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“No. I can’t do this.”
Bristol zips her gaze down the beach to our friends, ensuring no one heard me ending whatever she thought we had.
“Are you serious?” she whines. “Don’t you have feelings for me at all?”
“No,” I drag out the word amid my confusion. “We only went out a few times.”
She scoffs. “So? Feelings can grow even after a day.”
Dismissing that rubbish, I continue severing her interest in me. “Look, I tried to give it a shot.” And I genuinely did, despite her being shallow and annoying. “We just don’t have chemistry.”
A childish sound gusts past her lips, making me wince. “Come on, Reid. Now is a great time to get closer. My parents are in the Hamptons. Why don’t we head to my place and—”
“Stop.” I brush her skeletal finger from my chest and back up. “I’d hate to spend the summer forcing it when I don’t want to be with you. It’s not fair to either of us. I’m sorry for hurting your feelings, but it’s better if we both move on.”
“I can’t believe this.” She folds her arms tightly. “You know, I’ve been wondering something, considering you refuse me every time I practically throw my fucking self at you. Are you gay? I’ve heard from other girls that you didn’t fuck them either.”
“Whatever you need to tell yourself.”
She grunts as I turn my back on her. “Reid, wait.”
Ignoring her pleas, I walk to the parking area and take off from the cove the second I reach my car.
It isn’t the first time I’ve had a question regarding my sexuality thrown at me. I’m just not ready to go there with anyone. Some of my peers may find it weird but whatever. It’ll happen when the moment feels right.
My phone vibrates incessantly, with only a second of pause between, and it continues until I’m turning down the long entrance of the estate.
Opening the gates, I drive into the garage and skim through the slew of apologetic and pleading texts from Bristol as I enter the house.
Talk about a nuisance.
I power off the device and hope she’ll get over it in a few days.
“You missed dinner.” Mom’s stern voice prompts me to backtrack to the living room.
She sets her papers on the coffee table before pushing up from the sofa. “I wanted to talk.”
“Okay.” I lift my shoulder in a half shrug. “Talk about what?”
“Someone’s coming here tomorrow,” she says.
“Who?”
Linking her fingers, Mom inches forward a tad and tells me, “It’s someone you haven’t seen in years.” Her tone sounds close to cautious. Like she’s worried about my reaction. But why…
My stomach clenches as it dawns on me. Only one person could trigger that effect.
“Cassie.” Her name slips out in a close whisper. Even saying it causes flutters in my chest.
Keeping the emotions in check, I ask casually, “She’s coming back?”
The knowing smile on Mom’s face confirms she detects the thrill despite my act. “I reached out to my little brother and suggested Cassandra spend the summer with us. She agreed. She’ll be here in the morning.”
I step further into the living room, asking, “Just like that?”
“Well, it’s been seven years.” She animates with her hands, adding, “We’re open to making peace.”
