Page 78 of When Nothing Else Matters

“I really want to kiss you right now,” she whispers in my ear as she walks past me. I freeze and my chest feels tight. God, I really want to kiss her too, but not just now,always. It’s all I think about. Not knowing where we stand is killing me. Our friendship couldn’t be better, and while I have loved being Summer’s friend, I want more. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want her, and lately, I think she feels the same.

She peers over her shoulder before disappearing out of view, and her smile lights up the room, not to mention my world. I shake my head and laugh because at that moment, I know I’m going to make this girl mine.

As the night goes on, Logan easily becomes the life of the party, having discovered he remembers Lucy from before he moved away. He can’t seem to shut up about “little Lucy Mathers,” and I’ve got to say, it’s nice to have the teasing thrown back atherfor a change. Joel adds his own stories occasionally, allowing me to steal secret glances Summer’s way.

She’s in a constant state of happiness at my side as she listens to the boys’ antics, and I swear, her smiles are something I’ll never take for granted. They need to be savored, especially since I know she’s hurting underneath it all. When she notices me staring, she winks and bites her lip, making me fight the urge to grab her face and kiss her in front of our closest friends. She’s not ready for that yet. As if understanding my thoughts, she places her hand on my thigh and bumps her shoulder into mine.Be patient, Dylan.

I shake my head to get it back into party mode, which isn’t hard because the drinks are flowing and conversation is getting louder. We barely pause when our final guest, one of Lucy’s friends, arrives. “Sorry I’m late, everyone,” she announces as she walks in.

When Lucy introduces her to everyone, I notice Logan’s eyes following her around the room.He’s interested. My own shoot to Summer, hoping I don’t find jealousy in her expression, but there’s only a playful grin as she looks at Logan from across the table. She raises an eyebrow, and he winks before turning away again.

Time passes in a blur, and before we know it, we’re on to dessert. Since Logan’s now coupled up, Joel’s the only one going solo, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I’ve seen him on his phone, a lot, and I’d bet my last dollar it’s Delilah.

“Why is it that we never hooked up?” Logan asks Lucy, with raised eyebrow, clearly joking.

“Because, God only knows who you’ve been with, and diseases aren’t really my thing,” Lucy jokes, and I cringe when I feel Summer stiffen beside me. Logan, however, laughs.

“Hey! I’m clean, I’ll have you know.”

“Sounds like you dodged a bullet not sleeping with Luce,” Greg adds. “Because now you get a shot at her fine-as-fuck friend.”

What the fuck?I rise in my seat but feel a small hand grip my thigh, breaking my trance. “I’d love another drink while you’re up, Dyl.” Summer smiles at me, not hiding what she’s doing. And dammit, it works, because as much as I want to pummel this guy, now is not the time.

Where does Lucy find these guys?I can’t help but wonder as I go to get Summer’s drink and try to calm down.Doesn’t she realize her worth?I’ll never understand girls who stay with guys that treat them badly. Actually, I’ll never understand dating them in the first place. God, I hope he treats her like a princess when they’re alone. Maybe he just acts like this when he’s drunk?

When I return, I find Greg’s eyes now on Summer and have to stop myself from reactingagain. Summer meets my gaze with a smile before mouthing, “it’s harmless,” and gesturing for me to sit. I do as I’m told, and she takes my hand in hers, curling our fingers together out of sight.

Her electrifying touch distracts me from my anger, and conversation buzzes around me as I relish in the warmth of Summer’s hand. Her fingers are bouncing on my knuckles as though she’s keeping time with a tune, and I’m suddenly hit with a flash of déjà vu. I smile, lost for a moment in the memory, until I notice Greg’s eyes bore into Summer once more before he winks.What the actual…“Get the fuck out of my house,” I yell, slamming my fist on the table and scaring the shit out of everyone, including myself.

“Dylan!” Lucy exclaims, a flush of red staining her cheeks.

I’m about to defend my actions when Logan does it for me. “Dylan’s right. Lucy, this guy’s a dickwad. You deserve better. Hell, anyone would deserve better. What’s the deal?”

“You don’t have to answer that, Lucy,” Summer interjects. “Let’s go into the kitchen. I’ll help you clean up.”

“It’s fine,” Lucy says, turning back to me. “Dylan, you’re out of line.”

“What?”Seriously, what? It wasn’t just me.

Lucy gives me a stern look, but before she can answer, Greg pushes his chair back and gets up. “Fuck this. I’m out of here,” he says before moving over to Lucy and kissing her briefly on the lips. “Call me later, babe.”

She smiles and nods before shooting a glare my way.If looks could kill.

As soon as the door shuts, Lucy and Summer start clearing our plates.

Before Summer walks away, she catches my eye and shakes her head with a grin before biting her lip. I raise an eyebrow in question, but she leaves without a response.

I feel a little guilty after witnessing Greg’s gentle kiss and then watching him leave. He obviously respects Lucy enough to not cause a scene, but I couldn’t just sit back and accept his behavior. This possessive feeling is new to me. We all know I’ve had girlfriends. I’m a serial dater.Insert eye roll here.But I’ve never felt this cut up over someone staring at my girl.My girl? Fuck!I can’t even call her that, but God, do I want to.

No matter my reasons, I was an asshole and need to apologize. I move to the kitchen to find Lucy but stop when I hear her whispered voice.

“He’s not the same when we’re alone. I don’t know why he acts that way. Anyway, it’s not like he’s the one or anything. It’s just a bit of fun.”Well, that’s lucky, since I can’t see him asking me to be his best man anytime soon.“Let’s change the subject, you and my brother seem good tonight,” Lucy says to Summer, unaware of my presence. I shouldn’t listen, especially now the topic has turned to me. I should walk away now. Turn and head in the opposite direction, but I can see their reflections in a mirror and can’t seem to get my legs to move. I’m stuck, watching Summer’s reaction.

“He’s a good guy, Luce. I don’t need to tell you that.” She smiles as Lucy nods, a sparkle of hope in her eyes. “He’s different from other guys I’ve been with. I’ve never had someone be protective of me like he was out there. The feeling I got was unexpected.”

Lucy smiles. “You liked it,” she states.

“I usually wouldn’t but…” She shrugs with a puzzled expression and then turns serious. “I think I like him, Luce,” she adds, and my heart leaps into my chest. That’s all I’ve wanted to hear from the very beginning, and God, I hope she says it to me too.

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