Sunbeams and Thunderstorms (now published so sample only)

Chapter 14

           

Chapter 14

It still shocked Summer that her parents had agreed to take the Sunny Rae website down. Every day she checked that the site hadn't gone back online. She knew the greed of her parents but they had kept to their promise. Checking on the weather, it pleased Summer that rain had started falling over her childhood home.

Summer found it hard to concern herself with her parents when Declan remained in town. He stayed at Jed's house during the night and spent time with her during the day.

She woke up excited knowing that Declan wanted to take her somewhere today. He hadn't taught her much if anything else but she appreciated his company.

A light tap on her door and a shot of pure adrenaline jolted through her veins. It took a moment to calm herself before she reached for the door handle. She slapped a hand over her mouth when a squeal of delight escaped her.

"The door, Sunbeam, reach out your hand and open it." Declan sounded amused while Summer tried to compose herself.

"I know that." She grumbled as she yanked at the door.

Declan stopped, all expression wiped from his face when he noticed her. She had tied her hair back and had worn her best shorts along with a flirty almost see through top. She bit her lip in indecision when he didn't move. His eyes drifted over her making her wonder if she should change outfits.

"Um, I was about to put sunscreen on, do you want any?" she managed to splutter.

"What?"

"Sunscreen." She walked back into her apartment and picked up the bottle.

"Sunbeam, you're sunshine, why the hell would you need that?" Declan pointed at the bottle as he shook off his stupor.

"Sorry?"

"You'll never burn in the sun. In a way, the sun protects you because you're its earthly equivalent," Declan explained as he grabbed the bottle and tossed it at the bin. He waved a hand towards the door. "Let's go. It's teaching time."

Declan's words made Summer's disappointment appear. She had so hoped that he wanted to spend time with her and she realised how wrong she was. A sense of the ridiculous gripped her. She had dressed up for him and tried to look sexy and had obviously failed. What did she have to do to get his attention?

"Is this so Jed stops nagging you?" she tried to put on a brave face with her teasing tone.

"You noticed." Declan huffed out a small laugh.

"Just a little."

"C'mon you."

He grabbed hold of her hand and steered her towards the door. She loved having him touch her even when disappointment tightened her chest. The way her skin tingled at his touch left her in a wondrous state.

"What exactly are we doing today?" she asked when they began descending the stairs towards the bakery.

"Going out into the desert."

"Are you sure I don't need sunscreen?"

"No, now come on."

Summer sensed that everyone in the bakery couldn't take their eyes from her and Declan. It had happened a lot in the last few days since Declan's return. Even her friends had stopped greeting her or coming over for a chat. It seemed that Declan had a bad reputation in this town and nobody dared approach him.

Josie walked straight past her when Summer stepped onto the street. Hurt curled to life inside of her. She turned to her friend who seemed to scurry along faster, as if to avoid her.