5.

☆☆SUMMER'S POV☆☆

Jake, his younger brother who didn't like him at all. Aside from our childhood squabbles, Jake and Hayden didn't get along.

I asked why. Just once. Jake went pale, like I’d dragged him into a memory he’d buried deep. His eyes had gone hollow that day like he was reliving a nightmare. 

He didn’t shout. He didn’t cry. Just that hollow look. Then he made me promise never to ask about it again. 

What a bummer, right? I shouldn't be bothered, but recently, it’s been bugging me.

Whatever happened between them must have been really bad, I guessed. For Jake to want to erase it completely? it must have been extremely terrible. That’s not just pain.

And for Jake to hate his brother this much? It must have cut deeper than a knife.  And that's trauma.

What will he do once I tell him I'm Hayden's… Hayden's what?

I was certainly not Hayden's girlfriend and this wasn't a relationship. It's a situationship—one I couldn't seem to get away from no matter how hard I tried.

It was as addictive as heroin. Very messy too. Maybe because I was enjoying it a little too much than I should.

Yeah. I got it… I was Hayden's bitch. Awesome. Just kill me now.

Just as I was spiraling, my ringtone echoed off the bathroom tiles. My heart jerked. Footsteps approached. Then Jake’s voice.

“Summer? You in there?”

I froze for a moment. Eyes wide, I turned to Hayden, wishing he could make himself disappear. He stood so still. Like this didn’t even faze him.

God, I wanted to punch him and kiss him at the same time. I scrambled for the door lock and clicked it shut right before Jake tried to open it.

Crap. That was close.

“Summer?” Jake called again, voice soft. I knew he was shocked. I already imagined the look of dismay on his face, etched with concern.

“Are you alright in there?” he asked.

“Yeah! Just… needed a minute,” I replied, trying not to sound like I was lying through my teeth.

“Okay, weirdo. Not even a gulp of beer and you're getting drunk already?” he teased. Then he asked, “Have you seen Hayden, that jerk of a brother? I can't seem to find him anywhere.” 

My heart almost stopped as I locked eyes with Hayden, who was standing beside me. Now, I had to tell a lie, just like how I'd been doing since this illicit affair began.

“Hayden? That asshole?” I yelled, layering my voice with fake annoyance.

Hayden's eyes darted toward me, bewilderment flickering in them. I shrugged, extending my hands as if to say I didn't know what I was doing, but I had to play along with my best friend. 

“Yes, that asshat,” Jake retorted.

“No. I haven't seen him.” 

“Our parents will be back tomorrow and he promised to keep their door locked so these kids won't go in there. Can you believe I just chased out two naked people in there?”

So that's where the horny kids went? I wrinkled my nose in disgust. “Well, go look for Hayden then. I haven't seen him all night.”

Hayden was smiling behind me like this was some big joke. He stepped closer. Hands on my waist. Pulled me in like he had every right to. Like I belonged to him, body and soul.

His scent hit me—warm, clean, addictive. Like summer rain and sin. And in the name of all that’s holy, I was guilty.

“Hey, summer,” Jake called. I could hear his voice clearly. I knew he was resting on the bathroom door. “Can you do me a favour?”

“What?” I asked, my heart racing.

“We'll be leaving for college soon, and I'd like you to stay over with me tonight. Let's have fun, just like old times… as always. I know I should have told you when I planned this party. I just wanted it to be a surprise. And I know how much you hate these parties, even if you don't tell me. I'm sorry you always have to come to them.”

“Jake, I—”

“No. Just listen,” he said, cutting me short. “I just want these next few weeks to be memorable for us. Maybe we could do something else that we both love, right? I know I should have been a better friend. I'm still your best friend though, aren't I?”

Unconsciously, I pulled away from Hayden as if his skin burned me. I rested my back against the door. Tears stung my eyes and all of a sudden, my heart ached.

I was deceiving Jake. I was keeping a secret from him. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I felt like shit. 

My voice quivered as I wiped my cheeks, saying,  “Best friends forever and always.”

Jake tittered. Then we chorused, “Best friends till I die.”

We both laughed and I heard his footsteps recede until the door slammed shut. I turned and just stood there, staring at the bathroom door, forgetting Hayden behind me.

He touched my hand and spun me around to face him. My heart almost leapt from my throat as his thumb brushed my cheek.

“Stranger,” he said softly, “are you crying?”

I covered my face. The tears came anyway, betraying me. He wrapped his arms around me. Chin resting on my head. Holding me like I wasn’t breaking apart inside.

His hold was dangerous. Comforting. All wrong. All right. What the fuck was I doing in my best friend’s brother’s arms? 

And God. He smelled like heaven. Why did he have to smell so damn good? I think I’m ruined. Have I fallen too deep for Hayden?

“Don't cry,” Hayden said, his voice silky smooth and gruffly at the same time. 

“I'm not crying.”

“I know you're not,” he replied, stroking my hair tenderly. “You’re too strong for that. But I’ll stay here with you anyway.”

I sniffed.

And for a moment, I let him hold me tighter. Even if it was the biggest mistake of all, I let him kiss me. I let his tongue explore my mouth. And I let his hand slip into my blouse to fondle my breasts. 

I think I’m doomed. I can’t stop falling for Hayden. I've fallen into his trap. 

No, Summer. Snap out of it.

“Hayden, stop,” I moaned, pulling away from him. “Let’s not do this.”

Hayden's eyes softened and he didn’t say anything else.

“I’ll head out first. You can come out after.”

“Why?” he asked.

“So one one sees us coming out of the room together.”

He sighed. “You’re too scared. I know I said not to tell anyone about us, but…are you scared of Jake? Of what he might do if he finds out?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I snapped. 

I swung the door open and stormed out. By the time I returned to the living room, I realized Jake was still looking for his brother. He found him later. 

I sat in silence from across them, my eyes darting toward Hayden like he was some overprized jewel I was about to steal.

Then Agnes Culkin tapped my lap. I turned to look at her. She flashed me a weird smile, showing her braces.

Back in preschool, Agnes was the only girl who became my friend—and she stayed my friend all the way through high school.

Nobody really wanted to associate with me, but she did. She said she thought I was cool—a nerd, but cool. And I thought she was a charming geek. 

The music was loud, so she leaned in, and yelled, “Isn't that Hayden?” 

“Yes, it is.”

“What? It's been like…five years?”

I nodded.

“God! He got hotter,” Agnes said, eyes locked on Hayden. 

Then her gaze shifted to me.

“I thought you hated him,” she asked.

“Yes. I feel unadulterated loathing for him.”

Agnes's brow furrowed. “Then why were you two in the bathroom together?”

Huh? My eyes widened in shock. What the…