Fractured Trust by L. M. Dalgleish
Chapter 21
Eden was hovering over Summer’s shoulder, making it hard to concentrate. As irritating as it was, Summer couldn’t fight the smile twitching the corners of her mouth. After a few more seconds of shuffling sounds, Summer paused in her typing and turned to her friend.
“I’m sorry, did you want something?”
Eden froze for a second and then grinned, unrepentant about being caught. “Well, since you’re having a break, how about we catch up on some gossip?”
Summer refrained from rolling her eyes. “Celebrity gossip, you mean?” she hedged.
Eden arched her brows, the mischievous gleam in her eyes reminding Summer of Noah. “I guess you could say that. I’ve heard some interesting rumors about a very famous rock star I’d love to get your opinion on.” Her grin turned sly.
Summer bit her lip. How much should she tell her? Obviously, Eden already knew at least some of it. Or had guessed, seeing as she and Noah had suddenly started spending a significant amount of time together. But what would she think about it? Considering the warning she’d given Summer at the start, would she be mad that Summer had jumped back into bed with her brother? Would the fact that it was just casual, make it better or worse?
Eden pulled a chair up to the other side of Summer’s desk. “So, anything you want to fill me in on?” Her smile was more quizzical this time, the question clear in her eyes. What exactly are you doing with my brother? Probably closely followed by do you think it’s a good idea?
Summer wasn’t ashamed of what she and Noah were doing, and considering his sister was her boss, she probably had the right to know. After all, if things went bad, it could certainly affect their working relationship. Apprehension banded her chest. How would Eden react?
She cleared her throat and tapped her fingernails nervously on the desk. “Okay, so you obviously know something’s going on between me and Noah.”
Eden smiled, although it wasn’t completely reflected in her eyes. “Obviously. You two have been spending some time together. And I haven’t seen Noah this relaxed for a while. Not since he saw you in Chicago, anyway.” She tilted her head and regarded Summer pensively. “Maybe even before that.”
Summer’s cheeks warmed. Noah had definitely been in a better mood around her lately, but she hadn’t realized his tension had been obvious to everyone else as well. She picked up a pen and fidgeted with it as she met Eden’s gaze. “We’re just… having fun. Keeping it casual, you know?”
Eden’s lips twitched downward. “Casual?”
Summer put down the pen and traced a seam on the desk with her fingertip. “Yeah, you know, nothing serious, just spending time with each other before Noah leaves.”
“You mean you’re only doing this until he goes on tour?” Summer couldn’t quite tell if it was disapproval in Eden’s tone or not.
“Well, it’s… up in the air, I guess. I’m not sure keeping something going while he’s away is a great idea.”
“Why not? It’s only two months.”
Summer stared at her. “Well, because this is… we don’t know what this is. And after last time, it’s… it’s just probably not a good idea.” Summer’s heart sped up, remembered anxiety causing her stomach to churn uneasily.
“Wait, so is it casual because you’re both just scratching an itch until he goes on tour? Or is it only casual because he’s going on tour?”
Summer’s brow furrowed. “Does it matter?”
Eden looked at her like she was crazy. “Of course it matters! If you and Noah are just relieving some tension with each other, and there are no deeper feelings involved, then I can understand that; putting a time limit on it makes sense, I suppose. I don’t necessarily think it’s a good idea, but you two are adults, that’s your choice. But if either of you are emotionally invested and you’re only keeping it casual because you don’t think you can handle him being away on tour, then I think you’re asking for trouble. So, which is it?”
“I don’t know. It’s too soon to tell.”
Eden regarded her steadily. “Is it?”
Summer nodded, but agitation vibrated down her spine.
Eden sighed. “Summer, if you have feelings for my brother, or if he has feelings for you, those aren’t just magically going to go away when he goes on tour, just because you want them to. It’s going to hurt. Both of you. You might tell yourself that if you break it off, then you’ll be able to handle knowing he’s surrounded by groupies and rabid fans because what you had was ‘only casual’, but that’s not how our hearts work. And if you let Noah fall for you again and then you just call it quits and wave goodbye as the tour bus pulls away, you’re going to devastate him. For a second time. And just before he has to undertake a grueling two months on the road. Can’t you see what a bad idea that is?”
Summer’s chest cinched tighter. She knew what Eden was saying was true. But she didn’t know how else to give herself a taste of what she craved without risking both their hearts. She just hadn’t been letting herself think about how she would actually feel if they ended things and Noah was far away and surrounded by women.
But she was sure Noah’s heart was safe. He hadn’t put up any fight when she’d suggested they keep it casual, so she had to believe he was okay with it. After all, she wasn’t even sure if he’d forgiven her for what she’d done last time. Maybe not having to worry about her while he was away would even be a relief for him.
It was too late, anyway, even if a part of her had started to regret her decision almost as soon as she’d voiced it. She was invested now. Pulling back wasn’t an option. Being with Noah again was… amazing. He made her feel almost like her old self, joyful, as if her life was full of possibilities. And as long as she didn’t think too hard about when or how it might end, then she’d be okay. If they did end up parting ways when he left, it would hurt, but that’s something she’d just have to deal with. She’d done it before, she could do it again. And at least this time it wouldn’t take anyone by surprise.
Summer met Eden’s gaze. “I understand what you’re saying. And maybe it’s not smart, but you’re right, Noah and I are adults now, and we’re making decisions that work for us. I know you’re worried about Noah, but he’s fine with it. Honestly. If things end when he goes, I won’t be breaking his heart, I promise.”
Skepticism shone in Eden’s eyes, but she didn’t argue the point, just sighed. “Okay. Well, if you ever want to talk about anything, I’m here, okay. Noah’s my brother, and you’re my friend. I don’t want either of you getting hurt.”
Warmth filled Summer’s chest. She stood and made her way around the desk, pulling Eden into a hug. “Thank you. I’m so glad we’ve had this chance to reconnect. It’s all going to be fine, just wait and see.”
Eden hugged her back, then let her go, giving her a fond smile. She turned to walk back to her desk, but said over her shoulder with a smirk, “Good, because I’d hate to have to kick your ass for breaking my brother’s heart again.”
Summer smiled, but as she sank back down into her chair, the smile faded. That wasn’t going to happen. Was it?