Her blonde hair was matted to her head and sticking up in some places, and her eyes looked like a raccoon’s with her smudged mascara. She yawned and popped to her feet when she saw me.
“Are you waiting for me?” I asked.
She yawned again. “I woke up a minute ago and was going to look for you, but my stomach protested. I had to sit.”
“Let’s get out of here.” I rushed to the massive wooden door.
She hurried behind me with a groan.
Once outside, I squinted so hard, I lost my balance.
Georgia latched onto my arm. “We need coffee and food.”
I blinked several times, the sunlight blinding. “For sure. But I have to call my dad.”
Out of nowhere, she handed me my phone.
I raised an eyebrow. “You had it?”
“When we were dancing, it fell out of your pocket. I was going to give it back to you until you ran into the ocean.”
I scrunched my nose. “I did what?”
Her green eyes glistened in the morning light. “Colton rescued you before you dove under.” She delivered those words like it was no big deal.
My jaw hit the wood slats on the porch. “For real?”
She held her stomach, looking pale. “You passed out not long after that. But I texted Nan from your phone to let her know you were crashing at my place.”
I didn’t know whether to hug her or demand more answers—answers I was sure I didn’t want. “He was in bed with me.”
She gave me a smug grin. “I know. I stayed with you until he came in. Then he told me to go back to the party.”
I clutched my neck, rubbing a knot I’d just realized was there. “And you listened to him?”
“Sorry, chica. But he was adamant about watching you. And Mia dragged me out. Honestly, I thought it was sweet that Colton wanted to be your bodyguard. I think he was afraid you would wake up and wander back in the ocean.”
The haze was clearing from my brain. “Where was Amanda? You know, his girlfriend? The one he screwed five times last week.”
“She didn’t screw him.”
My eyes bugged out. “How do you know that?” That, I had to hear.
She climbed down the porch steps. “Amanda’s all talk. She was trying to get under your skin. But I’m not one-hundred-percent certain.” She dug her car keys out of the pocket of her shorts. “I need coffee. We can chat more in the car, and you can tell me how you gave your virginity to Colton.”
I laughed so hard I couldn’t get air in my lungs. “I wish.”
Once we were on the road with the top down and the morning breeze blowing in my face, I checked my text messages from Nan.
Text one: Have a good time. I’ll let your dad know you’ll be home in the morning.
Text two: Oh, and your Aunt Clara didn’t make it in. I’ll explain when I see you.
Maybe things were looking up.
13
I pushed food around on my plate as the hum of voices in the cafeteria droned.
Georgia tapped my tray with her fork. “You need to eat.”
I wasn’t hungry and hadn’t been for the three weeks since I’d found myself in bed with Colton. Life had been up and down. I’d learned that my aunt couldn’t commit to being my guardian. She’d recently been offered a higher position within her company, which would keep her on a plane five to six days a week. She’d canceled at the last minute because she had to go to Japan.
I was super stoked because that meant I wouldn’t have to move to California. Dad, on the other hand, had been extremely quiet. In part, I suspected he was a little hurt that his sister had reneged.
Regardless, my future wasn’t important at the moment. I was biting my nails because I was losing Dad faster than I wanted to. He wasn’t able to lift a cup to drink anymore, he was sleeping a lot, and in just three weeks, he’d seemed to diminish greatly.
I cried most nights, and if someone looked at me the wrong way, I broke down.
Every night, I got up at the same time—three a.m.—and checked on him. Nan and I were taking turns, but Nan wanted me to get as much rest as possible because of school.
I didn’t care about school.
A tear escaped as I lifted my gaze to my BFF.
She was at my side in less than a second, throwing her arm around me. “I’m here for you.”
I couldn’t cry in a room full of nosy students. It wasn’t that I cared what they thought. I didn’t want to fly off the handle. If one student mocked me, I would probably punch her lights out. And Amanda had been testing me for a few weeks.
Apparently, she blamed me for Colton wanting nothing to do with her anymore. I didn’t know how that was my fault. Colton hadn’t said a word to me since that morning in the bedroom at Grady’s place. Well, that wasn’t all true. I did ask him about my skateboard.
“Sorry. I’ve been busy,” he’d responded in a terse tone, as though I’d been the one to ruin his relationship with Amanda. I suspected his irritation with me stemmed from that night in Grady’s bedroom, when I made the comment about how my dad might’ve thought I’d drowned. I knew the word “drowned” had to have spurred memories of his brother’s drowning.
In all fairness to me, he and his dad were arguing more and more as of late. It was hard not to hear them, or when Colton peeled out of his driveway like he was taking off in a drag race.
My bottom lip quivered. “I need to go to the skate park.” I was itching to get back on my board and ride. The strands of my sanity were on the verge of snapping if I didn’t.
“It’s not fixed,” she reminded me.
I scanned the room for Colton. “I know. I’m going to take it down to the skate shop.” That would cost money, but I had a few dollars saved. First, I had to get it back from Colton.
My search for the hunk came up empty. He was probably down on the field, making out with some girl, which was the rumor running around school. Apparently Amanda wasn’t mad only at me, but also at a petite brunette who had been sticking her tongue down Colton’s throat at lunch only days before. I couldn’t say I blamed Amanda. If I’d seen the girl glued to Colton, I might have unleashed some of my jealousy too. On the other hand, I knew how rumors went. Some were true. Some weren’t.
Mia bounced up, her dark hair braided, her hazel eyes sparkling, and her smile was as electric as if she’d just gotten laid in the janitor’s closet, until she saw me. Then she frowned as she set down her leather bag and came over to my other side. She rubbed my arm. “What’s wrong? Please tell me your dad is okay.”
Lately, Mia and Georgia had been very attentive. They both knew Dad was getting worse, and they dropped what they were doing to console me.
I dashed away an errant tear. “Can you both sit down and look like nothing is happening, please?” I could feel eyes lasering on us.
My friends took their seats beside me like bodyguards.
“We should have that beach party,” Mia said. “You know, the one Georgia was supposed to have but didn’t.”
“After the drunk fest all of us had,” Georgia piped in, “I figured it would be best to push the party out. How about a Halloween party? My parents are away at some medical conference that weekend.”
“Ooh, costumes,” Mia practically squealed. “I want to dress up as Snow White. One of you can go as Cinderella and the other as Princess Aurora.” Mia had a fascination with Disney characters. “We can make it a Disney theme.”
Georgia nudged me. “What do you think?”
I shrugged. I wasn’t in the mood for a party. And after Grady’s, I wasn’t ready to make an ass out of myself again. Mia had filled me in on what she’d witnessed that night, which was exactly as Georgia had described it.
I’d been dancing and having a great time when I’d gotten the harebrained idea to go skinny-dipping. When I’d started to run toward the ocean’s edge, trying to take off my top, Colton had bolted to my rescue. Over the last few weeks, I’d been remembering bits and pieces of my actions
after the fight with Amanda.
I’d downed more marshmallow vodka while dancing—the more I danced, the more I drank. The one thing I couldn’t piece together was Colton carrying me up to the house. Then again, Georgia had said the minute I was in his arms, I mumbled something about his dick before passing out.
Heat gripped my cheeks. That was probably another reason he wouldn’t look my way when I passed him in the halls. He probably thought I was just another chick hungry for his body. Well, that wasn’t far-fetched. But I also wanted… I didn’t know what I wanted from him.
As if Colton could hear my thoughts, he strutted into the cafeteria with a bad-boy swagger that most girls drooled over. He searched the room.
I guessed he was looking for Grady, who was at a table in the back somewhere.
Georgia squeezed my thigh.
Mia nudged me. “Grady tells me Colton has sworn off girls.”
I wanted to remind her that the rumor mill said otherwise until Colton looked directly at me. I would like to have thought his eyes lit up, but that deadpan look he always sported was replaced with anger. He hated me. I could feel it in my bones. Or maybe the guilt was getting to me.
“Why does he always have a vacant look in his eyes?” Georgia asked. “He’s a hard one to figure out.”
“I think he wants to eat Skyler if you ask me,” Mia added on a snort.
I choked on her comment just as Colton reached our table.
I cleared my throat. “Skateboard. I would like it back. I’ll fix it myself.”
He studied me for the longest beat, as if I was the most confusing person on the planet.
Mia snapped her fingers. “Did someone cut your tongue out, Colton?”
He ignored Mia, watching me. “Find me later.” He lifted his arm, and his biceps bunched as he threaded his fingers through his hair and continued on his way.
I let out a huge breath.
Mia swiveled in her seat. “I think someone pissed in his Wheaties.”
“That would be me.” Before they could bombard me with questions, I told them my theory and what I’d said to him in the bedroom. “I said I was sorry.”
“He’ll come around,” Georgia was quick to add.
Mia dipped into her purse and plucked out her lipstick. “Grady says Colton is butting heads with his dad.”
“Their arguments are epic,” I mumbled.
Mia dragged her lipstick over her lips. “That doesn’t change the fact that Colton wants you badly.” She tittered.
I snorted.
Georgia’s pretty eyebrows knitted. “I did not get that he wants to eat Skyler.”
I had to agree with my BFF. If anything, Colton wanted to tear me to pieces.
Mia leaned in and over me. “I know, guys. I see it on Colton. Grady had a similar look with me.”
“Everyone knows what Grady thinks or is feeling,” I said. “The guy wears his emotions on his sleeve.”
Mia dumped her lipstick in her purse. “Maybe. But not the I-like-you-a-lot look. Grady comes off as a player, but deep down, the dude only has eyes for one chick.” She sounded proud and in love.
Georgia leaned in. “Oh my God. You’re in love with Grady Dyson.”
“We might have dropped the L word to each other.” Mia stuck out her chin, rubbing her lips together. “You have a problem with that?”
“I think it’s great,” I said. “He seems different this year. I had my doubts on the first day of school.”
Mia rested her head on my shoulder briefly. “Thank you. And he knows if he so much as looks at another girl, or is an ass, he’s toast.”
Georgia and I busted out laughing. The act for me was exhilarating. I definitely needed to laugh more.
I grasped Mia’s small hand. “I’m so happy for you.” Grady might have been an asshat, but he was a handsome guy. And if anyone could tame the beast, Mia was the gal to do just that.
“Me too,” Georgia piped in.
Mia perked up. “Now my mission is to get you both some boyfriends.”
“Good luck with that,” I muttered. I wasn’t interested in anyone but Colton, and he didn’t want a thing to do with me. Besides, he’d sworn off girls. So there was that.
Georgia sat back. “I think we can find our own. At least we know where to find one for Skyler.” She giggled.
“You never talked about the night he slept next to you.” Mia sounded eager for the details.
“I also never told you I heard you and Grady having sex either.”
“What?” both girls asked in unison.
I laughed, and again, it felt liberating. “Harder,” I said, trying to emulate the breathy tone Mia had used that morning.
Georgia keeled over, laughing.
“Hey, I like it that way.” Mia’s tone was so serious that she defied us to argue with her.
I raised my hands. “All I know is I hope one day I’m as free with sex as you. You’re my hero.”
“Are you mocking me, Skye?” Mia’s tone had a hint of playfulness to it.
“Serious as I sit and breathe,” I responded.
“If you ever want pointers, I’m your gal.”
What I wanted first was for Colton to notice me without a blank look or an angry expression, to talk to me like I wasn’t the one who’d crashed his world, and to stop ignoring me as if I had some sort of contagious disease.
14
After lunch, the rest of the school day had dragged by like a slow-moving train going nowhere. When the last bell rang, I tore out of the building, hungering for that fresh, cool Southern air that had a myriad of scents—ocean, newly cut grass, and fall flowers that provided a sweetness to the air.
Georgia wheeled into my driveway. “I’m sorry I can’t go to the football game tonight. It’s family time with Mom and Dad. It’s their only day off together.”
“No biggie. I want to hang out with Dad, anyway.” I could have gone to sit in the stands and watch Colton play and Mia cheerlead, but Mia had told us right before we left school that Colton wasn’t playing. He’d asked the coach for a night off. He probably had a thing with his parents, too, though I sort of found that hard to believe. His dad was a martyr.
Georgia flicked her chin at Colton’s house. “Is that his dad? He looks just like Colton, only old and weathered.”
I giggled at her reference. The man did look as though he’d gotten too much sun when he was younger. “Call me tomorrow. Oh, and say hi to your parents for me.” I hopped out and waved as Georgia left.
Since I didn’t have my skateboard, Georgia had been my chauffeur. Sure, I could have driven my own car to school, but spots were limited, and frankly, I wanted the company. It had been good to have someone to take my mind off my troubles, and Georgia was just the person to do that. She would ramble on about parties and college and boys, leaving me to daydream out the windshield.
I hesitated before going inside. Colton had said to find him later. I’d taken that to mean at home, but his truck wasn’t in the driveway. Maybe he had gone out of town, hence why he wasn’t playing football. Or maybe he just didn’t come straight home from school.
“Skyler,” Mr. Caldwell said. “How are you?”
I couldn’t remember the last time Mr. Caldwell had said two words to me. “I’m good.” I gripped the straps of my backpack as I crossed the yard in his direction. “Is Colton around? I mean, I don’t see his truck, but are you expecting him soon?”
He regarded me with brown eyes I knew all too well as he toked on a cigar and rocked in his chair. “Don’t know where my son is. How’s your dad?” The cigar smoke billowed around him.
“Fine.” That was the easy answer. I was tired of going into detail about Dad’s decline. Sometimes I wanted to answer people with, “What do you think? The man is dying of ALS.” But I wasn’t rude to my elders. “I have to go.”
“Skyler.” Mr. Caldwell’s deep tone scraped my skin, and not in a good way. “Do you know where my son goes at night? He hasn’t been coming home un
til the wee hours of the morning.”
I cocked my head so hard my neck kinked. “No, sir.” How would I know? “Maybe he has a girlfriend.” Okay, that shouldn’t have come out of my mouth, but it could be the truth, even though Mia had told me he’d sworn off girls. “Or maybe he goes to his friend Grady’s house.”
“So he’s not at your house or in your bed?” he asked.
The man was insane. I didn’t know how to respond, and my face had to be contorted.
Thankfully, the screen door squeaked open and Bonnie came out, wiping her hands on her apron. “Arthur.” Bonnie gave her husband the look of death. Then she turned to me with an apologetic expression in her soft dark eyes. “I’m sorry. My husband seems to have lost his mind.”
My feet were moving way before my lips. “I have to run.” And I did, like the freaking wind.
“Awkward” didn’t begin to describe that interaction. In my bed. Where in the fuck did that come from? I wouldn’t have minded if Colton was in my bed. But in no way on this planet would I share that with his dad, or even my own.
I flew into the house, huffing.
Nan rushed out of the kitchen. “What happened?” Her gold-rimmed glasses slid down her nose.
I shrugged my backpack off my shoulders, then dropped it on the kitchen floor near the pantry. “Just a weird talk with Mr. Caldwell.”
“Is he drunk again?” she asked.
She knew him well too. She’d been up in the middle of the night with me to see him stumble out of his car more than once. I was shocked that the man drove himself home.
I went over to the island and snagged a piece of pork that Nan was getting ready to puree for Dad’s dinner. “He seemed sober. He wanted to know if Colton was sleeping with me.”
Her small nose wrinkled. “He asked you that?”
Nodding, I shoved another piece of pork into my mouth, savoring the juicy meat. Once I swallowed, I said, “I’m going to see Dad.” I needed to shake the thoughts and the creepiness.
She tipped her head toward the sliding glass door. “He’s on the deck.”
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