“Ari, how nice to see you.” He tipped his coffee cup in my direction and took a drink. He looked at me. I looked back. I looked away. I looked back. I fidgeted, panicking slightly, whilst trying to think of something to say. I glanced away again.
His laughter made me snap my eyes back to him. Colton got up from the stool, took his cup to the sink and then walked towards me. I didn’t move as I watched him approach me, as my insides vibrated, whilst hoping and praying I looked perfectly normal. He stopped beside me, I could smell his cologne. God, he smelled delicious. He always had I realised.
Colton leaned in close enough that I could feel his breath on the side of my face. I daren’t move, if I turned, I would be so close, too close.
“Breathe Ari,” he whispered softly into my ear and then with a low chuckle, he left.
Complete Asshat.
When the patio door closed, I leapt off the seat. My blood was racing, and my heart was pounding. Holy shit what the hell was that? I paced the kitchen and then flung the fridge door open, I needed a drink. My hand reached for a bottle of water, my eye caught sight of a bottle of beer. With my mum being such a complete mess on alcohol I had always avoided it – I wasn’t a complete prude, I had no problem with others drinking it. I just had always avoided it. However, in that moment, I was so flustered, I made the choice and grabbed the beer. It tasted vile. It was a weird taste of bitter and nothing at all. I finished the bottle and screwed my face up. I genuinely had no idea what the fuss was about.
A male laugh made me turn. There was a blonde guy staring at me, assessing me. He was handsome, chin length hair, clear blue eyes and blonde stubble, not quite a beard and definitely more than a five o’clock shadow. He smiled at me, I smiled back. He was leaning over the breakfast bar, he straightened up and I noticed he was tall. He filled out the black button-down shirt he was wearing nicely too I noticed.
“Beer no good?” He had a soft southern lilt to his voice. He did look like a country music star, made sense he sounded like one.
“It tasted weird. I think it may have been off?” I tossed the empty bottle into the sink.
Blondie laughed out loud. “Yeah, you’re not the first one to have a ‘bad bottle of beer’ darling.” The beer was bad? Is that why it tasted so weird? I frowned at the offending empty bottle.
Blondie walked round the breakfast bar, he opened the fridge and handed me a bottle of water. I took it gratefully.
“I have my good friend Jack with me, if you want to venture away from beer?” He offered me. Jack? Oh he meant alcohol Jack. I shook my head, taking a sip of the water.
I watched him fish around the freezer locating the ice cubes and then he started to search for something in the cupboards, a glass I assumed. He seemed very familiar with Colton’s kitchen. A short cry of triumph later and he was dishing out ice into two tumblers. I continued to watch him and he continued to let me. When he was finished, he turned to me and ran his eyes over me from head to foot and then a very slow deliberate assessment was carried out from feet to head. I could feel my cheeks warm.
I moved away from him and situated myself behind the breakfast bar. His grin was wide and he leaned his hip against the counter, still assessing. I took another sip from the bottle of water – he wasn’t making me uncomfortable and I was slightly uncomfortable that I wasn’t feeling uncomfortable.
“So darling, who are you with and what do I need to do to convince you I am the only guy you need?” My eyes widened as I tried to hide my reaction with my bottle of water. He threw his head back and laughed. He grabbed the two glasses in one hand and walked over to me, confident and self-assured. I tensed slightly and relaxed minutely as he walked past. He looked over his shoulder at me as he opened the door leading to the patio.
“C’mon darling, it’s too beautiful out there to be cooped up in here. Drinking alone is just sad, let’s go.” He stopped at the door, that easy grin kind of hard to resist. His head nodded to outside the door in an open invitation. What was there to lose by going outside really?
“What’s your name?” I asked as I moved away from the breakfast bar, grabbing my bottle of water.
“Jay.” He propped the door open with his hip, whilst still carrying the glasses and he extended his hand. I smiled at him as I shook.
“Arielle, not darling,” I offered.
“Well darling it’s a pleasure.” His eyes twinkled with mischief, and with a wide grin he was off. I followed him because really, why not? Theo and Matt were asshats, Colton was too dangerous to be near and I couldn’t go find Connor when he was with Corey. I couldn’t do my usual which was find a corner and hide, my e-reader was at home.
Jay was heading to some loungers away from the pool where there were a few guys maybe slightly older but all relaxing and chatting. I quickly noticed there were no girls, which was odd as they weren’t an ugly bunch. Although they were kind of intimidating. I reached out and quickly touched Jay’s arm. He slowed down and turned.
“Darling?”
“Arielle,” I corrected. My eyes shifted to his friends. “Um, so...”
“Darling my ice is melting and trust me that ain’t no euphemism.” I knew I was blushing again.
“I’m a girl,” I blurted. Jay’s grin was downright sinful. His eyes leisurely roamed over me again.
“That you are darling.” He turned away again.
I snagged his arm. “Jay! All your friends are guys,” I muttered lamely. Seriously what was wrong with me? I didn’t know this guy, he looked like he fell off the cover of Country Boys R Us, but I felt absolutely no pressure from him and I was curious to learn more about him.
“I’m going to waste this ice,” he grumbled. “Look darling, we don’t bite, you’re just saying hello, it’s a party. Mingle. If you hate us, move on. No harm done.” With those sage words of advice, Jay resumed his trip. Feeling like a fool, I followed. He was right. Matt was right. I was a definite overthinker.
Jay dumped both glasses down and flung himself onto a two-seater. He reached out and grabbed my hand and I very ungracefully toppled down beside him. Once I straightened myself out, he moved slightly so I wasn’t pressed up against him, which was a sweet gesture and I appreciated it immensely.
“Who are you?” came the question from the guy to my right. His head was shaved at the sides and back with longer hair slicked back on top. He was covered in tattoos. Even his neck was tattooed.
“Did it hurt to get your neck done?” I asked without thinking. He didn’t even blink. Jay chuckled.
“This is Arielle and I found her in the kitchen,” Jay supplied the table. He was pouring liquor into the two glasses. He handed one to tattoo man.
“Damn, there any more that look like you in the kitchen?” came the question from my left, I slightly turned to the questioner, blushing.
“Nah man, just this little darling and a bottle of beer.” A grunt from tattoo and then they all just started talking as if I wasn’t even there. After a few minutes I felt myself relaxing. There were about three conversations going on all at the same time. Jay shifted again and handed me a bottle. I took it.
“You’ll like this more than beer, trust me.” The cap was unbroken, so I was happy accepting it. I twisted the lid and took a tentative sip. It was nice, I liked it. I studied the label, which read Angry Orchard Pear. I took another drink, a proper swallow this time. Jay reached over and took the bottle off me.
“Easy darling, I get the feeling you aren’t used to this.”
I frowned. His quick grin loosened me up. I smiled in return and leaned into him, I heard him catch his breath as I moved closer.
“Mine,” I said, then I reached down and snagged my bottle back.
He threw his head back and laughed. Conversation was halted as people turned to look at us, then they resumed talking.
I took another drink and settled into the seat. I didn’t join in any of the conversations, but they flowed around me anyway. I listened and I watched the group. Jay included me w
ith explanations or excuses depending on the story at the time. People drifted off, people drifted in, it was all very relaxed. I wasn’t sure how long I had been there when I saw Theo heading over to us. The sun was sitting lower in the sky. Theo grinned at me and sat down beside the two-seater. He looked at me questioningly.
“You drinking, Ari?” I had another bottle of the sweet pear cider Jay had given me.
“Yes.” I answered, I bit my lower lip and felt guilty. I turned to Jay, “I’m not used to this.” I confessed.
He winked at me and leaned in, “Yeah darling, I know.” I was blushing furiously. “I’ll tell you a secret – nobody else noticed.”
“Oh.” This made me insanely happy and I smiled at him.
“Whoa, keep that killer watt smile away from me!” he joked.
Theo tapped me on the arm, I turned to him. “Cole is on the upper level, Matt’s over at the pool, you coming over?” Oh, well I better, I thought. I nodded and handed my bottle to Jay. He was looking up at me.
“Um…”
“See you later darling.” He winked at me. I liked Jay, he was so laid back he was horizontal.
“Arielle,” I corrected, “See you later Jay.” And I winked at him. He laughed out loud again and saluted me with his glass.
Smiling, I followed Theo over to where Matt was. Matt was in swim shorts and grinned at me. I remembered I was mad at him for dumping me on Colton. Matt’s grin was wider as he realised I had just remembered.
“Uh-oh you’re in trouble!” Theo laughed as I marched my 5’5” frame up to Matt and with a huge unexpected shove I sent him flying backwards into the pool.
He rose up to the surface and I saw him nod. I didn’t even have time to react, Connor tackled me from the side. I yelled as he held me and Theo emptied my pockets of my keys, wallet and phone, then I was picked up and I was flying through the air into the water. Spluttering I broke the surface and I had murder on my mind.
My intent to do damage to Connor was broken when Theo pushed Connor in too, also fully clothed. He held up my belongings to show me they were fine and then after placing them on a table, he dived in and suddenly it was a four-way splash and dunk fest. I finally dragged myself out the water, my jean shorts wet and heavy, my top plastered to me, my hair – God knows what I looked like.
“You’re complete asshats!” I shouted at them. “I look like a drowned rat!” I protested. However, since Connor was trying to chokehold Theo, I knew I didn’t have their attention. Matt grinned up at me. I gave up. They were all incorrigible. I started to laugh at them and three beaming smiles shone back at me. Since Connor was fully dressed, he just looked ridiculous in the water.
“I’m going to get dry,” I said, grabbing my stuff off the table. Theo gave me the thumbs up and I turned into the house. I passed Jay on the way there and he wolf whistled at me.
“Looking real good wet darling!” he shouted across.
“Oh behave, you Neanderthal!” I yelled across at him. A wink was my answer and laughing like an idiot, I entered the kitchen again.
I came to an abrupt halt as my eyes landed on Corey. She took one look and laughed at me. “C’mon, let’s get you dry.” She held her hand out to me.
Feeling very unlike me, I took her offered hand and followed her into the depths of the house. We climbed the stairs and I followed her into a bedroom. I immediately stopped. This was Connor’s room. I knew him too well not to recognise his stamp. Of course, she would lead me here – she wouldn’t know why this was suddenly awkward. Damn it.
She was rummaging through a drawer. Wait she had clothes here? My cheeks burned when I realised how naive I was being. I wasn’t jealous as such – well, maybe a little but more than that, I was melancholy. Connor had definitely moved on and although that was nothing but a good thing, I hadn’t expected to be confronted with how much he had moved on whilst standing in his bedroom that his girlfriend obviously spent a lot of time in.
Corey turned to me; she had a t-shirt and a short denim skirt in her hands. Her smile was genuine as she looked at me.
“I’m slightly taller than you, so the shirt should be a little long, as should the skirt.” I took them off her. “Of course, I need to find you a belt, you are so slim, the skirt may fall off if tugged hard and that blonde boy was looking to tug, I think.”
I blushed furiously. “I just met him.” I mumbled. She was nodding whilst getting towels out of the closet. She rummaged some more and handed me a sports bra and a pair of very short shorts.
“Go shower – my shampoo and stuff are in there. You must be freezing.”
“Um...”
“It’s ok Arielle, I’m not stupid, I was at first, I admit, but it’s so obvious I cannot believe that I doubted myself about it that first day.” She sat down on the edge of the bed. Shit. She knew. Oh God this was going to be awkward.
“What?” I was trying to be evasive. I pretended to look around for somewhere to put my phone and things.
Corey looked at me, her gaze narrowed slightly. “I know you were the girlfriend that broke his heart. The way them boys act around you, it’s so obvious you had a relationship with one of them. I know it wasn’t Matt because he adores you like a little sister. I know it wasn’t Theo, as every time he looks at you like you’re a girl he looks at either Connor or Colton like he’s been caught. Plus, those boys aren’t very good at being one-woman men; and you are definitely a one woman kind of girl.” Her smile was kind when she said it, taking any pinch out of her words.
“Theo’s in love.” I blurted out. Corey laughed, shaking her head.
“Theo’s a wild buck in a field of willing does. That boy ain’t ever going to be in love anytime soon.” Corey stood up, smoothing her hands over her own denim skirt. “I didn’t think it could be Colton because, well, that man’s as cold as ice, so it had to be my Connor.” She looked out the window. “And he is mine. I see how he is with you and I don’t need to worry. It’s obvious you have a past, but he loves you and you love him, just not in the way that I love him and the way he loves me.”
I was standing there in sodden clothes just staring at her. This girl was smart, plus she was being so kind, when I knew she could have been a bitch. Nothing she had said had been said with malice. I needed to reform my hasty opinion of her from the coffee shop.
“I didn’t have a choice but to lie. When you told me he said I was like his sister, it put me in an awkward position. Plus,” I decided to be wholly truthful, “I didn’t know you. You were nothing to me, they are everything.”
“I know, I get it. I hope we can be friends?”
I blinked. Say what now?
“I’ve been completely honest with you Arielle, and I need some girl power in this house of men! They’re just like wild men, wild with...”
“...a capital W” I finished. She grinned at me and I couldn’t help it, I smiled back. Her smile was genuine. She was either a very good actress or she was just a nice person. I decided to go with the latter.
“Go take that shower; I’ll wait here for you. They tell me no one will come up the stairs except them but until they put locks on these doors, I’ll wait with you just in case.”
I nodded and headed into the shower. I could have told her not to worry, no one would dare, but we were girls and didn’t have two hundred pounds of muscle on us to fight off wayward curiosity. I sighed. That could have been worse and strangely I found myself feeling lighter and smiling as I started to undress.
After a warm and welcome shower, I got dressed quickly in Corey’s clothes. The t-shirt hung long and low and I frowned at its neckline, but the sports bra covered my dignity thankfully. The skirt was a tad roomy but was a decent length on me, sitting mid-thigh. My shorts had been shorter but I was still grateful for the longer length.
A quick blast of the dryer on my hair was enough to tie it up in a messy bun. Corey was waiting for me when I came out of the bathroom, as she had promised. She was at the window which looked down to the back where
the pool was. She glanced at me, quickly assessed the outfit and murmured about a belt. As she turned away, I walked over to the window and watched as Connor dragged himself out of the pool.
He was still fully clothed but it didn’t bother him in the slightest. He shook like a shaggy dog, causing all those around him to scream out in protest. He disappeared from view and my eyes travelled over the crowd that was now much bigger than it had been when I’d arrived. It was close to sunset.
I saw Colton sitting out on the upper deck his feet stretched out in front of him; he was side-on watching the antics of his brother and his friends with amusement. A bottle of beer dangled from his hand. I drank in the sight of him greedily, he was sitting there relaxed and loose. His head was dipped slightly low as he oversaw the party. His hair shone an almost caramel colour in the fading sunlight, his tan was deep and bronzed. He was wearing his signature black t-shirt and jeans.
I sighed. He looked perfect as always. Matt and Theo must have exited the pool after Connor as they were both approaching where Colton sat, towels over their shoulders, both laughing and joking. Colton moved his feet for them to pass him. He replaced his feet and just like that the barrier was up again. He bodily blocked anyone from entering that area, just with his posture and his leg placement. He looked so approachable as he sat there laughing with his friends, but the message was clear – you may come to my house, you may hang out, but you may not enter this private space.
I shook my head; he had always been that way. I don’t think he liked people that much, he was always surrounded but he was never with them. It was Matt, Theo and – as we got older – Connor who the people flocked too. They were like magnets, but Colton never sought attention, never instigated get-togethers.
I brushed a loose hair out my face and Colton turned to the house. He was sitting there in shades, but I knew he had caught me looking. I held his stare. I felt so exposed but I didn’t step away. My breath caught and I felt my chest tighten.
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