Page 42 of Tequila Lime and Sunshine

“Shit,” I mumble as I roll off the bed and throw on some shorts to chase after him. I reach him right at the elevator. “How did you get in our room?”

Probably not the right question to ask because he says, “That’s what you want to say to me right now?” he scoffs. “You left your fucking key on the breakfast table. I was returning it.”

I run a hand through my hair. “Look, man. I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to find out this way.”

“Find out what? That you’re fucking my ex-girlfriend after I specifically asked you if something was going on?” I know he’s pissed. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen him this pissed. Especially not directed at me.

“To be fair, nothing was going on when you asked me that,” I lamely point out.

“How could you do that to me? You know I care about Summer.”

How could I do this to him? How about when he asked her out all those years ago without asking how I felt about it? But I don’t say that. There’s no point in bringing that up right now. “Holden, you guys broke up years ago. I know you care about her, but. . . you’ve both moved on.”

“So that makes this ok?”

“Well, yeah, kinda.” I shrug, looking anywhere but at his face. I hate that he caught us the way he did, but I’m not ashamed of what I was doing. I just don’t know how to explain that to him, not when he’s this upset. “I didn’t do it to hurt you or anything, Holden.”

“Then why did you do it? Is she just another woman you can say you slept with? You gonna fuck her and then never talk to her again?”

His words are like a slap in the face. “Is that how you think of me?”

He shrugs. “You haven’t given anyone any reason to believe you wouldn’t do that. Have you ever even had a girlfriend?”

I choose to ignore his question. “This is Summer we’re talking about. I wouldn’t do that to her.”

He huffs a laugh. “Right.” He reaches out to press the elevator button, but I swat his hand away.

“I’m serious, Holden.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I’ve always had feelings for Summer. Even before you asked her to be your girlfriend. I’ve always wanted her. I backed off when you guys got together, but I never stopped caring about her.”

“Don’t give me that sob story. You’ve been sleeping with my ex-girlfriend. I’m not going to feel sorry for you.”

It’s my turn to get angry now. He’s sweeping my feelings under the rug like they don’t matter because he thinks I don’t know how to have a relationship. “Holden. She’s your ex-girlfriend. You have no claim to her anymore. And if I’m not mistaken, you dumped her. It’s not like she’s cheating on you.”

“Fuck you.” He slams his finger onto the elevator button, and the doors open almost immediately. He throws my key at me, and I scramble to catch it. “Just remember when you’re inside her that I had her first. I broke her in for you, buddy.”

What the fuck? He doesn’t get to talk about her like that. I know he’s mad, but he doesn’t get to disrespect Summer. None of this is her fault. I charge in his direction. Thankfully, for his sake, the doors shut before I get to him. I pound my fist on the elevator door in frustration.

He’s not thinking rationally right now. He’s worked up because of what he walked in on. I can only hope that when he cools down, he’ll see that this isn’t what he’s making it out to be. I’m not stealing her from him. Their relationship ran its course. It’s done. I’m allowed a fair shot for my turn, assuming Summer will give me one.

CHAPTER 21

Summer

By the time Hawke gets back to our room, I’ve put some clothes on, but I’m still shaking. I’ve never heard Holden sound so mad. I couldn’t even look at him when he was here because I didn’t want to see the anger on his face.

I imagine I must look like a deer in headlights because when Hawke comes over to me, he says, “Hey. It’s alright. Everything is going to be alright.”

“He’s mad.” Understatement of the year.

Hawke shrugs. “Yeah, he is. But he’ll get over it.”

I know Hawke feels that way, but everything about this feels wrong. I know I shouldn’t have slept with Hawke or feel the way I do about him. I’m overcome with guilt.

“Hawke—“ I start, but he cuts me off.

“No.” He shakes his head. “No. Don’t say it, Summer. I don’t regret this. Not a single thing. I know you have a history with my brother. I get that and respect it, but Summer, I’ve always had feelings for you.” My heart starts racing at his confession. Even though I overheard our moms talking about it, it’s different hearing it straight from him.

“Since we were kids. You are the only one I’ve ever truly wanted. But Holden got to you first.” He lets out a long exhale. “You know he didn’t even ask me how I would feel if he asked you out? Didn’t even tell me that his feelings for you had changed to more than just friends. I was completely caught off guard when I saw you kissing. It broke my fucking heart.”