Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(41)

“Do you need me to go out there?” Philip offered, getting to his feet.

“No, I can handle Luke. Just stay here and I’ll be right back.” I left Lara with Philip and rushed quickly to the back door. Even though he deserved it, the last thing I wanted to do was break Luke’s heart.





Chapter 19


Evan


After having a couple of drinks with Summer’s parents and Jerry and Donna, I figured it was time to find Summer. I introduced them all to Derek and Cooper so I could sneak away. But I hadn’t even gotten out of my seat when I was bumped in the arm by a man who sat down beside me.

“Sorry about that,” he apologized.

I grabbed my beer and stood. “Don’t mention it.”

“Wait, you’re Evan Townsend, right? I’m Philip Parker, a friend of Summer’s.”

“Her doctor,” I corrected.

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Used to be until she cut me loose. It’s nice to finally meet you. She seems happy now.”

“I’d like to think so. I’m sure she has you to thank for helping her through the past couple of years.”

“That I did. At first, I thought it was going to be impossible to bring her back. She was so broken.”

“Yes, I know.”

His mood completely changed, his gaze hardening. I stiffened. “Do you? Because I don’t think you do. I watched the game on Sunday. It looks like you have some enemies out there, Mr. Townsend. Did you for one second think about what that could mean for Summer? What if she ends up a victim again?”

Clenching my teeth, I moved closer, lowering my voice to a growl. “She won’t. I appreciate your concern for her safety, but your opinion isn’t wanted. I’m not going to let anything happen to her.”

He ordered a beer and took a long, hard gulp. “I sure hope not. Because if something does, it won’t be easy to bring her back. I was there in the beginning. You weren’t.” Getting up from his seat, he glared at me one more time before disappearing into the crowd.

“I see you met Summer’s hot-ass doctor,” Lara teased.

I guzzled down the rest of my beer and slammed the bottle on the bar. “Has she ever mentioned that he has a thing for her?”

She shook her head. “No. She’s never talked about him like that. Before you came along, I always joked around with her about going out with him. Why? Did he say something?”

“A lot, actually. And I don’t f*cking like it. Where’s Summer?”

Biting her lip, she sheepishly backed away and said, “I don’t know,” before darting through the crowd.

I followed close behind her. “You’re lying. Where is she?”

Releasing a heavy sigh, Lara let her shoulders slump. Taking my hand, she led me to a secluded corner, her face pained. “She’s outside with Luke. I asked her to get rid of him.”

“What the hell is he doing here? He knew he wasn’t invited.”

“I don’t know. He’s been texting me today saying that he needs to talk to me.” A tear fell down her cheek and she hastily wiped it away. “It’s too late, Evan. There’s nothing he can say that’ll make me forgive him.”

Sighing, I pulled her into me and hugged her. “He’s an idiot, Lara. He f*cked up and now he has to live with it. Honestly, you’re doing the right thing. As much as I love him like a brother, he needs to learn that you can’t screw around with people.”

“Thanks, Evan. I’m glad you’re not like him.”

“And what if I was?” I asked, letting her go.

She wiped away more tears and smiled sadly. “I’d kick your ass. Because there’s no way in hell I’d let you anywhere near my sister.”

“I guess it’s a good thing I’m not. I’m going out there to talk to Luke. Is there anything you want me to tell him? I don’t want to leave Summer out there with him alone.”

Her lip trembled. “No. He wouldn’t listen anyway.”

“Lara, you okay?” Grayson asked, coming up behind her.

She sucked in a breath and stood up straighter before turning around. “Of course. I was just telling Evan how happy I am that Summer has him. Why don’t we get a drink and we can talk to your parents. I don’t think I can avoid them for the whole night, right?”

Grayson smiled and put his arm around her. “No, which is why I was looking for you. Let’s go.”

They sauntered off and I rushed straight out the back door to the parking lot. I expected to see Summer yelling at Luke, but that wasn’t what I saw at all.





Chapter 20


Summer


“Will she ever talk to me again?” Luke asked.

I looked over at him, and my heart hurt. Before facing him, I’d prepared myself for a fight, but he wasn’t confrontational at all. Instead, we sat on the tailgate of his truck and just talked. I was afraid to tell him about Lara and Grayson for fear that he’d blow up, but he needed to know the truth.

“I don’t know, Luke. You’re just going to have to live with the consequences.”

“Please let me go in there. I won’t cause a scene. I just want to tell her I’m sorry.”