Maybe This Time (Maybe #1)(5)

“I needa find a job.”

“You don’t needa find work straight away, Summer, I can take care of you,” he says in a gentle tone.

“I’m pretty sure that’s meant to be my line,” I say, my lips twitching.

“Why, cos you’re a year older?” he says, amusement lacing his tone.

“Yes.”

“I’m the man, sweetheart. You’re my sister, I'll take care of you,” he tells me earnestly, his eyes now serious.

“I need to find a job, Xander, what else am I gonna do around here all day?”

“You could study something, find something you like,” he offers.

“I do wanna study something, but I’m gonna work, too,” I tell him, taking a seat on the bar stool.

“You’re stubborn,” he says with a sigh. “Another thing we have in common.”

“Really? And here I was thinking the only thing we had in common was our extremely good looks,” I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

He tilts his head back, laughing. “That too, Summer, that too.”

“What’s so funny?” Reid asks as he walks into the house. I instantly stiffen, aware I’m wearing only short shorts and a cami.

Great, just great.

“Does no one knock when they come to this house?” I ask. No one answers.

“Go get dressed, Summer,” Xander says quietly, his tone demanding. I roll my eyes, but walk to my room, grabbing my clothes to change into. I head for the bathroom, taking a quick shower and brushing my teeth.

I dress in a figure hugging pair of jeans and a peach knit sweater, giving my hair a quick iron so it stays in place. My hair is neither straight nor curly, so I choose to go with one or the other.

When I walk out, conversation ceases. I see Dash is now here as well, leaning against the wall, knee up.

“Where’s Ryan?” I ask, since he seems to be the only one missing. I see Reid scowl, his eyes flashing.

“Don’t worry your little head, he'll be here,” he snaps, his expression shuttered.

Okaaaaaay, then.

“Charming,” I mutter to myself as I walk towards my brother.

“Morning, Summer,” Dash says, his eyes roaming all over my face and body.

“Hey, Dash.” I offer him a small smile. He looks hot wearing a pair of dark jeans and a black T-shirt.

“I’m gonna do some grocery shopping,” I tell them, searching through my handbag for my car keys. The pantries are practically bare and the fridge only has leftover pizza, beer and some limes.

Which I assume are for tequila shots.

“Wait, I’ll come with you,” Xander says.

“I think I can handle going to the store without a babysitter,” I tell him, giving him my best ‘I dare you to say otherwise’ look.

“Yeah, but do you know where it is?” He smirks, leaning back against the fridge.

“Surely it can’t be that hard to find,” I say, rolling my eyes. I finally find my keys and pull them out.

“I can take you,” Dash offers. My eyes find Reid, who looks delicious himself in a snug pair of worn jeans and a black sweater. I swallow hard. His body is just phenomenal. Broad shouldered and lean hipped, the man has the perfect amount of muscle. When I glance up into amused blue eyes, I cringe. The last thing I want is for him to think I’m interested in any way.

I clear my throat and tear my gaze away from him. “I’ll be fine, but thanks, Dash,” I say, waving to them before walking out of the house.

I glance around the neighbourhood quickly, before getting into my car. Pulling out my phone, I look for the nearest supermarket, which turns out to be only about five minutes away. I frown when I see the neighbour peeping over the fence, blatantly staring. He quickly ducks when he sees me looking. I shake my head and drive off, deciding to detour and get familiar with the area.





Reid


“You sure it’s safe for her to go out alone?” I ask Xander, not so sure about it myself.

“She’ll be fine, it’s just down the road and no one knows who she is.”

“Yet,” I say, knowing it’s what everyone else in the room is thinking.

“No one will mess with her,” Dash says confidently. Too confidently, and that’s his weakness. I try to keep one step ahead, while Dash relies on his reputation way too much. It’s true, I’m probably being paranoid. But we do have enemies, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

“That a gamble you willing to take?” I ask the room. Xander curses, and instantly goes into his room, coming out minutes later fully dressed.

“I can go keep an eye,” I offer. The minute the words come out of my mouth I regret them. It’s not my job to babysit her. Nor should I want to. Fuck.

“I got it, she’s my sis, my responsibility,” he says, but he’s wrong. She’s all of ours, because Jack made her be. Xander leaves in a hurry, now worried about Summer. I’m sure she’s fine, there’s just a few things she doesn’t know about this town.

About her father.

About us.

I think someone needs to update her, and quick. But hell, what do I know? This is their decision to keep her in the dark, and it’s not really my business. I suppose if she was mine, I’d want to keep her safe and away from all of this, too.