashed it with a hammer. “Oh god.”

A switch flipped within him, and the darkness he kept leashed unfurled. He became the villain I’d heard about, and I’d seen glimpses of this side but never felt the full effect. “How does it feel knowing you had me inside of you? The guy who hit your car? I’m the reason your father is in that wheelchair. And you let me fuck you. You enjoyed it. You begged me not to stop. What does that say about you, Killer?”

It landed like a physical blow. Something deep in my chest cracked despit e being braced for the truth. It still hurt like hell. “I fucking hate you.”

“Good. You should hate me.”

I wanted to believe the asshole fa?ade was a defense mechanism, but he was too damn convincing. “Why are you doing this?”

He might as well have been carved from stone. “Because I’m not good for you. We both know it. This is who I am.”

I shook my head, tears I refused to let fall gathering in my eyes. “Why? Why did you make that stupid deal with me? Was it pity? Guilt? Some kind of charity atonement? Why didn’t you just let me be? I would have been better never knowing you. Why?” I couldn’t understand him.

“Haven’t you learned? I’m selfish. That’s why. I wanted you.” He looked like a villain carved out of privilege and disgust.

“Don’t toy with me. I deserve a straight answer. You owe me that much.”

He forked a hand through his hair. “Because you needed a break from your life.”

“So, you thought paying me to live with you gave me the freedom I so desperately want.” I scoffed. “You know nothing about what I truly want.”

He stepped closer. “I know you still want me.”

I shoved at his chest.

His fingers latched on to my wrist, and he yanked me against him. “Just once, I want to hear you call me by my name.”

My chin jerked up furiously as I held his gaze. “Go fuck yourself, Crew . How was that?”

The gold flecks flared in his eyes.

I wrenched myself out from his fingers and took off running down the beach, never looking back, not that I would have been able to see much with the tears streaming down my face blurring my vision.