Page 40 of Rock Me

“I know I don’t have to.I want to.”Summer heads for the kitchen.“He’ll feel better after he gets something in his stomach.”She opens the refrigerator, and I groan at the sight that greets us.

Old takeout leftovers sit inside, and beer lines the door shelves.

“What if I go pick up some fresh food at the grocery store?”she offers.“Oh, wait!There are eggs in here.And bread,” she says, reaching into the back of the fridge.She glances at both, studying dates.“And they’re not expired!”She sounds like she’s hit the lottery.

At least my father has enough food in the house for a meal and a supermarket run isn’t also on today’s agenda.Because even though we are far from the city, I’m not leaving Summer alone.

“I’m really grateful you’re offering, but you don’t need to cook for him,” I try again.

“He needs protein,” she insists, and begins to search the kitchen for plates, silverware, and a frying pan, lining the counter with the items she needs, her ponytail bouncing behind her.

Summer gets to work, and I head to deal with my father, pausing in the entry to the kitchen and turning around.She hums while she busies herself, first cleaning up the dishes in the sink and loading the dishwasher before getting to work.

“Summer…”

She glances over her shoulder, those big eyes meeting mine.

I mean to say thank you.To somehow find a way to express my gratitude, but the words won’t come.Instead, I stalk back into the room and pull her into my arms, my embrace hopefully communicating what I’m not able to say.

Just the fact that she is here, that she insisted on joining me when she could have waited at home, says something about the depth of the relationship we have and choose not to discuss.

“You’re a special woman, Summer.I really didn’t want to do this alone,” I finally admit, kissing the top of her head.

“I want to be here for you.”

I warn myself to ignore not just the fragrant scent that envelopes me but the twisting of my heart at her words.Words I wish she meant for a lot longer than this one crisis.

“Ben!”

My father’s call interrupts my wayward thoughts.

“Coming, Dad!”

She steps back and gives him a reassuring smile.“I’ll get his breakfast going.Want anything?”she asks.

I shake my head.“No, thanks.I’m not hungry.”Not for food, anyway.

I am hungry for Summer.All of her, and not just sex.Her support today makes me realize how much I long for more than she is able to give.We could be a good team… if the world stage wasn’t waiting.

***

Summer

I finish cookingbreakfast for Ben’s father, which he devours in less than two minutes flat.Scrambled eggs and toast.That is about all I can manage for him, but he doesn’t seem to care what is on the plate.I don’t know if Nate is hungover or just starving after his night in jail, but he grunts about how good the food is as he eats.

I covertly study him, my gaze going from Nate to Ben and back again.Although Nate’s skin is sallow and his face drawn, I see traces of his son in his features.He probably was a handsome man years ago, before he let life beat him down.I swallow over the lump in my throat, trying not to let my emotions overwhelm me.Ben has enough to deal with without me getting upset on his behalf.

He waits for his father to finish eating before turning a kitchen chair around and straddling the back, facing the older man.

“Dad, we need to talk.”

I take that as my cue.“I’ll go into the other room,” I say.I can finish the dishes later.

“No.”Ben meets my gaze, imploring me with his eyes.“Stay.Please.”

I nod and pick up his father’s plate, carrying it over to the sink before leaning against the counter and waiting.I don’t know where this conversation will go, and my heart beats hard inside my chest.

“Dad, here’s the situation,” Ben begins.“This was a one-shot deal.I won’t be bailing you out again.If you get arrested, you’re on your own.”