Page 4 of Love Shots

Clearly not too worried about her threat, he took a step closer, crowding her against the bar. “I promise to not go around grabbing women in bars, Summer; I doubt I’m gonna want to now that you’re back in town. How ’bout I pick you up after your shift tonight ...?” He took a moment to run his eyes over her body. “We can do some catching up?”

Euwww.

“How ’bout you back up before I make good on my promise?”

“Everything all right here?” Teddy boomed from behind the bar. She didn’t need to see his face to know it was set to angry.

“Everything’s good, Teddy. Summer and I are just catching up. Right, babe?”

Summer was done. She was so sick of men, it wasn’t even funny. She shoved Colton’s shoulder until he took a step back. Finally. “For the last time, I’m not your babe. And don’t ever touch me again.” Chancing a look in Teddy’s direction, she was surprised to see just how angry he was. Rage seemed to be seeping out of every pore. Even when she’d thrown a lamp at him, he hadn’t looked this pissed. “I’m going on my break.”

She didn’t wait for an answer. She needed to get out of there.

Her feet didn’t stop until she hit the alley next to the bar. Sliding down the brick wall, she winced as her skin met the cobbles, and she wasted no time wrapping her arms around her knees. Tonight probably wasn’t the best night to wear shorts, but she couldn’t bring herself to care right now. The frigid air was the only thing stopping her from falling apart.

As she dropped her head onto her knees, thoughts of the past year flitted through her mind. Her brain chose that moment to play her an ironic slideshow of all her bad decisions. Perfect. It’s not like she needed a reminder. Ben was front and center of the show of course. Even after tonight’s display, he could easily swipe the worst ex award right out of Colton’s hands.

“You okay?”

Summer startled. She hadn’t heard anyone come out or make their way into the alley. Her head shot up and she was even more alarmed to find that Teddy was sitting next to her.

“You scared the shit out of me! How is it, such a big fucker like you, can sneak up on me without making a sound?”

Teddy threw his head back and laughed, which only annoyed her more. Why was he laughing at her?

“A big fucker like me,” he said through another throaty laugh, “well, I guess I have the Navy to thank for that.”

Summer threw her hands up in exasperation. “Dear Lord, how could I forget? You’re a big, badass Navy SEAL.” Sarcasm dripped off every word as she rolled her eyes. “They probably have a special class designed just for you. Stealth 101 for big fuckers.” She turned back to see him convulsing. “Can you stop laughing at me now?”

“I forgot how funny you are, doll.”

She simply glared at him while he got himself under control. But her tension quickly dissipated as she got a good look at his smile. It was aimed her way for once, and it made her feel things. Things she thought she’d buried long ago.

Teddy McCallen was her weakness. Always had been. And apparently always would be. It didn’t help that the man was frigging gorgeous. His body was practically a wall of muscle, and even the ink covering both his arms was as sexy as hell. But it wasn’t just his dark, messy hair, square jaw, and sparkling green eyes that captured her attention. It was the man himself. The smart, funny, and kind man before her. Sure, he was a little rough around the edges, but he had a heart of pure gold.

He’d practically raised his little sister, Ivy, when his parents passed away. Although he’d been young, and they’d been taken in by their grandparents, Summer had seen first-hand the part he played in raising Ivy. And she would never forget that. He was a good man. Way too good for Summer.

“Seriously, Summer, you okay? If Colton touched you inappropriately, I swear to God I’ll rip his throat out.”

Her lips twitched. “Harsh.”

“Warranted,” Teddy countered.

She didn’t hold back her smile. “What did I see in him again?”

“Fuck if I know!”

Then she remembered. Colton was supposed to help her move on. Move on from the man she really wanted. The man she’d spent her entire childhood obsessing over. Teddy.

She never dated anyone else before Colton because of her crush. Summer’s teenage years were spent waiting for Teddy to realize he was in love with her. But it was in high school when delusion really took over. She actually thought for a while that Teddy liked her back. So what did she do? Flirt with him relentlessly of course. Making a fool out of herself. And breaking her own heart when she realized he’d been sleeping with Becky Matthews the entire time. The perky cheerleader. Talk about clichés.

“I was never any good at choosing men.” She sighed, turning away from him and directing her gaze back to her knees.

“No, you weren’t.” She felt his callused fingers lightly brush her chin as he turned her face back to him. “But seriously, dollface, he hurt you?”

Summer felt all gooey as she stared into the concern. It had been a while since anyone had cared. “No, Teddy. He didn’t hurt me. I swear. I think he just wanted to hook up, and he wasn’t really getting my very loud and very clear message that I wasn’t interested.”

Instead of relaxing, Teddy seemed to tense even more. If he clenched his jaw any tighter he was going to need a dentist. Her hand absently drifted toward his jawline and stroked. Her body and her brain were clearly not communicating well. When she realized just what she was doing, she started to pull away. But Teddy grabbed her wrist and held it in place.

---