(Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all. So don't sue me. Please.)

A (Long) Note from the Author: I'm very iffy about this chapter. Originally, Ryan and Summer were going to sleep together, but like BlueStarGirl said in her review, that's a big turn-off in the story. I agree, when the two main characters just jump into bed together (like, I love Seth/Summer, but gah), especially in fiction, it just irks me. I guess, no sex for the two sounds a little OOC, but, oy. So I had to rewrite this chapter, and I don't know if it sounds out of sync, or what. I may rewrite it again, but I guess it all depends on what you guys think, because I'm basically just shooting in the dark here, and I'd really like to hear your opinions about it. Anyhoo, if you guys would really just like to see Ryan/Summer get it on, there's this great (but graphic! be warned!) Ryan/Summer fic by Bonnie D. called "Summertime", which you can check out at her livejournal website, screen name: bonnied. (Sorry, I can't post full http addresses here. Make sure you scroll to the bottom to start reading chapter one. Again, it's a hell of a lot more hot and heavy that I ever could write, and if I could, well, I would be blushing.) And… onwards, Chino-style!

Chapter Seven

Summer was thinking. Hard. Because although she used to have time to think passively as Seth was trying to do what he called 'foreplay' on her neck, or ears, or wherever, now she didn't have any free time on her hands like that. It was damned Ryan, with his damned experience, that led her to forget where she was and how to spell her last name and all of that, and most of the time, he really only needed to use one hand.

It felt exciting and forbidden, although it really wasn't, seeing as how Mr. and Mrs. Cohen weren't around much, tending to the business of some guy they called 'Uncle Sean'.

But anyway.

It was nice to have what she considered her one last fling before 'settling down' with Seth in some sort of monogamous relationship. Kind of like a bachelorette party, but without the stripping for money. Just stripping, on both Ryan and Summer's parts.

For Ryan, it was easy to declare to himself that he was just plain bored for the summer, and since there was a willing participant to relieve him of that boredom, well, he'd be crazy not to take her up on her offer.

And so, with some heavy spooning, petting, and groping, they managed to make it through the days.

Seth and Marissa were just about the farthest things from their minds. Instead, Ryan and Summer tried to remain as ignorant of the outside world as possible. There should be consequences, of course, but this was only for the summer, and what happened in summer stayed in summer. It was like Mexico, but without the drugs and the sex.

Okay, now and then, there was some booze.

It was another restless night and both of them were lying in bed shirtless. They were playing footsie, which was quite a challenge since their legs were entangled. Their favourite show was on T.V., the place was quiet, the lights were down low, and a light breeze was blowing through the window. It would be a perfect night for something that couples like to do, but Ryan and Summer were not a couple and they were most certainly not doing it.

Then Summer looked at Ryan, and he looked back at her, and they were blushing (almost) at the realization that they both really just wanted to get it on with each other. It had been easy for Ryan to just convey it with a look, and Summer had already picked the habit up from him.

But, they couldn't.

It wasn't because they didn't want to.

And it wasn't because there was something physically wrong with them (and trust me, Summer could easily attest to Ryan's capabilities).

No.

It was because there was this big fat line that they couldn't cross, even if they were being two really shitty friends already.

So, their interaction was painful: it was going all the way, yet not. It was getting excruciating close, but pulling away at the last second. And oh, they both tried their damnedest to satisfy themselves and each other. Frequently. Like tonight, for instance.

And when they were both spent, Summer laid on top of Ryan and sighed. Contentedly or out of frustration, however, it was hard to tell.

"Yeah. I know." Ryan grinned cockily.

Summer scoffed, and rolled her eyes. Maybe Ryan was going to turn into just another Luke, after all. "Shut it, Chino."

He drew lazy circles on her stomach and whispered, "Thank you."

Summer could only smile and settle herself into his broad arms. This was comfortable. She could almost get used to this half-way point, this place they had to compensate for.

But suddenly the phone rang and Ryan had to shift away from Summer awkwardly to reach the receiver. He answered hesitatingly, and she saw his face darken. When he hung up, and she shot him an inquisitive glance, all he could mutter was, "Seth's coming back. Soon."

Then Summer's eyes widened and Ryan tried to look away, as they both realized that what they briefly had was over.