Page 30 of Summer Ever After

Chapter Ten

Aaron hadn’t been able to shake the feeling of Beth’s lips on his all afternoon. It clung to him, a distraction that pulled at his focus even as he checked IDs at the gate, walked the property, and responded to the endless radio chatter. He told himself it had been reckless, hell, probably a bad idea. But the truth was, he didn’t regret a second of it. Besides, she’d been the one making all the moves.

Did she have regrets?

That question left him spiraling down other pathways.

When his shift wrapped up, the camp was settling into its usual evening hum: music drifting from the main lodge, laughter spilling from fire pits, the bay waters quiet under the fading orange glow of the sky.

Beth had left almost an hour before him, after he and Jules had walked her to her car. Beth was heading over to Jules and Damion’s house for dinner that evening. He was glad she wasn’t going to be alone for most of the evening.

He drove home with the windows down, hoping the wind might clear his head. It didn’t. All it did was remind him of Beth’s laugh, soft and shaky when she’d finally relaxed beside him.

But when he turned down the long lane to his place, his gut tightened.

A black-and-white patrol car sat dead center in his driveway, angled like a barricade.

Ian leaned against the hood with his arms crossed, casual, as if he owned the place. His eyes tracked Aaron’s truck, and even from behind the wheel Aaron could see the smug twist of his mouth.

Shit. He should have known the man would do something like this. One whiff of interest between him and Beth and the man was on defensive mode.

Aaron rolled the truck to a stop, left his engine running, and climbed out. “You’re on the wrong property, officer.” His voice was steady, but tension coiled through every muscle.

Ian pushed off the car slowly, his boots crunching the gravel. “Just thought I’d pay a neighborly visit. You’ve been spending a lot of time with my wife.”

“Ex-wife,” Aaron corrected. He took a step closer, planting himself squarely between Ian and his truck. “And my property line is a few feet that way.” He motioned behind them. “So unless you’re here on official business, you’re trespassing.”

Ian’s jaw ticked, but he kept that lazy smile plastered on. “You think a summer camp security guard is gonna tell me what I can and can’t do? Don’t forget, I’m the only one wearing a badge now.”

Aaron didn’t flinch. He’d dealt with men like Ian his entire career, bullies who hid behind authority, certain their power made them untouchable. “You want me to listen? Fine. But if you ever show up at Beth’s again, if you so much as spook her, I’ll make damn sure someone higher up hears about it. You won’t just lose your badge, you’ll lose every ounce of control you think you have.”

He laughed. “Hasn’t stopped me so far.”

“That’s because I haven’t been personally involved.” He ran his eyes up and down Ian. “I am now.”

That smile finally slipped, replaced by something darker. Ian stepped in close and lowered his tone, his words meant only for Aaron. “You don’t know what you’re messing with. Beth’s mine. Always will be. And you? You’re in my way.”

Aaron didn’t back up. Didn’t give him an inch. “Then I guess you’d better get used to stepping aside.”

The fist was quick, and Aaron let him have the first blow. It barely knocked his head back. He was ready for the second and sidestepped it easily.

“You get one, that’s it,” he warned as the man threw himself towards him. Again, Aaron was much quicker, and the man’s body bounced off the hood of his truck.

Just then, the radio in his patrol car squawked loudly as Ian eyed him.

“I’m much faster than I look. I hit harder than you as well,” he said with a grin.

For a beat, silence stretched between them, sharp and dangerous. Then Ian let out a humorless chuckle, straightened up, and slid into his patrol car. Gravel sprayed as he tore around his truck and drove out of the driveway, his taillights disappearing into the dark.

Aaron stood there for a long beat as the night swallowed the sound of the engine. His jaw was tight and slightly bruised, and his fists were clenched by his side. He knew one thing for certain—this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

There was no way in hell Ian was going to let this go with just one punch.

As he drove the rest of the way up his driveway, he pulled out his phone and punched Brett’s number.

Once he’d relayed everything, the next call was to his lawyer.

Aaron’s fingers hovered over the keys, heart still hammering from the confrontation. By the time the call connected, his voice was steady, controlled, though the edge of tension seeped through.