Page 6 of His Girl of the Summer

“And then there were three,” Beck says, clapping his hands together. “What do you guys think about a game of corn hole?”

We all nod and head toward the boards closer to the sidewalk. I slip back and let Riley and Beck walk ahead, wanting to talk to Charlie. She's racing after the other two before I can get a word out.

“I want in on this,” she says, not sparing a glance back my way.

What the hell is going on? Instead of trying to get her attention again, I just join the game. As Beck and Riley apparently want to be funny, they pick teams, leaving me standing beside a very awkward-looking Charli.

Fuck, the last thing I want to do is make her feel awkward. So, instead, I just stand there and watch as the game progresses. I shoot when it’s my turn and sit back when it’s not. I can tell Charli is fidgety, but I don’t know what else to do. She’s acting as if yesterday never happened. If that’s what makes her comfortable, then I guess I have no other option. I was never good with words, anyway. If she doesn’t want me, then I’ll just be her silent protector this summer.

I’ll leave her alone but still make sure she stays safe. I'll try to keep my distance, but I won't try to convince her I'm good enough for her because the simple truth is, I'm not. Still, by the time she leaves here, she’ll know that she deserves a man who will give her the world, or if I’m really lucky, she might change her mind and let me be that guy.

We get through the entire game, and Beck and I are coming out as the winners, but it’s been awkward since before we started playing, and I know the guys picked up on that. I know they are wondering the same thing, judging by their glances at each other. What the hell is going on? But instead of being the nosey fuckers like I know they want to be, they make an excuse to bolt on me.

“So, uh, yeah, I need to get to work,” Beck says, elbowing Riley and gesturing, not so subtly, over his shoulder.

“Oh, uh, yeah. I’ve got to get to the… uh, library?” Riley says it like a question before another jab, continuing more confidently, “Yeah. The library. See ya’ll later.”

Then, they both turn around and jog in the opposite direction. I shake my head but turn back to a glaring Charli.

“Well, that wasn't obvious at all,” she huffs, then rolls her eyes. I see her trying to hide a smile, but I don't call her on it. I have a feeling that would just push her away. Instead, I turn back toward the diner.

“Want to get some dinner?” I ask, trying to come across casually.

“Uh, that's okay. I think I'm going to head back to my room and catch up on some sleep.”

“Would it be alright if I walk you back?” I ask.

“Umm, sure,” she says, going back to looking at everything but me.

We walk in silence back down the beach, only interrupted by kids playing and running around us. It seems like only seconds before we are back at her inn. I open my mouth to say goodbye when she sighs heavily before turning to me.

“Look, you're like the nicest guy I’ve ever known, but I think we should just be friends,” she tells me, making me have to hide a smile. I might have believed her if I hadn’t caught her checking out my ass when I bent down to pick up that ball for some kids on our way back. Or if she seemed at all convinced herself, but I see it. She’s not so unaffected by me, and maybe I can use that in my favor.

I look at her and shrug, “Okay.”

Then I turn and leave, not even chancing a glance back. I can feel her eyes on me the whole way back to the beach. The one thing on my mind is, please, lord, don't let me have just made the biggest mistakes of my life.

Chapter Five

Charli

“Okay? What the hell did he mean, okay?” I sit in my hotel room bed, stewing on the last words that man uttered to me. Okay, look, I know I was the one who said it, but I had reasons, and not one of them was because I truly wanted to be just friends with Kas.

I straighten when I hear the door open and watch Harper come in.

“Someone looks awfully chipper tonight! How are things with lover boy?” I try to keep the snark out of my voice, but maybe, just maybe, a wee bit of envy creeps in.

“He’s perfect, Charli. I’ve had more fun in the last two days with him than I had all four years of high school and last year at college, all combined.” She falls onto the bed, smiling up at the ceiling like one of those cheesy rom-com movies.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy. It looks good on you.” I smile softly, thinking back to Kas and his presence tonight. Even if I didn't speak to him, I could feel his heated stare on me the whole night.

“What about your day? How is Mr. Big-and-Grumpy?” She raises her eyebrows at me. Before I can think, the words fly out of my mouth.

“He’s not grumpy. He was actually really sweet, and we had a lot of fun.” For some reason, I feel the need to defend him.

“Well, that makes me feel so much better about ditching you. This was supposed to be our girls' trip, and we let men drag us off on the first full day!”

“Yeah, but can you honestly say you’d rather have spent your evening with me? Really? Cuz I love you, bitch, but I’m not gonna lie. I wouldn’t have traded my night with Kas for you. And before you argue with me, I know you feel exactly the same about Grayson, so don’t even bother. We spend all our time at school studying or going to classes. There’s never time for anything exciting. This is exactly what we are supposed to be doing on this trip… relaxing, letting go, and enjoying ourselves. Nothing wrong with that at all.” I’m putting on a brave face, but I don't want her to know I’m holding myself back. She won't understand, and she’ll try to focus on me and breaking through my walls rather than her new love life. I meant it when I said she's never looked this happy. I refuse to be the one who interferes with that. So a little white lie won't hurt.

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