Page 116 of Collide
She snuggles closer, and the movements stirs her awake. I don’t bother pretending like I’m sleeping. I’ve pretty much surpassed the creepy stalker territory in her head. When she tries to move away, I don’t let her. “Don’t go.”
She shifts to meet my eyes. “I’m just going to the bathroom.”
My breath of relief has her studying the reaction. Summer’s never stayed over long enough for me to see her face in the morning. I once thought handcuffs could keep her here but knowing her she’d break my headboard before she’d oblige. It’s like trying to cage a butterfly in an open field.
She may think I’m some clingy weirdo, but letting her be more than a few feet away from me right now feels so utterly wrong I’m willing to look desperate.
My hand glides across her cheek. Everything about her feels like it’s one in a million. Being able to be this close to her makes me feel like I’m one in a million. “You’re so beautiful.”
Her breath catches and with a kiss to her temple, I loosen my hold. She rolls off the bed and straight into my bathroom.
I hear a muffled, “Oh my god!” from the opposite side of the door. Then Summer peeks her head out of the bathroom. “You could have told me I look like a raccoon!” She points to the smudged mascara that paints her under eyes.
She looks so fucking radiant standing there with messy hair and my T-shirt on, I can’t help but smile. “You’re so beautiful, Summer,” I say again. All that gets me is an eye roll and a door slam.
Laughing, I text Eli to see what he’s made for dinner. He could seriously attend culinary school with how much he enjoys cooking.
Eli
Eli: Two pans of baked ziti tonight. As per our child’s request.
Aiden: Kian’s still sulking over Cassie?
Eli: Poor kid saw her on a date with Julia Romero. An ice skater.
Eli: He’s been listening to Folklore on repeat, and watching The Cutting Edge.
Aiden: I know, I can hear it from across the hall.
Aiden: I’ll be down for dinner later then.
Eli: Safest option, you don’t wanna risk running into him. I’ll leave yours in the oven.
Eli: More than enough for your girlfriend, too.
I ignore that message, and Summer comes out. As if going to the bathroom popped our comfortable bubble because she stands there awkwardly.
I drop my phone on the nightstand and hold up the comforter. “Come here.”
She does. Crawling back into place like she never left.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better,” she whispers, burying her head between my neck and shoulder. “I think I’ve drained all my energy from crying.”
“Stay here tonight.” The offer makes her stiff. The only sounds between us are my heartbeat and Kian’s music. There is no reason for her to leave tonight, and I was serious when I said it felt wrong to let her go. “I know you can take care of yourself, but let me do it. Just this once.”
I need to feel useful for her. Summer likes to carry all her problems under a heavy rain cloud.
“I don’t know…”
“Yes, you do,” I say, lifting her chin to hold her pensive eyes. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
She nods.
39 | SUMMER
THE HOUSE COULD have lit on fire, and I’d be fine just lying there in his arms. Because that is what Aiden does—he makes me feel safe even in moments where I’ve never felt more alone. After dropping me off this morning and making sure I was okay, he finally went to practice. Aiden didn’t complain, but I suspect Coach is having an aneurysm right about now.
