Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Malcolm
The bar was still loud behind me, the steady thump of bass and slurred laughter filling the night air, but my focus was locked onto the woman who had just kissed me like she had no idea who I was.
Because she didn’t. Summer swayed, barely keeping herself upright as she attempted to weave through the crowd, and I knew instantly that letting her disappear into the night like this wasn’t an option.
Without a second thought, I stepped forward and caught her arm, my grip firm but careful, stopping her before she could stumble straight into the group of strangers passing by.
She blinked up at me, her brown eyes glassy and unfocused, her lips still slightly swollen from that damn kiss.
"Who are you here with?" I asked, scanning the crowd, looking for any sign of someone who was actually responsible for her.
Summer furrowed her brows as if the question required extensive thought. "Mmm… Olivia…" she finally slurred out, turning her head in an exaggerated motion to look for her friend.
I followed her gaze, but there was no Olivia in sight.
Instead of pointing out an actual person, Summer simply waved her hand toward a random section of the bar, where no one even remotely looked like they were searching for a drunken friend.
I sighed, already knowing the answer before I asked. "And where exactly is Olivia?"
Summer squinted as if concentrating hard. "Dunno. Talking. Dancing. Gone." She threw her hands up dramatically, almost losing her balance.
I tightened my grip on her waist, steadying her with an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, that’s what I thought."
Summer pouted, tilting her head back in exaggerated frustration. "You’re so bossy."
"You’re so drunk," I countered, already planning the next move because, clearly, she wasn’t capable of getting herself home in one piece.
She hummed as if considering my words. Then, with complete seriousness, she asked, "Are you secretly a prince or something?"
I smirked. "Something like that."
She let out a snort, stumbling slightly, and I instinctively caught her again, pulling her a little closer so she wouldn’t crash into the sidewalk. "You’re very… stable," she murmured, blinking up at me. "Like a tree. A very expensive tree."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Alright, time to get you home."
Summer gasped dramatically. "What, no midnight adventures? No pumpkin carriages?"
"Nope," I said, steering her toward the curb. "Just a car, and you going home before you do something else reckless."
She grinned, swaying slightly as she leaned into me. "Pretty man, are you worried about me?"
"Yes," I said without hesitation.
She blinked, her lips parting slightly like she wasn’t expecting that answer, but before she could say anything else, she got distracted by my suit. She stopped mid-step, frowning at my jacket, and reached out to rub the lapel between her fingers. "Mmm… fancy."
I raised an eyebrow, half amused, half exasperated. "You done?"
She ignored me, leaning closer, inspecting my shirt now. "This fabric is illegal. It has to be."
"Illegal?"
She nodded sagely. "Too soft. No one should look this good and feel this good."
"You’re literally petting my suit," I pointed out, trying not to laugh.
"It’s a very nice suit," she admitted. Then, as if she had just remembered something important, she looked up at me, dead serious. "You’re too pretty."
I sighed. "You already said that."
"Still true," she whispered, squinting at me like she was contemplating something very deep.
I shook my head, guiding her toward my car before she could find another excuse to get distracted. She didn’t resist, though she did let out a dramatic sigh as I opened the door. "You’re very forceful," she muttered as she slid into the passenger seat.
"You’re very drunk," I shot back, reaching over to buckle her in before she could flop over sideways.
She giggled as I clicked the seatbelt in place. "You’re like a… a really sexy seatbelt fairy."
I smirked, closing the door and walking around to the driver’s side. "That’s a new one."
By the time I got in and started the car, she was fidgeting with the air vents, her lips pursed in serious concentration. I watched her for a second before sighing. "What are you doing?"
She tilted her head, very focused. "Trying to… change the direction of the wind…"
"Give me your address before you pass out," I said, watching as she fought a yawn.
She stared at me for a second, like she had to dig deep into her memory, then slurred out her address before slumping against the seat, her head rolling toward me. I shook my head, turning the car onto the main road. "You really haven’t changed, have you?"
She mumbled something unintelligible, shifting slightly.
A few seconds later, her breathing evened out, and she was completely out.
I glanced at her, taking her in, letting myself study her now that she was unaware.
It had been ten years. A decade since I last saw her, since I walked away, promising myself I wouldn’t look back.
She was still Summer, still wild and chaotic, still making everything around her feel like a storm wrapped in sunshine. But she wasn’t a teenager anymore. She was a woman, and damn, she was beautiful.
I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have let myself get caught up in this moment, in her, in the way she felt so familiar and so different all at once.
But I did. And now, here I was, driving Summer Adkins home, listening to her soft breathing, stealing glances at the girl who had once been my entire world.
I told myself it was nothing. Just a coincidence. Just one night. But deep down, I knew better.
I pulled up in front of her apartment building, cutting the engine, but I didn’t move right away.
Instead, I looked at her, at the way she had curled up slightly against the door, her messy waves falling across her face.
The city lights cast a soft glow on her skin, and for a brief moment, I let myself remember.
The way she used to talk too much. The way she used to fill the silence I hated. The way she had looked at me like I wasn’t just another forgotten kid in the system.
I reached over, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. She barely stirred, only mumbling something under her breath before sighing. I exhaled slowly, running a hand down my face.
This was dangerous.
Because despite the years, despite the distance, despite the fact that she didn’t even know who I was tonight?—
She still had the power to pull me back in.
And that?
That scared me more than anything.
I pushed the thought away, stepping out of the car and walking around to her side.
Carefully, I unbuckled her seatbelt, scooping her up in my arms without waking her.
She weighed nothing, her body warm against mine, and I had to remind myself that this was just a favor. Just making sure she got home safe.
As I carried her up the stairs to her apartment, her head lolled slightly against my chest, and she let out a sleepy murmur. "Pretty man…"
I huffed out a quiet laugh. "Yeah, yeah. I got you."
She had no idea.
But maybe… just maybe…
She would soon.