Maybe This Time(26)

“Since who?” I ask, dying with curiosity.

“No one,” he says, avoiding eye contact.

“When?”

“About two years ago,” he says. Two years ago? When he lost his brother?

“Okay,” I say, stopping with the twenty questions.

“Okay?” he echoes, looking suspicious.

“Sure. Hey, tomorrow, can I come in to work a little late? I have a hair appointment.”

“No problem. What you doing to it?” he asks, sounding like he genuinely wants to know.

“Cutting it.”

He freezes, turning to stare at me. “How short?”

I show him with my hands. “Just above my shoulders.”

“You’re not cutting it,” he says, frowning.

“I’m sorry?” I say slowly, sure I didn’t hear him right.

“I love your hair, please don’t cut it,” he begs, taking a lock of my hair and staring at it.

I laugh at his forlorn expression. “So what? If I cut it you aren’t gonna find me attractive anymore?”

“Like that would ever happen,” he mutters, running a finger down my cheek. “You don’t know just how beautiful you are, Summer. Why do you think I call you beauty? You are something else, something special. A fucking treasure.”

I get goose bumps from his words.

“Listen, I…”

I stop talking when I see a group of people walk in, the moment ruined.





**


“I don’t like it,” Xander says for the tenth time.

“Can you act your age? And not like my father?” I scowl, pulling up the sweetheart neckline of my black dress. I run my fingers through my freshly trimmed hair, loving the softness and the texture of the layers.

“I’m your brother, it’s my job to look after you. What if this asshole tries something?” he demands, looking like he’s about to lose his cool.

“It’s just a date! I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I’m not gonna bone him on the first date, Xander!” I explain, rolling my eyes.

Xander laughs, breaking the tension. “Keep your phone on you. Is it charged?”

“Yes, I will, and yes, it is. Calm down, baby brother,” I say, leaning up on my tip toes and kissing him on the cheek.

“I’m never having daughters,” he sulks, pouring himself a scotch.

I shake my head. “You’re an old soul, Xander. Must have been that time you did in jail,” I joke.

“Oh, come on. It was just one night,” he says, his lip twitching.

“Well, you sure know how to make a first impression,” I say dryly, causing his body to shake with laughter.

“Reid’s not gonna like this,” he states when his laughter subsides.

“Not his business,” I say, my voice wavering a little.

“There’s things about Reid you don’t know, I don’t think you should give up on him,” he says in a gentle tone.

“I thought you weren’t a fan of Reid and me?”

“I wasn’t. But he’s different around you. And he’s a scary mofo, he'll always protect you. I need my sister safe,” he says.

The doorbell rings, and Xander rushes to answer it. Everyone is hinting about Reid, but no one will give me answers. It’s driving me bat shit crazy. When I see it’s my dad at the door and not my date, Lyle, I frown.

“Good, I caught you before your date arrives,” my dad says, smiling evilly.

“This isn’t prom, you guys,” I say, rubbing my temples. I swear I feel a headache coming on.

“Yeah, but this is our first time sending you off with another man,” Xander scoffs.

“You look beautiful, Summer Ray,” Jack says, smiling happily.

“Please don’t use my middle name again,” I beg, causing both of them to laugh. “I’m serious. Summer Ray, come on,” I groan.

“It suits you.”

“Yeah, if I was a hippie.” I slip my feet into my hot pink stilettos and put on a black cardigan.

“You ready to go, Xander?” dad asks him.

“Where are you two going?”

“We have some business on tonight,” my dad answers. I walk into my bedroom to get my bag. When I walk back out I can hear them both whispering. I lean against the door straining to hear.

“Reid doesn’t know about her going on a date, right?” Jack asks Xander.

“Nope.”

“Good, he needs to be on his game tonight,” dad says, sounding worried.

“He'll probably come here tonight, though. He did last time,” Xander adds. I walk out, narrowing my eyes at the two of them.

“What’s going on tonight?” I demand. The doorbell rings, and they both look relieved. When they both head to try and answer the door, I grab onto their shirts.