Page 10 of Summer's Edge

“Umm… obviously that’s not what I meant…”

“Yeah, you don’t have to lie, not on my account,” I say and drink some more of my beer. “I know where I stand.”

It’s times like these I wish I was more like my twin sister Eden. She’s the good girl of the family—a label that includes my mom and dad too, if we’re being honest. She’s perfectly content running her little bookstore back home in Pleasantville, because books are her life, and the MC is certainly not. So, she never had to worry about the guys snubbing her, because she’s not even interested in any of them.

“And I stand where I stand, Summer,” Edge says, surprising me with some sharp honesty that’s just beyond hearing in that statement.

“And where’s that? Because as far as I can tell it’s in the dark, next to me?”

I clearly can’t help being catty with him, so why even try?

He laughs again, but it’s not entirely unforced. “Let me try this again… I’ve been stuck in a tiny cell for two weeks and—”

“And now you’re about to be stuck in a tiny cabin with me,” I finish the sentence for him.

A hard, predatory look passes over his eyes and if he means it as a warning enough for me to watch what I’m saying, he’s failing. Because damn if I’m not literally burning for him to shut me up. Preferably with a kiss.

He smiles instead. I really like how it lights up his eyes. It’s like that rare bit of sunshine the north seas get.

“You’re testing me, Summer.”

“Wouldn’t wanna do that,” I say and smile too.

Seems I can’t stop.

He averts his turbulent eyes and shakes his head.

“Actually, I’d like nothing better than to spend time with you here at the cabin.”

If it wasn’t such an obvious lie, I’d believe him in a second. As it is, I only kinda-sorta do.

And I’m all out of smart comebacks because of it.

Over by the fire, Hunter’s phone, the one he and the others were all viewing chimes with a text.

“I don’t know who it’s from,” Hunter says loud enough for everyone to hear. “There’s pictures attached.”

The mood among the guys has suddenly turned very cold and very tense. Where before they were all laughing and talking loudly, they’re now standing so still I can hear the wind in the trees and the fire crackling.

“See what it is,” Hawk says. “But don’t click on any links. They could be trying to trace us.”

There’s a war on. Of course. And we’re all in danger. How could I forget for a teeny-tiny second? But we all did. And now we all remember again.

“Fucking shit,” Hunter snaps. “They got Melody. They messed her up real bad. They sent a location to where she’s at.”

“Where is it?” Edge says, rushing over to Hunter. “We gotta go now.”

Melody was one of the club girls before she became a doctor. And she’s the only girlfriend Edge has ever had. I want them to help her if she’s hurt, I want them to save her, but I wish it didn’t sting so bad that Edge is the first in line to go do it. I thought we were getting somewhere. Clearly I was wrong all over again.

They’re talking, but it just goes right over my head.

Hawk and Ice think it’s a trap. Edge won’t hear of not rushing straight into it even if it is. To save Melody. Like he saved her once before. I’m pretty sure he loves her. Hunter, Chance and Jax all want to go too.

“Fine,” Tank finally says. “We’re going. But you’re gonna have to be very careful.”

“We will be,” Edge assures him.

Tank turns to him. “You’re staying here with Summer.”

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