I bumped her arm with mine. “I know you love my dad too.”
She wiped a tear away. “He’s like a second dad to me.”
“Girl, if you get emotional, I will too.” And the football field was the last place to become a blubbering mess, especially with Colton nearby.
“Um… look who’s coming our way.” As subtle as she could be, Georgia stabbed her blue-painted thumbnail at the field.
Colton strutted toward us, carrying his sports bag in one hand and his helmet in the other. He looked rather beat and definitely sweaty. All that football gear had to be brutal in the Southern heat.
Grady caught up to him, patted him on the back, then darted over to Mia, who was packing up her gear. I didn’t get them, except maybe I did. Guys liked sex, and Mia was crazy for it. And yowza, she wasn’t one to hold back the details, either. Frankly, I blocked my ears when she was gushing about her latest conquest, which as of late had been Grady.
Mia would always laugh when she found me trying to tune her out. Then she would say, “I like sex, and I’m not ashamed to admit it like you and Georgia.”
“It’s not sex,” I would fire back, though it might have been—I was still a virgin. “You like Grady.”
“He’s hung like a horse,” she would say proudly. “And he’s good in bed.”
“Ew” would be my response, followed by the need to puke.
Regardless of my sexual inexperience, I admired Mia. She knew who she was, knew what she wanted and liked, and wasn’t afraid to admit it.
I, on the other hand, was still trying to find myself. Having gone through one death and getting ready to lose another parent, I felt lost and a little out of sorts, particularly in the guy department, and more so with Colton in the picture.
Georgia waved a hand in front of me. “Where did you go?”
I blinked away the image of Mia throwing herself at Grady. “Nowhere.” Everywhere.
“I don’t get those two,” Georgia said as Grady pulled Mia flush against his body.
“Join the club. But we’ve had this convo many times.”
“Do you think we’ll be as excited about sex when the time comes?” Georgia sounded frightened.
I couldn’t blame her. I was sure my first time would be nerves galore.
Georgia nudged me with her elbow.
My gaze swung from Mia and Grady to the only guy I wouldn’t mind giving my virginity to.
Colton crossed the track, his muscular legs eating up the space, and when he climbed the bleachers, my body started to shake, rattle, and roll.
I tucked my hands between my thighs and squeezed, hoping I could get them to stop trembling.
Colton gave me a wolfish grin. “Ladies,” he said.
My pulse went into overdrive, the sweat multiplying—and not from the thick humidity hanging in the air.
“Skyler, how’s your elbow?” His drawl was electrifying.
“Fine.” The swelling had gone down, and except for the occasional throbbing, I didn’t even think about my injury.
He gripped the straps of his sports bag as though the item was his lifeline. “You didn’t tell your dad, did you?”
I bored a hole into him as we locked eyes. Anger hotter than the Southern sun burned away the nerves and the butterflies, and my hands stopped shaking.
As if Georgia could see the myriad of emotions plaguing me, she said to Colton, “I’m having a bonfire party on the beach behind my house on Saturday. Why don’t you come?”
“Grady is having one too,” Colton said.
Georgia pursed her lips. “Mmm. Maybe I’ll postpone mine. We should have parties every weekend until graduation.”
Colton smoothed a large hand over his sweaty helmet hair, which was pulled back into a low ponytail.
I held back a whimper. “Rock star” came to mind. All he needed was a guitar. I could totally see Colton sitting in a chair, strumming a guitar and crooning as his hair fell forward, veiling him and giving him a mysterious vibe.
Amanda’s voice pierced the air, calling Colton’s name before she all but rushed up the bleachers to stand beside him. “There you are. I’ve been waiting for you in the parking lot.”
Georgia wagged her finger between Amanda and Colton. “Are you two an item or something?”
Colton stiffened.
Amanda snarled at Georgia. “None of your business, Branson.” She never called anyone by their first name unless she liked them.
Georgia flipped her off.
Amanda tittered as she slipped her hand into Colton’s. “Come on, big guy. We have plans.”
I lifted my brows at Colton, who was fixated on me for some odd reason.
Oh, that’s right. He wanted to know if I’d told my dad he’d hit me with his truck. I imagined if Dad knew, he would tell Colton’s mom, and then his dad would find out. I hadn’t forgotten the fight between them.
Amanda tugged Colton. “Let’s go.” She sounded irritated as she flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder.
I really wanted to cut off her thick locks.
He sighed heavily as darkness washed over his handsome face. Then he tipped his head toward the field. “I need to talk to Grady for a second.”
Amanda slid her hand over his butt, then up his back. “Make it quick. We don’t have much time before my parents come home.”
I clenched my teeth, even though I couldn’t blame her for wanting to get Colton alone. I was hoping my facial expression was blank and not showing the ocean of jealousy burning through my veins.
Amanda climbed down in a huff.
Colton’s gaze was like molten lava as he regarded me.
“So, you two seem to have hit it off,” Georgia blurted out. “I don’t know how much you know about Amanda, but once she gets her claws into you, you’ll need a surgeon to cut them out.”
I snorted.
Colton just grinned, seemingly not caring whether Amanda clung to him or not. Then again, guys loved sex,
