Page 4 of His Girl of the Summer

“So, Kas… As hot as that name and that body is, I don’t know you, so maybe I should just be heading back to my room,” she says, and I swear my heart sinks. I start to panic. It can’t be over this soon.

“I can walk you back to your room if you want. I swear I would never hurt you, but it’s really not safe for you to be out here all by yourself,” I tell her, meaning every word. I knew she'd freak once she got a close look at me or got out of her friend's reach. The scar running down my face makes me seem like a monster. She’s probably itching to get the hell away from the freak.

“You know, for some odd reason. I trust you. What do you say we take the long way back to my hotel? I thought I saw a hotdog stand up ahead. What do you say to dinner and a walk?” she asks, smiling at me, and I’m caught again in a daze. Not only did she admit she wanted to spend more time with me, but she actually smiled instead of winced when she looked at me. I can’t help the skip in my heart or the hope that follows.

Suddenly, I know the perfect place to take her. A place that’s always given me a little bit of peace and beauty when times seemed unbearable. A place I’ve never shown my friends. I want nothing more than to share my sanctuary with this girl.

Chapter Three

Charli

I smile as Kas pays for our hot dogs and drinks, then leads me across the street. I can't tell if he’s shy or one of those strong silent types, but something about him makes me feel protected. I wouldn't have agreed to my best friend leaving with his friend or walking around with a stranger if I didn't get a good feeling about these guys. Truth is, I saw him checking me out long before Harper bumped into her fella. There was something about how he didn't seem to want to interrupt or disturb our time together, but also kept all the creeps at bay. I’d never admit, even to my best friend, that I might have orchestrated her little bumpity bump into Grayson.

“I promise the way I’m taking you isn't too far off the beaten path,” he says, reaching back to grab my hand as we make our way through a small park. He pulls me more toward the woods and I’m having second thoughts. What the hell am I doing, letting a stranger lead me to the middle of the woods? Just as I’m about to pull back and make a run for it, Kas pulls back an overhanging limb, and I see, past the bushes and trees, a secluded pond.

“Wow,” I mumble in complete amazement. It’s a small pond with lily pads floating in the water and lightning bugs filling the night sky. The moon is bright in the sky, lighting up the area. There’s a beautiful weeping willow to the side, and that’s where Kas leads me. As he pulls the long flowing branches to the side, I’m completely in awe of the stream that crosses underneath the tree.

“This way,” he whispers, almost like he’s too afraid to break the moment. Well, at least that's how I'm feeling. He leads me to a small patch of grass between the tree and the stream and takes a seat, pulling me down beside him.

“This place is amazing. How did you find it?” I ask, taking in everything around me.

“I seem to have a habit of finding secret treasures.” He chuckles before lifting his head to look at me. I notice he's still trying to hide the side of his face. It's then that I also realize he must have sat me on this side of him for a reason. I wish he would let me get a good look at him.

“Actually, I got lost here as a kid. I had run away from home, hoping if I was gone long enough, maybe my mom would care, or hell, even notice.” He trails off, and I'm almost scared to ask how the story turned out, but I'm nosy, and he shouldn't have left it on a cliffhanger.

“Did she notice?” I ask, my tone gentle.

“Nope, not even after four days of me being gone. I came here and camped out. Snuck some snacks from my friend's house and stuck around.” He smiles my way.

“What made you finally go home?” I ask, completely invested.

“It started pouring rain. Lightning and thunder, the whole shebang. I finally threw in the towel. I hoped that when I got home, my mom would be running around like a crazy person. Worried sick that I had been missing for almost an entire week with no word from me.”

This time, I don't ask how it turned out. I can tell by his humorless laugh he didn't show up to the scene he had envisioned. My theory is proven correct by his next words.

“Want to know what she did when I walked in the door?” He doesn't wait for me to answer; he just continues. “She knocked me around a few times for missing trash day.”

I can't hold back anymore. I scoot closer and wrap my arms around his waist, leaning my head against his side. He stiffens for a minute before relaxing and pulling me close.

“Enough with the sad shit. Tell me about your parents,” he says, and this time, it's me stiffening at his words.

“If we want happy topics, it's best not to go there. Let's stick with lighter subjects. What are you in school for?” I ask him as I lean more into him, soaking up his warmth. That's how we spend the next few hours, getting lost in one topic to the next. Until the next second, we look up and see the sun wanting to rise.

“Shoot, we’ve been out here all night,” I gasp, pulling back to a seated position.

“I should probably get you back before your friend calls the cops,” he chuckles before standing and helping me up after him.

It doesn't take us long to get back to the Inn, and we make it before sunrise. I’m about to open my mouth and say goodbye. Or something a lot more dorky like, when can I see you again? Instead, he beats me to it.

“Can I see you again today?” he asks, looking to the side of me. I smile, wanting to scream out yes, but I catch a glimpse of a teal dress over his shoulder.

“Oh shit! It's Harper! Uh, I’ll um- call you,” I stutter out before jumping into his surprised arms and planting an awkward-as-hell kiss on his very surprised lips. Before he can recover and probably run in the opposite direction, I turn and take off back to the inn. I briefly turn back and smile as I hear him yell, “I don't have your number!”

I have a feeling he’ll find a way to get in touch. Hastily, I change my clothes and hop on the bed, acting natural. Like I've been here all night, waiting and worried shitless. I hear the door jingle a few minutes later and perfect the glare, adding crossed arm for good measure. I have to give her shit. If she had been the first one back, I bet Harper would have added tears to really sell her effect. She walks in the door and breathes out dreamily, not realizing I'm in the room.

“Wow, is right, bitch. Where have you been?” I yell, causing her to jump.

“Shoot, Charli! Don’t scare me like that!”

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