Summer Breeze Kisses

by Addison Moore

  “It’s going to look like hell.” He runs a line of kisses up and down my neck. “I’ve missed the hell out of you,” he grunts as he opens the door to his humble home and lets us into the darkened living room.

  “It can’t look like hell because you have a housekeeper. My dorm looks like hell. At least my half. If you want to see what the grief of missing you looks like, you’re free to venture over—and help clean the mess if you like.”

  A growl emits from deep within him as he shuts the door with his shoe.

  “I’ll lick the damn place spotless.” His lips seal over mine with a sopping wet kiss. “In fact, why don’t I start with you?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Rex lands us on the sofa, and we wrestle with our clothes, laughing, panting as we disrobe at lightning speed. He’s loving me with his kisses, with a furious velocity that in every way seems incomprehensible. This is frenetic love, ravenous affection, the acts of a starving man with a feast of wild proportions. Things gt hot and heavy, and far too delicious for me to handle.

  “Rex,” I pant as the room begins to spin. My body and I hit that zenith, riding the spasm of his affection.

  “Was that good?” he murmurs as his mouth covers mine with equal enthusiasm.

  “That was good.” This night, this maddening wine of make-up sex are all unfamiliar territory that taste bittersweet, an exotic delight in its own right. But I would never want to go through hell like that again to get here. I think I’ll savor the momentum, the sparks of our love as they electrify the air, the dangerous current of grief rippling just below the surface.

  I take in his earthy scent, the musk of his cologne mingling with sweat, and I memorize it. Rex Toberman has me so completely, our lives have transposed over one another in the most beautiful way. Something that felt like a curse months prior feels like nothing short of a blessing now.

  “We did it,” he whispers into my ear with a pulsating kiss. “They’re back where they should be, together.”

  “And so are we.” I sit up just enough to see his skin glow silver from the moonlight. “I wish we had this—what we have right now, a year ago. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I wish we didn’t waste any time.”

  “We didn’t, I promise.” Rex offers that heartfelt smile, anguish mixed with pure joy. “It all worked out exactly how it was supposed to. Our parents, you and I—this is our new world. I wouldn’t worry about the old. There’s no going back.” He pulls my finger to his lips and dots it with a kiss.

  “No going back. I like that.”

  Rex and I kiss, shower, repeat.

  It’s a long, sleepless night, and neither of us would have it any other way.

  The final week of summer tumbles by in a blur. Daisy and I head down to meet with Piper and Cassidy at Hallowed Grounds for a cup of coffee, effectively ending the season the same way it began. The four of us sit outside in the fresh air and sunshine as the last whispers of a heat wave emulsify the oil from the pines.

  “You guys ready for next week?” Piper leans over her straw and sucks away without holding on to her drink. Piper’s summer was spent with Owen where they hung out at Briggs most of the time. They went back to New York for a few days in July, but they’ve spent the last week and a half showing Owen’s little sister, Ava, around campus.

  “I’m ready.” Cassidy thumps her hand over the table. “Bring on the new year—school year. Cade just finished up his work-study at the Black Bear, so I’ll have my man back at night. I’ve decided to stay on part-time—less than part-time, actually, but it’ll work with my schedule.”

  “I’m ready, too.” Piper rolls her eyes before glancing over her shoulder. “Don’t get me wrong, Ava is my new best friend, but Owen is freaking out. Yes, she’s beautiful. Yes, she’s really into boys. I kind of feel sorry for the first guy who tries something with her. Plus, she’s just seventeen.”

  “Seventeen?” I tick my head at the idea. “Wow, she’s pretty young.”

  “She skipped her senior year,” Piper grunts at the idea. “Thanks to summer school, she had enough credits to graduate early, and her guidance counselor helped pull a few strings to get her into WB.”

  Cassidy strums her fire engine red fingernails along the table, her face twitching with that devious smile she’s known for. “Sexy and seventeen? Owen Vincent is going to need a defibrillator to get him through the next four years. Should we pass the hat to make this happen, or are you gonna get him one for Christmas?” She winks at Piper.

  “I feel sorry for Owen.” I take a sip of my iced tea to drown out my laughter.

  “I feel sorry for Ava,” Daisy pipes up. “Believe you me, I know exactly what she’s going through. I’ve got two big brothers who made sure any boy who even thought about looking my way regretted it. I’ll give her a little talking to—cheer her up and show her the bright side.”

  “Would you?” Piper lights up. “I swear, I think she holds back around me because she knows it’ll get back to Owen. I feel like some horrible spy, but I swear I’m not.”

  “Consider it done.” Daisy pats her hands together. “I’ll be the big sister she never wanted.”

  “Good.” Piper flicks her straw. “Because her real big sister is in prison.”

  That’s right. Aubree Vincent went away for killing some poor girl, then trying to kill Baya Brighton. Piper filled us in on the entire nightmare last fall when she first started dating Owen.

  “How about you?” I look to Daisy. “You keeping your summer job?”

  Daisy is beautiful by anybody’s standards, a blue-eyed blonde with enough assets to outfit four girls comfortably. God was in a generous mood the day he was designing Daisy Pembrooke. I just wish Daisy wasn’t so generous in gifting the opposite sex a peek-a-boo.

  She smirks into her drink. “I’m vacillating. Things are complicated.” She shrugs without elaborating. I know this girl inside and out. She’s hiding something. “What about you, Scarlett O’Red-haira? It seems you and ‘Sexy Rexy’ finally found out that you can’t live without one another.”

  My face burns with the intensity of that fire Rex and I lit up between us last night. “Damn straight, we can’t.”

  The table breaks out into laughter, and Piper lifts her drink. “To one long, hot, damn good summer.”

  “To a long, hot, damn good summer.” We toast.

  And it has been exactly that.

  Saturday afternoon, at the Hollow Brook Country Club, my father stands under a rose-laden arch awaiting his new bride with tears in his eyes. The crowd is small but enthused to witness this new partnership, the formation of our new family.

  Both Rex and Knox walk their mother down the aisle, both looking dapper in formal black tuxedos. But Rex—Rex knocks the wind out of me with his hair slicked back in wet ropes, his broad chest, that come-hard-for-me dirty smile that makes my sweet spot quiver on command. His watery blue eyes meet up with mine, and my heart bursts, fluttering around the room with the flurry of a thousand sparrows.

  Lynette takes her rightful place next to my father with her pale blue dress, the delicate lace showcasing her natural beauty. Yes, Lynette is beautiful, and I can say that with an honest heart. After this entire treacherous year, I’ve come to accept her for the treasure my father already knew she was. And now, she’ll be my stepmother. I’m looking forward to the two of us growing closer. I know we will.

  Trixie waits at the altar along with Lawson who is standing up for my father. I brim with a smile over at the man of the hour. My father is in rare form, completely speechless and stunned, as he takes in his beloved by his side.

  Rex and Knox take their seats up front next to Sabrina and me. Rex falls into the empty seat by my side and takes up my hand. We watch with sober attention as the minister asks our parents to share their vows. My father’s promise to love and honor his precious bride makes my chest heave with joyous grief.

  Rex pulls the handkerchief from his breast pocket and gifts it to me with a spread
ing grin, tears in his own eyes that match mine. I lean into the boy I love and dab my tears away, then his.

  Lynette and my father exchange rings, light the unity candle, and embrace one another just before the minister looks to the crowd.

  “Are there any among you who wish to say something against this couple? Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

  Something in me enlivens, and before I know it, I’m on my feet. “I would!” The entire room fills with gasps.

  Rex jumps up by my side, giving my hand a quick squeeze. “Everything okay, Muffin Top?” he whispers from the side of his mouth like a bad ventriloquist.

  “Yes, Goob.” I give a little wink. “Just doing what we should have done to begin with.” I clear my throat, looking straight ahead where a wide-eyed Lynette and my stunned father look pale as toothpaste. Crap. Watching them pass out on their wedding day was not my intention. “I just wanted to say that I can’t think of two people more perfect for one another, and I’m thrilled right down to the deepest chamber of my heart to have you together. Thank you, Lynette, for blessing my father with your love.”

  The room breaks out into titters as a perturbed look washes over the minister’s face. “Very kind of you.” He motions for the two of us to be seated. “Anyone have a genuine grievance they would like to air before we send these kids on to their honeymoon?” A light circle of laughter bounces through the room.

  Rex lets out a heavy sigh as he raises his hand. “Actually, I do have a grievance.”

  Rex

  The room stills to nothing as if breaking the sound barrier in reverse, and I settle into this impossibility as my mother shoots daggers at me with her horrified stare.

  “My grievance is that I didn’t see the beauty in the coupling of these fine people until it was far too late.” I swallow hard, trying to keep from all-out bawling. “Bradley, I’m so very glad that you made your way to my mother. I can’t think of two people who deserve to be happier. I haven’t seen my mother smile so hard, love so deep, and laugh so much in years. Thank you for giving her that gift.”

  Scarlett and I take our seats once again as the minister openly frowns at the two of us. I get it. Our proclamations of love for our parents were probably better served for a champagne toast than causing a stir at the diciest part of the service, but, after what Scarlett and I put our parents through, I think we snuck in our heartfelt sentiments just in time.

  “It is with the power vested in me that I have the honor to introduce to you for the very first time—Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Kent.”

  Something in me loosens when I hear their names. They share a quick, yet slightly far too prolonged for my liking kiss before beaming back at the crowd and waltzing down the aisle. My mother waves like a pageant princess while Bradley carefully escorts her into the dining hall next door.

  “Well done.” Scarlett leans in. Her mouth sears over mine like a furnace until my bones melt to dust and ashes. This girl has me so completely. There’s not a day on this planet I can end without her. “I love you.” Her leaf green eyes shine bright as the sun.

  “I love you, too.”

  We head next door where the band fills the room with smooth jazz, my mother’s favorite. There’s a line of well-wishers that winds around the room, and we make our way over.

  Knox and Trixie meet up with us, each with a drink in hand.

  “It’s official.” Knox blinks a dry smile at Scarlett. “How about you two?” His brows furrow as he inspects our conjoined hands. “This is the real deal?”

  “It wasn’t always,” a female voice chimes from behind as Sabrina swoops in next to her sister minus her Duncan—an improved look if you ask me. Lawson flanks her and offers a simple nod. “Or was it?” She pinches Scarlett’s cheek, leaving a pink impression in her wake. “I knew you two were the real thing. That first night at the Happy Squirrel? You may have thought you were fooling me, but I saw right through it—two people pretending to be together who really couldn’t stand each other but were secretly hot under the proverbial collar?” She cackles out a laugh. “I need me a drink. Welcome to the family, children.” She winks at Knox and Trixie as she bypasses us on the way to the bar.

  “She pretty much hit the nail on the head.” I cinch Scarlett in close as my sister and brother inspect us through this new lens.

  “Why the fake relationship?” Knox wants answers. He’s always been black and white, detail orientated by nature.

  “To break them up.” Scarlett shivers as if it were deplorable to think about, and in a way it is. “Then, when we saw the error of our ways, we did our best to bring them back together.”

  Trixie’s pink mouth falls open, and I feel the weight of my own shame. I’m not proud of what we set out to do. I’m just glad we came to our senses. “And on the way you fell in love?”

  “The real deal.” Scarlett wraps her arms around me as the music turns up in volume and couples drift to the dance floor.

  I lean toward Lawson. “Are we good?”

  “We’re good.” He offers up a knuckle bump.

  “You better be good,” Scarlett chides. “You’re looking at Whitney Briggs’s new premier basketball star.”

  “Congratulations, man.” I slap him over the shoulder. “You won’t believe how many jersey chasers there are at that school. You got it made, dude.”

  “Watch it, you.” Scarlett bounces a kiss off my lips.

  Mom and Bradley appear from nowhere, and Knox and Trixie are the first to congratulate them.

  “Lynette!” Scarlett steps in. “You are a beautiful bride. I can only hope to shine half as bright on my wedding day.”

  Mom tosses her head back and laughs with unabashed joy. “I know for a fact you’ll outshine the stars, and I for one can’t wait to see it.”

  “Thank you.” She blushes a beautiful shade of rose, emulating her hair in every capacity. “And you look amazing, Daddy.” She thrusts her arms around him. “Thank you for finding the perfect woman to complete our family.”

  I hug my mother and Bradley in turn. “Take good care of each other. I know you will.”

  Mom looks up at Bradley as if his chariot ran the sun across the sky, and, for the first time in a long while, I feel as if she’s not so alone anymore. She has someone securely on her side, fully devoted to all her needs.

  “Shall we let them eat cake?” She touches her nose to his.

  “Cupcakes,” he corrects.

  Roxy and Cole delivered a mountain of white frosted confections just for the occasion. Scarlett helped with the baking, so there’s love in the mix.

  Mom and Bradley head over to the display, and the entire room turns their attention to the two of them.

  Bradley picks up a cupcake, and my mother does the same.

  “To true love.” He toasts his bride with the tiny treat.

  “To true love,” she counters.

  The room breaks out with applause. Scarlett and I clap the hardest, the longest, with as much heartfelt affection as we can muster.

  This is the happily ever after they wanted.

  The happily ever after they deserved.

  Scarlett and I head to the Black Bear after what Trixie dubbed as the early bird wedding. The 12 Deadly Sins rock the stage, and the sorority girls and frat boys are out in droves. Summer has all but tapped out, and the last school-free weekend is upon us.

  Owen waves us to the back, and we head on over.

  “So, it’s official?” He nods to Scarlett. “You’re dating your brother?”

  Piper slaps him over the shoulder. “Stepbrother!”

  Savannah Anderson struts by and does a double take in our direction, her face stunned into submission before her friend pulls her away.

  “That’s disgusting!” she shrieks.

  “Is not,” I say, laughing mostly to myself. “It’s official. I’m in love with my stepsister. I enjoy kissing my stepsister. And, yes, in the event inquiring minds want to know, I enjoy fu—”

  Savannah cuts me of
f, gagging like she has a chicken bone lodged in her throat. “You’re a bunch of dirty backwoods whores!” she cries as they dive into the crowd.

  “Nobody calls my girlfriend a whore but me,” I tease, my eyes never wavering from Scarlett’s.

  “Shut up and kiss me.” Scarlett silences me with her lips, and suddenly, I’m craving some alone time with my new stepsister.

  She pulls back with her eyes dancing into each of mine. “You’re such a goober. Some things are better left unsaid, you know.”

  Jet comes up from behind and wraps an arm around Scarlett and me. “Congratulations, you two.” He looks to me with that familiar snide grin. Deep down, Jet is still the person I knew him as growing up. That’s what I like about him. He stays true to himself no matter how many years drift under the bridge. “Nobody deserves to be happier than you, man. If I had a stepsister this hot, I might break a few rules myself.”

  “Speaking of sisters, how’s Lucky settling in?”

  He winces. “She’s roomies with Owen’s little sister. So far so good. But I’m not letting her out of my sight. No Black Bear. No frat boys for my kid sister.”

  “Dude, you’re going to suffocate her.”

  “That’s my job.” He slaps me over the shoulder. “That is my job.” He offers a playful wink before heading for the bar.

  I glance to Owen. “We need to do something about him.”

  “Odd man out.” Cade frowns over at Jet as a few coeds inspect his intricate tattoos. “He’s got it handled.”

  “He needs someone good”—I grunt—“someone as permanent as that ink all over his body.”

  Cassidy lays her head against Cade’s shoulder. “I think I might know just the right girl.” She looks a few feet over to where Daisy chats it up with a few guys from the team.

  Scarlett shakes her head. “She seems to be handling it herself. Besides, if Jet and Daisy are meant to be—it’ll happen.”

  Piper reaches over and gives one of Scarlett’s red ringlets a tug. “So, you finally believe in destiny?”