Page 4 of When Nothing Else Matters

I shrug and hold back a smile because it’s fun to frustrate Luke.Summer, Summer?My smile finally breaks through.Oh, Summer, as in…

“Before you even go there in your mind, stop,” Luke interrupts my thoughts. “It’s Thomas’s little sister, Summer.” He stares at me, waiting for my recognition.

I know who she is, douchebag.

“Summer Kelly,” he tries again.

“Yep, got that, thanks,” I say, rolling my eyes.

Now, I understand why I recognize her. I can sort of see the resemblance. I may not have seen her before, but I’ve definitely heard a bit about her over the years. Thomas and his sister have a complicated relationship. From the whispers, I’ve pieced together that they’re estranged, even though they’re still living in the same town. Something big happened, and her parents had either kicked her out or she’d left. Both rumors circulated.

Thomas didn’t like anyone mentioning her, but if she ever came up in conversation, he definitely insinuated that she’d wronged their family. I have no idea what’s true and what’s not, but one thing I know for sure is that I’ve never seen her at any of our college parties.

“So why is this the first time I’m seeing her here?” I ask Luke, my eyes focused straight ahead. On her.

“Thomas asked her to stay away from the team, and she respected his wishes. I guess now that—”

“He’s graduated,” I finish for him.

“Exactly.” He raises his eyebrows, and we both look her way.

“Plus, the Cory thing,” I add more to myself.

“What?” Luke asks.

“Never mind.”

Luke stares at me for a moment, trying to figure me out, before speaking. “She’s still off-limits, for Thomas’s sake, and to be honest, you don’t stand a chance. For one, you have a ‘girlfriend.’” He misuses quote hands and pauses for dramatic effect. “And even though we all know Gemma won’t last…”

What the hell does that mean?I intend to protest, but he raises a hand. “Regardless, Summer doesn’t do relationships, and that seems to beallyou do. God only knows why.”

I roll my eyes and huff out a laugh before shoving him in the shoulder. He stumbles but rights himself, pushing me back. Our antics gain laughs from those around us. Yep, these guys are my family. Thomas included. End of story. My eyes follow Summer for one last look as she walks out the front door. I know who she is now, so it’s time to move on.

Chapter Two

Summer

DylanMathers.I honestly never intended to approach him. Ever. But the opportunity presented itself and…here we are. I knew who he was when I grabbed his arm. Hell, I think everyone does. But did I think I’d actually talk to him one day? No, it had never even crossed my mind.

I somehow manage not to look back as I walk out the door and smile at my freedom. Cory’s with Nate.Finally. Everything’s the way it should be. I’ll do the good friend thing and hang around a little longer, just to be sure, and then I’m done.

A little part of me still can’t believe that I’m here, at the one place I never thought I’d enter. Huntington House, a.k.a. the Ball House, home to some of the football players.

The very house my dear brother previously lived in.

I’d held my breath as I stepped over the threshold, half expecting him to jump out of the shadows, grab me by the arm, and rip me outside. But I made it through the door unscathed. I was here for Cory, and nothing was going to stop that.

We’ve been best friends since the moment we met on her thirteenth birthday and have lived together since our junior year of high school. I love her like a sister. I mean, she is the closest thing to family that I’ve got. Being here is the least I can do after all she’s done for me.

I’m searching for a place to sit when I hear Cory call my name from behind me.Shit! This can’t be good.

When I turn toward her voice, I see her and Nate exiting the front door. Nate heads to a car in the driveway as Cory walks to me. She’s already explaining as she approaches.

“Nate’s one of the designated drivers for the team tonight. He said he wants to spend more time with me but has one more drop-off and then he’ll hand it over to someone else.”

What?I stare at her for a few seconds, shocked at what she just said. Not the part about wanting to spend more time with Cory, but designated driver? Who knew the football team was that responsible?

“What if it was an excuse? Maybe they all use that as a way to get rid of girls they don’t want?” Cory says breathlessly. “Maybe—”

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