Page 90 of No Summer Hotter than You

Aunt Sue raised an accusatory eyebrow at me as her lips twisted into a small scowl. “Well, were you? My nephew isn’t one to just jump headfirst and make these claims unless necessary. He’s a good young man.”

“No, of course not. I’m happily in a relationship with Anthony. I was simply being nice to Kelvin. He seemed like he needed company and all I did was be kind to him. I?—”

“Exactly how kind were you?” Aunt Sue interrupted. “If your kindness confused him, then clearly you’ve done more to insinuate you wanted more from him.” Rage colored her voice and tinged her face crimson. She was furious at me.

I had never seen this side of her. I had always seen her as an easygoing, fun, and kind aunt. Especially kind. But with her inching closer and closer to me with this spiteful look etched on her face, I realized she was only nice when it suited her. Then nasty and completely malicious when things didn’t go her way.

Just like my mom.

“That’s enough, Sue,” Auntie Gao said rather softly. She cast her friend a look of mild disdain. “Don’t try to make Shoua out to be that sort of person. She’s a sweet young woman, just as Kelvin is a good young man. It sounds like it was just a misunderstanding.”

Aunt Sue glanced at her with slightly widened eyes, now looking flustered. Did she expect her friend to agree with her?

“Sue, just let the kids deal with it themselves. They’re adults,” Auntie Yee said.

Anthony wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders. “Exactly, we’re adults, and we can deal with it ourselves,” he said. His voice was flat with annoyance. “Sorry about the ruckus. Shoua and me are going to call it a night.”

We left quickly and once we were inside our room, Anthony pulled me into a tight hug, burying my face in his chest. We stood there, cloaked in darkness, for some time.

“Are you all right?” His voice was nothing short of a sigh of relief.

“I’m fine,” I breathed and then let out a shudder. He pulled me closer to him, if possible. I needed to feel his warmth. “I was scared, Anthony.”

He let out a shaky breath. “So was I. That asshole claimed he wanted to wash his hands, so I gave him three fucking minutes to do so before I ripped him a new one. He just got lucky that our parents were there. Or I would’ve broken his fucking nose.”

A hard laugh erupted out of me, surprising us. Tears burned my eyes, and I blinked rapidly to keep them from spilling over. Someone had to laugh at all these stupid and childish antics, and it might as well be me.

“All of this has been so ridiculous,” I muttered.

“Yeah. Aunt Sue didn’t need to be so rude by insinuating that you’ve led him on.” Anthony rubbed comforting circles into my shoulders. “I’m glad my mom spoke up and defended you. She would’ve never stopped if anyone else did.”

“True,” I sighed.

“Let’s shower and head to bed. Tomorrow will be another day. Just two more days here and three more days until these people leave for a while.” He kissed my temple.

“I have a feeling that we may never see Kelvin again,” I said as his lips brushed across my cheek.

“Good riddance,” he whispered to the corner of my lips. The laughter bubbling out of my mouth died on his lips as he pulled me into a chaste and sweet kiss. “Let’s take that shower, baby.”

I pulled away from him and immediately started to pull off my clothes in exhaustion as he began to do the same. I grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him into the bathroom. Once in the shower, Anthony gently lathered up my hair in shampoo. His fingers rubbed gentle, soothing circles into my scalp, relaxing me.

“Let’s go straight to bed after this,” I murmured.

Anthony let out a husky sigh, making my lower belly clench. “I’m tired.”

“Me too.” I was. I truly was.

My boyfriend kissed me on my wet temple and sighed. His hot breath fanned over my face and down my neck, smelling of chocolate. “I can’t wait until June ends.”

CHAPTER 35

shoua

I let out a heaving, heavy breath as my heart pounded. I glanced up and wondered how much longer I’d have to climb to get to the top of this hiking trail. Maybe I should’ve stayed back at the lake house after all.

Auntie Gao and Uncle Gary loved hiking, so they always made their way up here with a hiking group. They had been raving about a secluded trail they recently discovered in the spring through a hiking group and had wanted to bring us all along to trek on it. They claimed it should be easy, but I was still worried. I was physically inept, and I doubted I could survive hiking any trail. No matter how easy it claimed to be.

Sweat was already dripping down my back and it was only nine thirty in the morning. Kelvin hadn’t glanced my way once all morning as he sulked. Evelyn didn’t say anything as she hiked at his side. Meanwhile, Sai was even quieter than usual. He and Jonathan seemed to be rooming again, but I could tell there was some tension there.

---