Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(5)

“Was I really that bad?” I asked, knowing very well that I had been. For a long time, I walked the halls like a zombie, but during this past year I could feel a change coming. I was finding myself again.

“It’s not that you were horrible to be around, Summer. It’s just that it was hard to be around you. Everyone could feel your pain. Why do you think people stayed away?”

Dumbfounded, I stared at her in horror. I could only imagine the way everyone saw me when I was at my worst. “It’s not like that now,” I countered. “People at the restaurant talk to me.”

She blew the steam off her tea and took a sip. “That’s because you’re more sociable. You have no idea how many times I get asked if you’re single. I’ve had to threaten the guys numerous times to keep their distance. I swear, they’re all horny-ass monkeys.”

“Who?” I questioned curiously.

She snorted. “Evan’s friends. Especially Jaxon. He probably gets a hard-on every time you walk by him.”

“Really? I guess I’ve never paid attention.” I knew who Jaxon Reed was, but I’d never actually had a conversation with him. He was our team’s best kicker and a ladies’ man, from what I’d heard. If I was going to start dating someone, it most definitely wouldn’t be someone like him. “I talked to Evan yesterday,” I said, gauging her interest. “Has he ever asked about me?”

She perked up with a huge grin. “So I guess Evan is worthy of your attention, huh? What did you two talk about?”

I lifted a brow and smirked. “Answer my question first and I’ll tell you.”

“Okay, okay, no, he hasn’t asked about you. But I’ve seen the way he looks at you. If you were going to date any of the players, I’d have to say he’s your best choice.”

“I’m not going to date anyone, sis. I was thinking more along the lines of having a friend to eat dinner with and stuff like that. I’m not sure a relationship is something I can offer right now.”

She lifted her hands in defeat. “Oh, I understand completely. I didn’t say you had to jump in bed with anyone. Having someone to hang out with would be good. And just because Evan hasn’t asked about you doesn’t mean he’s not interested. Hasn’t your therapist told you it would be good for you to date?”

I drank the rest of my tea and set the cup in the sink. “Actually, he has told me I should start seeing people. I don’t even know where to start.”

“Thank God, someone’s talking some sense into you. All I know is he’s smoking hot.”

“Only you would say something like that. What about Luke?” I asked, hoping to change the subject from me. “Why don’t we talk about you and him?”

Huffing, she rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to admit it, but what Luke had done to her had really taken a toll on her. I didn’t like seeing her heartbroken. “There’s not much to tell. He doesn’t notice me, even when I’m right in front of him. Judging by the sea donkeys he’s screwing around with, I need extra-large tits and to let my ass cheeks hang out of my shorts to get his attention. He acts as if what we did didn’t even happen.”

Grabbing my keys and my purse, I patted her soothingly on the shoulder and kissed her head. I knew it made her angry to see him with other women, especially after he ghosted on her after a one-night stand. Worthless bastard. “Maybe you just need to move on, too. Forget about him and find someone else.” I knew that was easier said than done.

Lowering her head, she covered her face and sighed. “I’ll make you a deal,” she mentioned softly. “If you go out on a date with someone, I’ll forget all about Luke.”

“You promise?” I could do this for my sister. Maybe I’m not ready for emotional ties, but she was and she needed to find someone who loved her. She was wasting her time worrying about Luke when obviously all he cared about was getting a new piece of ass every week.

She nodded and lifted her sad gaze to mine. “I promise. It’s been three months since the last time he talked to me. I’ve just been foolish to think he would change.”

“Just keep your head up and don’t let him know he hurt you.”

“I won’t.” Unfortunately, Lara’s response lacked conviction.

Looking over at the clock, I gasped when I realized what time it was. I rushed to the door and ripped it open. “I have to meet Kate before I’m late. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Have fun,” she called out as I shut the door.

Taking a CPR class wasn’t exactly what I considered fun, but it was going to feel good to do what I used to love doing.

—

The place I had to meet Kate was actually the facility where the players mainly worked out and practiced during their training. When I pulled up, the parking lot was full. Kate and Cooper, her husband and the quarterback for the Carolina Cougars, were standing at the door waiting for me. As soon as I got out of my car, she waved me over.

She was dressed in one of Cooper’s jerseys, which was enormous on her except a little snug over her belly. “Are you ready to play tonsil hockey with the mannequins?” she asked with a huge grin on her face.

I laughed. “Just as long as I pass. It’s been a while since I’ve practiced CPR.”