I drove over to Lafayette and pulled up outside the police station and parked. I had bad memories of the last time I was in a station and I wasn't relishing being in another one.
I soon realised I didn’t need to go inside. Matt and Jay were sitting outside on the wall looking like two lost causes. I approached as Matt jumped down and hugged me. Jay winked. I rolled my eyes. Why did I think I would be greeted any differently by Jay?
“What’s going on?” I enquired; I rolled back onto my heels and thrust my hands into my back pockets. Matt shrugged and looked away, slightly guilty.
“Not much – a misunderstanding and a ride – because we may or may not have been drinking,” he replied. I looked at him close up, properly.
“You’re bruised. Have you been fighting?” I demanded. Jay started to chuckle and hopped down off the wall.
“Man, you are in hot water. Darling, is there any chance you can hitch us out of here and we can tell you in the car? I’ve had enough of this sty and wouldn’t mind heading home.”
I glared at both of them; on closer inspection of Jay he had scuffs and marks too. “You will not get out of my car, either of you, I mean it, until I know every single thing that is going on, do I make myself clear?” Two blank faces looked back at me. “I mean it, so God help me, Matt Landers you better tell me every single detail, or I swear, I will never feed you again.”
Matt, to his credit, genuinely looked worried. Jay leaned into him. “Is that a threat worth testing?” he stage whispered. Matt shook his head frantically. Jay regarded me with a new speculative gleam in his eye, “You cook, darling? That just makes you even more tempting.” Damn that wink.
“Shut it. I’m talking to my best friend Matt.”
Matt groaned and threw his hands up. “Fine, you win, I’ll tell you everything but when Colton attempts to kill me, you better tell him it was Jay who spilled the beans.” Jay squawked a protest and I grinned in triumph. I led the two oversized monsters to my Mini. I was such a badass ninja.
Watching two men over six feet tall trying to manoeuvre into my two-door car was very funny, and it was so hard not to laugh outright. I ended up turning away before I collapsed in laughter. Once we got Jay into the back, I jumped into the front and headed out of Lafayette and back to Boulder.
Matt was looking out the window and Jay had his head rested against the headrest with his eyes closed. I glanced at Matt. He was purposefully avoiding me, I could tell.
“I’m not giving up,” I muttered, especially since the distance back to Boulder was about 11 miles. I didn’t have a lot of time. Matt’s answering sigh was enough to let me know I had won. Ninja.
“We’re competing,” Matt began. I looked at him quizzically as I slowed down at a stop light. “We are fighting,” he further explained.
“Fighting? Fighting what?” I didn’t understand what he was talking about. Jay snorted in the back seat. He sat forward and started playing with my hair. Matt noticed and frowned at him but said nothing.
“We fight each other and most importantly other people, for money,” Jay explained. My foot slammed on the break so hard he jerked forward dangerously. I was out of the car and round to Matt’s door before they had a chance to catch their breath. I threw open the door and started pulling at Matt’s arm.
He got out the car. “Jesus Bit, trying to kill me?” he demanded.
I slapped his chest. “Are you freaking kidding me? You’re fighting? For money?” I screeched. “You don’t need money, your mother is a bloody southern belle, your family practically owns a state! What the fuck are you thinking? Does Colton know? He is going to kill you. Literally kill you. Oh my God, I’m going to have to tell him, he’ll...” I trailed off as I caught sight of Matt’s face.
“He knows?” I whispered. “He knows?” I started pacing again. A loud curse made me realise that Jay was trying to get out of the car. As he half fell out, I snorted out a laugh. I think that deflated me a bit and my temper calmed down.
I looked at Matt. He was standing there contritely. He shrugged. “Matt, what’s going on?” I asked softly.
“Look, there’s no harm in it,” Jay said as he came over. “It’s just a few fights – winner takes the pot – guys are coming from all over to take part. Your boy Colton is a big thing.”
“He’s not my boy.” I frowned. He wasn’t my anything. Hang on, wait. “Colton is a big thing? Colton? Is he fighting too?”
I whirled back to Matt. He was giving the death eye to Jay and Jay must have realised he had fluffed up as he muttered, “Oh shit”.
“Back in the car. Both of you. Now,” I ordered curtly. Matt went to speak and I held my hand up. “No. Not one word.”
We got back into the car, Jay with as little finesse as before. I would drive them back to town. Jay was wise enough to say nothing except to ask me to drop him in the city centre. I nodded. I didn’t trust myself to speak. These guys had told me that Jay and his friends weren’t ‘good people.’ Why, then, were they fighting with them? Something else was going on here, there was no way this was being done for money.
We drove in silence – Matt started to relax about halfway back as he started making small talk with Jay while I fumed in silence. I pulled up beside a bar as directed by Jay. Matt went to get out. Jay put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head.
“It’s ok, I’ll get out of this side. Darling can you move for me?” I frowned at him in the rearview mirror but got out of the car and then watched him struggle. He eventually stood and threw his hair out of his face. He looked at me and let out a huff. I couldn’t help it – I started to laugh.
He playfully shoved me and I took a light step back. He caught my jacket lapel and pulled me to him. I looked up at him as he steadied me. His eyes were twinkling with laughter as he looked down at me. I smiled. It was just so easy with Jay. This was definitely not the right time to be thinking about this. I desperately needed to be thinking about what I was going to say when I got to the house. However, as he smiled down at me, I couldn’t help wonder at how easily distracted I was with Jay.
“Look, I know you’re mad, your boys have been keeping shit from you, but can you take it easy on them? My bro needs them to fight next Friday. I can’t tell him that a tiny girlchild beat them up.”
I frowned, losing my good mood with him. I was not tiny, and I was hoping no one was fighting on Friday. I looked away. “I don’t think I can promise anything,” I said.
He pulled me closer. I tilted my head up to look at him and he smiled softly. “Arielle, be good and don’t be a mean girl to them. They’re fine and they’re good at it, Colton is a machine. Matt’s just as good, trust me.”
This did not reassure me. In fact, I think it was making me feel worse.
“You know my name,” I mocked instead. He chuckled softly.
“Darling, I know everything about you.” With that declaration he tilted his head and leaned down to kiss me. Again, I was totally unprepared for it and again I found myself leaning in. He didn’t take it too far – it was soft and sweet – like Jay, I suppose.
“Be good darling, let them live.” With a wink to me and a wave to Matt he turned and walked off across the street, to who knows where. I watched him go and then turned back and got in the car.
“Ari,” Matt began. I held up a hand. “Ari…”
“Once we are at the house. Only then will we speak about this.” Matt’s answering sigh was all I needed before I set off again.
As I drove, I thought about Jay. He really was a sweet guy. Illegal fighting aside, I thought snidely to myself. The boys were all up in arms about him, but they were hanging out with him and they said it was his brother that was the problem? Jay had said that Colton was fighting for his brother. What did that mean? Colton wouldn’t allow that surely – he was a control freak – of the highest order.
“He sure feels free to kiss you all the time,” Matt muttered, breaking my thoughts.
I shrugged uncomfortably. “I think he�
�s just friendly,” I said in defence. Matt barked out a laugh.
“He sure ain’t that friendly with me!” he scoffed. I rolled my eyes at him. The answering cheeky smile almost, almost made me forgive him my grumpiness
“Ari, you have to be careful when you come to the house,” Matt cautioned. I looked at him and frowned. “Colton is not in the best place to talk to about this at the moment. Couldn’t we do this another time?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I know there is something going on, you tell me to stay away from Jay and then you and Jay are getting me to pick you up from the police station. You still need to tell me why I’m picking you up from police stations,” I added crossly. I sighed as I looked at him. “I know there is something going on. I need to know what. I won’t be lied to. This concerns us all.” I glanced at Matt quickly as we pulled up to the house. He hung his head in defeat.
“Fine,” he muttered as he got out. “But Connor doesn’t know what we are doing. Colton will never forgive you if Connor gets involved.” I nodded curtly to show my understanding of the warning even if I didn’t understand the situation.
As we entered the house, Matt shouted out he was back and I heard a door upstairs opening. We carried on into the kitchen. Cole was at the breakfast bar. He had text books spread out in front of him. He looked at us both and I saw his eyes flick to Matt. The eyebrow was inevitably raised in question.
Theo came into the kitchen. He pulled up short when he saw me and looked at Matt.
“Where’s Connor?” I asked. Silence. “Connor. Where is he?” I repeated.
“He’s out with Corey,” Theo supplied. I nodded.
Matt went to speak but I silenced him with a glare.
“I just picked Matty and Jay up from Lafayette. The police station to be exact.” I had been looking at Colton when I said it, so I saw him shut down. I saw the cold mask slip down. Theo went to speak. I shook my head, still looking straight at Colton.
“Matt’s been fighting. Matt’s been fighting with you and for Jay’s brother?”
Colton’s eyes slammed into Matt with accusation. He got up off the stool.
“Arielle,” he began.
“No! You will not talk me out of this. You three,” I spun wildly pointing at all of them, “will tell me what the fuck is going on. Now.” I was panting. I slammed my palm down onto the breakfast bar and waited.
“Can I speak?” Colton asked coldly. I glared at him. He met my glare, cool as a cucumber. I felt a cool tingle start at the nape of my neck.
I nodded. I mean I couldn’t actually say no, could I? I was demanding an explanation. He needed to speak to give me it.
He walked to the fridge and pulled out a beer. He offered one to Matt and Theo, one was pointed to me – I shook my head. He smirked. Asshat.
“Why did you call Ari?” Colton asked. He twisted off the cap of his beer and tossed it into the sink. Matt sighed and threw himself down on a nearby stool.
“Because I couldn’t call Con, you were with your dad and Theo didn’t answer,” he grumbled. I frowned. I was fourth choice? That sucked. Why couldn’t he call Connor?
“Ari was the only obvious option left?” Colton stated. Matt shrugged. “What have you told her?”
“Her is standing right here,” I interrupted. “He told me nothing. Jay did. And I told Matt that you all would tell me. Together.” Colton was holding onto his temper, I could tell. I remember Matt had told me not to push him. Screw it – I was pushing. “Now, tell me.” I was not backing down and he knew it.
“It isn’t what you think,” Colton started.
“So, you aren’t fighting for money?” I asked snidely. He smirked at me and turned away back to his seat and his books.
“Well it is what you think. Seems you have it all figured out. What do I need to tell you?” He took a drink of his beer as he sat down.
I heard Theo groan. I saw Matt’s shoulders slump. I felt my temper rising.
“Why are you fighting? Your dad is filthy rich. I’m pretty sure Matt’s family own half of Georgia. Theo’s family is loaded. None of you need the money! Why are you being asshats?” I shouted at them. I looked between the three of them. Three perfectly blank faces looked back at me. I never lost my temper with them, but they were shutting me out and not even Matt would bend this time.
“Bit,” Matt began.
“Save it,” I interrupted him. He glanced at Colton quickly and my temper raised another notch. “You don’t need to look at him for everything, you know,” I snapped. Matt frowned at me and I immediately felt guilty. Just then I heard the front door open and I felt everyone in the room tense. Seconds later Connor was in the kitchen. He greeted everyone but almost immediately picked up on the atmosphere.
“What’s going on?” he asked. He fist bumped Theo in greeting as he looked at his brother. “What did you do this time Ari?” Connor laughed. Colton smiled like a shark, all teeth and no humour.
“Jay,” Colton answered. Connor had swiped his brother’s beer and immediately sprayed the wall with it. He turned to me incredulously.
“What? When?” he spluttered. His face was a picture and if I hadn’t been struck dumb with what Colton had just implied, I would have laughed.
“I haven’t done anything Connor, or anyone.” I recovered quickly, whilst I glared at Colton. He was still smiling that predator’s smile and I needed to get out of there before I forgot my promise to Matt and just lost it completely. This was not a good situation. I looked at Matt who studiously looked away from me. I glanced at Theo who was fascinated with his boots, it seemed. My eyes fell back to Colton, who was still challenging me with that knowing smirk.
“Is everything ok in here?” Connor asked as he looked around the room. “Ari?” I saw Colton’s eyes narrow briefly and with a wide smile I turned to Connor.
“Everything’s fine Con. I just saw Jay a little while ago when I met up with Matt and he was just being friendly.”
Matt snorted.
“Kissing you all the time is more than friendly,” he muttered. I will not look at Colton. I will not look at Colton. I will not look at Colton.
“He’s a nice guy Ari, you’d do ok with him,” Connor said as he smiled. “But his brother, I dunno, stay away from that brother.” He turned to his own brother with a smirk. Colton was still watching me.
“Lil Bit could do a lot worse.” Did he mean him? “She could also do a lot better.” A smirk in my direction. Bastard.
I shook my head at him and turned away. “I’m out. I don’t need anyone’s approval about who I do and don’t kiss.”
“Well except us,” Connor muttered. I turned back to look at him. He looked at the guys in the kitchen. “I mean you can’t be kissing us, right?” My eyes flashed immediately to Colton and I noticed the smirk was gone.
“What would it matter?” I asked softly. Connor laughed. Matt and Theo were both now fascinated with their hands.
“Because it would be weird, Lil Bit. I mean c’mon, isn’t two out of four enough?” Connor was trying to laugh it off, but I knew him, I knew he was serious. There it was. The reminder why I couldn’t have Colton. Cole was right, the family dynamic was more important – it didn’t matter what I wanted – even what he wanted really. They were my family and I had left them once. I wouldn’t manage without them again. Colton met my eyes and I saw the second he realised that I finally understood. His eyes almost softened. Those beautiful bright green eyes, almost dull with the realisation that I finally got it.
You’re no better than me…whispered in my head.
“Of course Con. I was just joking.” My smile was brittle, it felt so fake. “Right, well, I need to go. Catch you guys later.” I turned and hurried from the room. I heard Connor ask Theo if he wanted to play some Madden on PS4. I slowed as I got to the door, suddenly feeling the last hour catching up to me. I stopped to take a breath. Still no answers. I shook my head and started to leave again.
A hand caught my arm as I went to leave the
house. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Colton pulled me back slightly so that I could rest against him. My back was to his chest, and I really did, I wanted to lean back, rest for just a moment against him. I stayed still, too afraid to let myself feel weak. He was just as still behind me, his hand burning my skin where he lightly touched my arm. I felt his lips brush my hair as he whispered, “Sorry,” before he was gone back into the house.
I made myself scarce over the next few days. I didn’t care that it was the weekend. Since they had come back into my life, I had fallen behind in classes. Well, I hadn’t, not really – but I felt like I was losing my grip on everything and I needed to concentrate to keep my grades up. I wanted to do this degree and go on to do my masters. I couldn’t let boys let me lose track. Even if it was my boys. I thought ruefully back to my whole subterfuge with Robbie and my plan to be off campus to be away from distractions and here I was, completely distracted.
I checked the time on Sunday afternoon and did the time travelling maths to work out what time it was in Scotland. Gran and Papa were seven hours ahead of me. I could call them and maybe that would help settle me. The phone rang briefly, my Papa would have been watching the clock for the call, so I didn’t have to wait long for him to pick up. When I was younger, they used to both be on the phone at the same time, sitting in different rooms listening to every word. As I got older, that had stopped, however, they had a tendency to shout out commentary when the other one was on the phone. Often, they would end up conversing with each other rather than me, which always made me laugh as I waited patiently for them to stop and remember I was on the phone.
Papa talked me through the dismal Scottish weather and the inability for the rain to be consistent – it was currently washing out his tomato venture. I sympathised, though my personal opinion was that it would be ok if the rain washed all tomatoes out of existence. Fruit of the devil in my opinion. Given my inability to keep plants alive, Papa suggested I get a cactus. Yeah, I thought, that’s all I need, a plant that would stab me whenever I got close to it. Actually, I could get one and call it Colton, I mulled to myself. Ha! That made me smile and I started chuckling. I was then passed over to my Gran who cut to the chase immediately.
Indian Summer Page 15