Page 45 of Invisible String
I nod at her question. “Yeah, summer fun.” I look away from her. I’m so frustrated with myself.
“I’m going to head back to the cabin. I need to run to the store. I’ll see you later.” She grabs her things and a chair.
“I can take the chairs back,” I offer.
“Okay, thanks,” she says in a low voice.
She doesn’t spare me another glance. It fucking sucks. I know I wounded her. Rainey hasn’t been with many guys. I’m the second guy she’s slept with. Maybe she wants more, or perhaps she doesn’t. I can’t be sure of her intentions, but one thing is certain: she’s not just a summer hook-up. She is worth more than a fleeting fling. Rainey and I have a shared history that goes beyond simple summer fun. We can’t go beyond what we have now. I can’t tell her about my past, and how can I be involved with someone I have to lie to about who I am? She knows a little about me, but not the essential things. Like I’m homeless, I have no damn money, but here I am, sticking around longer to be with her. I lived my life unloved. These are legit, fair reasons. One thing I know is I know more about Rainey than she thinks.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
RAINEY
My heart has been in the gutter. I know I shouldn’t be upset that he said he wasn’t jealous or that he’s in the no-go for a relationship. But this is Max and Rainey, the two who kissed in high school and ran into each other years later, and have been having hot, steamy sex and waking up together. We have had dinners together. We have spent a lot of time together. It’s been a month since I came here for the summer.
He was jealous; I felt it through the timber in his voice. Who knows what Professor—I mean Alex, said to Max in Spanish. I should have taken a Spanish class. I sigh as I apply a blue eyeshadow hue, followed by classic red lipstick.
I spent the afternoon cleaning up the place and doing the laundry. Not going to lie, I waited for Max to show up. To say, “Rainey, I was jealous and I don’t know what’s going on between us, but let’s take things slow and see how things end up.” Wishful thinking. Instead, I saw him go inside his cabin after being at the lake, then hours later, he left. It’s been two hours, and still nothing. You know what? I’m heading to the party or cookout, whatever it is Alex invited me to. I need to clear my mind, and the best way to achieve that is by leaving the house anddistracting myself from the man who is both breaking my heart and making it skip a beat. It’s odd, I admit.
The tires squeal, climbing up the hilltop to get to the cabin at the top. It doesn’t look like it’s a huge party, more like a get-together. “What am I doing here?” I say to no one—killing the engine.
I hesitantly swing open the car door, and my heels sink into the grass next to the driveway. The short red skirt clings to my upper thighs, and the cropped tank top flaunts my pierced belly button. Suddenly, I acknowledge I’m far too exposed. Ignoring my inner voice, I make my way toward the party’s entrance. The aroma of searing steaks fills the night air. A large gate swings open from the backyard. Alex staggers toward me with a full-blown smile.
“Hey, Rainey, I’m glad you could make it.” Alex stands in front of me awkwardly. This was a bad idea. He’s my professor, and I should keep it that way, not come to his cabin to party with him.Oh, great titties, what are you doing, Rainey?
“Hey, Prof—Alex just came to hang out for a bit. If that’s alright.”
He swipes my body, and his lips turn when his gaze bounces back to my eyes. Alex is not bad-looking at all. He’s tall and masculine with full, kissable lips. But he doesn’t compare to Max, not by a long shot. While Max towers over everyone, he holds an aura that is dark and intimidating, with muscular forearms, tan skin, and emerald eyes that capture my soul.
“Of course, Rainey.” His gaze goes over my shoulder. “Are you alone?”
I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah.”
“Come on.” He gestures with his hand to follow. “Where’s Lana?”
“She’s in Europe,” I say, looking around. As I step onto the patio, I’m immediately drawn to the massive marble outdoorkitchen. The grill sizzles with meat as a shirtless man expertly flips steaks and burgers on the hot surface. The smell of charred meat fills the air, and my mouth waters involuntarily.
“The guy on the grill is my youngest brother, Ronnie.”
Ronnie juts his chin at me. “Sup.”
“Hi.” I wave.
Two women sit in a hot tub that probably fits six people. “Those young ladies are my friend’s wives, Tammy and Linda,” he says as two men climb in. “Felix and Greg.” The ladies and men wave. “This is Rainey, guys.”
He gestures for me to follow him into the house. As we step inside, the pounding bass from outside fades away, replaced by a softer melody playing on a stereo. For some reason, I thought there would be more people—maybe other students he sees as friends or, hell, even other professors. This seems to be more private.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Alex opens the fridge. “We have water, beer, wine, seltzers, and, um, hard liquor.” He grins.
“Just water for now. I do have to drive home.”
He nods. “I’m glad you’re responsible. So where’s your boyfriend?”
My forehead crinkles. “Boyfriend?”
He twists the water bottle and hands it to me. “The guy from earlier. He said you were his.”
Wait, what?My heart thumps.
