Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(15)

“But I’m hungry,” his date whined.

Luke sighed and glanced sheepishly at Grayson before setting down a twenty. “Keep the change. We’re out of here.” Keeping his head down, he made sure to avoid me at all costs. His date, however, wasn’t done.

“Why are you letting her run us out?” she shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the restaurant, including Evan. “She’s just a stupid waitress.” Gasps erupted and the whole place grew silent. Evan got to his feet and started toward us.

With the biggest grin on my face, I lowered my voice and spoke through my clenched teeth. People were watching. “Actually, honey, I’m the owner.” Her eyes went wide. Then to Luke I said, “And if you don’t get the hell out of here now I’m going to live up to my promise.”

“What’s going on?” Evan demanded.

“Nothing,” Luke blurted out. “We were just leaving.”

Evan narrowed his eyes. “But you just got here.”

Not wasting any time, Luke sauntered to the door, all calm like nothing was wrong. “Don’t worry, I’ll catch up with you later.” And then he and his date were gone. Good riddance.

Evan glared at the door, then looked back to me. “Do you want to tell me what that was all about?”

“Don’t you need to get back to your date?”

“Interview,” he corrected. “And we’re almost done.”

“Well, then, why don’t you ask your friend what’s wrong? He is your best friend, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, but I’m asking you.”

“Later. You’re busy right now.” I tried to walk off, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me past the bar to the back. We walked past the kitchen to the back door that led to the employee parking area.

Opening it wide, he ushered me out and slammed the door. “Why are you acting so pissy with me?”

I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not angry at you.”

“At Luke then? What did he do?”

“Can you honestly tell me you have no clue? I thought all you guys gloated about the women you’ve slept with.” His jaw clenched and he tensed. “Anyway, I’ve kept everything buried for so long, and I just couldn’t do it anymore.”

Evan put his hands on my shoulders and immediately my body relaxed; an audible sigh escaped my lips. He heard it and moved closer. Surprisingly, I didn’t move back. I didn’t want to. “It doesn’t shock me that he could piss someone off, but you are the last person he’d mess with.”

I looked up into his serious gray gaze. “That’s not true. Has he told you about Lara?”

His brows furrowed. “No. What about her?”

“They slept together,” I confided, “a few months ago. And then afterward, he up and left like nothing happened. You can’t tell me you didn’t know.”

Eyes wide, he squeezed my shoulders and pulled me closer. “Summer, you have to believe me when I say I didn’t. How the f*ck could he do that? No wonder he’s been acting strange around her.”

“I wonder why he didn’t tell you,” I murmured, more to myself than him.

Evan sighed and closed his eyes. “Probably because he knew I’d bitch his ass out for it. Lara’s a good girl. He should’ve known better than to f*ck around with her. Not to mention, I’ve seen the kind of girls he’s been messing with. I don’t know what the hell his problem is.”

“So now do you see why I’m upset? Lara’s hurting and I did the only thing I could think of to get him out of my sight.”

Letting my shoulders go, Evan stepped back, a small smile spreading across his face. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so worked up over something.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“It’s good. I like seeing you protective of your sister. I can tell she’s the same way with you.”

I leaned against the building and smiled. “All she’s done for the past two years is be completely by my side, supporting me. It’s time I was there for her. Thank goodness your sister was there for her when I wasn’t.”

“And I’m glad Lara was there for Kate when I couldn’t be. If it wasn’t for Lara, I’d probably be dead right now. Kate would’ve killed me for hovering too much. It’s hard not to when all you want is to keep your family safe.”

“Have you always been like that? Protective of your family and friends?”

His lips curled up into a small smile and I felt tingles vibrate through my body. “What can I say? It’s part of my southern charm.” Opening the door, he nodded to the inside. “Now that I know you’re not pissed at me, are we still on for Saturday night after the game?”

I nodded. “I said yes, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but I know how women are; they never know what the hell they want.”

“And you do?” I countered. By the mischievous grin on his face, he wasn’t going to answer me. Men never knew what they wanted, either, and if they did, it was always something they couldn’t have.

“How about we go inside? I have an interview to get back to.”

“You mean, flirting to get back to. I think the journalist likes you. She’s basically sticking her tits in your face.”