Page 23 of Surge of Fire

Samantha

The next morning,I get up extra early to avoid breakfast with Granger and Aydan, then head toward my wildlife class, toolbelt on my waist, just in case. I know I’m being a chicken by avoiding the guys, but as someone who never gets hangovers, I figured getting up early was a hell of a lot easier than dealing with my complicated emotions first thing in the morning. My plan is pretty much to take the walk to the wildlife class really slowly, then hang around getting my bearings until class time.

And to think.

I feel angry at Aydan. But more than that, I’m angry at myself. I’ve been trying so hard to distract myself from my feelings for him, by losing myself in a cute boy, that I’ve complicated my life in ways that are irritating as hell.

It's not that it was a stupid plan. I’ve distracted myself with other men for years, I just should have been more careful what I was doing around Aydan, knowing how he can get.

Which takes me back to being angry at Aydan. Whydoeshe get like this? Granger was always good at being an accidentalcock-blocker, but Aydan acts like I’m his little sister, and anyone who touches me has to die. While I’m standing there wishing he would kiss me, he’s looking down at me like the idea of anyone seeing me as a sexual being is insane.

He is the most irritating person alive.

“Sam!”

I turn around and spot Granger hurrying up the path behind me. Unable to help myself, I smile. He’s wearing a button-up plaid shirt stretched across his wide frame and cargo pants with a bunch of pockets. His hair is a mess. Not cute-guy messy, just I-never-run-a-comb-through-it messy. He’s also grinning and waving as he rushes toward me.

“Hey,” I greet while he sweeps me into another one of his tight bear hugs. “What’s up?” I manage to gasp out before he releases me.

“You weren’t at breakfast.”

I shrug, avoiding his gaze, knowing he’ll see right through me. “I got up a little earlier.”

“So, avoiding Aydan, huh?” He’s smirking.

I laugh. “Maybe. A little. But do you blame me? He was acting like a real asshole yesterday.”

He sighs and wraps an arm around my shoulder. "We're not friends with Aydanbecausehe lacks the classic traits of the allusive asshole, we're friends with him because healsohas the traits of the classic, and rare, hero."

"Hero?" I repeat in disbelief.

"Hero," he repeats, thrusting a hand in the air like he's thrusting a sword.

I shake my head. "Being fearless doesn't make him a hero…"

Granger looks genuinely surprised. "I'm not referring to his fearlessness, I'm referring to his empathy. Not just the fact that he cares about us, but the fact that he's willing to do the unglamorous work to help others."

I must look confused, because he continues. "Remember when we were in high school and Jami FartFace, I mean Jami Farceface, started making my life hell? Suddenly, Aydan was waiting for me after every class, working out with me, and taking me out to keep me busy. It wasn't enough that whatever he said to Jami made him terrified of me, he seemed to understand that having that asshole put me down, mess with me, and generally make me miserable had an effect on my self-esteem."

It's hard not to smile. "I never said the jerk wasn't also a good guy."

He shakes his head. "The word is hero." He hesitates, his expression uncertain. "My first year of college was a little tougher than I let on. The big D,depression, kind of hit me like a punch."

"Granger!"Why didn't he tell me?

He squeezes the arm around my shoulders just a little tighter. "I'm fine, seriously. But my point is, Aydan pulled me out of some dark times. So even though I've given up some… things for him, I don't regret it. He's a friend for life."

Granger is right. He’s always right. “You both were amazing when my dad passed.”

Even saying the words brings up flashes of memories. The car accident. The phone call. Racing to the hospital but not making it in time. Losing my dad just before high school graduation, and Granger and Aydan picking the pieces up and putting me back together.

“I’m sorry, Sam,” he whispers, his breath warm on my hair. “He was a good man. And being there for you? It was easy when we love you so much.”

I lean into him. "You're too good for us, Granger."

Seriously, he’s the kindest person I’ve ever known.

"You two are everything to me," he says softly. "That's why I don't want to see you fighting and avoiding each other. I mean, this is supposed to be our best summer ever, right?"

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