5. Summer
Summer
Crap. Chase looks good. Like good, good.
“Did you see the way he was looking at you?” Addie says over her shoulder.
Yes.
“He wasn’t looking at me in any sort of way,” I reply.
Lie.
“He kind of was,” Cody says.
He was.
I’ve never had to tell Cody how I feel about Chase.
The same way he’s never had to tell me how he feels about Chase’s teammate, Jasper.
He pieced it together on his own—making little comments in class until it became an unspoken thing between us.
He never teased me or spread it around, and I extended him the same courtesy. So I never bothered to deny it.
I trust him.
The sound system rattles the windows as we make our way to the dance floor. Everyone around me is losing their shit, hands in the air, belting out the lyrics.
I don’t dance. Like ever. I can’t imagine how terrible I’m going to be in these shoes, but tonight’s about having fun with my best friend, even if I’m sure I’ll look like a constipated version of Bambi.
My heels stick to the layer of booze coating the wooden floors as we take our positions. Every step sounds like someone’s ripping open a Velcro wallet.
Bodies press in around us. I suck in a breath.
Addie tentatively reaches out her hand. “You okay?”
I look around at the throng of partygoers and the tension in my body slowly bleeds out.
It’s fine, Summer. You’re with Addie and Cody. It’s okay. Everyone’s just dancing.
“Yeah,” I reply, following Addie’s lead.
I tentatively glide my hips side to side. Cody dances with a confident ease I wish I had. He catches my eye and grins.
I lean in. “I feel so uncoordinated.”
He laughs. “Just imagine you’re playing your guitar. Find the rhythm and let your body move.”
“I can do that.”
I clock his hand snaking out to take mine. I let him. He spins me around, and my drink nearly sloshes over the rim.
Okay. That was kinda fun.
We both smile and I take a sip of Dutch courage, letting the alcohol and bass pulse through me as my body begins to sway in sync with the beat. Once I’ve finished my drink and a few more songs have played, I’m moving without thinking.
Cody stiffens a little. I follow his gaze to where it lands on Jasper. He’s by the far window. A girl’s leaning into him, twirling her hair around her finger, but he’s barely looking at her.
My attention darts back and forth.
He’s totally staring at Cody.
I quickly knock Cody’s elbow with mine. “Go talk to him.”
His brows mash together. “Here? Are you serious? No way.”
I shrug. “He’s looking at you, too, you know.”
“Yeah, but …” He shakes his head, sputtering, “I don’t even know if—if he’s—”
I touch his forearm gently. “Well, if he is and he isn’t into you, then he’s missing out. Because you’re amazing.”
His mouth twitches up. “Thanks.”
A hand lands on my hip unexpectedly and a wintry horror creeps through me.
I freeze at the scent of vodka. “Hey, gorgeous.”
Gasping, I spin around and am met with glazed bloodshot eyes.
Zac. He was on the football team too.
“It’s Summer, right?” he slurs, pulling me closer. “I was watching you. Wanna dance?”
I snatch his hand and flick it off me. “I already am.”
“I know. But, like, with me.”
“No thanks.” I whirl back to Addie and Cody, ignoring him.
“Come on, don’t tease me like that,” he says into my ear, planting both hands on my waist. I grit my teeth. “Damn, Summer. I didn’t know you cleaned up so good.”
His foul breath hits me again. Ew. It smells like a sweaty foot.
I turn on my heel and shove his chest. “Don’t fucking touch me.”
My attempt is futile. I might as well be shoving a brick wall.
His smile is taunting. “You’re gonna make me work for it, huh?”
“Come on, man. She said no. Just leave it alone,” Cody intercepts.
Zac scoffs, dropping his hands and crowding Cody’s space. Cody takes one step back. “What did you say, princess? Don’t tell me to leave anything alone.”
Cody’s nostrils flare. “Touch her again, and I’ll break your fucking hand, Zac. Understand me?”
“I’d like to see you try,” he replies, smirking.
I catch Jasper straightening his stance by the window, sight glued on Cody. He takes a hesitant step, but stalls. I lock eyes with him and shake my head. We’ve got this.
He doesn’t look convinced, but he stays put, jaw tense.
Addie slips between the boys, tipping her head back to look Zac directly in the eye. “Listen here, you piece of shit. If you don’t step back, I’ll lodge my three-inch heel directly up your ass and titty-twist your nipples so tight, they’ll pop right off your unimpressive chest.”
“Oh, yeah?” His eyes thin to slits.
She pokes him in the aforementioned spot. “Yeah. And you know I’m good for my word, don’t you?”
It’s true. She’s kicked plenty of guys in the dick for a lot less.
Zac’s voice lowers, dripping with venom. “Why don’t you go find Steele, slut?”
Her eyebrows shoot to her hairline. “Wow. Big words for someone who only graduated because Daddy wrote a letter.”
Behind her, Cody smothers a laugh.
Zac’s eyes widen. A small group of people have formed a loose semicircle behind him. They snicker. He quickly looks around, his shoulders deflating when he sees we have a crowd. He mutters something that sounds like a slur before slinking off into the crowd.
We’re left standing there, adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Addie exhales dramatically and twists her hair over one shoulder.
“Are you okay?” she asks Cody.
“Nothing I’m not used to.” He waves her off. “It’s the most unoriginal insult ever. If you’re going to hurt my feelings, at least be creative.”
God, I hate that. No one should ever have to endure that kind of bullshit.
“You sure?” I double-check.
The corners of Cody’s lips twitch. “I’m sure.” He turns to Addie. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“What he said has nothing to do with either of us. It comes from his own self-loathing. I’m fine,” Addie replies.
“How did you know his dad wrote a letter?” I ask.
She flicks her hair. “’Cause I slept with the admin assistant.”
“Addie!”
“On that note, I’m gonna grab another beer. Can I get you two anything?” Cody asks.
“I’m good. I’m going to find the restroom,” I say.
When Cody disappears, Addie turns to me. “I was being serious, you know. I would have kicked his ass. No one talks to my friends like that.”
I pat her on the head. “And I would have cheered you on.”
“I know you would’ve.” Her expression smooths. “I think I’m gonna go find Steele.”
“’Kay. I’ll find you guys when I’ve finished in the bathroom.”
“I might be a while …” She trails off, a sly grin tugging at her mouth.
I huff a laugh. “Be safe.”
“Always am.” She winks.
Stepping away, I bypass the kitchen where I see Xavier hanging upside down, held in place by another teammate, chugging a keg. They’ve attracted a crowd, chanting, “Chug, chug, chug!”
Chase is tucked away, laughing and shaking his head.
I take the staircase and start down a darkened hallway, checking rooms in my search for the bathroom. It’s quieter up here. Muted.
When I reach for the handle, a hand grabs and spins me around, crowding me. I suck in a breath as I’m backed against the wall.
Fucking Zac.
His grin turns predatory. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“What didn’t you get the first time? Back off,” I say, pushing him. But again, my attempt is useless.
“Relax. I just want to talk to you.” He plants a hand on the wall beside my head, the other on my waist, caging me in. His creepy eyes skim my body. “Damn, Summer. You should dress like this more often.”
A chill slides down my spine as my heart thuds erratically against my rib cage. “Believe me, I’d rather put out a campfire with my face than talk to you,” I reply.
He lets out a low laugh and kicks my legs open, trailing his hand farther down. I snatch his wrist, but I’m not strong enough to hold him off.
Tears spring forth, moistening my lashes. My voice cracks on my next words. “Get off me, asshole. I mean it. Get off—”
One second he’s in my face, the next he’s ripped away and thrown against the opposite wall.
I blink back my tears to find Chase fisting his shirt. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He seethes.
Zac holds up his hands in surrender. “Whoa! Chill out, Whitmore. We were just talking.” He peers over his shoulder, shooting me a wink. “It’s all good.”
Chase jerks him forward and smashes him back into the wall, leaving a dent. The impact echoes as a wheeze rips out of Zac’s chest. “Didn’t look like you were just talking.”
“Dude, relax. She likes it. We were just gonna—”
“Finish that sentence.” Chase’s voice drops, dripping with venom. “Go on. I dare you.”
Zac’s throat bobs. Chase leans forward. “This ends with you walking away. If you speak to her again, I swear to God, I’ll guarantee you’ll never be medically cleared to play football again. Got it?”
He again lifts his hands. “All right, all right. Jesus. I didn’t realize she was yours.”
“She’s not anyone’s.” Chase jerks him away from the wall, hard. “Now get the fuck out of here.”
He releases Zac and takes a cautious step back. Zac scoffs. “Whatever. She’s not worth it, man. The frigid bitch doesn’t put out, anyway.”
My brows shoot up when Chase yanks him back and lands a brutal punch to his jaw with a great crack.
“AH!” Zac cries, cupping his hands over his face and dropping to the floor.
“Get out!” Chase roars.
Zac scurries back like a scared mouse, scrambling to his feet and bolting without a single glance back.
The moment he’s gone, Chase turns to me, tentatively lifting a hand to brush his thumb over my cheekbone. His eyes search mine. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
I open my mouth, but no words come out. I didn’t even realize I was trembling. Chase cautiously steps closer, moving like I’m something fragile. “Hey, look at me.”
Relief hits so hard I wobble forward, gripping his shirt. I lift my eyes to his and see the fury simmering beneath the surface, though his expression is gentle.
“You’re okay,” he says. “He’s gone. I’ve got you.” He pushes a few stray strands off my face.
A tear slips down my cheek before I can stop it. God, this is so embarrassing. I swat it away. “I’m fine. I just … I need a minute.”
He stands there, soothing me with kind, familiar words.
I take a deep breath and the shakes slowly subside. “How did you know where I was?”
His jaw tightens. “I saw him follow you upstairs.” He hangs his head. “I should’ve gotten here faster.”
“No,” I rush. “You were perfect.”
Something flickers in his eyes. Like he wants to say more, maybe. Instead, he nods. I release his shirt, smoothing it down. “I’m …” I throw a thumb over my shoulder. “Going to use the bathroom.”
He steps back, slipping one hand in his pocket. “I’ll, uh—” He scrubs the other over the back of his head. “I’ll wait here.”
“Okay.”
I go about my business, then plant my hands on the countertop, meeting my reflection in the mirror. “You’re okay,” I tell myself. My muscles move on autopilot, my fingertips tracing the mottled bruise hidden beneath my dress strap. “You’re safe.”
After a few deep, steadying breaths, I swing the door open. Chase is exactly where he said he’d be.
“We should head downstairs. Addie’s probably worried I fell in the toilet.” I manufacture a smile.
His brows knit together. “Hayes.”
“I’m fine.” I wave him off and start toward the staircase.
When we reach the landing, I peer down and stop dead in my tracks. Chase bumps into me from behind.
“Hayes?” He follows my line of sight. “What—”
I watch as Steele and Addie push through the crowd. Her hair is mussed. His shirt is untucked.
It’s obvious they’ve just come from one of the rooms.
But that’s not what’s caught mine and everyone else’s attention.
“Bro! What the fuck is that?” A guy points at Steele’s hand and barks out a laugh.
Steele looks down. Even from up here, I can see it. A dark smear across his fingers. His expression collapses.
Addie’s face drains of color.
Oh no.
Chase sees it too. “Shit.”
Yeah, shit.
Anything that happened five minutes earlier falls to the wayside.
More people notice. The laughter spreads like wildfire. Someone else shouts, “Dude! Is that period?”
“Holy shit, it is!” someone else yells.
A chorus of ewws and laughter ripples through the room as they all stare.
Addie reaches for Steele’s arm. “Can we please just go—”
“We?” He shakes her off. Hard. “You aren’t my girlfriend,” he says, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You got your period all over my fucking hand!”
Addie glares at him, frozen, chin quivering. She opens her mouth to speak, but Steele won’t even look at her. He’s scanning the crowd’s amused faces while they make a mockery of them.
“Addie,” I say, taking the first step.
Her watery eyes collide with mine across the room and I see the exact moment her heart breaks.
Steele’s face wrinkles in disgust before he stalks through the crowd and disappears, leaving Addie alone.
Cody appears beside her. “Hey. Come on.” He reaches for her. “Let’s go outside.”
Addie shrugs him off. “Don’t …”
She blinks rapidly, turns, and bolts out the front door. Cody looks at me before taking off after her.
Oh God, Addie.
What the hell did Steele just do?
I need to get to her. I need to make sure she’s okay.
I go to follow, but fingers wrap around my wrist. “Hayes, wait,” Chase says.
“Wait? Are you serious? Did you not see that? I have to go—”
“After what just happened to you?”
“I’m not leaving her.”
“Well, I’m not leaving you.”
I look into his eyes. There’s no way he’s changing his mind.
“Then you can help me find her.” I turn around, but he holds tight.
“Sum. I really think—”
I throw him a look that leaves no room for interpretation.
He sighs. “Fine. I’m driving. You’re not walking around the streets at night.”
“What? You don’t have a car.”
He pulls a set of keys out of his pocket.
“Since when do you have a car?” I furrow my brow. “Wait. That truck in the driveway is yours?”
He jerks his chin toward the foyer. “I’ll tell you on the way.”