Falling for Summer Read Online Free PDF Page B

tell, he’s just as in love with her as this summer. Months away from Summer, hasn’t changed that.
    “So why are you here in the middle of the night at Sookie’s?”
    Drew smiles this slow smile that reminds me of the cat that just ate the canary. “I’ve just been accepted into USC’s early admissions program. On the condition that I can finish a couple of assignments from my AP classes and get them in early before Christmas Break, I could even start next semester.”
    If my jaw hasn’t fallen to the ground already, I would have done a double take. Drew’s slow smile has turned into a big grin, and Summer is hugging him so tightly, almost completely plastered full length against him damp skin against damp skin, that I think even if my jaw had been wiping the floor, Drew wouldn’t notice. “So you decided to accept after all?” Summer says. “I know you’re here to see the campus today, and it took all day, but that’s a real quick decision.”
    Drew looks over at me, and I can see the triumph in his face. “I didn’t have to think about it, Sum,” he says.
    “So you and I,” she says, shaking her head. “What’s the probability of both of us getting a scholarship to USC and starting college early? Must be someone looking out for us,” she says.
    “Yes,” Drew says, glancing at Aunt Sookie’s photo on the mantel. “I definitely believe that’s true.”
    “So you’ll be moving here after all?” Summer says happily.
    “If you have room here for me,” Drew looks innocently around the room. “I mean I don’t want to intrude, but I doubt I can find an empty dorm room at this time of the year.”
    “Drew!” Summer is playfully slapping his arm. “This is your house as much as it is mine. And Nat’s and Rachel’s. You are all welcome to stay and live here. Aunt Sookie would have wanted that. She didn’t have kids of her own so we’re like her children.”
    “Okay,” Drew says. “I just thought maybe I can find a place closer to campus, but…”
    “Look, Drew,” Summer says. “I’m going to be starting the same time as you, and I’m going to be new on campus, too. We can carpool and go to campus together. I’ll at least know someone there. We can be each other’s support group.”
    “Put it like that, Summer, it makes sense.” Drew lets out a big grin and says, “Twist my arm, Summer. I’ll move in here with you and drive you to school, too. It’ll be like old times when Aunt Sookie and all of us are here, except it’ll just be us.”
    “Yes, just you two,” I say to Drew. “How convenient. I wondered how that happened.”
    “Hard work, Bro,” Drew says, “some luck and timing.”
    Yeah right. Knowing Drew, he probably charmed his way into Admissions, using that Donovan charm of his.
     
    “So, how’s your mother these days?” I ask Summer, wanting to change the topic. I know I should be congratulating Drew, but I couldn’t. Not when I feel it should be me staying here and playing house with Summer, as I’ve always done since we were kids. I was her knight-in-shining armor. I’ve always protected her and been there when she needed me. I can’t shake the jealousy so I refocus.
    “My mother,” Summer’s face is expressionless, “is traveling for her job with the Marines as before. Good timing that I declared myself independent last year so I can get around on my own especially now that Aunt Sookie’s gone.”
    I see Summer look down, and when she looks up, her eyes are glistening with unshed tears. It’s the elephant in the room. Aunt Sookie isn’t here. Three of us are, but this house feels empty without her, and Summer living here by herself must be missing her intensely. I know I miss her, and if I miss her like the way I do, I know that Summer must be hurting much more than she let on.
    I go to Summer then, take her out of Drew’s arms, and fold her into mine. It’s what I’ve been wanting to do ever since I got here, to hold her and touch her, to run