Page 4 of Can't Kiss the Chef

It was what drew me in and became the foundation to a relationship that I foolishly began to rely on. Trust doesn’t come naturally to me. I was devastated when I realized that our relationship didn’t mean as much to him as he told me it did. I would be lying if I said it didn’t hurt to lose someone that I had learned to trust.

My black hair and dark clothes probably make me look like a perpetual pessimist, but I really am a glass-half-full kind of girl. So I’m happy he showed me who he truly was before I got so deep I couldn’t dig myself out.

It feels like the air is sticking to me. Beads of sweat cover my forehead and I’m unable to brush them away because this humidity makes each box feel ten times heavier than it actually is. The plastic bin with my brother’s bed sheets is the perfectexample. The last bin is securely on the ground when a familiar voice shocks the hairs on the back of my neck straight up.

“Long time no see, Lola,” the deep voice greets me. His large calloused hand reaches out and brushes away that pesky bead of sweat.

I have to remind myself that I don’t care about that beautiful smile and those spectacular blue eyes anymore.

I reluctantly lean into his open arms. He squeezes me like our relationship didn’t take a drastic turn this summer.

The hug feels likeI missed you.

“How have you been? How was your summer at home?”

“Hey, Byron. It was great,” I say cheerily, and he looks at me, questioning its validity. “I’m happy to be back, though.”

He nods his head, but shows no real sign of believing me.

“It should be a fun year.” He pauses and I watch his brows pinch. It’s obvious neither of us know how to handle this new chapter of our relationship. The awkwardness nearly kills me. Luckily Byron is a nervous talker.

“They sent me over to help.” His thumb points to where his head coach is talking with some parents. “Coach put all the freshmen in the same dorm this year, so I’ve spent all day lugging boxes up three flights of stairs.”

This summer has treated Byron well. His blonde hair is a shade lighter from spending time in the sun. His tanned biceps look like they’ve gained a couple new tattoos. One thing that hasn’t changed is that goofy smile. Damn, I’ve really missed that smile.

His eyes scan the bins peppered around my car. “I forgot Oliver was your brother.”

Sounds like there is a lot about me that’s easy to forget.

“Oliver just went and unlocked the door, the heavier boxes are at the front of the car, so that would be a good place to start.” Byron eyes the boxes before letting out a groan.

“I’ll take those and send some of the other guys over to help with the rest.” He takes the boxes out of my hands.

“You look good, Lo. Are you coming to the hockey house tonight?” He asks, and I think I see a hopeful glow in his eyes, but I might have imagined it because I blink, and it’s gone.

“I’m not sure,” I say with a shrug, knowing I already promised Indy I’d go.

Byron’s normally cheerful eyes dim a bit. He catches it quickly replacing it with his signature smile.

Grabbing my purse from the floor behind the driver’s seat I pull out the light green pack of gum that is always tucked in there. The winter cool freshness cuts through the grueling August heat. I quickly pull out a second stick, and tuck it into my pocket. If I am going to be forced to be around Byron while I get my brother settled into his room, I’m going to need my coping gum.

Two duffle bags are left in the car, so I decide to take those and leave the heavy lifting to the guys. I thought I was in good shape, but these stairs are no joke. Even with snagging the lightest bags, I’m panting by the time I make it to Oliver’s door.

“Hey, Ollie, where do you want these?”

With my hands on my knees, I focus on the ground trying to catch my breath. I’m starting to seriously consider adding more cardio to my gym routine.

“He’s in the bathroom,” Byron’s voice bounces off the walls of the empty room. “He should be back soon; he’s been gone for a while.”

When I finally roll my body to stand straight, Byron pinches his nose and swipes his hand under it.

I try to hold in my laugh, but it comes out when Byron starts laughing at his own childish joke. His blue eyes remind me of the easy laughs we shared last year.

The room goes silent. I move my weight from foot to foot. Voices of excited freshmen fill the floor. They talk about their plans for the year. Some yell about how drunk they plan to get at the hockey house tonight. Their innocence is endearing, and something I lost a long time ago. Now I’m standing here trying to figure out a way to get out of going to that same party.

“How was your summer?” I ask, as I start unpacking the box my brother has labeled ‘desk’. He really needs to finish whatever the hell he is doing in the bathroom.

“It was good. I didn’t do much; I just volunteered at the rink and was the third wheel to Jalen and Ivy all summer.”

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