Page 79 of Summer Ever After
“That’s valid.” I lie back down beside him. “A lot of people feel that way.”
“But as a token of appreciation for sharing your song with me, I will share one with you.” He grabs my phone, lying on the seat pads between us, and begins searching iTunes.
“You have a grand-gesture song too?”
“Not quite.” He peers over the device with a playful expression. “This is more like a make-out song.”
My brows climb. “A make-out song?”
“That’s right.”
“Higher” by Creed starts playing over the speakers.
“I have not heard this song for probably fifteen years,” I say as I watch Walker bang his head to the beat.
“It’s an oldie but a goodie.”
“So, let me get this straight. You turn this song on when you want to make out with a woman?”
“No, I justthinkit would be a good song to make out to. I’ve never actually done it.” His smile turns cheeky. “You want to try it out?”
“No!” I push his shoulder, causing him to fall to his back. Things are getting a little too casual, so I put up a clear boundary. “It would be gross if we kissed.”
“Gross? Gee, thanks.”
“You know what I mean. You’re like a brother to me.”
Walker’s laughter fades as he looks over at me. “I hate it when you say that.”
“Why?”
The air between us shifts from lighthearted to intense. My heart thrashes inside my chest, matching with the strong beat of the song. I hold completely still as he rolls to me, his body leaning over mine. I grasp his massive shoulders, as if I can magically hold him back on the off chance he leans down to kiss me. I’m like those guys who drive down the freeway, trying to hold a mattress on top of their car with just their arm. I’m never winning this battle. I don’t even know if Iwantto win this battle.
There’s a change in his blue eyes, an electrifying current dancing in his gaze as he stares down at me. “A sister is the last thing you are to me.”
Rapid, shallow breaths fight to escape my chest, but the pounding of my heart constricts everything. I swallow, as ifthat can somehow counteract the physical torment I’m under, but it’s no use. My emotions crescendo with the music, and all I want to do is drag Walker’s lips down to mine. The magnitude of the feeling is more powerful than anything I’ve ever felt in my life…but Capri.
Kissing her brother—likethis,without her knowing I even like him—would kill her.
I’m Team Capri.
Have been since day one.
The music abruptly stops mid-song, like the BFF gods are helping me out.
“I think my phone died.” I glance away, snapping the moment in half. “We should probably radio in for gas or else we’ll be stuck out here all night.”
“Yeah, okay.” Walker rolls to his back, letting me pass by while I try to figure out if that was disappointment I just heard in his voice.
I pick up the radio and turn it on, but nothing happens. “Oh, it wasn’t my phone that died. I think we drained the marine battery from listening to music for so long.”
Walker sits up, watching me as I reach for my cell phone.
I lift it up, but it doesn’t turn on either. “Oh, no. This is dead too. Do you have your phone?” My panicked eyes search his.
“I didn’t bring a phone. I was out for a run, remember?”
“You didn’t have your phone on you while you were running?”
