chapter Twenty-Two
Riding in cars puts me to sleep. There’s nothing I can do to stop it. Colton had happily accepted my keys and agreed to drive my truck back to town for Fall Fest. Aaron drove the others, and we caravanned the three hour drive. I tried to stay awake and enjoy some uninterrupted quality time with Colton, but my eyes drooped closed a few minutes in. By the time I woke up, we were already nearly back in town.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Colton smiled at me when I finally opened my eyes.
I rubbed my eyes, noticing that the sun had started to set. “I’m so sorry. I really tried to stay awake.”
“It’s fine. You needed sleep. How late were you up studying for your econ test last night?”
“Until two.” Unfortunately, all the studying didn’t seem to help. I’d be lucky if I got a “B” on the exam. I couldn’t afford a “B” in econ. I was going to have to start pushing it harder.
“That’s what I figured. You seemed pretty nervous.”
“I was. I had no idea intermediate micro econ would be so hard. I can’t even imagine what advanced would be like.”
“Do you have to take advanced for your business major?”
“No. I’ll be done with econ after this. Thank goodness.”
“Nice. I think I’m stopping with intro. I can think of a million more interesting things to study.”
“Have you decided on a major yet? Still leaning towards English?” Colt seemed to change his mind about it all the time.
“Yeah, I think so, but I’m not going to officially declare it until next year.” He turned off at the all too familiar exit.
I took a deep breath. Going home filled me with such mixed emotions.
“Stay calm, pumpkin. It’s just Gasden.”
“Gasden with four friends from school.” We passed the lone gas station. They still didn’t accept credit cards at the pump.
“Are you sure that’s what has you nervous? It’s not coming home with us as an item for the first time?” He looked in the rearview mirror, probably making sure Aaron was following.
“Why? Are you nervous about that?” I stared out at the crowded parking lot of the diner. By the looks of the place, half the town was there.
“No. I mean I’m a little nervous about seeing Jack, but he told me he doesn’t care. I know my mom’s going to be all over you with questions and stuff though.”
“Fantastic.” His mom was my high school biology teacher, and she was one of my all-time favorite teachers.
“I thought you liked my mom.”
“I do, but what if she’s more upset about us than you think?” She’d always seemed happy to see me with Jack, and she’d been nice enough to me after the breakup, but would she flip out about me dating another one of her sons?
“She isn’t. She always thought we made a better match. Besides, she adores you and is just glad you’re dating one of her sons. Of course, if you decide you want George, she might flip.”
I smacked his arm. “George is fourteen. I think your little brother is safe.”
“Sorry. I’ll stop.”
“Good. I still can’t believe Jack’s going to be in town. He hasn’t come back for one of these in a while.”
“Mom says he is. But maybe she’s wrong. We haven’t talked at all since I left for school.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You’re not the reason. He barely talks to anyone in our family anymore.”
“Maybe he won’t come.” I really didn’t want to face my ex-boyfriend, although a part of me thought it might give me some much needed closure. Besides, he was Colt’s brother. Keeping them apart was unrealistic. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” Colt seemed comfortable dating his brother’s ex, but would that change when they came face to face?
“Don’t worry. I also wouldn’t worry about your friends. They’re going to have fun.”
“I hope so.”
“They invited themselves, remember?”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean they won’t blame me if they’re bored.”
“Has anyone ever told you how judgmental and hard you are on people?”
“Hey!” I pushed his arm.
“It’s true. I’m sorry, but Juliet and Cara care about you. At least give them the benefit of the doubt.”
“You’re right. Sorry.” He was right. I just hated the thought of embarrassing myself even more than I already had that semester. I knew they weren’t coming to make fun of my town, but I hoped it was what they expected.
“What do you want to do tonight?”
“I told Annie we’d stop by to see her.” We’d finally caught up on the phone, and she was dying to see us together as a couple. She’d always encouraged me to go after him, and I was readying myself to hear ‘I told you so’ a lot.”
“And then there’s the game…”
“Yes, the game. Think they’re up for it?” I pointed behind us.
“Oh yeah. Who wouldn’t be up for a football game?”
I laughed. “It’s high school football.”
“Yeah? That just makes it better.”
“I obviously need to go. I want to watch Davie start.”
“He’s gotten really good.”
“I know. He’s even thinking about playing college. I don’t know how I feel about it.”
He gave me a look. “Lucky for you, it’s not your decision.”
“Do you want to come in and see my parents first?” I wasn’t sure what answer I hoped for.
“Absolutely.” He picked up my hand. “I’m going to freak out Rob by calling him Dad.”
“Colton!”
“What? It would be priceless.”
“And he’ll flip out.”
“Yeah. He seemed pretty chill when we talked.” Colton kept his eyes glued straight ahead as he drove down the country road leading into town.
“When you talked to him?” My jaw probably dropped. “When were you talking to Rob? Why?”
“A few weeks ago, and he called me.”
“How’d he even get your number? And why’d he call?”
“He got it from my parents, and isn’t the why obvious? He wanted to make sure my intentions were pure.”
“And are your intentions pure?” I teased, still not sure how the news of our relationship had traveled back to Gasden so quickly.
“Mostly. Of course, he wasn’t thrilled about how sexually active we were, but—”
“Please tell me you’re joking.” My heart sped up. I thought it might beat out of my chest.
“Do you think I have a death wish?”
“Phew.” My heart returned to normal. “But why didn’t you tell me you talked?”
“I knew you’d have this reaction.”
“So, in other words, you’re only telling me because you’re afraid I’d get mad if Rob let it slip?”
“Pretty much.” He grinned. “Just covering my bases.”
“I guess it’s a good thing. Maybe he won’t question me too much.”
“Because that’s likely.”
I leaned my head back against the seat. “Don’t feed me to the lions, okay? Help me out with him.”
“Of course. I know how he is.” Colton knew how ridiculously strict Rob was. He was the exact opposite of my dad. Instead of absentee, he was overly involved.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime, love.”
Love? Did that mean anything, or had he just used the word by accident? I forced the thought from my head as we drove into the center of town.
The town square was decorated with strings of white lights for the festival, and we had to take a detour around Main Street. I looked out the window as we passed the Miller’s farm, surprised that I was feeling more excitement about being back than I expected. I didn’t even mind the manure smell that only seemed noticeable when you’d been away from town awhile.
Colton pulled into the steep driveway of my modest two story house. Aaron parked out front by the curb.
Mom was halfway down the front porch by the time I’d hopped down. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, she looked younger than usual.
“Mallory!” She pulled me into a bear hug. I enjoyed her warmth before reluctantly pulling back. Colton pulled out my bags.
“Hi, Colton. Nice to see you.” She hugged him before turning her attention to the rest of the guests.
“Mom, you remember Juliet and Cara, right? These are their boyfriends, Reed and Aaron.” Mom and Rob had taken all three of us out to dinner a few times freshman year.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She held out her hand to each of the guys. She gave me a look as if to say are these guys real? I smiled and then glanced at Colt. He was fitting in with them more and more. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Rob walked out while we chatted, and we did another round of introductions before the guys brought in all the girls’ bags.
I walked straight through the entryway into the kitchen. The room looked exactly the way it did a few months before, but it always took me a little while to readjust to being home.
“Is Davie already at the game?” I took a seat at the island, feeling almost giddy about being back. There is just something about your childhood home that makes you feel safe and comfortable. I wondered if I’d always feel that way.
“Yup. We’ll need to head over soon.”
I turned to Colton. “Why don’t we just meet you guys there? We can’t all take one car anyway.”
Colton shook his head. “I’ll borrow my dad’s Suburban. We can all fit that way.”
“You sure?” I’m sure my relief showed. I wasn’t looking forward to having to drive around searching for a spot.
“Absolutely. We’ll just run by my house to drop off our stuff. We’ll be back in thirty?”
“Sounds great.”
He kissed me on the cheek.
I watched as the guys walked out, incredibly grateful to have a boyfriend that was willing to help me out. He pretty much had to say yes to Reed and Aaron, but he wasn’t doing it for anyone but me. I knew that, and I appreciated it more than he realized. I’d have to find a way to thank him later.
“Have you girls eaten?” Mom asked once the door closed behind them.
“We grabbed sandwiches before we left.” Juliet hopped up onto a stool next to me.
“Do you want me to make you anything? Or would you rather grab something at the game?”
“What do you guys think?” I asked my friends.
“We’ll eat at the game.” Juliet kind of wiggled in her seat. “I want the full authentic experience of small town football.”
Rob laughed. “Oh, it’s going to be authentic.” He seemed excited about having out-of-towners around for the event.
“I’m not even going to pretend to know what’s going on, but I’ll try.” Cara smiled nervously. She seemed less comfortable than Juliet.
“Don’t worry, you don’t have to know anything. Just cheer when the crowd cheers. You’ll fit right in.” Rob smiled at her. He was usually pretty good at making people feel welcome. At least when they weren’t guys trying to date me. He’d put Jack through the ringer.
“All right. I’ll try.”
“I have something for you girls.” Mom got an excited look on her face.
“Oh yeah?” I asked.
“They’re on your bed.”
I got down from the stool, and we headed upstairs. The cream carpet was starting to wear out in places, but that’s just part of what made it home. I pushed open the door to my childhood bedroom. The walls were as bare as I’d left them. After Jack dumped me, I’d decided to tear down everything that reminded me of him. In the end, my off-white falls stood empty. My eyes next went to my twin size bed. Laid out on my purple and green striped comforter were three Gasden Warriors long sleeve t-shirts.
“Oh, this is too awesome.” Juliet stripped off her t-shirt and pulled on the new one before I even closed the door.
I laughed. “You are really into this, aren’t you?”
“Yes, of course I am.”
“This was so sweet of your mom.” Cara donned her shirt, seemingly more relaxed.
“That’s just Mom.”
“Is she the perfect hostess?”
“Most of the time.”
“I can see where you get it.” Juliet sat down on my bed.
I sat down next to her. Cara took a seat in my desk chair. “Not exactly. I didn’t inherit it. You know how flustered I get about things.”
“Not about entertaining. You rocked rush.”
“That’s different. We all have a part to play. It’s different in situations like this.”
Juliet shrugged. “If you say so.”
“Do your parents like Colton?” Cara asked.
“I think so. Most people in town like him.”
“Is he friends with your brother?” Cara was full of questions.
“Yeah. It’s actually kinda weird.”
“Is your brother okay with it?” Juliet leaned back on her elbows. She looked pretty natural in her Warriors tee.
“I think so. Davie likes Colton enough. The way he sees it, Colton is a known entity. It’s better than if I were dating someone he didn’t know.”
“My brothers surprised me with Reed.” Juliet sat back up. “I thought they’d be super over protective, but they liked him on the spot.”
“Reed has that effect on people.”
“Yeah, but you don’t know my brothers. I expected them to run him off.”
“Maybe they’re like dogs. You know? They can tell when someone’s good?” Cara laughed.
“Did you just compare my brothers to dogs?” Juliet arched an eyebrow.
“Does that comparison actually bother you?”
“No. It’s kind of accurate.”
I laughed. “Oh, brothers.”
“We probably need to get ready. Didn’t Colton say they’d be back in a half hour?”
“Uh huh. You guys ready for the most exciting football game of your entire life?”
“I was born ready.” Juliet jumped up and pulled me to my feet.
“Please never change, Juliet. Never change.”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
***
“Wow, this really is a small town football game.” Cara stated the obvious as we settled into our seats in the bleachers. Colton had easily found a parking spot just a block from the stadium. Only Colton had that kind of luck. If I’d been driving, we would have had to walk a mile or more. Everyone showed up at the game the weekend of Fall Fest. Friday night games were always well attended, but the festival brought everyone back to town.
I glanced at Cara. “Yes, it is. Pretty much the whole town is here.”
She smiled. “Okay, now I get why you’re dating your ex’s brother. There isn’t much of a dating pool, is there?”
Colton laughed. “She’d have picked me even with a million options.”
The night was cooler than usual for October, so I was grateful for my hoodie sweatshirt. I was also grateful for Colton’s arm around me. He hadn’t stopped touching me since he picked us up. He held my hand the whole ride, only dropping it to get out of the car. He took it again as soon as he came around to my side. He’d let go of my hand only to put his arm around me. Juliet hadn’t spared me an eye roll when I looked over at her.
The pregame dance team routine was exactly the same as what the girls did when I was in high school, and there was something nice about the familiarity.
“Nice to be home, huh?” Colton’s lips brushed against my ears. He probably didn’t need to lean in that close, but the crowd was already loud.
“Mallory!” Annie called my name from the bottom of the bleachers. She jumped over people to get to us, all the while dragging Greg with her.
Colton released me from his arm long enough for me to get up and give her a bear hug. “Hey! I’m so sorry I didn’t say goodbye this summer.”
“You’ve already apologized. It’s not a problem.” Her eyes were kind, and I wanted to believe her. I wondered if I’d have been so quick to forgive. Probably not. I’d been adding more and more things to my list of things I wanted to change about myself.
“Thanks.”
“Now let’s talk about the important things.” She looked over my shoulder at Colton.
“How do we look together?”
She leaned into me. “How am I supposed to know? You jumped away from him as soon as you saw me.”
“Fine. I’ll ask you again later.”
“Hey, Greg,” I belatedly acknowledged him.
He smiled. “Nice to see you, Mallory.”
“Is it really nice to see me?” I teased.
“Actually, yes. You’re finally dating the right Waters boy.”
“Oh, so your dislike for me stemmed from my dating habits?”
“Of course, what else could I possibly find offensive about you? I mean you never tried to sabotage my relationship with Annie or anything.” He winked.
“There was no attempt at sabotaging. I was just trying to stop her from putting out before she was ready.” Greg and I had butted heads quite a few times, but generally we got along.
“All right, easy does it you guys.” Annie laughed. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”
“Of course. Come on.” I took her hand and we stepped over people’s legs to get back to our spot.
“Hey, guys, this is my best friend, Annie, and her boyfriend, Greg.” I gestured to them. “And this is Juliet, Reed, Cara, and Aaron.”
“You’re not going to introduce your boyfriend?” Colton smiled.
“They already know you.”
“But do they know me as your boyfriend?”
“Come here, Colt.” Annie hugged him. “I’m happy for you guys.”
“Thanks.” Colton pulled me down onto his lap. I wiggled off into the space next to him. We all moved down a little to make room for Annie and Greg.
Annie leaned over Colt. “You look perfect together.”
Colt beamed. “We do, don’t we?”
“It took you long enough to land her.” Greg smirked.
“Yeah, well, some things are worth waiting for.”
The crowd got loud again, and I struggled to hear as they announced the starters. I heard Davie’s name and jumped up. “Wooo hoo, yeah, Davie!”
Juliet laughed. “That’s some serious brother love.”
“I’m so proud of him.”
“Just wait, girls. It’s going to get worse.” Colt pulled me back down to sitting and squeezed my hand. “I told you you’d be glad you came.”
I smiled to myself, but then responded to his first comment. “Hey! I’m allowed to cheer for my baby brother.”
“Baby? That’s no baby.” Cara looked down on the field at Davie.
Aaron raised an eyebrow. “Do I really need to worry about you ogling high school football players?”
I shook my head. “No. No, you don’t. No one will be ogling my brother.”
“Proud and protective.” Reed smiled. “I think Cara can hold it together for a few hours.”
“You’re not worried about Juliet?” Cara asked.
“Nope. Juliet always goes for the older guys, even the losers,” he teased. We all knew exactly who he was referring to. Luckily, Dylan had graduated and was no longer on our must avoid list when we went out.
“Mallory obviously likes younger guys.” Colt put his arm around me.
“You’re only a few months younger than me.”
“So you say now. You weren’t saying that this summer.”
Juliet laughed. “You are so hung up on details, Mallory.”
Annie leaned forward to see my other friends better. “Yeah, she used his being a grade under us to avoid dating him in high school.”
I groaned. “I did not.”
“You so did. You had a crush on him before and after you were with Jack.”
“Stop.” I glared at her. Who knew who was listening to the conversation?
“Leave her alone, Annie.” Colt pulled me against him. “All that matters is she finally came to her senses.”
The game moved quickly, thanks mostly to the fact that we always play an easy team on Fall Fest. It’s kind of like Homecoming. You never want to lose that game. Still, it was fun, and I couldn’t believe how much fun my friends seemed to have. Davie was definitely the star player. He threw three touchdowns and ran for another. We won 42-7.
“That was really fun.” Cara was still bubbly by the time Colton pulled into my parents’ driveway.
“It really was.” Juliet opened her door.
“Call me in the morning?” Colt asked as he walked me up to the front door.
“You mean you and your guests won’t be too busy to answer the phone.”
“Remind me again why you can’t just come home with me instead?”
“Because Rob would kill you, and I don’t want your mom thinking I’m a slut.”
“She wouldn’t think so.” He put his hands on my hips.
“Then focus on the Rob would kill you part.”
“Okay, okay. I get it. I can’t wait until I can get my own room next year.”
“Thinking that far ahead, huh?” It didn’t actually bother me. Picturing myself with Colt more long term was easier and easier to do. I was falling hard for him whether I was fully admitting it to myself or not.
“Definitely. And so are you.”
“Sleep well, Colton.” I kissed him gently on the lips.
He smiled. “Same to you, pumpkin.”
He walked back to the car as Cara and Juliet met me on the top step.
I still had the house key on my key chain so I unlocked and pushed open the door. I was a little surprised Rob hadn’t come out to interrupt us. He was good at that.
“I’m so tired I could fall asleep standing,” Juliet said as she kicked off her sneakers and left them in the front hall.
“Me too. It’s been a long day.” I took off my shoes, ready to go up to bed.
“Mallory?” Mom called from the kitchen.
I walked in and my stomach dropped. “What are you doing here?”
Jack stood up from his seat at the kitchen table. His light brown hair was shorter than the last time I saw him, but otherwise he looked the same. He’d chosen the same seat he’d always sat in when he stayed for dinner when we were dating. “I was hoping to catch up at the game, but it was too crowded.”
“Why?”
“Mallory.” Mom gave me a warning glance. She of all people should have understood how little I wanted him in our kitchen. Suddenly, the familiar kitchen wasn’t so comforting.
I looked around for Rob. Surely he would have kicked him out. “Where’s Rob?” I’d had to beg him to stay out of it when Jack dumped me. If I hadn’t, he probably would have punched him. He’d threatened him pretty bad though.
“He’s still at the game. He ran into some high school friends.”
I nodded. “That still doesn’t explain why Jack is here.”
“I already explained that.” Jack strode toward me. “I wanted to talk.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“We haven’t seen each other in over a year. You’re dating my little brother. Of course there’s stuff to talk about.”
“I’m going to give you kids some space.” Mom left the room. I would have complained about her ditching me, but at least I had my friends with me.
“Are you here to tell her you have an STD or something?” Juliet asked.
I just looked at her with my mouth hanging open.
“Of course not.” He gave her a disbelieving look. “Would you two mind giving us some privacy?”
Both Juliet and Cara looked at me and saw the clear message in my eyes. Cara turned to Jack. “No can do. Anything you have to tell her can be said with us here.”
“And here I thought you’d grown up.” Jack’s crystal clear blue eyes settled on me, setting off the self-doubt I thought I’d finally pushed away.
“I have.”
“Yet you’re afraid to talk to me without your friends. Very mature.” He shook his head.
“She’s not scared of anything.” Juliet got in his face. “We just love her and don’t think you deserve a moment alone with her.” I loved Juliet even more than usual in that moment.
“Why does this have to be such a big deal? I just wanted to tell you I wish things hadn’t ended so badly. It’s a regret of mine. We had too much history to just trash it with no closure.”
Cara crossed her arms. “I bet it’s a regret. Mallory is amazing and you’ll never meet someone like her again.” I had the best friends in the world.
“That’s great and all, but I still need to talk to her. Please, just for two minutes.”
“Why?”
“How many times do I have to say it?” He yanked at his hair.
I sighed, being around Jack was even more uncomfortable than I expected. “Haven’t you already said everything you need to say?”
“No.”
“You have five minutes.” I looked at my friends. “I can give him five minutes.”
Juliet and Cara left the room, both giving Jack threatening looks. I’d barely told them anything about him, but they knew the way things ended had hurt like hell.
“What else do you need to say?” I crossed my arms, determined not to let him know how hard this confrontation was.
“I’m sorry.”
“You couldn’t say that in front of my friends?”
“Damn it, Mallory. I’m trying.”
“Sorry, but I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“Nothing at all?”
“Okay. Here’s one thing. I’m surprised you’re not married already. I thought you’d met a girl within days of breaking it off.” That was one of the worst parts. His need to rub salt in the wound. Without my parents, brother, and Annie, I’m not so sure I would have made it through the end of my senior year.
“I lied about that.”
“Lovely.”
“Listen.” He put his hands on my arms. I tried to jerk away, but something in his expression had me frozen. “It wasn’t what it seemed.”
“Then what was it?”
“I can’t tell you, but I regret it every day.” He seemed torn. Like he didn’t really know what he should be saying.
“I forgive you. Is that what you need to hear?”
“Only if it’s true.”
“It is. I’ve fully moved on.”
“With my brother?” He turned away.
“I’m sorry. Colt promised you didn’t care.” I wasn’t going to let him make me feel bad about it. He’s the one who dumped me, and it had been years. And he’d given Colt the green light, right?
“Don’t apologize. I get it, and I’m happy for you guys. At least, part of me is. It’s hard to watch though.”
“Watch? You saw us?” Then it dawned on me. “Wait, at the game?”
“Yeah. He can’t keep his hands off you.” Jack looked down. “Not that I blame him.”
I refused to apologize again.
He stepped toward me. “I miss you, but I screwed up.”
I nodded. “Maybe, maybe not. If we weren’t meant to be together, then you did us both a favor.”
“What if we were meant to be together?”
What was he saying? “I’m with your brother.”
“I know.” His eyes locked with mine. “I just wish I could go back and change things.” He exhaled loudly. “Listen, I have to ask this or I’ll always regret it.”
“Ask what?”
“Would you want to try us again? See where it goes?” Was Jack asking me to go out with him again?
I took two steps back and knocked into the counter. “I’m with Colt now.”
“I know.” He seemed torn once again. “But that’s not just because he’s the closest thing you thought you could get to me, right? Because if that’s the case, you should let him down easy and come back.”
Anger filled me. Was he that conceited? Was his opinion of me so low that he thought I’d do that? “I’m with Colt because I want to be.”
“I don’t believe you. I don’t believe you can switch your feelings off for me that easily.”
I coughed. “Switch them off easily? You dumped me almost two years ago. No. You didn’t just dump me, you shattered my heart into five million pieces and it’s taken me years to put them back together.”
“And I regret that every day, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try again. We were always so good together.”
I closed my eyes, using every ounce of strength to stop the tears that threatened to spill. “I’m with Colton. I want to be with Colton.”
I heard the door open and within moments Colt’s arm slid around my waist. “What are you doing here, Jack?”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to see my girlfriend. You can understand why I was more than a little surprised when Mom told me you’d come over here.”
“She was mine first.” Jack’s sneer had me leaning into Colt’s side.
“And you gave her up years ago. You told me you didn’t mind if we dated.”
“Because I never expected it to go anywhere.” Jack stepped toward us. “I figured you’d get over your stupid crush and that maybe it would give me a chance to see her again.”
“What?” I stuttered out in shock. “You thought that my dating Colton would someone end with us back together? Are you crazy?”
“Maybe. Maybe I am crazy, crazy about you.”
Colton laughed dryly. “Oh. This is just great. I finally get Mallory and now you’re trying to sabotage it because you can’t handle me having anything you don’t. You’re such an a*shole.”
“I’m the a*shole? You’re the one who stole my girlfriend.” Jack lunged for Colt. I pulled away, feeling completely helpless to do anything to ease the situation, but I had to try.
“Stop it! This is ridiculous.”
Neither listened, and I was close to panicking. Luckily Reed picked that moment to intervene. Evidently he’d come over with Colt. He stepped between them, pushing each of the brothers to the side. “I think Mallory’s trying to tell you both something.” He nodded to me.
“This fight is stupid.” I turned to Jack. “We had our chance, and it didn’t work. I’m not going to feel bad about my decision to date Colt, because I know you’re not in love with me.”
Jack glared. “How can you say that?”
“Because I know it. You’re just jealous, and even though I’m not the kind of girl who could make a guy act crazy over her, that’s exactly what’s happening.”
“What do you mean you’re not the kind of girl a guy would act crazy over?” Colt had calmed down, and he’d once again taken his place at my side. “You’re exactly the kind of girl to do that.”
Reed laughed, and that seemed to ease the tension a little. “Yes, Mallory can make us all a little crazy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks, Reed.”
“Anytime.”
“Jack, I think you should leave.” Saying those six words felt empowering.
“Are you sure? Is this really what you want?” Jack’s shoulders slumped.
“Yes.” The tables had turned, and as much as I hated to hurt him, I knew I was doing the right thing.
“Whatever. Have a nice life.” Jack stormed out of the kitchen.
Mom, the girls, and Aaron walked in right as I heard the front door close.
“Wow. That was intense.” Juliet gave me a “oh my god” look.
I turned to Colt. “I’m sorry.”
He pulled me into a hug. “Stop apologizing.”
“Should you go after him? He’s your brother. I don’t want you guys fighting. I’m not worth it.”
He looked me straight in the eye. “Of course you’re worth it. Don’t ever doubt that. And Jack had his chance. I asked him more than once if he was cool with us dating and he told me he didn’t care at all. He can’t suddenly change his mind now. There’s no going back for us.”
For a moment I forgot about our audience. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his head down to mine. Our lips had just met when my mom cleared her throat.
My friends laughed.
“Oh. Sorry.”
“Why don’t you guys go pick up some ice cream for everyone, we’ll stay here.” Mom gave me a smile and nodded toward the door.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, but don’t be gone too long.”
Colton didn’t waste any time. He took my hand and led me out the front door and to the car.
He pulled out of the driveway, picking up my hand as soon as we reached the street. He parked the car around the corner. Neither of us said anything. I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed over the console onto his lap. His arms slid around my waist, and I leaned down to kiss him. Our lips said everything we couldn’t say with words. The fight with Jack changed things. I was completely ready to move on, and Colt was exactly the guy I wanted to do that with.
We stayed that way for close to twenty minutes when common sense dawned on me. “We probably need to get that ice cream.”
“Ten more minutes won’t hurt anyone.” Colt’s lips returned to mine, and I never wanted them to leave.