Neva comes in close until her head is practically on my shoulder, and we’re both looking out at Loveless together.
“Has she given you the finger yet?” She teases. “I bet little Miss Money Bags didn’t have many clothes on this weekend either. I bet she and Warren might even have some big news to share with everyone, real soon.”
“Doubt it.”
“Heard he’s having a huge party on the Fourth—he even invitedme,” her voice rises when she says it. “I’m thinking that’s the perfect time to announce an engagement. Don’t you? Just think of all the fireworks that went off between those two this weekend. I think a sparkler is in order—I’m betting it’ll take at least five carrots of bling for Reese to even consider it. She’s got expensive taste. People like us could never please her.”
“Enough.” I shake my head. “If you think it’s making me crazy, you’re wrong. If Reese really wanted to marry the guy, I’d be at their wedding, cheering them on. This isn’t about me. It’s about what she wants.” I press my lips together because I’m pretty damn sure I just lied to this cartoon version of my baby sis.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Her voice booms through the cabin, rattling the windows and mugs. Dad stumbles out of his bedroom looking like a zombie with his hair spiked up in every direction.
“What the hell is going on?” His eyes are downturned from dragging his ass out of bed far too early, no thanks to Neva’s morning riot.
“Nothing’s going on.” I spot Reese out on her balcony and turn from the window. My heart is already picking up pace. I can’t help it. My adrenaline spikes each time I think of her, let alone see her.
Neva shoves me in the arm until I look up at her. “Reese Westfield is cheating on her boyfriend with Ace. Just try to deny it.”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” I shoot a look to the fireplace as the memory of Reese’s tongue over mine, bumps through my mind. “We’re just hanging out once in a while. Nothing unusual about that.”
Dad’s chest expands. He pats his jeans down until he yanks out his wallet and replaces it in his pocket. He snatches his vest off the hook and slips it on.
“You got school in a few weeks,” he says, plucking a cigarette off the sink and sticking it between his lips. “Lots of girls over at Yeats. I wouldn’t mess with anything that Loveless has to offer.”
“Tell him to stay away from her.” Neva waits for Dad to follow her command, but he doesn’t. Dad needles me with a sorrowful look that suggests he might be siding with Neva after all. She speeds over to him, her hair bouncing in that rat’s nest she has it teased up in. “You never believe anything I say. Nobody ever does. They’retogether. She’s using him, and he’s getting sucked in. She’s going to chew him up and spit him out. She’s going to break his heart.”
Dad looks up with a depleted smile. “Do yourself a favor, son.” His eyes plead with me a little too hard. “Find yourself a nice girl that has eyes only for you. It’s not worth it to fool around with someone who’s not willing to give you their full attention.” He steadies his gaze across the way at the Westfield’s house and sighs. “Neva’s right. She’ll only break your heart.”
My phone goes off. It’s a text from Reese.Can we get together? I would love to explain everything. I’ve missed you to pieces.
“I bet that’s her.” Neva shakes her head as if she’s readying for a fight.
Dad tips his hat over at us before flopping it on. “I gotta get to work. Try not to kill each other while I’m gone.”
No sooner does the screen shut than I text Reese back.
Let’s do it. Missed you, too.
Neva snatches the phone and examines it.
“What a joke,” she hisses before handing it back. “You’re nothing but a dirty little secret to her. Does she know you’re leaving in a few weeks?”
“Nope.” When the coach called and said practice started the second week of August, I figured I’d run down to campus and check into a dorm. I get my key on the first. I was going to ask her to come with me last Friday, but she said Kennedy was taking her out. I guess I’ll hang onto my surprise just a little bit longer. If Reese finds out I’m headed to Yeats in the fall, it could cloud the rest of the summer. Maybe part of the appeal is she won’t have to face me ever again if she wants. I’d hate to ruin that option for her, or more selfishly to the point, ruin things for me.
A polite knock erupts over the door, followed by the sweetesthelloI’ve ever heard in my life.
Reese.
She’s back, and my whole world feels as if it’s falling into place again.
Neva pushes the screen into Reese as she zips past her. “You better watch your back,” she shouts before racing off toward the general store.
“Ignore her,” I say, pulling Reese inside for a moment. Leave it to Neva to ruin a perfectly beautiful morning.
“So, do you forgive me?” She bites down over her cherry-stained lip, and her eyes moisten with tears.
“There’s nothing to forgive.” I press out a grin that’s been vacant from my face since she left. Reese hops up on my hips and wraps her legs around me as if she wanted to be there all along.
“God, I missed you.” She lands her soft lips over mine and indulges in a kiss that tastes like cotton candy and strawberries. I let out a moan that swims toward the lake like a siren, so I shut the door and enjoy the hell out of the moment, running my tongue over hers like a promise of things to come.
