Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(4)

Summer


I walk out of my room after unpacking everything in my suitcase. I freeze when I see Reid sitting on the beat up leather couch, slowly sipping on a beer.

“Why are you here?” I ask bluntly, walking to the fridge to get a bottle of water.

“Xander wanted someone to stay and keep you company,” he replies, eyes still on the TV.

“So he chose you?” I scoff.

“You got a problem with that?” he grates out, sounding irritated.

“No, sir,” I say sarcastically, closing the fridge with a push of my hip. Reid instantly turns his head, staring at me blatantly.

“What?” I ask, walking over to the couch and taking a seat opposite him. Reid rubs his temple, like I’m giving him a migraine, and doesn’t answer. My gaze roams lower, down to his muscular arms. He looks so strong, so masculine. I almost sigh in appreciation when I see how his T-shirt dips into a v, showing off a hint of his toned chest. Yum.

“Yes, we all know I have a f*cked up face, you don’t need to stare,” he snaps, averting his eyes to the TV. A muscle ticks in his jaw, his posture stiff.

“Actually, I was thinking how sexy you are,” I say honestly, giving him another once over. He turns to look at me, surprise evident on his face. His eyes widen, and then narrow, as if he finally gets what I said.

“But even your sexiness doesn’t cover for your personality, or lack thereof,” I say in a saccharine sweet tone.

He studies me for a second. “You’re gonna be trouble, I can tell,” he mutters under his breath.

“Me? I keep to myself, how can I be trouble?” I ask, scowling.

His lip quirks into a crooked smile. “We’ll see.”

“Cryptic much?” I say, narrowing my eyes a little.

He changes the subject. “Your brother and father love you, a lot. Don’t hurt them, Summer.”

I gape. “You’re kidding me, right?”

He gives me a look that says he’s anything but kidding. “If you leave all of a sudden, they’re gonna be heartbroken. They’ve been talking about you ever since I’ve known them.”

“Right, so they are the victims in all of this.” My voice sounds bitter even to my own ears.

His eyes soften. “No one’s gotta be a victim. I’m just saying, they are good men, and you are their weakness.”

“I highly doubt that,” I say. “I’ve wanted to meet Xander my whole life. He’s the reason I’m here.”

“And Jack?” he asks, studying me.

“You’re nosy, you know that?”

He shrugs, and tilts his head to the side. “I protect those I care about.”

“No one needs protecting from me,” I say defensively.

“Maybe so,” he says, turning his head. “They seem to think you’re the sweetest thing, but I know there's some fire in you.”

“You’re making assumptions based on what, the whole thirty seconds you’ve known me?”

His expression doesn’t change, but he stands up. “Do you want something to drink?”

I blink once. “Umm, sure.” I watch as he goes into the kitchen, and opens the fridge.

“What would you like?”

“Apple juice, please.” He pours me some juice and brings it over to me, handing me the glass. Our fingers touch as I take it, and my body instantly reacts, my fingers tingling. As soon as I grasp the glass he pulls his hand away, frowning slightly.

“Thanks,” I say, sipping the drink.

He looks at me once more, his blue eyes not missing a thing. I suck in a breath, feeling those eyes penetrate my defences. He opens his mouth to say something, but stops himself. Instead, he gives me a half shrug and returns his gaze to the TV. When he doesn’t attempt any more conversation, I mumble a goodnight and head to my room.





Chapter Two


I wake up the next morning and stare at the ceiling. I spent the night tossing and turning, unable to rest. I pick up my phone from the side table and send a quick message to my best friend back home, Lilly. I hear someone moving around in the kitchen, so I drag myself out of bed, desperate for some caffeine.

“Morning,” I mumble to Xander, who is standing shirtless in the kitchen, drinking some orange juice straight out of the carton.

“Morning, sis. Coffee?” he asks, offering me a grin.

I nod eagerly. “Yes, please.”

I watch as he makes me a coffee, asking how I like it. “Black, please,” I tell him.

“Same as me,” he says, smiling. He slides it towards me.

“Thanks.” I grab the cup and hold it between my hands. “You work out a lot?” I ask him, as I blow on the coffee.

Xander flexes his biceps, and I laugh. He’s pretty ripped.

“Yeah we have a small gym set up that we all use.” He puts the carton back into the fridge.

I wrinkle my nose at him. “Where do you work?” I ask, realizing I really don’t know much about him.

Xander suddenly looks uncomfortable. “Jack has a business or two, I work for him.”

“I see.” But I really don’t. What sort of businesses would my father own?

“What do you wanna do today?” Xander asks me, his eyes sliding to mine.