Page 45 of One Spicy Summer

"I did," I say coolly. "And if you’ve got a problem with it, we can settle it."

He squares his shoulders. Without warning, he smacks me across the face.

I take it.

I know what it’s about. And I know he’s not done.

"That’s for lying to me," he growls. "When I asked if you two were sneaking around." His fist slams into my gut. "And that’sfor standing there, letting me trash my sister when you knew you were fucking her."

Pain blooms, but I push through it.

"Rafe, I, "

"Shut the fuck up!" he roars. I open my mouth again, but he cuts me off. "And you!" he snaps at Presley. "Why did you let me call you all those names? Are you guys, " His voice breaks. "Are you guys sleeping together?"

Presley's cheeks flush crimson.

She doesn’t speak.

Rafe’s gaze flicks back to me, full of fury and betrayal.

"I should beat the shit out of you," he spits. "But honestly? I’m glad it’s you and not one of those sleazeballs she hangs around with."

He looks at Presley, broken. "Why would you even do that, Presley?"

Presley tilts her chin up, her voice clear. "Oh, now it’s okay for me to speak?" she challenges. "Not that it’s any of your business, but... I did it to make Rygaard jealous."

"Please, tell me you're still a virgin," Rafe pleads.

She smirks, unrepentant. "Ry, you’d better get the defibrillator ready," she says lightly. "Because no, Rafe. I’m not. I gave it to your bestie."

Rafe's face crumples.

Presley doesn't wait. She spins on her heel and stalks out.

"Sorry, dude," I mutter, already sprinting after her. "But I gotta get my girl."

"Prez! Presley, wait!" I call after her.She doesn’t even turn around. "I said I don’t want to see you right now, Ry! Leave me alone!" she shouts back, vanishing upstairs to her room

I stand there, helpless, burning with regret.

Rafe saunters up beside me, like the asshole he is. "Well, looks like you fucked up."

I slap the back of his head. "So did you, asshole."

A Few Days Later

It’s been three days.

Three days of Presley ghosting me.

Three days of unanswered texts, missed calls, and rejected midnight climbs up to her window.

Since she’s been ignoring me, I haven’t had the chance to tell her I’m doing what she says. I leave for New York in two weeks.And my girl, my whole fucking world, isn’t talking to me.

Enough.

Storming out of my house, I march across the street.Her parents barely glance up as I shove through the front door and head straight for her room.

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