Page 12 of Summer Brew

The look on her face cracks and something in her eyes crumbles. But I’m already moving.

By the time I make it into the car, I’ve barely taken a breath. When I start to drive, the memory of the way she looked at me washes over me. The moment I step inside my house, I know I’ve made a mistake.

A big fucking mistake.

She was in my arms. I had my hands on her and pulled her closer to me. Her taste was on my tongue.

Then I apologized and said I shouldn’t have kissed her.

I slump back on my couch and look around. Part of me is surprised I’m even here right now. I don’t really remember the trip, which is never good.

When I close my eyes, I feel the way her lips felt against mine. The way her body let go as she gave herself over to me.

I want more of that feeling. But if I have it, I already know I can’t go halfway. Gemma deserves better than that.

Gary will be pissed if I’m with his sister, but she’s worth it. Maybe he won’t overreact. Maybe. I almost laugh maniacally at the thought. There’s no way he’ll be okay with it.

But it might not even matter if I’m willing to go up against Gary or not. I hurt her. It was written all over her face.

I fucked up. Now I’m not sure what to do.

CHAPTER 5

GEMMA

A tapping sound has my eyes popping open. What the hell was that? I glance around, but all I see is darkness. There is barely any moonlight shining in and the frosted cling I put on the window muffles it anyway. Still, I know I heard something.

My entire body stills as I listen intently. When I hear the sound again, my head snaps toward the window. There’s a dark shape on the other side of the faux frosted glass. Seeing it there startles me, but I’m not terrified.

I should be terrified, right?

While I watch the shadowy figure, it raises a hand and taps the glass again. That sound. So familiar.

It only takes me a second to realize it is the sound that woke me up. I’m torn between investigating what is going on and calling the cops. I should call for help.

But I don’t.

I swing my legs over the side of my bed and rush over to the window. Without thinking about it, I slide the window open and my jaw drops open.

“Keaton?” I hiss out his name, unsure if I’m actually seeing what I’m seeing.

“Gemma,” his voice is rough like gravel.

“What are you doing here?”

“I don’t really know,” Keaton admits and his eyebrows pull together.

There’s just enough light to see the crease right in the middle of his forehead. As much as I want to reach out and touch that spot, I hold myself back.

Why the hell is he here?

The ache from earlier hits me in the center of my chest again. It was only hours ago that he kissed me and then told me he shouldn’t have done it. His instant regret was like a damn tsunami, and I was the one taken out by it.

His regret was the worst part, especially seeing it written all over his face. I’ve wanted to disappear a few times in my life, hating the reality I was living in, but that feeling was a million times stronger when he said he shouldn’t have kissed me.

He said he shouldn’t have kissed me.

I feel like I’m fucking bleeding out all over again. Without even realizing it, I take a step back from the window. Keaton sees the action for exactly what it is.