Forbidden Affections

Chapter One: Summer Whispers

The summer breeze swirls around me, playfully tousling my curly blonde hair and letting loose strands brush my cheeks. The delightful scents of freshly cut grass and sizzling burgers drift through the air, marking this as the perfect day. I take in the distant sound of laughter and lively conversations. My parents decided to host one final gathering before classes start again, and while I won't be venturing far, I'm grateful that my campus is close enough for off-campus housing. Sitting on the back porch, I enjoy a bit of people-watching, my gaze landing on my boyfriend, Ethan, as he playfully wrestles with his friends.

I can't help but roll my eyes at the commotion, a subtle smirk forming on my lips. My eyes wander over the familiar faces scattered across the backyard until they settle on Rhys Collins and my dad by the grill. Rhys, the successful owner of Collins Air, an HVAC company, is someone Ethan interacts with occasionally, though their relationship remains more distant than close. It's a bit disheartening to witness the distance in their father-son relationship.

I watch Rhys as he shares a laugh with my dad, his light brown hair tousled in the breeze. He glances at the burgers, flipping them with expertise, and I can't help but notice the subtle flex of his arms, a blush creeping onto my cheeks. Realizing where my thoughts are drifting, I quickly shake my head, redirecting my gaze. Rhys is undeniably attractive, and it's evident where Ethan gets his looks. Just then, Ethan stumbles over with his friends, plopping down on the stairs next to me and wrapping his arm around my waist, squeezing gently.

A wince escapes me at the thought of being seen in such a display. When Ethan touches me, my feelings oscillate between excitement and discomfort; sometimes I'm instantly turned on by him, other times I feel the urge to push him away as if his touch is too juvenile. I listen as he chats with his friends, choosing to remain silent. Finally, my dad calls out that the burgers are ready. He sets a large tray of them on a white fold-out table, and everyone forms an assembly line, filling their plates.

I wait patiently, hugging myself. Suddenly, I'm jolted from my thoughts by a familiar voice behind me. "Hey, Lily." I turn to find Rhys standing right there. I offer a soft smile, my expression shy. "Hey, Mr. Collins," I reply, diverting my gaze to Ethan and his friends, who are chatting with some girls. A wave of anxiety washes over me. Ethan isn't exactly faithful—he cheated on me just three months ago with Melanie Foster. Seeing him interact with girls is a sore spot for me, and I know I'm foolish for taking him back after his apology. Rhys notices my focus on his son and turns back to me. "Is he treating you well?" he asks, pulling me from my thoughts. It takes me a moment to register his question, but I eventually nod. "Yes," I manage to say.

Rhys gives me a knowing look and smiles. "Good to hear, Lily." His voice has a smooth, husky quality. Eventually, I make my way to the table to start assembling my burger, and Rhys stands beside me doing the same. I add mushrooms to my burger, eliciting a reaction from Rhys. "Mushrooms?" he questions. I meet his gaze, feigning surprise. "Of course," I respond. He shakes his head. "Not a fan," he states bluntly. I raise an eyebrow, smirking a little. "Well, you haven't tried mine," I say, adding some to his plate. He grimaces at the sautéed vegetables but reluctantly agrees to give them a shot.

We finally settle down near my parents and some of my dad's coworkers. As I dig into my burger, I listen to my dad's conversation. Glancing over at Rhys, I see him fork the mushrooms from his plate, bringing them to his lips and popping them into his mouth. He chews slowly, his jaw flexing as he savors the taste. A satisfied look crosses his face before he gets up to add some to his burger. I can't help but snort a giggle, covering my mouth. My laughter captures the attention of my dad, his coworkers, and even Rhys, who pauses mid-step. I look up, feeling my cheeks flush. "Sorry, just daydreaming," I say, and they seem satisfied as they return to their conversation.

———

As the sun begins to set, casting a beautiful orange and pink hue across the sky, I finish washing the last of the dishes and dry my hands. My phone chimes, and I pull it out of my pocket to see a message from Ethan. I don't bother opening it completely.

[ Going to Zack's party tonight. ]

I roll my eyes, swallowing the discomfort that creeps in. Tucking my phone away, I head to my bedroom. Fortunately, my room has an attached bathroom, making it easy to go straight from a shower to bed in the early hours. I let my blonde hair fall, the curls tangled from the day's activities. Stepping into the brightly colored bathroom, I smile and shut the door behind me, feeling the comfort of a warm shower after a day of socializing.

My thoughts drift back to Rhys trying the sautéed mushrooms and the look of surprise that crossed his face when he realized how good they were. I can't help but giggle and smile at the memory. Once I turn off the water and step out, I slip into a simple T-shirt and sleep shorts. Climbing into bed, I lay back, feeling a rush of relief as I'm enveloped by my sheets. Ah, sleep. There's nothing quite like it.