Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

ZACH

" W ell, I think the place looks incredible now that it's all finished." Mom sets a coffee down in front of me.

"Thanks. It turned out better than I thought, the flooring especially."

"Are you still planning to keep it?"

I nod and sit back on the couch. "Yeah, I don't need to sell it."

She looks unsure. "I understand that, honey, but after you leave tomorrow, when will you be back again? Realistically you'll get to spend no time here."

This is the part where I could tell her I plan to give the key over to the girl who rocked my world this summer and who I wish I'd woken up to this morning. To be honest, I'm surprised Luke hasn't said anything about her helping me with the house. I'm pretty sure he's been avoiding me, but I can't say I've been seeking him out either. I will see him tonight at the barbecue for another awkward exchange though.

"I'm proud of you. For the way you've recovered and moved on with your life. What she put you through." Mom's grip on her cup intensifies. "That woman."

"Yeah. It's been easier to move on than I thought it would be." I shrug. "I think I was so pissed at her that I didn't feel the loss."

"She wasn't a loss, that's why. Anyway, I'm just relieved she's out of your life."

If only that were true. Amie's been blowing up my phone from various numbers for the past couple of weeks, and that, combined with the absence of Luna, has been tough. Every time I delete a text, another one comes through from an unknown number, but I know who it is.

Unknown

It doesn't have to be over.

Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm sorry.

And when I don't reply, her true colors show, reminding me of all the reasons I'm right to block her.

So, you think you're above me now or something?

Too busy fucking someone else. Maybe I should do the same…

Go fuck yourself, Zach.

If it carries on, Mom will likely discover Amie hasn't left me alone after all. Especially when I text her with my new number.

I slump back further onto the couch. At least I have these next few days in Seattle with Luna. Staying out of my spare bedroom and resisting the urge to pull her into my arms is going to torture me in ways that will make the end of this summer feel like a walk in the park. I wish I could bring it up with my mom, tell her everything that's been going on between us this summer. But how am I supposed to explain something I don't understand myself?

"Are you all set to leave?"

"Yeah, all packed." I check the time. "I have to take off to the beach."

She smiles. "It's fitting you end the summer in the same way you started it."

Recalling the way Luna leaped into my arms on that first night, I smile back. "Yeah. I'll swing by before I head to the airport tomorrow."

"Okay, but can we talk about that hit you took last season." Hudson shakes his head. "Fuck, that was intense. You're all healed now though, right?"

I'd like to never talk about that hit again. I'm also way too distracted with the way Luke's hand is curled around Luna's shoulder to fucking think straight.

"All set for the pre-season."All this guy seems to care about is talking to me about hockey. I'm more than just three twenty minute periods.

"Cool, cool." He hands me another beer, and I take it, gladly. Tonight is a fucking horror show. Watching the way Luke is coming onto Luna, like he's staking a claim or something. Any excuse to get her on her own, and I swear to God, if he leans forward and whispers in her ear one more time, I'm going to lose my shit.

Only I whisper in her ear and tell her she looks stunning.

"It's a pity we didn't get a chance to reconnect this summer." Tonight just got a whole lot worse as Hayley approaches, flicking her long blonde hair to the side. She drags her long fingernails across my lower back in an inconspicuous manner designed for no one else to see.

"By reconnect I assume you mean fuck?" I say, bringing the bottle to my lips.

Her mouth hangs open like I just said something shocking to her. I'm being an asshole, but I'm so fucking tired of playing games and turning a blind eye to how I'm touched in this way. Jon was right when he lost his shit last season in Colorado.

I shrug. "Just saying it out loud."

She twirls a piece of hair around her finger and bites down on her bottom lip. "If that's an invite, there's still time."

I want to double over and laugh, but instead, I steal another glance in Luna's direction. Torturing myself is a new hobby. Bringing my attention back to Hayley, I look her in the eyes for the first time. The buzz of the alcohol and the frustration of tonight compels me to make a claim laced with fiction. "Actually, I'm kind of seeing someone."

She cocks her head in confusion. "I thought that blonde and you were through?"

"We are. It's someone new."

"Oh, really. Anyone I know?"

I smile. The lies leaving my tongue feel sweeter the more I say them. "No." I down the rest of my beer in one gulp and toss the empty bottle in the makeshift recycling bin. "I have a few people to see. Take care, Hayley."

Before she can respond, I'm across the beach and heading straight for the only person I want to speak to tonight.

"That's great, Luna. I'm so proud of you," is the first thing I hear as I sidle up alongside her and Luke. He's got his hand planted on her back as he refills her wine.

In the soft light of the flames, I can see her eyes are slightly glazed. She's had too much to drink. Concern rips through me; she never drinks much. How many times has he refilled her cup?

"Hey," she says as a dazed smile breaks out across her face.

"Hey. You having a good time there?" I ask in the lightest tone I have, tipping my chin at her drink.

"Yep," she replies, popping her p.

"Luna was just filling me in on her promotion at work," Luke interjects, and I don't miss the tinge of smugness to his smile, like he's revealing something I don't already know.

But does he know all the ways she can come undone for me? Does he know when she comes hard that the tips of her ears turn a cute crimson? I wonder if he knows she's my date to the gala on Saturday night?

"Yeah. Luna mentioned it. It's awesome." I reply.

Silence stretches between us. Perhaps if I hover here for long enough, he'll stop touching her and fuck off.

Luke's eyes narrow slightly at me. "Back to Seattle tomorrow then, buddy?"

I side-eye Luna, who's staring down into her wine. A cloud of guilt settles over me. I don't want to be the reason she feels awkward, and my asshole behavior is doing just that.

I work to keep my tone light. "Yeah, the place is finished, so I'm all set to head back and start pre-season."

Luke nods and turns to Luna, his hand traveling down another inch on her back. My blood boils, knowing she won't like it. I also know she won't want me to call him out—she likes to do that herself. "Speaking of renovations. I can still hang those prints if you want me to."

"Oh, she's got that down herself," I cut in.

Being an asshole again, Zach.

Luna's eyes twinkle at me in amusement, and fuck if it doesn't trip me out. "Thanks, but Zach's right, I've been laying floorboards all summer. Me and a hammer are like this." She holds up a hand and crosses her pointer and second finger over.

Luke balks slightly, clearly not liking her response. "Huh, okay. But if you change your mind, I'm not working tomorrow—day off. I can come over and sort them if you need. You're probably swamped with schoolwork now."

Shit. He doesn't know she's out of town with me for the next few days.

Luna quickly throws me a look that screams "please don't say anything."

I got you, Rocket.

Shoving his hands in the pockets of his shorts, Luke finally relinquishes his hold on Luna's back. "It's getting late, and I guess we're finished up with the food."

He begins clearing everything and then grabs a bag, striding down the beach to toss it in the trash.

I reach over and take Luna's wine and set it on the table in front of us. "Walk with me?"

The urge to take her hand in mine threatens to overwhelm my entire thought process as we make our way down the shore. She looks gorgeous in a pale pink tasseled dress and a cute turquoise clip pinning her long hair up.

It feels like forever passes when she finally speaks. "Everything feels weird between us."

I puff out a breath. "It's just an adjustment period, that's all." The lies just keep coming tonight.

"I'll meet you at the airport tomorrow. I should probably make my own way there since I'll be flying back alone."

"Okay." I come to a stop and turn to her, the pieces of hair framing her petite face blowing in the breeze. "You're still sure you want to come?" Please say yes.

"I mean, yeah. If you still want me there?"

I want her everywhere.

"Luna, me asking was simply to check if you still want to come. I'll take whatever time together we can get."

The corners of her mouth tip up slightly. "Me too. Especially since you're paying for me to fly first class."

I throw my head back and laugh. Looking around, I notice there's no one but us. The warm glow of the fire is still burning, but everyone has gone. "How about some late-night swimming?"

"What? Now?"

I reach behind my head and pull off my shirt. "No time like the present."

"I don't have a swimsuit."

"Minor detail." I haul her over my shoulder and charge for the water, barging my way through the waves as I go.

Her tiny fists beat on my back as water splashes up all around us. "Put me down, Evans!"

"Never!"

"I mean it. I won't come to the gala!"

"Oh, playing hardball now, eh? Okay, you win." I throw her into the water, laughing hysterically as she comes up for air, completely drenched.

"Asshole." She sends a wave of water my way that hits me square in the face.

"Let's not play these games. You know it's dangerous to poke the bear."

She quirks a soaked brow. "You act like the tough guy, but I know what's underneath that hardened hockey player exterior of yours."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, like a Tootsie Pop or something. Hard on the outside, soft in the center."

"You're like popping candy," I counter.

"Well, it is delicious."

"Definitely delicious. I love the way it crackles on my tongue."

I tower over her as I come to stand so close, I can smell her sweet scent over the salty ocean. I'm thrumming with the need to reach out and take her in my arms.

Against the moonlight, I see her cheeks flush at my innuendo that was one hundred percent deliberate. "Zach, I, we should—" She thumbs over her shoulder toward the shore.

Just one more minute, Luna.

I bring my hand up to her cheek and stroke my thumb along her jawline. "I know we should do a lot of things."

Her deep eyes dance as she looks up into mine. Goddammit, why does it have to be this way? "Why can't the stars align for us, Rocket?"

In response, her breath catches in her throat. It's the first time I've admitted we could be something more if things were different. Because other than the distance, I'm running out of reasons why we can't.

Her eyes dart to my mouth, and I lean in closer, desperate to taste her again.

"The fuck ?"

My head whips up to where the cutting voice came from, and I find Luke standing around twenty feet away. His hands are on his hips, and even in the dark and from this far away, I see the flames burning in his eyes. His chest heaves with anger. "I. Fucking. Knew. It."

My hand is still on Luna's cheek as we both stare at him, rooted to the spot and pressed together.

"You come back for the summer, and I barely see you. But now I know for sure— you've been too busy screwing the girl I…" His hands ball into fists at his sides. "Haven't you got enough women on speed dial? You had to move in on her. Fuck her and then leave her."

"I'm sorry but what the fuck are you talking about?" Luna lurches away from me, charging toward Luke as her tiny frame cuts through the water, parting as she goes. "Who the fuck do you think you are? You do NOT own me!" Her feet hit the sand, and she takes a couple of steps closer, and he takes a couple back. "Let me guess, next you'll say he broke ‘bro code' or something equally misogynistic and ridiculous."

I can't help it. A proud smile breaks out across my face.

That's my Pocket Rocket.

"Why the fuck are you smiling?" Luke spits, pointing at me.

"Me?" I point to myself. "This isn't about me. This is about Luna, and she's right. She can be with whoever she wants."