Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 17

Chapter SEVENTEEN 

Harley didn't leave right away, which made it so much worse. He had another beer, he laughed with Rob, and he ate some chips and pretzels. He also avoided talking to Max and he kept his eyes off of me.

  I was sick of watching Cay and Callen making out, so I wasn't disappointed when they announced they were leaving. I was a bit surprised, though.

  I pulled her away from everyone, before they left.

  "Be safe," I said, as she was slipping on her shoes.

  "Thanks, Mom," she laughed, hugging me. "You... figure out your shit with Harley. He's got mad eyes for you."

  I shook my head. "We figured it out."

  "What does that mean?" she asked.

  "I'll tell you tomorrow."

  "Stop over-complicating it. Just do it," she laughed.

  "Oh, like you're about to do with Callen?" I teased.

  "Exactly," she grinned.

  Callen appeared, then grabbed her hand. "Night, Izzie," he said, smiling at me.

  "Night. Cay, call me tomorrow," I replied.

  She nodded, and then they were gone.

  When I went back to the living room, Rob was following Harley out of the room and into the kitchen. Harley kept a straight face, then shrugged at me.

  "Thanks for having us," Rob said. "So nice to meet you."

  I forced a smile. "You too."

  "We're going," Harley spoke, then added, "Max says he's staying over. You invited him."

  I nodded, instantly regretting everything. Now, he hated me for not even wanting to be friends. But how could we be?

  I watched them go out the back door, neither of them looking back. Realizing I might have lost him for good, I couldn't hold back the tears. I stayed in the kitchen for a few minutes, but then made my way back to Max, in the living room.

  "What the hell happened?" he asked right away, pulling me into his arms.

  "He... wants to be friends," I managed to say.

  "What? No, he doesn't. I know Harley -"

  "Actually, he wants to be with me, but he's too much of a baby to do it. He told me he knows we would be amazing together," I said, sobbing.

  "I'm so confused," Max told me, holding my hand.

  "He said he knows it will be too hard, when you guys have to leave."

  "Sounds like something he'd say. I told you, he only wants to do things that are easy for him." Max sighed, and I put my head on his shoulder. "Iz, I've stayed out of it so far. I haven't even talked to him about you, really. But I can... I can tell him to suck it up and enjoy the summer with you-"

  "No... I want him to want to be with me."

  "He does."

  "Not enough, I guess."

  "Izzie, I'm here, remember? I'll be right here, always," he grinned.

  "Until you're back home," I said, smiling at him.