When Nothing Else Matters (Heartstrings, #1)

by Katherine Jay

Summer was trying to tell me she was falling for me that night at her dad’s, but I cut her off.” He chokes on his drink and coughs for a second, shaking his head in disbelief. “Um, what?” “You heard me.” I shrug, like that piece of information isn’t eating me up inside. “Fuck! Poor Summer. Serial dater Dylan strikes again.” My eyes widen in shock, which quickly turns to anger. “What the fuck, Joel? You know that’s not what this is.” “It’s not? Then why aren’t you together? If she’s falling in love with you, and you love her…why aren’t you together, right now?” A heavy lump forms in my throat, and I feel a bit sick. I’m going to assume that the bitter tone in his voice has everything to do with seeing Summer. He doesn’t generally get this worked up over my issues, and he’s become quite protective of her. What he doesn’t understand is that so I am I. I would do anything to keep her from more harm. “I’m doing it for her,” I say through gritted teeth. “She knows I still care; we message. But, I’m messed up. I’m lost. I feel so guilty for everything that happened to her that I can barely sleep. She doesn’t need me dragging her down into this deep ocean of pain.” Joel rolls his eyes as though I’m talking shit. “Very poetic. But don’t you think that’s exactly what she’s been telling herself about you for your entire friendship. From the first time I saw you together, I knew there was a spark. Hell, everyone could see it, even you. Summer’s been fighting it this whole time, tr...