Summer Heat (Cruel Summer #1)(7)

“You don’t belong here,” was what he said in a lethal tone. “Three strikes. I’m not afraid to fire people. And you and I both know you probably need this job more than anyone.”

I flinched. “I’m sorry, what’s that supposed to mean?”

His grin was evil as he held up his cell phone. “Shopping for an agent?”

“How’d you know that?” I hissed quietly. “Nobody knows that.”

“First off, most of the staff members are.” He shrugged. “Second, I heard you turned down Elliot Meyers, and he’s trying to blacklist you.”

My stomach dropped to my knees. “You don’t know shit.”

“I know he’s one of the best, and he thinks you’re a spoiled brat… he’s not far off the mark is he?” Marlo shrugged and then lowered his gaze to my shoes. “I’d try harder if I were you…”

“Why do you hate me so much?” I asked in a pleading voice.

His eyebrows shot up. “If you really have to ask yourself that question than you’re dumber than I thought. Must suck to lose all the power, hmm Ray?”

“The only power I ever had was the power you willingly gave, Marlo.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Then again…” I reached up and caressed his cheek it held a bit of a five o’clock shadow. “That was just one night, right? One stupid drunken night?”

“You promised.” He grabbed my wrist, his teeth clenched.

“Well, you just threatened me.” We were chest to chest. “It goes both ways, Marlo…” I dragged out his name. I knew I was being a bitch, bringing up the past. Bringing up what was probably one of my favorite mistakes.

Finding myself in his room.

Finding myself in his arms.

Finding my mouth on his.

Skin against skin.

Tongue swirling around tongue.

It had been the best kiss of my life.

We’d both been wasted.

And I’d ignored him the next day.



“Hey! Ray!” Marlo ran toward me down the hall. He was wearing a baseball cap and looked so happy that I wanted to reach out and hug him. He’d been so sweet to me the night before, he’d taken his time, he’d kissed every inch of my body, he’d made me feel alive for the first time I could remember. And if I was being honest.

Loved.

He’d loved me, treasured me the only way a man with that much passion could.

I opened my mouth to say hi but was interrupted by Chels.

“No way!” Chels rolled her eyes. “Can you please disappear, nerd? Breathe in our direction again, and I’m telling a teacher you flashed us your tiny dick.”

Hurt flashed in his expression as he turned to me.

“Chels.” I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be a bitch.”

“What? He’s a lanky troll.”

People around us laughed.

His eyes locked on mine.

Time stood still.

I chose myself.

Instead of him.

“Sorry, Marlo. Not now.”

“But—”

“I said not now!” I roared. “God, can you just leave me alone?”

“What a loser.” Chels laughed.

Everyone joined in.

And then my ex came toward us with a few guys from the football team. It all happened so fast, the fight. The blood. Marlo on the ground looking up at me like I was the devil.

And I walked away.

I walked away and didn’t look back.



Tears welled in my eyes as Marlo looked down at me with that same expression, like I was the cause of all the pain the world — the major cause of his, when he was the only person who had ever kissed me like I mattered.

“Change your fucking shoes,” he gritted through his teeth. “Try not to sleep with the first guy who smiles at you, and do your job or you’re gone.”

“Fine,” I said with false cheer.

He shook his head and walked off, leaving me feeling nothing but shame and remorse.





“YOU LOOK PISSED,” Jen pointed out at the bon fire that night. I shook my head and ignored her curious stare. It wasn’t the first time she looked at me like I needed to be put in my place. But Jen grew up in the suburbs — not that I held it over her head, the biggest issue she had as a high school student was what to wear to prom, and if she should try out for cheerleading. Her college experience was much the same. No judgment, I loved her like a sister, but she didn’t get it.

There would always be people who had it easy and were just too ignorant to realize it — she was one of those people.

“Sorry Jen, it’s just one of those days…” I finally answered. “And just in case you were wondering, kinda hard not to be pissed on the first day of camp, right? Keeps the campers freaked a bit?” I tried for a smile.

She narrowed her eyes, she both saw too much and knew me too well.

Yeah, she wasn’t buying shit.

Probably because I wasn’t selling it worth shit.

The two hundred pushups had helped a little.

The quick two-mile sprint had done nothing.

“Is everything set up?” Gravel crunched beneath my Converses as I made my way over to the large fire that Jackson was struggling to set up. “Matches, bro, use matches.” I tossed him a pack