Page 79 of XOXO, Summer
Caressing my cheek, he kisses me and then his embrace keeps in his arms. “I’ll take forever, Sunshine. That’s how in love with you I am. I’m lovesick for you.”
It’s like those earlier tears were just waiting in the wings and come back uninvited. It’s not the tears I’m worried about, though. It’s my heart. I’ve been spoiled to only know this side of him, the one that opens up and shares what’s on his mind and heart. I don’t see the bad boy of hockey or someone that needs to change anything about himself.
So it’s easy to pretend today is all that matters with him, to make promises of forever with any hesitation. But there will come a time . . . I don’t want to think about it. I shake it off by wiggling my hips for him to earn a laugh and to keep my tears and broken heart at bay. “You’re in luck. I just so happen to know the cure for that.”
His smile returns. “Oh yeah?”
Patting his chest, I say, “I’ll fix you right up and take good care of you.”
“Promise?”
The promises reveal a deeper need. I feel it too. A hint of desperation to keep things the same when we both know they’re going to change before we’re ready. It doesn’t make it any harder to give him the world and my soul. “I promise.” I’m going to do everything in my power to keep it.
CHAPTER 25
DANIEL
The sisters I was warned to avoid are waiting for us when we pull onto the property.
Spring has her arms crossed over her chest while standing on the steps of the back porch as if she has a bone to pick. Winter has a beekeeper’s helmet tucked under her arm, looking like we’re holding her day up.
I scan the area for Autumn and Dolly. I spot Autumn, but Dolly is missing, which is out of the ordinary.
An ambush?
I’m not scared of anyone my size, or even bigger. But women, especially when they’re amassing, make me a little nervous.
I finally spot Autumn at the far side of the yard, where my son is currently flying off a swing ten feet in the air.
I can handle having a tooth knocked out, getting a bloody nose, or a broken bone. When it comes to my son, I prefer him in one piece and the way he was when I left him. Not that I can blame the Season Sisters. He’s clearly been working on his dismount for the past two days while we were gone.
I exhale when he lands it.
Roman comes running to the car as soon as I park and cut the engine. I open the door just in time to catch him jumping into my arms. In the city, he usually smells of the soap used to wash his school uniform. Out here, I pick up the subtle scent of sweat and adventures he’s had playing outdoors. He’s getting the childhood I want for him. “Hey buddy, missed you.”
“Missed you, too, Daddy.”
Summer comes around with the garment bag protecting her dress in one hand and rubs Roman’s back with the other. “Good to see you, big guy.”
With his legs still wrapped around me, Roman leans over to hug her and rest his head on her shoulder. “I’m glad you’re back.” Popping back up, he giggles. “I got good at jumping off the swing.”
“I saw. You were really high.”
I set him down, and he dashes to the house. “Time for sweet tea,” he announces from the porch like his last name is Season and not Sutton. Seeing him happy always overrules my sensitive ego.
Opening the trunk, I pull our bags from it. Summer says, “They know.”
I look up, not sure what the hell she’s referring to. “Who knows what?”
“My sisters. They know about New York.”
Her eyes stay on her sisters, who haven’t so much as said hi, much less greeted us in any form. I can’t even say I’ve seen a smile out of even one of them. After shutting the trunk, I grab the handles of the luggage. “It’s not a surprise. We told them we were going.”
“Nuh-uh. They know.” She whispers, “Everything. We allhave a sixth sense when it comes to each other. You can’t keep secrets in this family.”
I’m learning that, as level-headed as Summer is, her imagination gets away with her sometimes. I’m not sure if I should encourage it, but when in Rome . . . “What secret were we trying to keep?”
We start walking toward the house. Out of the side of her mouth, she whispers, “They know about?—”
