Rising Summers (Pucking Unbelievable Book 1)

by Garnet Davenport

  “Night,” Brooklyn said to me before she left us to go to bed. There wasn’t anything in her tone that said she was mad at me. She didn’t know that it was all my fault her best friend left.

  Once Brooklyn was out of the room and out of ear-shot Mom and Dad looked at me. I didn’t want this conversation. I wanted to talk to Chloe before I said anything to anyone. My chest was hurting, and I felt on edge. I needed Chloe. I think she was the only thing that could calm the beast growing inside. I’m mad—no, pissed. How could she just walk away? Didn’t she know that this was more than just a fuck? I thought I was clear enough for Chloe to understand that it was something real. I know I did. We had that conversation.

  I looked back up to the TV to see some political, opinionated asshole talk about George Summers and his family. That’s his position—family man. Even though he hasn’t spent more than a few hours in the same room with his daughter in years. But the media doesn’t see that. They see a caring father that wanted his baby girl to stay with her best friend, and they see each other all the time.

  “You recording this?” I asked Mom.

  “Of course,” She met my gaze, “but Nix—”

  “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.” I stood and started to make my way out of the family room.

  “Nix—”

  “I’m tired, Mom. And I’ve got an early practice.”

  “Okay, sweetheart. Sleep good.” She said with a heavy heart. I know she wants me to talk with her but I can’t—don’t want to.

  I leaned in to kiss my mom goodnight on her cheek. She kissed me back and gave me a supportive smile. She definitely knew. The jig was up. Chloe and I weren’t a secret in this house. At this point, all I can do is remind myself that as long as the outside world doesn’t know, we will be okay.

  When I got up to my room, I plug my phone into the charger and turn up the volume on the ringtone. I wouldn’t want to miss Chloe’s call. I need her to call. I almost will my phone to ring. I stayed up as long as I could watching the home screen of my phone begging for this to be fixed. I needed her in my life. I don’t give a fuck what I said earlier—Chloe is mine now and forever. If she ever didn’t want me in her life because I was holding her back I would give her some space, but let’s face it I’ll never be able to give her up. I would give up anything for our future together. That’s the big one. The game I’ve loved my entire life is now second best because I am unbelievably, utterly, unimaginably in love with that crazy little girl that annoyed the hell out of me over a little girl’s crush.

  I snorted. “Little girl’s crush.” She had that crush ever since she was six. Brooklyn told me one day when my friends were hanging out with me at the house. They all laughed and made fun of me every time Chloe was around. I hated it and her for that. Now, I’d never change it. It may have taken me nearly a decade to figure it out for myself, but I’ve never been happier. Even if I’ve got a fucking horrible situation to be with her again.

  Just before I drifted off to sleep, I sent one last text message in hopes that she would be back in my arms by morning.

  Chapter 27

  Pucking Hell… Why Can’t My Life Be Easy?

  Chloe

  The orchestra is playing beautifully. Every man and woman here is dressed to impress. They’re all smiling and making new contacts. I felt like my heart has been ripped in half and I was supposed to entertain this pompous tool. I looked up from my sparkling water at Bradley Tempton and smiled to give him the assumption that I was actually paying attention to him. Should I nod in agreement? Is now a good time? I focused on what he was saying so I wouldn’t be agreeing to a threesome or something stranger.

  “…that’s when my dad was able to get me an internship with Clarkson and Thurse. The most prestigious law firm in Richmond.” Bradley was so smug. “Has your father decided to get you into any prominent internships after your graduation?”

  “Oh,” I said with a little shock at the question, “no. He hasn’t decided where to ship me off to after I graduate.” I said very nonchalantly. “Excuse me for a moment while I go to the powder room.”

  “Oh, of course.” He replied taking my drink from me while I sneaked off and decided to find someone I can get distracted with until my dad makes his speech.

  Once I make it into the house from the expansive tent where the fundraiser is held. I hid in the bathroom for an appropriate amount of time and added a little lip chap before heading back out. When I walked out, I heard my mom talking to someone in a demeaning manner. Probably someone that works for her.

  “No. It’s none of your business.” She snapped.

  “It is my business.”

  Was that James? My interest was peaked. Were they talking about me? I stay still and silent while I eavesdrop on their argument.

  “James, leave it alone.”

  “Marie,” he sighed sounding resolved, “I love my daughter, and I know something is going on with her. I’ve kept quiet for far too long. I miss her.”

  “Our conversation was between us, James. But I’ll tell you that she’s ready to come home and I’ve already put a call into Remington for a mid-year transfer. She’s coming home.” My mom said to James. Her driver. A man that has always been in my life. The one employee my mom has never even threatened to fire. The one man that my dad never deals with. My… my biological father. Holy fuck. That can’t be true. My dad is not my dad. I quietly move away. I had just enough time to make it back to the tent before my dad started his speech. Or at least the man I’ve thought of like my dad for the last almost eighteen years.

  I was almost at a run moving through the short chopped grass and pavers. I saw my dad talking to his campaign manager and Mr. Tempton. He saw me coming and smiled at me until he saw my face. I must look sick because he frowns. I was examining his face more carefully. Every detail to be able to compare it to my own. His face has changed so much in the past ten years. The carefree, loving eyes that watched me as a child were now distant. I want my features to match his. But the harder I look the more I can’t see as many similarities.

  It’s true that my dad and James look similar. They are both around the same age, I suppose. James is probably an inch taller than my dad and a little fitter. Same color hair—that is from what I remember before James developed a handsome salt and pepper shade and my dad turned into what the ladies would call a silver fox. My dad has honey brown eyes, and if I remember correctly, James has blue. Isn’t brown dominate? My mom has blue. I’m trying to connect small possibilities of James being my dad instead of the man standing in front of me. It’s scaring the heck out of me.

  “Sweetie? Are you all right?”

  I snapped out of the trance I was in, and with a weak voice, I said, “my head is killing me. I don’t want to leave, but I’m afraid I’m going to get sick.”

  “Oh, no. I’m sorry you’re not feeling good. I understand. Thank you for staying as long as you could.” His sweet words aren’t a shock. I knew it was only for show.

  “Thank you, Daddy. Good luck tonight.” I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the side of his face. “Mr. Tempton, please apologize to Bradley for me.”

  “Of course, my dear. You feel better.” Mr. Tempton said appeasing my dad.

  I know he wasn’t happy I was leaving his son stag. It’s never good to be seen alone. My job was to be Bradley Tempton’s arm candy. I was no man’s arm candy. I was not even this man’s daughter. I was James’ daughter. My life completely changed in one twenty-four hour period. My heart broke. I moved. Going to start a new private school. I was plucked and prodded to look like a princess. And found out that my parents had been lying to me my entire life. Parents? Does my dad know? My mom could have cheated on my dad with James and never had known the truth.

  I’m quietly rushing back through the yard up to the house. I want to get to my room as quickly as possible. I was freaking out. Breathing heavy. Tears building in my eyes. My entire life was a joke. No wonder my parents gave me up so easily.

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sp; I rush through and go toward the back staircase to get up to my room. I don’t know where my mom or James were or if they were still arguing. I didn’t want to run into either of them. I made it into my room I locked the door and stripped out of the dress. I wanted to wash away the day. As soon as I got into the shower and I broke down.

  After my breakdown in the shower, I knew I needed my best friend. I found the first clothes I could to put on so that I could call her. When I got my phone, I read the text messages from Nix first.

  9:23 Nix: Why?

  9:24 Nix: Don’t believe what you heard after the game.

  9:24 Nix: I told you I wanted us.

  9:26 Nix: Chloe? Please?

  12:01 Nix: It wasn’t real.

  The last text message was what I was stuck on. I must have read it a hundred times before I realized that he said it wasn’t real. None of it was real. I had waited my entire life for him to say he loves me and he says it wasn’t real. Why would he do that to me? Maybe he just wanted me for sex. It’s not like we’ve had a lot of sex. Was he trying to convince me it didn’t happen? No matter how he really feels about me, I’ll never not love him.

  7:37 B the BF: WWWWWHHHHHYYYYYYY? :’(

  8:26 B the BF: I know something is going on and I’m here for you. I want you to be happy.

  10:58 B the BF: You looked beautiful! *girly squeals* Call me.

  Did I tell you that I love my best friend? She’s absolutely amazing. One of a kind. Do you hear me? One. Of. A. Kind. She’ll always be in my life no matter what happens between Nix and me. Brooklyn will always—and I’m going to repeat that word just so you hear it again—ALWAYS be in my life. I’ll take it one step further. If I were a lesbian, I would hit that. And now I’m curious about how lesbians have sex. Note to self—I should Google that later. I felt like I need to be at least informed. Especially if Nix and I don’t work out.

  I hit Brooklyn’s contact wondering if it was too late, but it was my best friend. Even if I woke her up, she would pull herself out of bed and take part in best-friend-duties for me. I’m hearing the ringing through the speaker and when I think her voicemail was about to pick up and I would have to leave her an embarrassing voicemail when her craziness answered her phone.

  “What in the H-E Double Hockey Sticks happened?” She said with a little more frustration than I wished she had.

  “B,” I sniffled.

  “Oh my God! What happened?” Her frustration left her voice instantly and was replaced with worry.

  “I… I… I caught my mom and James talking about me.” My words were breaking and barely able to get everything out.

  “And then what?”

  “I think James is my dad,” I said and then broke and started to cry again. I had thought all my tears were out and I was back to being mad but apparently not.

  “Fuck.” She said in a breathy whisper. “Chloe?”

  I still couldn’t answer her because I was crying too much.

  “Chloe?” She said again.

  “Mm?” I moaned.

  “What exactly was said? We can figure this out. You might have misheard.”

  “I don’t think so,” I said, shaking my head like I thought she could see me.

  “Let’s go through this.” She commanded.

  “Umm… My mom said something about it not being any of James’ business.”

  “Were you at the fundraiser? Where was this?” Brooklyn said trying to put all facts together.

  “They were talking in the hall away from the fundraiser in a private way.”

  “Private way?”

  I thought back to where they were, tucked away from onlookers and completely hidden from anything or anyone that would interrupt.

  “They were hiding away from guests in the house while everyone else was in the tent in the backyard.”

  “Okay, I’m with you. Keep going.”

  “James said it was his business. My mom told him to leave it alone. Then he said he loved his daughter and knew there was something wrong and that he missed her.”

  “See? They could have been talking about anyone. Does James have a daughter?”

  “That’s when my mom said that I was going to come live here and transfer to Remington. They had to have been talking about me. There’s no one else.”

  “Are you going to transfer to Remington?” She said sadly.

  “I think so. At first, I thought I just needed to get away but now I need to know the truth, and I think this is the only way to do it.”

  “So you’re going to Scooby Doo it?”

  “More like Nancy Drew. But thanks.” I said. I’m definitely more of a Nancy Drew than Scooby Doo. Thank you very much. I’m not a total pot-head. I’m cute, young, and inventive. That’s right Nancy Drew bitch.

  I catch her giggling. “B.”

  “Okay. Okay. I just miss you.” There was a long pause. I didn’t know what was going through her mind, but with that long pause, it couldn’t be good. “Will you talk to me—tell me what happened? Why you left?”

  “I just felt like I wasn’t on the right path. There were too many things going on, and I needed to get away from it.”

  “Too many things going on? Like what?” She was confused. I was confused.

  I sighed, “I’m not willing to tell you everything, but I need to talk to someone. Just promise me you won’t say anything, and I mean anything.”

  “I promise. Mums the words. In fact, this conversation never happened.”

  “Good,” I sighed and took in a huge breath, “I slept with someone.”

  She gasped. Loud. I actually pulled the phone away from my ear.

  “Who?”

  “That’s what I’m not telling you. All I’ll say is he’s older. Which is why you can’t say anything. He could get in trouble, and I don’t want that.”

  “Okay. Is he why you left?” She asked, hesitantly.

  “Yes.”

  “What did he do?” She asked.

  And that’s just another reason why I love her. She never once thought it was my fault. We are both really new to the dating scene, but it’s the guy's fault.

  “He’s really great when we’re together, but when we’re not, he’s kind of a dick.”

  “What did he do?”

  “He said we were together—like really together—then told other people we weren’t.”

  “Wow, what an asshole.”

  “Yeah, I thought we were really good together. Especially after I ended up in the ER because of the stupid condom.” I knew my mistake the second I had said it.

  “That’s what happened? You lost your virginity and had an allergic reaction to the condom. Holy hell, how bad did your hoo-ha feel after that?”

  “Sore.”

  She snorted, “yeah, ya think?”

  Sarcasm people. Pure sarcasm.

  “Nice. Real nice. You kiss your mama with that mouth?”

  She laughed. “Seriously Chloe, I can’t believe that you had sex. What was it like?”

  “It was possibly the worst experience I’ve ever had.”

  “What?” I could hear the worry in her own voice. She hasn’t had sex, so she doesn’t know. The experience itself was good between us, but everything physical was horrible. He had said he hadn’t taken his time. He was quick and just wanted to get it done. I kept thinking if he had taken his time then we would have never finished. Brooklyn came upstairs to get Nix because of Beth. She could have interrupted much more than just an awkward moment after he had sex with me. I’m honestly glad that she came to get him.

  “It was painful. Those romance novels don’t have right. I didn’t have an orgasm, and it was rough.”

  “I’m never having sex.” She stated matter of fact.

  “No, don’t say that. I think it was just my experience. I mean it was pretty painful when he first went in. It kind of felt like it was ripping. But I think it was the condom that kept things from feeling better.” I felt a blush creeping up my neck to my cheeks.
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br />   “Isn’t that what the guy is supposed to say?” She chuckled.

  I laughed, “no. We’ve done other things without the condom, and it was like a magical freaking unicorn orgasm. I think I was seeing lights at the end of the tunnel.”

  “Oh my God! I’m dying!” She said between snorting laughs. After she finally calmed her laughing, so she wasn’t snorting anymore she kept going, “if you see lights at the end of the tunnel when he fucks, you better run the other way.”

  I laughed, “seriously B, you want the white light. It’s like this intense feeling, and your vision gets white around the edges. It’s really amazing.”

  “Jeez, how many times have you had sex? You sound like an old pro.”

  “Definitely not an old pro. It’s been a couple of times, but it’s been different.”

  “Holy fuck, you let him put his dick in your mouth.”

  That wasn’t a question. I guess I don’t have to answer it. Yeah, not answering that. If she only knew.

  “I’m taking your silence as a definite yes.”

  “I’d really rather not answer any specifics.”

  “Why? We’ve always told each other everything.”

  “I just think it’s a better idea for now.”

  “Fine. But you better tell me every detail when you come back for your birthday. You still coming back right?” There was the faintest bit of hope in her voice. I wasn’t about to tell her that I wasn’t going to ever come back because that just wouldn’t be the truth.

  “I’ll see if I can come back for that weekend. It shouldn’t be too hard to get an extra day from school off.”

  She squeaked in excitement, “I can’t wait.” Then her tone changed somber, as she said, “I really want to be happy for you, but I’m just going to be so lonely without you here. I neeeeeed you.”

  I chuckled, “you don’t need me. You just think you do. Now, forget this entire conversation, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Okay. But hey—”

  “Yeah?” I asked, but there really couldn’t be anything left to say.