Page 12 of Beyond the Summer

"You chasing after me because you want to party over break, Torres?"he asked.

What?"No.Definitely not."I cleared my throat."I mean, I enjoy parties."That might have been the biggest lie I'd ever told him."But not with you.It looks like it's going to be a party of one."Fuck, what was I saying?

"Harsh," he said with a smirk that told me it wasn't.

I had to think quickly before he could throw me more off balance, launching into the real reason I'd sought him out."Why did you offer to take Parker away for the weekend?What the hell are you playing at?"

Sutton stepped in closer, forcing me to look up at him, an eyebrow arching in amusement or challenge—it was hard to tell which."Chill out, Ben," he drawled, his deep voice infuriatingly calm."It's a weekend trip.Parker's a big boy; he can handle a little casual fun."

"You chill out."Fuck, why had no one ever taught me how to trade insults?I was terrible at it.I stepped forward and placed my palm on his chest, shoving until he stumbled back against his SUV.He didn't fight back."This isn't about fun, and you know it.You're messing with Parker's head—playing with his feelings like they're some kind of game for you."

"Well, he said no.No need to run in like the hero.He's off looking for Ravi, I think."

That derailed my rage a little, and I cleared my throat, shifting on the balls of my feet as I tried to get mad again."Leave Parker out of your mind games, okay?He doesn't deserve to be another one of your conquests."

"Conquests?"Sutton repeated, a little smile playing around his mouth.He bit his bottom lip, his green eyes darkening as he pushed off his SUV and moved closer, making me realize my hand was still on his chest, the firm mass of his muscles rippling beneath my fingertips.I wanted to snatch my hand back, but I couldn't very well remove it now.That would be a sign of backing down.He stared at me for a long moment before he spoke."Maybe you should ask Parker what he wants instead of trying to babysit him.Unless, of course, you're projecting your own issues onto him."

"Projecting?"I countered, the anger rising again.I shoved his chest a little, boxing him in against his car."This isn't about me.This is about you and your inability to admit who—"

"Careful, Ben," Sutton cut in, a warning note threading through his words."You care a little too much about what I'm up to."

It was then that I noticed how close we were standing, our faces mere inches apart.I could feel his minty breath as it feathered across my mouth, see the flecks of gold in Sutton's green eyes.My gaze flicked down to his lips briefly before snapping back up.My heart thudded loudly, and a strange warmth spread through me.

"Look," Sutton said finally, his voice low and controlled."I'm sorry if I stirred shit up.That wasn't my intention."

"Why ask him then?"I managed, struggling to keep my composure as the odd attraction to him threatened to derail my thoughts."Because it sure seems like you're playing with his head."

"I'm not," he murmured, holding my gaze intently."It was a moment of weakness.But now that I know you care, it won't happen again."

I stared at him, trying to understand how he could be so cavalier with my friend's feelings, but his face was an impassive mask—handsome but unreadable.When a shrill, slightly ominous ringtone pierced through the thick tension between us, Sutton's face went pale, and his muscles tightened against my hand.

"Is that yours?"I asked, letting my hand drop away and pointing at the rectangular bulge in his hoodie pocket.

"I'm allowed to have a cell phone in the camp parking lot, aren't I?"

I frowned."Of course you are.You can even have it in the counselors' cabin.Matt's only rule is not to use phones in front of the campers.Many of their parents rely on us to provide a break from screens."Why did I always give him so many unnecessary details?

The ringtone continued to play.He made no move to answer it.I frowned, wondering why, but Sutton continued to stare into my eyes, not flinching, and I found myself examining the darker circles around his irises that made the green color really pop.The ringing stopped, and he didn't check to see who had called.

"Look," I sighed, finally breaking the weird eye contact and rubbing a hand through my hair."I'm just worried about Parker, okay?He's one of my close friends.And I don't have many friends, so I take care of them."

Sutton nodded, his expression softening."I get it, Ben.Your fierce loyalty is something I admire about you.And I swear, I'm not trying to hurt him, I'm just…" He trailed off with a shrug."It was an impulsive mistake.Chasing away loneliness or whatever."

I searched his face, trying to decide if he was being sincere.With Sutton, I wasn't sure you could ever know.He certainly didn't act like he admired anything about me.

His phone rang again, the weird ringtone grating on my nerves."Aren't you going to answer that?"

Sutton's eyes flicked towards his pocket, and for a split second, he looked almost queasy.Had I imagined that?He shook his head and clenched his jaw, determinedly ignoring the call."It can wait."

"Are you okay?"I asked, pressing my hand gently into his chest.I could feel his heart racing, and I didn't think I was the one that had caused it.

"I'm fine," Sutton ground out, his gaze locked with mine."Why wouldn't I be fine?"

I had no idea what was going on, but he remained frozen like that as the phone continued to ring, and I studied his face.There was something delicate about his face.Maybe it was his pale, porcelain skin, which hadn't darkened after a few weeks in the sun.He must have been reapplying the sunscreen more than I'd noticed, because while my complexion had gone from light tan to medium brown in a matter of days, Sutton was still pale enough to play a vampire in a teen movie.And he had the cheekbones to pull off the role, too.

He pursed his lips, which were plush and pink and too full for the fine angles of his face, but somehow worked.He was almost too beautiful to have the big, brutal body he did.

His phone went silent, and he cleared his throat, combing his hand through his dark hair, and looked away, breaking the strange moment."What are you doing over break?"

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