Page 61 of The Summer We Played Pretend

My knuckles ache—raw and bruised from the fight. I flex my fingers, wincing as the sting shooting through my hand. I should be working. Anything to take my mind off Chloe, but I can’t.

Her face had been a blur in the haze of adrenaline—wide eyes, trembling lips. She’d begged us to stop, and in that moment, I saw myself through her eyes. Not the guy she kissed under the stars or held close on summer nights. No, I was someone else entirely—the bad guy.

I feel like I’ve crossed some line I can never come back from.

I exhale, leaning back against the wall of metal cabinets.

My phone buzzes in the pocket of my overalls, but I’m not brave enough to look. It’s either Ethan or Chloe. Chloe wants to talk and Ethan’s already blown my phone up with threats. I don’t know what to do.

Stay away from Chloe.

Easier said than done. Not seeing her makes it feel like there’s a chasm inside my chest where my heart should be.

She’s vulnerable and you think you’re some sort of hero. You’re going to mess her up worse than Brendan did.

Ethan’s words rattle through my mind. He could’ve called me so many worse things, and none would’ve cut as deep as those. Hero? Was that what I was doing? Enjoying playing hero too much? Did I just get carried away? I have to admit, it was nice not just being the dumb mechanic with a slightly dented reputation.

It was downright incredible being Chloe’s boyfriend.

I risk another glance at my phone.

Don’t make her choose between us.

I let out a groan and rake a hand through my hair. Ethan has been there for Chloe her whole life. He’s looked after her when her parents couldn’t. How can I make her choose me over him?

Screw this. I can’t sit here and do nothing all day. “Dad, I’m getting coffee,” I call, not waiting for his answer before I head out.

The bell jingles as I push open the door to the coffee shop, grateful for the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans. Maybe it’ll wake me up. I didn’t sleep a bit last night, just remembering how Chloe looked at me.

I shuffle to the counter, hands shoved deep in my pockets. "Two large dark roasts, please. One with room for cream."

Melissa greets me with a cool smile, ringing up the coffees silently. We lock eyes for a moment, and I offer a tentative smile. Her gaze narrows, lips pressed into a thin line.

What’s her deal today?

I drum my fingers on the countertop. I’m not enjoying being still. It gives me too long to think about Chloe’s hurt expression and her words landing far too well when she accused me of giving up on us too easily.

"Here you go.” Melissa shoves the takeout coffees my way. “No Chloe today?”

“Uh…” I shrug. “No.” I guess she hasn’t heard about the fight with Ethan or the fact Chloe and I are over, but it won’t be long.

She nods slowly. “Gotta say, I was surprised."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah," she says, leaning against the counter. "Never pegged you two as a couple. But I guess things change, huh?"

I shift uncomfortably, the coffee cups suddenly feeling heavy in my hands. Melissa's tone is light, but there’s an undercurrent of something that doesn’t sit right.

"It's, uh... complicated," I manage to say.

Melissa raises an eyebrow. "Complicated? With Chloe Davenport? She seems like a sweet kid.”

“She’s two years younger than you, Mel,” I point out.

And a hell of a lot smarter than both of us put together, I reckon, but I’m not going to tell Melissa that. Not when she seems pissed at me for some reason.

“And less jaded, I’m sure.”

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