by Anna Joung
He walks right to my table. I’m sure he had me investigated and all that. “Rebel Brand, we finally meet.”
I stand and accept his extended hand. We glare at each other as we shake hands. He’s sizing me up just as I’m sizing him up. “Nice to meet you, Van... now that I know you’re Summer’s step-brother.”
We sit, and he straightens his tie. “Meaning?”
Hands folded on the table, I lean forward and stare into his eyes. “Before, I just wanted to punch you. I thought you were after Summer for other reasons.”
He lifts a brow. “You were jealous?”
“Yes.”
Van’s lips curve upward. “I appreciate honesty. I like you already, Rebel.”
“I’m flattered,” I mutter, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Van laughs and I sit back, still watching him. I guess he isn’t as douchey in person as I thought he’d be, so I relax a little. “How is she?”
He holds my gaze. “She’s fine, I promise.”
Blowing out a breath. Although I'd prefer to see that Summer is alright with my own eyes, I believe him. “I’m relieved. You see her every day?” If he says yes, that would likely mean she’s in Chicago and staying with him.
“Nice try, Brand. You won’t get it out of me.” I huff. I’d give anything for my brother’s interrogation skills right now. Landon can get information out of anyone before they even realize they’ve given up anything.
Smirking, Van looks around the bar. “The Firehouse Pub. I hear this where you and Summer met.”
“You sure have heard a lot.”
“Like I said, you’re a major topic of discussion and we’ve been bonding.”
“How nice. If you’d just tell me where she is―”
“Rebel, stop. She doesn’t want you to know. Respect that.”
Damn it all to hell. I know I have to respect Summer’s wish... “It’s rough not knowing.” I shrug. “I feel like a part of me is missing.” By no means do I mean to sound like a love-sick puppy to Van, but to hell with it. I don’t care what he thinks. I’m miserable without Summer.
Sympathy softens his expression. “Hey, I get it. That’s why I’m here to help you get over this hurdle. Wouldn’t you like to have your son back and this custody battle over? Then, you can really focus on fixing things with Summer.”
I swallow my next attempt to weasel Summer’s location out of him because he’s absolutely right. It’s hard, but I really do need to focus on one thing at a time. I nod, ready to put my trust in this stranger because... I’ll do anything to get the two people I need most back into my life. “What do I need to do?”
Summer
I glare at Van, who’s sitting across the table smirking at me. He visits as often as he can when he’s not with Avery or at the office. I haven’t met her yet, I’m just not ready for anyone to see me like this.
This evening, he let me know that he’s coming from another meeting with Rebel. A meeting my ass. He’s wearing jeans and a t-shirt topped off with a broad-ass smile. Van has the look of a guy who was just shooting the shit with his bestie.
“What?” He asks, stuffing pasta into his mouth.
He’s come to love my cooking, so we’ve developed a habit of having dinner together when he visits. “You met up with Rebel and the lawyers wearing that?”
He nods. “Sure.” “Bullshit.”
Sighing, he throws his napkin down. “Alright, alright. We met up with the lawyers yesterday. Today, Rebel and I just sort of... hung out.”
“Hung out, huh? Next thing, you two are going to start playing golfing and planning boys’ trips.”
Van roars. “Rebel doesn’t strike me as the golf playing type. What, are you jealous?”
Pouting, I throw my napkin at him and whine, “Yes.” Van and Rebel have a full-blown bromance going on. I have to stay here far away from Rebel and hear about their good time. I miss him. I want to spend time with him too.
“You’re the one who insists on staying away from him, Summer.”
“I know. It’s for the best, I’m telling you.”
“I believe you.” He shrugs. “I get it. You miss him, but you want him to focus on his son. You’re a good woman, Summer.”
Picking up my fork and forlornly pushing food around my plate, I sigh. “I sure hope I’m doing the right thing here.”
“You just have to wait and see how things play out.”
Glancing at Van, I ask, “How is he?”
He grins. “He asks me how you are every time I see him too,” he chuckles, “and with that same sad puppy-dog look.”
“Shut up.” I scoff, but I know that I totally have a sad puppy-dog look.
Snickering, Van shares, “He’s doing the best he can, not knowing where you are, and wondering why you just won’t talk to him.”
“I can’t. Not yet.”
“Hm. Well, he was begged me to invite you to the upcoming court hearing. He really wants you there, Summer.”
“Yeah? He said that?”
“He begged me to convince you to come. He said you don’t even have to talk to him. Just your presence in the room will comfort him. That’s exactly what he said.” Van sips from his wineglass, then laughs. “Seeing such a big man―a fearless firefighter turn into the biggest sap when he talks about you is weird, I tell you. What are you doing to this man? He’s head over heels despite not seeing you for so long.”
My heart turns to mush. Nibbling my lower lip, I wonder what to do. I’d love to support Rebel in court. I told him I was all in with getting his son back and I meant it. Even if we aren’t together or still faking an engagement, I’d love to be there. “I’m three months pregnant, how can I go? I don’t want him to know about our baby yet.”
“Summer,” Van sighs, “are you sure you should keep it from him?”
“It won’t be forever. Just a little longer.” I point a finger at him. “Don’t you dare blab, Van. He doesn’t need this distraction.”
His jaw clenches. Now that he and Rebel are spending more time together―I really didn’t see that coming―I’m sure he’s struggling with the secrets. “You know I won’t. As much as I like the guy, I respect your decision.”
“You love him,” I tease.
Van rubs the back of his neck, and a hint of pink seeps into his face. “He’s way cooler than I expected. I misjudged him at first. He’s a funny guy.”
I giggle. “He is.” He always draws out a smile or a laugh from me too. Nobody can resist Rebel’s charm, I guess.
“And I don’t... have many friends.”
I frown. “You don’t have many friends? But you’re Van Bancroft.”
“Precisely. Most people see my bank account, not the actual man. Rebel doesn’t give a shit about my money. He even told me he wanted to murder me when he thought I had a romantic interest in you. People rarely have the guts to say things like that to my face. Rebel doesn’t try to kiss my ass. He’s a real one.”
“Awe, is that moment you fell into brotherly love?”
It's his turn to throw his napkin at me. I dodge the flying cloth while snickering. Van and I have become more comfortable with each other. We’re slowly evolving into a teasing brother-sister relationship. I love it. He’s kept me sane since I fled my entire life in Chicago.
“In all seriousness,” Van’s expression turns somber, “he’s a good man, Summer.”
“I learned that very quickly after meeting him.”
“I have to help him get his kid back.”
“And I have to be there for him,” I decide. Glancing down at my stomach, I note, “I’m not showing that much yet. I can pull off going to court without Rebel noticing anything.”
Van smiles. “Good. He’ll be ecstatic.”
“Speaking of fathers and kids…” I gaze at Van from beneath my lashes. This is a touchy subject for him. “Have you heard anything from our father?”
His expression darkens, like clouds gathering to herald a storm. But his tone remains controlled. “No. After m
y investigators found him, I had the painting you did, sent to him, but he hasn’t responded.”
My eyes widened. “That’s why you hired me for that portrait? That’s why you made me sign it too, isn’t it?”
He nods.
“Why would you send our father a nude painting?”
Van shrugs. “I just wanted him to know that I know about you―that we’ve known each other. I guess the thought of him panicking over the discovery that his secret is out satisfies me in a way. I just wanted him to know that I know about his double life.”
I can see the pain in Van’s eyes and I feel horrible for bringing our father up. He said his investigators found Dad. As much as curiosity practically has my insides on fire, I’m not going to ask him where our sperm-donor is. I’ve gotten close to Van, and he’s more important to me than the man who abandoned me when I was a baby. I can tell he doesn’t want to talk about our father right now.
“I see. So, will you be at the court hearing too?”
Van’s eyes flicker to mine. The blue orbs are bright with gratitude for not prolonging the argument about our father. He smiles and I reciprocate. “I wish I could be there, but I have to leave the country the day before.”
My lower lip protrudes. “I hate it when you leave for business trips. That means days without your company.”
He chuckles. “I know I’m your only contact to the outside world right now because you insist on being a hermit―”
“I do not.”
“Do too.”
“Oh, my God, what are we five?”
He smirks. “Well, we missed out on all the childish arguments growing up. We have to get everything in.”
Giggling, I agree. “You have a point. How long will you be gone?”
“One week, but I’ll cut it short if I can. One of our chauffeurs can take you to the court hearing if you don’t want to drive yourself.”
I laugh. “A chauffeur. I’ll never get used to this life.”
Rebel
It’s strange, but I knew the moment Summer walked into the courtroom without even looking. It’s like my body knew she was present before my eyes landed on her. The hairs on my arms stood up―in a good way―and my heart performed several somersaults. It was the strangest damn thing. Who’s body reacts like that to the presence of another?
Now, as the hearing is almost at an end, it takes every ounce of my self-control not to constantly look back to check if she’s still there. When she arrived and I saw her, it was like the sun rose in the dreary-ass courtroom. I felt this new dawn of hope, as if everything would be okay.
When the judge calls an end to the session and sets the final court date, I look over at Victoria and Roy. They don’t look happy at all. With Van’s team of lawyers and investigators on my case, things are looking up. Finally, going my way. Victoria’s smugness about my “failed engagement” quickly vanished when she found out about my new lawyer. It’s great to have new friends like Van. The man turned out to be really cool.
I grin when Victoria gets up, sends me a dirty look, and sashays out of the courtroom with Roy on her tail. Take that, you bitch. Smugly, I watch her disappear. I wish I could have at least gotten a glimpse of Leo. I’ll have to wait patiently for the day. After parting ways with the lawyer, I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants. I can see Summer waiting for me on the steps of the courthouse.
This is it. Our first meeting since she left. Each step that brings me closer to her makes my heart pound faster. I don’t even know why I’m so nervous. Stopping inches from her, I just stare. Her eyes are glued to me too. Neither of us speaks. I’m sure she’s trying to think of the right thing to say, just as I am. I drink her in. She’s fucking beautiful. Her hair is longer, flowing around her shoulders in loose waves. Her skin is slightly paler, as if the sun hasn’t touched her in a while. There’s something different about her, but I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe it’s the flowing dress that’s a little too big. It doesn’t hug her curves like the other dresses I love to see her in. But that’s not it. It’s something else. I peer at her closely, but I can’t figure it out. All I know is, she’s glowing. Now that I’m not around…
Finally, I find my tongue. “You came.” I give myself a mental slap in the head. I haven’t seen her in two months and that’s what I say? “I mean... hi…” Kill me now.
A smile slowly blossoms, lighting up her face. “Hi.” Her little laugh is the best damn thing I’ve heard in a while. She shrugs. “You invited me and I wanted to be here.”
I step closer. I’m not sure what to do. Do I hug her? Kiss her? Keep my distance? My arms just dangle uncertainty at my sides. “You left.”
“I’m sorry.”
Screw it. I can’t go a second longer without touching her. I wrap my arms around her and savor everything I’ve missed for an excruciatingly long time. Summer in my arms again. I feel fucking amazing again. Her small gasp gets lost when I press my lips to hers. Maybe I should have held off on kissing her because I’m not sure where we are...what we are. I just know that I love her even more and I’m hoping she still loves me. To my satisfaction, her arms wind around my neck and she kisses me back. The rest of the world disappears and it’s just us, in our own bubble of unleashed longing and passion. I only stop when I feel her palms pressing against my chest.
“We’re right in front of the courthouse,” she whispers.
“I don’t care.”
“Let’s go somewhere else.”
I lift my head to gaze at her. She wants to spend time with me. That’s a good sign. Surveying the block, I tell her, “I think there’s somewhere close by where we can grab something to eat or drink.”
“I’ll take something to drink.”
Reluctantly, I release her.
I can't stop staring at her. Even as we stroll in the park, my eyes are glued to her profile.
“I can feel you looking at me, you know that right?”
“I can’t help it. You’re beautiful.” She turns to look up at me with a smile that hits me right in the chest, in a good way. “You look...happier.” I frown because there’s a possibility she’s happier because she was away from me.
“Well, that’s because I’m glad to see you, Rebel.”
Unadulterated relief courses through my veins. Thank God. Clearing my throat lightly, I search for something to say. Something not too heavy to scare her off like: Summer, I love you. Stay with me, take me with you, whatever, I just need you. Yeah, I’ll hold off on that show of desperation for the moment. I’ll slowly ease into it.
I start off with, “When you said you wanted a drink, I wasn’t expecting you to just sip on water.” Summer’s gaze jumps to my face and I frown because she looks a little...scared. “Are you, okay?”
“Uh...fine. I just...I guess I wasn’t all that thirsty.”
I lift a brow. “Okay.”
“Things went great today, don’t you think? With the hearing.”
“Yeah.” But that’s not what I want to talk about.
“You don’t sound as happy as you should.”
Blowing out a slow breath, I stop walking and snag her wrist. She comes to a stop and turns to me. We’re standing in front of a lake, under the darkening sky. This should be a romantic moment, but instead, I’m troubled. “How can I be happy when you refuse to talk to me, Summer? I mean really talk, not just make polite conversation as if everything is peachy. You’ve been dodging my questions about your whereabouts for the last two months since we left the courthouse. I’ve allowed you to because I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable but I can’t hold off anymore.”
She sighs and looks down to study the tip of her shoes. “I can’t tell you where I’ve been.”
My teeth clamp together to the point of pain. “Then tell me why you disappeared.”
“You told me to leave.” A hurt lingers in the tones of her voice.
Shutting my eyes, I pull in a breath. “ I know I did but that was because I thought you hated being with me. I wante
d to tell you how much I regretted encouraging you to leave. I wanted to tell you that even though you were miserable, I wanted to work at making you happy. I wanted to fight for you. But you were gone. You didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I should have said something but I didn’t think about it. I just felt like I had to leave. I guess, I knew that if I waited to talk to you, I would have ended up staying.”
“That’s what I wanted, Summer. I wanted you to stay.”
“It would have been a bad idea.”
My frustration and confusion are creating a storm, and it's simmering beneath the surface. I’m doing everything I can, not to erupt. I feel like she’ll run away again. “Why?”
She takes my hands into her. I bask in her touch. Even the slightest contact with her is appreciated. “We’re both at places in our lives that require a little time and space.”
“Bullshit, Summer. I’m at a place in my life where I need you in it.” Gently, I extract my hands from hers to palm her face. “What, you don’t want me in yours?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then, what’s the problem? You know I only told you to leave because I thought you were seeing Van, right? I’d never hurt you intentionally. ”
“Why would you even think that? Because he hired me for the painting?”
“Because I saw the two of you in Rockford. In the diner. You two looked pretty close.”
Summer blanches. “You did? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I should have but I felt so angry and betrayed. The last woman in my life ended up hurting me. Then I saw how distant you were at dinner with my family and I was convinced that you were thinking about being with him. You looked so unhappy. And I didn’t know all this about your family. I’m sorry Summer. I freaked out and assumed you are together. I was wrong.”
“Oh, my God.” She groans and rests her forehead against my chest. “If only you hadn’t been so cryptic that night. I was so confused.”
“If only, you’d told me he was your step-brother. I know I did so much wrong, and it’s my own fault for pushing you away since the moment we met...but you should’ve told me, I had no idea what are you going through.”
