Page 71 of Faking Summer
“Right there,” I whimpered, my voice barely more than a whimper, and he growled in response, his grip on my ass tightening as he pounded into me harder, faster. I could feel his control slipping, histhrusts becoming erratic, and I knew he was close too. He covered my mouth to muffle my cries as I finally came hard, my body shuddering with pleasure.
“Thank you,” I breathed in relief, my lips brushing against the hollow of his throat. And just like that, he let go, his cock pulsing inside me as he came, his hips stuttering as he buried himself deep. The feel of him spilling inside me for the first time and letting himself go was intoxicating.
We stayed like that for a moment, both of us trembling and breathless, the water washing away the evidence of what we’d done. But I knew one thing for sure—whatever this was between us, it was far from over. Not even close. And the worst part? I had actually admitted I was jealous.
Later that day, I lounged on the ratty couch in the lounge room of the dance studio, a place where I often collapsed between classes.
Sam held out a paper bag. "Brought you sustenance," she said. Being the saint that she was, she occasionally stopped by on my breaks when she was running around.
"Thanks," I said, taking the bag and laying it on my chest.
"Are you doing okay?" Her tone was playful yet probing. "You never hesitate to rip open a sandwich."
Sam had an uncanny ability to pick up on anything going on with me—sometimes she’d even know things before I did.
"Doing just great," I lied, the words muffled as I finally opened the bag and took a reluctant bite of the sandwich. The flavors mingled in my mouth—savory turkey and provolone cheese. I chewed mechanically, feeling Sam's gaze, doing my best not to look at her.
She leaned back against the cushions. "Well… I am so glad this wedding is almost over," she sighed, a flicker of exasperation softening as she turned to me. "I love you and your family, but I think I've had my tolerance of Charlotte."
"Yeah, the big day is almost here," I said, swallowing hard. Sam watched me, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to decipher myexpression. The closer we got to the wedding day, the more I felt the ticking clock on whatever this was with Reese. It was a countdown to an ending I wasn't prepared for, no matter how badly I tried to protect myself.
"Hey," Sam said, breaking into my thoughts with a gentle nudge. "No offense to Charlotte and Dan, but you and Reese are going to be the most gorgeous couple there."
Her words should have comforted me, should have made me excited, but instead, it was depressing. It made me feel worse. This was all supposed to be fake, just for show. But it felt less like an act every time I was around Reese.
"Ever since I was little," I confessed, putting the sandwich down on the table next to me, "I've been dreaming about what it would be like to impress my cousins, to see that look of awe on my grandparents' faces when I show up to a family event with someone they'd all be proud of. To be with someone like Reese."
"Then why don’t you look excited?"
"I've been keeping something from you," I murmured, about to rip this bandaid. I had to tell someone, and she’s the only person I could trust.
"Which is?"
"Reese and I... we're not what everyone thinks," I began, the words tumbling out before I could talk myself out of it. "We've been pretending. Everything has been a lie, an act, until—it sort of wasn't. One moment led to another, and suddenly, we were really hooking up. But it all ends after Charlotte's wedding."
I’d known our arrangement would be coming to an end this entire time. I told myself I wouldn’t fall for him. That I couldn’t. But no matter how much I was fighting it, my heart wasn’t getting the memo. I couldn’t keep going down this dangerous path, I couldn’t keep heading in a direction that could only end in destruction. And even if somehow Reese and I did become something real, he still had the MLB draft just days after the wedding. He’d still move far away and be in a world that I’d have no place in.
Sam’s expression didn't change as I continued. "I wanted so badly to just impress my family and to finally belong. I wanted to walk in with Reese on my arm and bask in a moment of my own. So, I struck a deal with him—even knowing what he did to me in sixth grade. But now, nothing feels right anymore. Reese... he doesn’t seem like the same person who did that to me. Or, maybe it's me who's changed. I'm just so lost, Sam."
"I knew something was off," she whispered. “I knew how badly he hurt you. There's no way you'd just get over that… but if he's doing all this for you," Sam continued, "what are you doing for him? What's your part of the deal?"
"I told him... I'd make sure his sister made the cheer team."
The sharp clatter of a water bottle falling on the floor hit me like a sharp slap to the face. A chill crept up my spine as I turned toward the sound, only to find Lola, eyes wide and accusing. Her gaze locked onto mine, and then I saw the hurt take over her expression.
"So you weren't doing this because you wanted to help me? You used me to make my brother be your date to a wedding?"
"Lola, wait!" I blurted, the word tumbling out in a breathless rush as I shot to my feet. "Let me explain."
Lola reached for her water bottle, her movements quick with wounded pride. "No," she snapped. "I heard everything I need to know." She clutched the bottle closer. "I don't need any more of your ‘help.’”
Her words were a gut punch. The dance studio had always been a place of escape, but right now, I felt ashamed, the mirrors reflecting back an image of myself I hardly recognized anymore.
thirty
Reese
Caroline stood toe-to-toe with her sister, that irritated look of hers I knew too well by now written all over her face. “You had to wear black to my reception like it's a funeral?" her sister spat out, looking Caroline up and down.
