Page 26 of Lost in the Current of You

He left my room, leaving me with my heart ricocheting in my chest at the mention of Reece. Going by the interaction we had after Nate picked me up yesterday, I knew it would be an awkward car ride ahead. It was too late to go back, though. I’m sure Nate would just drag me out anyway.

I could still feel the ghost of Reece’s breath against my lips, the peppermint chill skating across my skin in light puffs as my mind drifted to that night. The green and gold flecks in his eyes were barely visible through the dilated pupils as lust and desire flared in his eyes. The feather-light touch against the skin of my jaw and the side of my neck. He was so close, I had never felt my heart thud so hard against my chest. It felt as if time had stood still in that moment. Everything disappeared around us, and it was just us there, consumed by each other's company. A fantasy lived in only a short moment before the spell was broken by the announcement.

I needed to wipe all memories and any fantasy between Reece and me from my mind. It was too alluring to have him near yet so far away after that moment and I needed to keep my distance. Even if it meant sticking my brother between us. To never be found in the same room alone together.

I begrudgingly got out of bed and threw on a random top and shorts before sliding thongs on my feet. It was just a few moments after I threw my hair up into a ponytail that Nate started calling for me from downstairs, telling me he was leaving. I knew he would have dragged me out of the room if I hadn’t come down in the next five minutes, so I tucked some concealer and mascara into my purse before making my way downstairs, meeting Nate by the door as he tugged his shoes on.

It was only a five-minute drive to Reece’s house, and when Nate pulled up on the street, Reece was already lugging his baseball bag over his left shoulder as he walked down his driveway. His wooden bat swung in his other hand, his fingers nimbly adjusting it as he swung it around in large circles by his side.

He wore a navy blue undershirt and light grey baseball pants, both clinging to his lean muscles like a second skin, molding to his biceps and thighs. His team baseball hat was thrown backward on his head, his hair curled slightly around it.

I had to look away, my heart beating unusually fast when my eyes slowly raked down every inch of his body. Swallowing had become difficult when my throat had become dry.

The very first night I met Reece as just a mere stranger, there was no doubt that there was a flicker of attraction there. Maybe that's why I initially felt pulled towards him when I saw him slouched on that pier almost two years ago before I saw the downcast of his features and that far-away look. Then, the moment had changed.

I hadn’t opened up to anyone like I had that night. Not even to Alex and Avery. I hadn’t told them why Liam and I broke up, but I had gone into details with Reece that night, not knowing then that they were friends.

The attraction was still there when we kept running into each other at the river, but I had never seen him as more than a friend.

That boundary only solidified when I found out his connection to Liam.

But it had begun to be tested with his return back into my life. With the knowledge of how it felt to have him so close, to taste his breath. It was knocking that wall down brick by brick, and I needed to find the strength to rebuild it.

I shook my head to rid those forbidden thoughts.

He threw his bag in the tray and climbed into the back seat, popping his head between the front seat after becoming situated. “Summers.” He clapped his hand on my brother’s shoulder. “Thanks for the lift.”

Nate nodded, then put the car in gear and started off towards the field.

Reece’s eyes turned to mine, a small smile touching his lips. “Summers number two.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. “Fischer.”

He sat back in his seat, but I swore, for a split second, I saw his eyes flick down to my lips. But it was so quick I put it down to my mind, playing tricks on me.

We pulled up to the field just over five minutes later, and I felt my heart hit my throat the moment I stepped out of the car. Because it was the exact moment Liam hopped out of his car across the parking lot, and guilt rushed back in.

He hadn’t seen me yet as he grabbed his bag and bat from the boot of his car, but both Nate and Reece saw him. Nate wrapped his arm around my shoulder, squeezing me close, while Reece stood on my right.

“He’s a big boy, Dakota. He may be hurt now, but he’ll get over it,” Nate whispered to me.

Liam looked up and over to us then. The two boys waved to him, but Liam was looking at me, his thick brows turned down and the muscle in his jaw ticking. It was only a moment before he looked away, but it was enough for me to want to run, feeling the way I was unwanted here.

“I’m going to go talk to him,” Reece said, and as he passed me, I swore I felt the brush of his pinky against my hand, drawing goosebumps up my arm. I swallowed.

Reece clapped him on the back as he met him at his car. I watched the entire interaction before they made their way to the field. When they walked past, I heard Liam whisper, “What is she doing here?”

My heart sank. I didn’t hear Reece’s response. I didn’t need to hear anymore. Those words were already a sucker punch to the gut. But, I deserved it.

Nate nudged me toward the stands, knocking me out of my thoughts and stopping me from acting toward my instinct to get out of there.

We found a seat near the front, right behind the team's dugout. A huge net separated us from the field and blocked any foul balls. The smell of dirt, grass, and grilled food filled the air.

I dropped into the seat to the right of Nate while he placed his keys on the seat, not yet sitting down.

“I’m going to grab some food. You want anything?”

“Yeah. I’ll take a hamburger and a can of coke.”

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