Page 94 of No Summer Hotter than You

“Why should Julie get married before you? You’re older, smarter, and much better than her. You should get married first. Not her,” she spat out bitterly. She pushed herself into Shoua’s face, and that was the last straw.

“It’s true,” my voice boomed over the loud music and chatter far behind us. I pulled Shoua behind me as I stepped up to tower over her mother. A tight smile pulled across my lips. “Shoua is older, better, and so much more beautiful than Julie. But that’s just my opinion. My brother would say otherwise about his girlfriend.”

Shoua’s mom began to stammer, unable to reply.

“We’re done here, Auntie Hua and Lee,” I said firmly. I grabbed my girlfriend’s hand and lightly squeezed it. Her mom gaped at us as her shoulders tensed. “I hope you both understand that I love Shoua, and I refuse to stand idle and tolerate any disrespect anyone throws at her. More than anything, I’d appreciate it if you both were gentler with her.”

Shoua’s mom’s and brother’s cheeks flamed up immediately as they glanced at her. Lee avoided my gaze while their mom’s eyes were wild and practically red with rage. Then they turned their eyes to the ground instead of looking back at either of us. I wasn’t sure if they were ashamed or embarrassed.

I bid them a short bye before I pulled Shoua into the empty garage and immediately embraced her. I couldn’t believe what I just witnessed. If Lee didn’t even stand up for her, then was her dad at least on her side? Or did everyone in her family let her mom berate her? My heart weighed heavily as my arms tightened around her.

Shoua started sniffling into my chest as her ribcage rattled against mine with deep gulps of breaths. I rubbed soothing circles into the small of her back as her shoulders shook. Suddenly, she pushed out of our hug as she gasped harshly for air.

“I can’t breathe,” she announced, wheezing. “I can’t breathe.”

My heart began pumping violently, but I kept my expression calm and neutral. I reached out to her and grabbed her other hand and continued to keep rubbing warm, comforting circles into the back of her clammy hands.

“Don’t worry. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere,” I said gently. Her eyes misted over with tears as she nodded. She gasped violently for another breath and squeezed my hands tightly. “It’s okay, baby. Just count the things you see in here out loud, okay?”

She nodded shakily. “O-One SUV. . . One bucket,” she answered, heaving with tears budding at the corners of her eyes. “Two p-pairs of running sneakers.”

She hesitated to continue as she frantically looked around for more items to count. “One toolbox. One vacuum . . . Um, um. One . . . two, three, and four utility hooks.”

Although her voice still shook and her hands continued to tremble in mine with each answer she gave me, she wasn’t panting anymore. Her frantic, panicked gasps for air had begun to slow bit by bit. But her bottom lip still trembled as she looked up at me with tears in her eyes.

“I-I want to cry,” she coughed out.

“It’s okay, I’m here,” I choked out as my vision of her became misty. I reached out to wipe her tears away. “I’m right here. You’re safe with me.”

She wrapped her arms around me and buried her face in my chest. She started sobbing, her chest heaving with each cry she let out while I comforted her. When her cries dwindled into sniffles, I kissed the top of her head tenderly.

“Hey, why don’t we go on a walk around the neighborhood? There’s a place I want to show you,” I said.

She sniffed as she pulled away from our hug. Despite her misty eyes, her brows lightly furrowed together as she tilted her head. “What are you going to show me?”

I beamed, feeling my cheeks warm a tad. “It’s a secret.”

Shoua blinked, and two huge teardrops streamed down her face.

“I practically grew up in this neighborhood,” she said as I wiped the tears from her cheek. “I know it like the back of my hand, Anthony. What are you going to show me?”

“I told you. It’s a secret. Think of it as my next major project,” I said with a chuckle.

“Your next major project? I thought working on the ski resort was going to be your next significant project.” She raised a brow at me.

“It’s a personal one, Shoua,” I said. “It’s an endeavor I want to take on with you.”

Her second brow raised up immediately. “What does that even mean?”

“Why don’t I show you first?” I pulled her hips flush into my side.

“Fine,” she said with a small smile on her lips. “It better be a good one.”

After making sure she was hydrated and ate a light snack, we headed out. The night air felt cool on our skin as we walked hand in hand. Now that the sun had set, the sky was a soft purple with dark orange rays of the sun hanging in the west. Crickets were chirping quietly as we continued to walk.

“Thank you for standing up for me,” Shoua said. I peered over at her as she glanced at me with a soft expression. “Not many people do that for me.”

“I’ve noticed,” I said and frowned. “I thought Lee would try to defend you at least. Is your dad the same? Or does he try to stop your mom?”

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