by Alison Mello
“Of course, I’m coming. You asked, and I’ll be there. You don’t need to pay for my flight, though. I can manage.”
Summer laughed and squealed into the phone. “Thank you.”
“Summer, it’s what friends do, right? I can’t wait to catch up. I’ve missed you, girlfriend.”
A warmth spread out in Summer’s chest, and a sense of everything working out grew.
***
Summer
Twisting around to study her lithe frame in the floor-length mirror, Summer acknowledged her recent weight loss enhanced her figure in the tight red and gold corset with the miniscule gold pleated skirt. A surge of confidence that had been missing of late wove through her as she adjusted the golden crown that pressed against her forehead, and she pushed her long waves back over her shoulders.
Not bad.
Her mother had persuaded her and Nicki to go to the salon for a pampering session on Friday.
Nicki had only been at Willows for a day, but her mother was acting like she had known her since birth, which made Summer suspicious. In Sylvia’s usual style, she took over, escorting them around for lunch afterward and commanding attention wherever she went. Summer couldn’t help but smile at how sexy the costume made her feel. Even her scar was barely visible. She couldn’t wait to see Nicki’s outfit.
“Wow, Summer, you could replace Gal Gadot in a heartbeat as Wonder Woman.”
Summer swiveled around and smiled broadly as Nicki strolled toward her across the wooden floor.
“Yeah, right. She’s at least several inches taller than me.” She smiled as she automatically touched the scar on her forehead and swept her gaze over Nicki, dressed from head to foot in sleek black leather that encased her like a second skin.
“Wow! Black Widow, huh? You look dreadful,” Summer said in a serious voice.
They both burst out laughing and hugged each other before breaking free. Nicki played with her shoulder-length red locks that had been teased and twisted by the stylist, who had raked them both over the coals. A mischievous smile played on her face.
“I needed this, Summer. If I forget to say it later, thanks for everything, but I’m paying you back for the airfare.”
Summer stepped closer to her best friend to stand in front of the large mirror together. “You don’t need to, Nicki. It’s a gift and it’s what friends do. I also needed to apologize for up and leaving without a word. I needed to retreat, but I’m coming back. You’re also making this elaborate, over-the-top party bearable.”
The loud clash of the drums, strumming of an acoustic bass guitar, and a sexy, swoon-worthy voice rose from below. Summer sauntered over the bare wooden floor to gaze out the full-length glass window that overlooked the back of the oceanfront contemporary house. Down in the massive open-planned living space was a rock band warming up for the party.
“And so the party begins,” Summer said.
“Oh. My. Freaking. God. Is that Zane Hudson?”
Summer nodded.
“Skye is playing here—tonight?” Nicki jumped up and down.
“Yup. Would you like to meet Zane? He’s really down-to-earth. I went to school with him.”
“Oh, Summer. You had a tough upbringing, girl.”
She smiled at her friend. “I would swap my lifestyle for yours any day. Large family affairs, meals together, a mom who made my costumes for dance. I grew up alone, Nicki. My parents were never around. I took drugs to blot out my life, hurt myself physically and mentally to get attention, but yes, I met incredible people. Zane was one of them. He’s actually one of my few real friends.”
Nicki wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “Aw, Summer, I knew your life wasn’t perfect, hon. Are things better with your folks?”
Summer swallowed and forced the bitter memories away. “Better…”
“My mom goes crazy at Thanksgiving. We have a huge gathering of family and friends, loads of food. We play Pictionary, and there’s wine. Wanna come? It’s nothing fancy, but it’s kind of fun.”
It didn’t take Summer long to reply. “Yes, I would love to.” She hugged Nicki and wiped tears from her eyes.
“Did you…did you sleep with Zane?”
Summer burst out laughing. “No, it was never like that between us. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
Holding Nicki’s arm, she led her around and introduced her to the four male members of the band, who paid her loads of compliments and attention. A sultry blond hunk dressed in skinny jeans and a black leather vest strolled over and leaned in close.
“You look good enough to eat, Summer. Where have you been hiding?” Zane said close to her ear. She turned to answer, and he captured her lips, planting a quick kiss and stealing her breath.
“Zane, I could say the same. One world tour after another. Hey, this is Nicki. Behave. She’s my friend.”
Zane raised his eyebrows as he swept his gaze over her voluptuous friend and lifted her hand to kiss it. Nicki threw her a you’ve got to be kidding me look and smiled. The two started chatting away, and she smiled. The last few weeks highlighted the fact that Summer had run away, and she couldn’t keep doing that. There may not be a future for her and Rafe, but she needed to close that door once and for all. The appeal of New York or the Hamptons wasn’t what she wanted long-term. Spending time in the exotic bubble of material exuberance and indulgence in her parents’ world held no appeal. On Monday, she was returning to Maine with Nicki. She hadn’t told her parents yet, but she would. She needed to find the right moment. Sylvia wanted her to stay with her in their apartment in Manhattan that her parents took turns to make home when the other was occupied elsewhere. Summer examined her dad’s stiff posture as he held court, resembling a suave movie star. His regal silvery-blue hair was sleeked back, and his impeccable black suit was a perfect match for one of the A-listers who once was a regular visitor until a scandal ensued.
Standing there, she surveyed the increasing swarms of guests. Flashes of bright-yellow light flickered in front of her, and her mouth dried up like the Sahara. A cold shiver raced down her back, and the smell of burnt rubber crept around her from nowhere. More flashes surrounded her, and she blinked as strangers took photographs. Twisting away, she strolled for the restroom and privacy, but a tight squeeze on her shoulder stopped her progress dead.
“Hey, Zane has to get back to work. Where are you going?”
Summer twisted and hugged Nicki, steadying her breathing as she held on. “Nowhere. Come on, let’s have some fun.”
Retraining her brain had been part of her counseling, which also included yoga and breathing techniques. Slowing her breathing, she clutched Nicki’s arm. Strolling back into the vast room that was the ground level of the three-story mini airport that Summer thought the contemporary house resembled, she pointed out various points of interest. Every room was painted in pale shades of blue or green, with beech floors running throughout and polished silver light fittings. Elegant and tasteful modern furniture sat in structured groups to showcase the beauty and size of the property. Minimalist pieces of art, mainly large blocks of color in shades of blue and gray, were hung on the tall walls throughout the three-story box. Floor-length walls of glass at every turn let in an incredible amount of light and the stunning views of the beach and turbulent ocean during the day. Outside, lights hung around the expansive back deck and people mingled because despite it being Halloween, a mild sea breeze prevailed.
“Wow, come on. Let’s eat something. Anything you would suggest?” Nicki asked.
Summer examined the long stream of shiny trays filled with hor d’oeuvres covering the long white table provided by the catering staff. Waitstaff in black and white uniforms walked around with silver platters full of bite-size camembert, prosciutto and pear wraps, and caviar on inch-wide crackers. Summer picked up what looked like a waxy amber Popsicle from the table and waved it toward Nicki. “How about one of these?”
Nicki took the octagon-shaped food and twisted it around. “Um, what is it?”
“Grilled octopus. It’s tasty. Try it. Or you could go for the beetroot and goat cheese crackers. They’re yummy too.”
Summer picked up a perfect circle of brown toast with smoked salmon and cream cheese, chewing the delicious canape, but coughed and choked when she caught sight of her father headed toward them with a slim man at his side.
“Shit.”
She lifted a tall glass off a passing tray that a waiter carried around with endless alcohol and downed the bubbly champagne.
“What is it?” said Nicki in between chewing her food.
“I cannot believe it.” Her hand shook as she stared at her friend as the two men approached.
“Now, before you start, Summer, let him speak while I introduce your charming friend around,” Taylor Hamilton said.
Dad wrapped his arm around Nicki’s shoulder and guided her away. Nicki stared back at Summer, mouthing the words, what the hell? She couldn’t help but laugh and nodded to imply she could handle this. When Nicki arrived at the Hamptons, Summer told her everything. Everything. She had cried and laughed for hours.
Summer relaxed a little, knowing her father would take care of Nicki and make sure she had a great time meeting the several A-list stars who dotted the room from the movie and music industry all in costumes. Her friend would be totally enamored and besotted by the end. She rounded to study the elegant and coiffed Jake Edward Lord III, dressed as general Steve Trevor. Her stomach clenched as she appraised her outfit and glanced over, searching for her mother, knowing she was responsible for the choice in costumes. Sylvia stood several feet away, laughing at some comment, but caught the sly glance she swept over her. Standing here with Jake next to her was familiar yet surreal. Old feelings of being manipulated and set up gripped her. Grabbing another glass of the cold bubbly mixture Summer loved, she gulped a large mouthful and peered at the elegant man in front of her.
“Stop looking at me like that, Summer. I don’t bite, unless you ask very nicely. You look breathtaking, by the way. Time has only improved your natural good looks.”
Do not be sucked in. He’s a liar.
She kept her gaze steady as Jake gazed openly over her daring outfit, only to linger on her forehead and the scar that had been discreetly covered by makeup. Still, he studied it and frowned, bowing his head. She sipped the sparkling alcohol, not trusting herself to speak one word. But he cornered her and gripped her shoulder with his hand.
“I’ll be frank. Your dad invited me here, but I wanted to come and see you way before now. I had a long speech planned, but the bottom line is I want us to try again. I’ve missed you, Summer, more than I thought possible.”
A ringing sound invaded her head, and her hands moistened. The room shrunk, and any minute now she thought she would pass out. She should have known her parents would plan something like this, disregard her feelings and plow right ahead with what they believed was right for her. Summer gulped down another large swig of champagne and giggled at his audacity.
Misinterpreting the signals, Jake wrapped his arm around her shoulder, crushing her into him, and he kissed her right on the lips. Summer froze but reacted too late as a flash of light confirmed the paparazzi, eager as ever to catch pictures. This would be headline news by morning on the gossip pages. She shoved Jake hard and stormed off to find some privacy, but a hand tugged her around.
“I didn’t plan that, Summer. I’ve changed. Please, give us another chance. I deserve that at least. I could make you happy.”
The alcohol heated her bones and fueled her courage. Taking in his words, she stepped closer and wet her lips, giving herself time to rein in her blazing fury because she could bite when she wanted to.
“You don’t deserve anything, Jake, not from me. I caught you fucking Rochelle in our bed. There’s no come back from that. Where is she, by the way?”
Jake swung his head toward the crowd to see whether anyone had heard her raised voice, but no one paid them any attention any more. There were too many higher up the food chain celebrities and the music from the outside deck drowned out her rant.
“Rochelle and I are finished. She meant nothing to me. She would screw anyone.”
She smiled. “So it seems.”
The fact he spoke of her ex-friend in such a bad light only inflamed her more. Judging by the venom in his voice, his relationship with Rochelle hadn’t ended well, but she didn’t care. They both had betrayed her.
“Look, Jake, I don’t know what you and my family are concocting behind my back, but don’t think for one minute I’m part of their schemes. I’m leaving first thing on Monday for Maine, and until I know what I want to do with the rest of my life, that is where I’m going to stay. As far away from your kind as possible.”
Jake was handsome, but his neat features twisted, and he pushed forward, inches from her face. “Maine? What the hell is in Maine? You are my kind, Summer. Smart. Beautiful. Rich. You’ve had a privileged life with all the trappings that go with that. You’re no different than me,” he spat out with a hint of malice she had never witnessed before.
“We’re done here, Jake, and I’m nothing like you. I have my own life away from this superficial world, where nothing is real. My parents don’t even share a bed together anymore.”
He grabbed her arm and tugged her tight against his chest. “So? A lot of successful power couples don’t, and they have exceptional lifestyles. Half the people in this room have business-like arrangements that are mutually satisfying.”
She gasped at his statement and what he alluded to. There was no way in hell she would marry anyone she didn’t love or trust. For her, marriage meant everything. No secrets. Being there for each other in the good and bad times. Never giving up. Waves of her own failure washed through her. She had given up on Rafe. Walked away. She should have stayed and fought for him.
Ripping her arm free, she shoved him away. “I’m not settling for anything less than true love.”
Jake adjusted his light-brown hair, pushing his bangs that had flopped forward back. His clean-cut, handsome image was shaken for a moment as his baby blues dipped. “It doesn’t exist, Summer. Didn’t you learn that after you fucked that soldier who left you in a coma?”
Before she could stop herself, she raised her hand to slap his face. But he caught it and lowered it to his lips. He kissed her fingertips, and she inhaled a breath.
“We could be good together. I know you hate me now, but when you think about it, there’s not much difference between love and hate, Summer.”
A deep-seated revulsion burst forth for the man in front of her, and she ripped her hand out of his. No matter what they had shared, Jake never touched her the way Rafe did. Not ever. “That’s where you’re mistaken, Jake. I don’t hate you. I don’t feel anything for you at all,” she spat. Twisting away, she kept walking and closed the door on Jake, heading to rescue Nicki.
CHAPTER 15
Summer
Summer groaned as bright light shone in her eyes, making her wince as she sat up in her bed. Last night had been crazy. A vague sensation of her doing something she shouldn’t have surfaced, and she twisted to search the bedside table for her phone. Eventually sliding her hand under the pillow, she found it. Scrolling through the messages and the calls, she closed her eyes.
Oh shit.
A blurry memory of a drunken call at an obscene time bounced around.
Shit.
She should have left his damn number in the trash as she intended. At three-fifteen in the morning, when Nicki had collapsed on her bed, she fell asleep in seconds. Unlike Summer, who, after tucking her friend in bed, had slid across the hallway to her own room and slipped into bed, unable to sleep. Staring out at the endless darkness studying the glittering bright stars, her fingers had pressed Rafe’s number before she could make sense of what she was doing. When a groggy silvery voice answered, Summer had charged ahead.
“I can’t sleep. I wanted to hear your voice, nothing else.”
Silence greete
d her, but she knew he was there listening.
Perhaps he’s with someone else?
Her stomach twisted at the jealousy, yet she couldn’t end the call. For a long, humiliating minute, it occurred to Summer she may, in her drunken state, have misdialed and studied the phone to check, but Rafe’s guttural and stomach-clenching voice echoed.
“Summer.”
She almost dropped her cell as if the device in her palm were on fire. How one word could convey such a visceral feeling she didn’t know, but holding that phone, her sizzling need for him went supersonic. Only him. Now. Her heart thundered, and her sex throbbed with overwhelming and shameless desire. Diving headlong into her admission, she didn’t think of the repercussions.
“I burn for you and only you.”
Closing her eyes, Summer recalled how her body reacted to his soft pants over the phone and her fingers snaked down to cup her sensitive folds.
“I want you to listen and do exactly as I tell you, Summer.”
Having phone sex had not been intentional, but hearing his husky voice as he doled out his commands gave her the much-needed release she craved. His whispered instructions drove her wild, and afterward, sated and relaxed, she drifted into a deep sleep. She rubbed her lips and grabbed the water from her side table, knowing she needed something to dull the thumping inside her head. At some point, there would be consequences for her reckless behavior last night. Had that been the reason she had called Rafe in the first place? She knew, despite everything, she loved Rafe, even if he didn’t reciprocate the feeling. Even if to him, she was disposable. Putting all the hurt and loss behind her, Summer wanted to move forward and make a fresh start. Ideas played back and forth, and with renewed vigor, she dashed for the shower. There were plans to make.
***
Rafe
Rafe put weight on his right leg and stood, feeling the tight pull inside his leg. To be able to stand, if only for short periods, was a blessing, but the frustration of weeks in the hospital affected any humor he had. Lying on the bed for hours drove him insane. The boys ended up bringing his laptop, and that reduced his frustration as he could continue to work, and their visits helped with the boredom and enforced bed rest until he had the surgery. Throughout it all, he couldn’t stop thinking about Summer. All he knew was she had left with her father.
