Summer

Chapter 48

"Why haven't I seen you around?" Jeremy asks. He's well-put together with his gelled-back hair and hazel eyes. Any girl in my position would probably take this as her opportunity to flirt with him, but there's only one guy I want. And that's Noah.

"I'm just visiting for the summer," I tell him.

"Oh, nice," he nods his head. "Well, I hope we're making a good impression on you so far."

"Definitely an impression," I widen my eyes and joke.

"Oh no. Why do you say it like that?" Before I can respond, he continues. "Actually, why don't you tell me over a drink?"

I already made up my mind that I'm not drinking anymore tonight, but that doesn't mean that I can't accompany the poor kid to the kitchen.

We make our way to the wide spread of alcoholic options laying around the island table.

"J!" some guy calls out, tapping Jeremy's shoulder.

"Dylan, my man!" Jeremy bumps his fist with his friend's. "It's good to see you, bro. We've been missing you at practice these days."

"Tell me about it. My doctor has me out for another week."

"Ah, damn. How's the knee doing?"

"Thankfully getting better with each day. Hoping to be in tiptop shape for next month's game."

"Well, we're rooting for you," Jeremy says as he takes two red cups from the stack.

"Thanks, man."

"This is Sophia, by the way," Jeremy gestures to me and says, placing one hand on my back. "She's cousins with Cassie."

"Nice to meet you, Sophia," Dylan says.

"You, too," I smile.

"Well, I better go find my girlfriend before she freaks out for making her wait. It was good seeing you, dude," he says to Jeremy as he goes in for a man hug before turning to me. "Sophia, a pleasure. I hope to see you around."

"Definitely!"

"So, what can I get you?" Jeremy asks as he looks over our options.

"Oh, no, I'm good. Thanks, though."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," I tell him, and I'm relieved when he doesn't press further.

He combines some tequila with seltzer, and part of me is happy that he pours more seltzer than tequila. He's about to say something when Cassie comes up and tugs me on the shoulder.

"So...little problem," she presses her thumb and index finger together, making an 'O'. "Noah's here." Two words I was sure I wasn't hearing tonight.

I giggle innocently at Jeremy so that he doesn't think anything's wrong despite the 'oh shit' look on my face right now. He smiles at me and then I quickly turn back to Cassie.

"What do you mean he's here?" I ask in a panicked tone. "As in this house here?"

Cassie nods in a panicked manner. "He just walked in with Justin and some random brunette who's practically clinging to him. I'm not sure who she is, but she looks like a skank."

I'm trying to stay calm, but I don't know what's worse — the fact that Noah and I are currently in the same house or that he's here with some girl.  

"Okay. It's fine." I take a deep breath in, pretending that'll calm my nerves. "I'm just going to avoid him."

"Or we can just leave," Cassie proposes.

I know that's what I should do, but now that Noah's here, part of me wants to stay. Plus, I'm curious to see what he's doing with that girl.

"Cass, it's fine. I know how to ignore Noah. Wouldn't be my first time."

"Okay, your call," she warns me. "I'm going to find Kyle. You good over here?" she asks as she glances over at Jeremy.

"I'm fine. Go," I tell her.

"Okay, I'm in the other room if you need me."

"Bye," I say.

Maybe, I should have a drink. Just one.

"All good over there?" Jeremy asks as he takes a sip from his cup.

"You know what? I changed my mind. I'll take that drink."