Page 9 of Heartless Summer
“I’m sorry,” I mumble. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow.” If she presses the issue, the tears I’m fighting back will fall, and I don’t want that to happen. Not here, in front of all these people.
Before she can investigate the situation any further, I rush up the beach toward the street where I parked my car earlier this afternoon. With a huff, I slide behind the wheel and start up the engine before driving home.
Not only does the image of Hunter and Hannah wrapped up in each other’s arms flicker through my head, but so does my conversation with Mason. As much as I’ve tried to push it aside, it’s there, eating away at me.
Ten minutes later, I pull into the driveway of my dad’s house. Since it’s early, the front door is still unlocked, and the knob turns easily in my hand. I quietly close the thick wood before sneaking to the staircase. All I want to do is take a hot shower and go to bed. Hopefully, everything won’t feel so dire in the morning.
“Hey, kid. Did you have fun at the beach?”
I nearly jump out of my skin before swinging around to find my father sitting in the living room with a book in his lap. Dadis old school and likes the feel of a hardcover in his hands. Preferably Stephen King or Lee Childs. I always make sure to stuff one in his stocking as a gift every Christmas.
“Um, yeah. It was good.” As close as we are, there’s no way I’m going to tell him about what happened with Hunter. We’ve been dating for so long that he practically considers him family. After his parents died, Dad offered to take him in so he could finish out high school.
Mason refused.
With a nod, he glances at his phone. “You’re home early. I wasn’t expecting to see you until breakfast.”
I shrug, wanting to downplay the question.
“I’m tired,” I say lightly. “It’s been a long day. I think I got too much sun.”
“I suppose it has been.” His eyes search mine, and I get the feeling he’s sifting through all the lies swirling within them. “Sure nothing’s bothering you?”
“Yup.” I shake my head, only wanting to escape. “It’s all good. No worries.”
“Brandi’s probably up if you’d rather talk to, you know, another woman.”
With a shake of my head, I point to the staircase. “Thanks, but I’m just gonna hit the sack.”
“All right, sweetie. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I nod and beeline for the steps. When I’m halfway up, I pause. “I love you, Dad.”
A smile quirks the corners of his lips. “Love you, too.”
With that, I hustle up to the second floor before closeting myself in my bedroom. Thankfully, I didn’t run into Brandi in the hallway. That woman is the absolute worst. She’s so concerned with driving the latest Mercedes and surrounding herself with all the luxuries she didn’t have before marrying my father.
Most of all, I hate the way she eye fucks Hunter whenever she’s around him. It’s so embarrassing. She loves to pat his muscles all the while cooing about how big and strong he is. I wish Dad would open his eyes and toss her out on her ass before she sucks him dry.
All I can say is that marriage, the second time around, was definitely not a charm for him.
6
HUNTER
It takes a few seconds to come to my senses and shove Hannah away. When she stumbles back with a gasp, my hands shoot out, locking around her upper arms to steady her so she doesn’t tumble to the sand. As soon as she regains her balance, I release her and take a quick step in retreat, wanting to put as much distance between us as possible.
“Hannah, what the hell are you doing?”
Her face falls as tears spring to her eyes again. “You were being so nice, I just thought…” Her voice trails off as I stare in shock.
“I was being that way because you’re Owen’s little sister.” There’s a pause before I tack on, “It doesn’t mean I have feelings for you.”
Her teeth sink into her lower lip as she glances away. A single tear treks down her cheek. “It’s just that I’ve always liked you. I was hoping that maybe you felt the same way about me.”
“You know I’m with Skye,” I grunt. “Iloveher.”
Misery fills her expression, making me feel like an asshole.
