Page 95 of Still Here Without You

Dylan visibly relaxes at the joy in Summer’s voice. He still gets nervous whenever something happens that could trigger thoughts of her past. Even though it’s mostly all out in the open now. At least, to the people she cares about.

“You seem to forget that Dylan and I have known her for years.”

“Oh, that’s right, her brother’s on the team.”

“Her brother’s not just on the team. It’s Luke.”

Summer twists around in her seat to make sure I’m being serious. When I look her in the eye and nod, her eyes widen. “No. Freaking. Way. They’re so different. How did I not know that?”

“Not all siblings are the same, Summer. You, of all people, should know that.”

“I know, it’s just…wow. Well, there you go. We should invite her tonight.”

“She’s like you were in the days before we first met. She stays away from football-related parties,” Dylan says with affection, most likely remembering back to when they first met. Then he adds, “I would, too, if Luke was my brother.”

I bark out a laugh because he’s not wrong.

“Speaking of siblings. Are you still meeting Logan and his little brother tomorrow, Joel?” Dylan asks and Summer smiles, knowing the answer.

“I am and I’m really fucking nervous about it.”

“Don’t be. There’s no pressure,” Summer says as her phone chimes in her hand, pulling her attention away. She sighs loudly in relief, drawing mine and Dylan’s eyes toward her. When she looks at the screen, though, her brows furrow, and she shakes her head, mumbling“shit”before acting like nothing happened.

“Um, you okay there, Sum?” Dylan asks, his eyes full of concern.

“Yeah, sorry. I’ve been expecting a message, but that was just Cory.”

“Ooh, hot date tonight?” I ask, taking the joke approach to hopefully ease some of the tension I can see in her shoulders.

“Yes, definitely that,” she responds quickly, before focusing on the road in front of her. The tone of her voice and the way she’s avoiding eye contact suggests that she’s hiding something. But that’s for Dylan to figure out. I’m ready to party.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Delilah

IarriveattheBall House and pull out my phone to tell Summer I’m here, but the screen stays dark when I lift it.Dammit.Time for an upgrade.Dead batteryagain. Stepping inside, I’m immediately hit with the smell of alcohol and weed, mixed with sweat, and my face scrunches as I try to close off my nostrils without touching my nose. I’m not sure how Summer convinced me to come here, but here I am. We’ve texted back and forth a lot since our coffee catch-up, but today’s the first time I’m seeing her again. If I keep reminding myself that Joel’s not here and it’s for a good cause, then hopefully I can make it through. Since Summer mentioned that Dylan would be in some sort of competition out back around this time, I go in search of a back door, ready to start the night.

As soon as I make it through the rowdy crowd and into the yard, I come face to face with said competition, and a laugh bursts free of its own accord. Maybe this will be fun. Dylan’s standing in one of those blow-up sumo wrestling suits opposite one of the other guys from the football team. A whistle blows, somehow penetrating through the loud music, and then it’s on. They run toward each other—if you can call it running—before slamming together as hard as they can, trying to maneuver themselves around so that they can actually use their hands. It’s a train wreck, but I can’t take my eyes away. God, I wish Eli was here for this, but he refuses to be seen at a college party. Makes sense. I get it. Although, as two more guys strip down to their briefs to prepare for their turn to battle in the hot and heavy costumes, I have a feeling if I had my phone, I’d be able to change his mind. He’s become my sounding board for all things Joel lately, with him now being the only person, other than my mom, who knows all the details. It’s a relief to have someone else to talk to.

“Youcame?” Summer says in surprise, stepping in front of my view as a triumphant Dylan walks off the mats.

“You say that like it's unexpected. Did you really think I’d bail?” A nervous feeling runs through me, and I suddenly wonder if maybe I shouldn’t be here.

“No, not at first, but I thought once you got my text—”

“Text?”I didn’t get a text.

Summer’s eyes widen at my question. “Oh, no. I’m so sorry. He had plans. I didn’t think he’d change them, but…”

I close my eyes briefly and sigh. “Joel’s here.”

“He’s not just here, in general. He’s walking this way. I’m so sorry, Delilah.”

She looks so worried that the need to comfort her overshadows my need to panic. “It’s okay, Summer. You tried to warn me. I should have known it was a possibility—”

“Del?”

I close my eyes again in the hope that everything will be different when I open them, but when I feel movement close by, curiosity gets the best of me. Opening one eye, I’m met with Joel’s stare before I slam it shut again.

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