Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(60)

“There’s nothing wrong with that. You did what you had to do.”

I looked up at him. “Then why do I feel wretched? He can’t play football now because of me, until the case is solved. I don’t want to ruin his career.”

Philip shook his head. “Whatever happens to him, you have nothing to do with it. It’ll all be on his shoulders.”

“I hope you’re right.”

He pulled me into his arms. “I know I am.”

When he let me go, I smiled. “Thanks for helping me with Jax.”

“You’re welcome. Although I have to say, I didn’t like what I saw. I know you think Evan is the best thing for you, but I’m starting to think otherwise.”

“What?” I said, taken aback. “Why would you say that?”

He waved his hand angrily toward the spot Jaxon had just left. “He has enemies, Summer. One of whom tried to run him off the road, killing an innocent girl. This is the life I tried so hard to get you to forget, and now you’re going right back to it. What’s so wrong about being with someone normal? Someone who could love you and keep you safe?”

“I’m starting to think that kind of life doesn’t exist.”

He grabbed my hand and held it to his chest. “It does exist. With me.”

Eyes wide, I stepped back. “With you? Philip, what are—?” Then it hit me, and I felt as if the breath had been knocked out of my lungs. “Oh my God. Am I the woman you were talking about earlier?”

Sighing, he stepped back and lowered his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to find out this way. I was hoping to talk to you about it before I left town. I thought maybe I could just let you go, but then all of this shit with Evan’s been happening and I just can’t. You’re going to get caught in the crossfire. Being with him is dangerous, Summer.”

“That may be true, but I love him.”

His head snapped up. “But you could love me, too. I can keep you safe, especially your heart. You’ve confided in me and told me your darkest fears and regrets. Our bond runs deep, whether you want to believe it or not.”

“I do care about you, but not in that way. You’ve helped me overcome my fears, and I will always be grateful. But I don’t love you like that.”

“Are you not even willing to try? All I want is a chance. I love you, Summer. I have from the very beginning.”

“I’m sorry, Philip. If I made you believe it was possible, it was never my intention.”

He nodded and averted his gaze. I didn’t know what else to say, so I started back toward the door. Sadly, I couldn’t get there before he grabbed my hand and whirled me around. One arm snaked around my waist and the other grabbed the back of my neck as he kissed me. Before I could fight him off, he backed away, his eyes boring into mine.

“I’m sorry, I had to do it. I’m leaving to go out of town and I wanted you to know how I felt before I did.”

I rubbed my hand over my lips and glared at him. His words were one thing, but kissing me was another. “Forcing me to kiss you wasn’t the way to do it, Philip.”

“I know, but I can’t take it back. I knew you wouldn’t do it otherwise.”

“No, I wouldn’t. And now I think it’s best you leave.”

Sighing, he ran his hands through his hair and started to step toward me but then thought better of it. Turning, he walked straight to his car, looking back at me one last time before getting in.

“Summer, you okay?” a voice called out.

Sighing, I turned to face Grayson and shrugged. “Hell if I know.”

With a skeptical look on his face, he watched Philip pull out of the parking lot. “Did something happen between you two? He’s been here a lot this week.”

I glanced over my shoulder at Philip’s taillights as he drove farther away. “Yes, something happened that I didn’t anticipate. I had no clue he had feelings for me.”

He snorted. “You didn’t? How could you not have seen it?”

“I don’t know. I guess because I love Evan.”

“Does he know that Philip’s been here every day this week?”

“No, I never thought there was a reason to tell him. Now I don’t know what to do.”

“The answer’s simple—you tell Evan what happened and cut ties with Philip. If you don’t, there’ll only be more problems.”

“Like telling Evan that Philip kissed me,” I groaned.

Grayson’s eyes went wide. “Are you f*cking kidding me? And you let him?”

“No,” I shouted. “I didn’t want him to, he just did. That’s when I told him to leave.”

“Ah, hell, this isn’t good.”

“No shit.”

Grayson glanced down at his watch and sighed. “Why don’t you go to Evan’s and talk to him? The last thing you need to do is keep it from him. He’d most likely find out one way or another.”

Pulling out my phone, I read through the dirty text messages he’d sent me. I was about to ruin our night. “All right, I’ll tell him.” He was going to be pissed.

—

By the time I got to Evan’s house, my stomach was in knots. The thought of telling him about Philip scared me. I didn’t want him to think I had feelings for Philip. When I opened the door, the house was dark, but I knew Evan was home; his vehicle was in the garage.