“I guess I didn’t. Just habit, maybe.”
Her lips drag along the curve of my shoulder. “This is a horrible idea. Memory lane keeps us swirling back to the idea of a different road.”
My fingers draw lazy circles on her back. “Fine. Holden suggested I apply to be the new hockey coach at Lake Spark Academy.”
Immediately, she giggles a laugh. “That’s funny,” she sputters out. “I just can’t see you hanging around your old stomping ground and dealing with high-strung parents. Besides, would you even pass the background check? You literally pulled a prank every week when you were there.”
“Hey, filling the principal’s office with a bubble machine was a smart idea… we just underestimated the soap residue not coming off wood so easily.”
She squeezes and shakes my shoulder. “You got away with so much shit. No way were they going to get rid of you. They needed your skills to win regionals.”
“When you have a gift, use it,” I say cockily.
“I made a cake and dropped a beer bottle cap into the batter. Only realized that after it was in the oven.”
I laugh. “Oh yeah, in high school. We decided it was either break the cake open or eat it and see who got the lucky piece. You ended up with the bottle cap slice.”
“It was a good luck charm and saved my ass from myparents discovering it. I think Keats had a party or something. I’m not sure, but we said whoever got the piece was lucky.”
“You are. It just seems blurry right now.”
Summer’s lips press together, but she doesn’t answer. I shouldn’t have said that. It’s all wrong.
I take her with me when I lie back down. “You’re going to be okay tomorrow with your brother?”
“It’s fine. If things feel like they’re going south, I will just shove a croissant into my mouth.”
“Just stay clear of the pumpkin-shaped platter.” Her face turns perplexed. “It means there is an edible ghost shape somewhere in the vicinity.”
She seems to think that I’m being ridiculous, and I am joking, partly. Summer bops my nose with hers. “Aren’t you cute.”
“Some of the time. Others would say that I’m grumpy or an ass the rest of the time.”
“That’s okay. Only I get to see your other side, which is good, as it involves a lot of commands and lack of clothing.” Her sexy look is going to get us in trouble, but her eyes soften. “You have a side that surprises me as much as you. You’re not the same anymore. Just seeing you with Bo I realize that.”
I wrap my arms firmly around her. “And when it comes to you? Am I the same?”
It’s a long silence then a sigh. “No. We’ve been dealt a hand in life that has made us resilient, and it only works if we have one another. It’s as exhilarating as it is scary.”
“Tunnels. You go in one side and leave the other. Sometimes you don’t know what’s on the other side.”
Except I do. And if Summer is scared, then she might be petrified.
16
SUMMER
Throwing a piece of croissant at my brother, I’m reminded how Keats has always been the brother who can still alleviate a bad day, even if he has ideas in his head that he will never change his mind about.
His gleaming brown eyes accompanied by his grin cause me to wonder why my handsome brother’s parade of women hasn’t yet led to finding the one.
But I have a feeling that this breakfast won’t be about him for even a second.
My brother winces when the piece of croissant hits his chest. “Chill out, Summer.” He smirks as he grabs his cup of coffee. We’re sitting by the window of the Dizzy Duck’s restaurant for breakfast. I’m not starting work until later, so it’s refreshing to just sit here without obligations.
“You asked me how I am again. Not the how am I as in the answer is good, but thehowam I,as in am I having a breakdown yet.”
Keats gawks his eyes at me. “And? It’s not a crime.”
