Page 24 of Summer's Edge

Thunder is still rumbling outside, and fat raindrops are pelting the roof. But it’s safe and warm in her arms and in this bed. Almost kinda like home.

ELEVEN

Summer

He fell asleep, but I couldn’t, not for the longest time. I just lay there, listening to the rain hitting the roof and thunder cracking outside and tried not to imagine what he’d been through. I had it so easy compared to him. Two loving parents. A support system counted in the hundreds all of whom would die for me. I felt very small over the way I’d acted when I first found out we’d be stuck here together. And over how I acted when I ran away to Mexico without telling anyone.

I have an obligation to my family. An obligation to stay safe, if nothing else.

I fell asleep with the promise to never put myself in danger recklessly again. And to never take anything or anyone for granted ever again.

The knowledge that we’re at war also hit very close to my heart. Closer than ever before. I guess I was just living in a bubble, pretending it wasn’t as bad as it is because I couldn’t face it. But everything can be taken away so fast. Everyone I love can be taken away in a second.

And I have to accept that.

It wasn’t easy to fall asleep with that thought, but I somehow managed it.

A particularly loud crack of thunder woke me what feels like minutes later. But it’s already day outside and Edge is no longer in my arms. He’s standing with his back to me in the open doorway of the cabin. Beyond him, sheets of rain are making everything look like one of those impressionistic paintings.

I sit up in bed and the creaking makes him look back at me.

He’s drinking one of the iced coffees I bought straight from the carton.

“Good morning,” he says and grins. “Sleep well?”

“Sure,” I say although it’s kind of a lie. My dreams were super vivid and super anxious. I remember none of them, but I know that.

“Yeah, it got kinda heavy last night,” he says, averting his eyes and smiling sheepishly. I’m pretty sure he blushed too. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.” I walk to him and take the coffee from his hands, taking a long gulp. “You needed to get it off your chest and I think I needed to hear it. I’ve been acting like a total creep, to you, to my dad, to everyone. I’m the one who should be sorry.”

“A creep?” he says and grins. “I wouldn’t go that far. Spoiled brat, maybe.”

I gasp in indignation, but then smile too. “I deserve that.”

He shakes his head and lays his arm around my shoulders. “Nah, you’re fine. But let’s try to do something fun today. I hate dwelling on the past.”

I peer up at the sky. It’s just one giant mass of grey cloud.

“Do you think it’ll stop raining soon?” I ask anyway.

He chuckles. “I seriously doubt it.”

Of course, there is something that would be a whole lot of fun that we could be doing. Kissing to start with. His heavy arm around my shoulders is making me want that very much. But I’ve turned a new leaf and I’m sticking by it.

“I know what we could do,” I say glancing at the stack of my suitcases in one corner of the room. “You could let me give you a makeover. I could use the practice.”

He grimaces, giving me the same look most of my guy friends always give me when I suggest this. “Makeup’s not for me, Summer.”

At least he’s not being totally dismissive.

“You don’t really know what I can do, do you?” I ask. “I’m not saying I’ll turn you into a girl. Even though I can do that too. But no, I can make you look like anyone. Like Hulk, or Thanos or Joker, or Frankenstein even… “

“Those are all villains,” he says, grinning. “Is that how you see me?”

I shake my head. “But I think that’s how you see yourself. So how about it? I got all I need right there.” I point at the heap of suitcases and bags. “But I can also make you look like someone pretty. Thor maybe?”

He laughs. “Nah, I’ll take Joker. He’s a badass.”

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