Crazy For You

by Alexander, S. B.

  “Why are you here?” I asked as nicely as I could, trying to keep the nerves out of my tone.

  “You didn’t tell her?” Aunt Clara asked Nan.

  Nan’s rosy complexion paled as she squirmed. I’d never seen her jittery.

  I crossed my arms over my chest. With Nan nervous and my aunt there, I could only conclude one thing. “Please tell me I’m not moving to California.”

  Nan cleared her throat. “About that…”

  I ground my back teeth. “No. I’m not leaving.”

  She held up a hand. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m sure we will work it out.”

  The room spun just the same.

  “Your dad signed the updated forms for the trust and had them notarized since he wasn’t able to write well anymore.” Nan’s voice was shaky. “But apparently Mr. Wilson never received them. We think they got lost in the mail.”

  At least Dad had signed them. Hopefully, they would show up. But what if they don’t? “Is that why you’re here?” I asked Aunt Clara, willing the nausea to go away.

  She clasped her long fingers in her lap. “No. I’d just landed in New York from a business trip when I got Nan’s call. Instead of flying back to California, I thought I would stop here.”

  Okay, not so bad. But I wasn’t ready to celebrate just yet. “So what happens now?” If Mr. Wilson didn’t have the documents, Aunt Clara was still named as my guardian.

  “Mr. Wilson is out of town,” Nan said, losing some of the nerves in her tone. “He isn’t returning until midweek. His assistant is checking his mail and will keep an eye out for it. In the meantime, we just have to wait until he returns.”

  “No need to panic,” Aunt Clara said calmly. “We’ll work through this.”

  I liked her confidence. The last time I saw her, she’d been snooty to me.

  “Dad told me with your job, you couldn’t take care of me. Right?” Hopefully, she wasn’t about to change her mind.

  She smiled warmly. “I really wanted to help my brother. After all, it would only be nine months until you turn eighteen. Still, with my new promotion I’m on a plane six days a week. That means you would be by yourself, and that isn’t going to work. Nan seems like a great person to step into the role as your guardian.”

  “Does that mean you’re not going to change your mind?” If we couldn’t find the trust documents, I was concerned that none of us would have a choice.

  “Let’s see what Mr. Wilson advises, Skye,” Nan said.

  I had to believe we could work it out. “This is my senior year, and I want to graduate with my friends.” I figured one last-ditch effort to make my wishes clear couldn’t hurt.

  Aunt Clara rose elegantly, smoothing her hand down her black slacks. “I haven’t slept. Planes are horrible to get any rest. I’m staying in town.”

  Nan held out her arm. “I’ll walk you out. Let’s have dinner tomorrow night and chat some more.”

  Once I was alone, I dropped onto the bed, puffing out air.

  I’d hardly had a chance to think when Nan returned. “I’m so sorry, Skye.” She sat next to me. “I mailed the documents. I should’ve dropped them off at Mr. Wilson’s office. But I had a ton of things to do that day.”

  I placed a hand on her trembling leg. “It’s not your fault.” I couldn’t blame her. “What do you think will happen, though?” I examined my nails, deciding which one to gnaw on first. All ten of them were horrible and extremely short, unlike my friends’—they had pretty, manicured nails.

  “That the envelope will finally show up at Mr. Wilson’s office. I did ask him what would happen if he doesn’t receive them. But he couldn’t talk. He was catching a flight. He just told me not to worry. So that’s what I’m trying to do. I want you to do the same.”

  My pinky won, and I stuck it in my mouth. “I’ll try. You don’t think Aunt Clara is here for money, do you?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t think so. When I called to let her know your dad passed, I informed her of the missing documents. I figured she ought to know just in case. She did ask me if the funeral would be anytime this week. I think she just wanted to see you and pay her respects.”

  “She seemed sad about Dad.”

  “She also seems nice,” Nan said.

  “I’m not moving.”

  Nan circled her fingers around my wrist and gently lowered my hand from my mouth to my lap. “You won’t have any nails left.”

  Maybe once the situation was resolved, I could get my nails done. Georgia would be more than happy to be my manicurist.

  “One other thing,” Nan said. “When we speak with Mr. Wilson, should we broach the subject of your birth mother to see if he’s located her yet? That is, if you want to reach out to her.”

  I tensed. “Are you trying to get rid of me?” I was half teasing.

  For the second time in a matter of thirty minutes, her skin turned ashen. “God, no. But it’s still the elephant in the room, so to speak. I’m just saying it might be a good time to ask him while we have his attention.”

  “Maybe it’s time I deal with it.” That way, I could move on.

  35

  Later that day, I propped myself up with my back against my headboard, holding Dad’s computer in my lap. Nan had advised me that if I was serious about knowing more about my birth mom, I should send Mr. Wilson an email. I’d had the afternoon to think, and I’d decided to take the plunge. I knew Dad would have wanted me to meet her—I’d gotten that feeling after he’d dropped the news in my lap. More importantly, I had questions for her, and I didn’t want to go through life with any regrets.

  The doorbell rang.

  I wasn’t expecting anyone. Colton had texted me earlier to let me know he would be at the gym with Grady and would check in later. I hadn’t told him yet how things had gone with my aunt, figuring it would be better in person, not that I really had any news. Being in limbo wasn’t a joyride, though, and I hated to play the waiting game.

  Dad’s computer screen had just come to life when I heard Colton’s husky voice. My stomach somersaulted, and I smiled for the first time in hours.

  In less than a minute, he graced my doorway in his gym shorts and a T-shirt. My gaze lingered a bit on his muscled calves. I loved everything about Colton inside and out, but I was learning I had a thing for shapely legs.

  He smirked. “See something you like?”

  I held my bottom lip hostage. “Hell yeah.” I squirmed where I sat.

  “Can I come in?” he asked sweetly.

  I patted the spot next to me on the bed.

  He kicked off his Nikes before planting a wet one on my lips. “Mmm. I’ve been thinking of tasting you all day.”

  Stella jumped on the bed, trying to steal Colton’s attention.

  I giggled as he got comfortable beside me. Stella wormed her way in and curled up against him. “A Maine Coon, right?”

  “Yeah. Stella, and she’s spoiled rotten.” I gave Stella the evil eye for interrupting us.

  “How did it go with your aunt?” he asked.

  “The lawyer never received the updated trust documents that my dad signed. Apparently they got lost in the mail. And since my aunt is named as my guardian in the trust, I’m not sure what happens from here if he doesn’t get the documents.”

  “You mean you could be moving?” His demeanor changed in an instant, the happiness in his eyes snuffed out.

  I inhaled then released the nervous air in my lungs. “No idea.”

  He stopped stroking Stella’s coat, who then jumped onto his lap and pushed her head into his hand.

  I rolled my eyes at my demanding cat.

  Colton chuckled as he obeyed Stella, then got quiet as he loved on her, seemingly deep in thought.

  A sudden awkwardness charged the air.

  “I’m not leaving, Colton.” Well, I would do my damnedest not to.

  He gave me one of his deadpan expressions, which told me he wasn’t thrilled. I’d learned his blank faces meant he was either
angry, brooding, or thinking.

  I reached over and managed to pry his hand away from Stella. “I swear, I’m not moving.” If the tables had been turned, I would have freaked out. “I’m graduating here. If I have to run away, I will.” Maybe I was trying to convince myself.

  He grinned at my last statement.

  “Talk to me,” I pleaded.

  He drove a hand through his hair, hard. “I can’t lose you. I would… I don’t know. I just can’t lose you. You’re the only reason I’m here.”

  I thought to counsel him like Nan had me, not to get ahead of things, but that last statement threw me, and my heart skipped a beat. “Explain that last part.” I hoped he was referring to leaving town to stay with his friend. Yet I couldn’t help but remember him telling Grady that if it hadn’t been for me that night he stormed out of his house, he would’ve crashed into a tree.

  Colton locked his dreamy brown eyes on mine. “Many times I have wanted to…” He looked away.

  I touched his face. “Talk to me.” My pulse tried to punch its way out of my skin. “You don’t mean take your own life?”

  “I’m not going to lie. I thought the only way out of the hell I’d been in for so long after Josh’s death was to join him. But after I had you in my arms on your porch that night, and you told me I was a good person, something just clicked. I can’t explain it except you gave me hope.”

  A ball of fur lodged in my throat. “I love you.” I pecked him on the cheek.

  But he was having none of that. He set Stella on the bed and then patted his lap. “Come here.”

  I straddled him while Stella meowed.

  Colton chuckled. “She’s demanding.”

  I rolled my eyes again. “You have no idea. But you’ll learn I can be too. Now kiss me.”

  His tongue dove into my mouth, taking everything he could, as if he wouldn’t have a chance later on. But I had no doubt he would have all the time in the world to do whatever he liked. Because if I was moving, I was asking Colton to come with me.

  We were tangled together until I heard Nan coming up the stairs. Then I resumed my spot with Dad’s computer in my lap, as if we hadn’t almost stripped each other naked.

  “Hey, I’m making spaghetti. It should be ready in about an hour. Colton, would you like to stay for dinner?”

  “I would love to,” Colton said.

  Nan’s face lit up. It was the first time all day the stress had disappeared. “Did you send an email to your dad’s lawyer?”

  “I’m just about to.” I got into his email account once Nan left, and Colton slid down, then turned on his side, propping his head in his hand and watching me.

  “Colton, please don’t worry. If I know Nan, she will make sure I stay.” In that moment, a rush of confidence blanketed me. I had to think positively or I would make myself sick.

  “I can’t say I won’t. But I’ll try not to.”

  That was fair. I had to do the same. “One more thing. Please, please, don’t ever think you have to take your own life. Ever, Colton. Anytime you feel like you can’t make it through the day, talk to me or Grady or someone. Deal?” Nan had given me a similar message about talking to someone, and Colton definitely needed that same advice. I couldn’t lose him.

  Stella jumped on his lap. “I promise, baby doll. It was stupid of me to even consider doing something like that. I see that now. You and Grady helped me. My mom did too. And I think to a certain extent, my old man.”

  “I saw a therapist after my mom passed.”

  He petted Stella. “Did it help?”

  I nodded. “Talking to someone other than my dad helped me deal with her loss. I mean, I was still depressed, but she told me to celebrate Mom and find an outlet. That’s when Dad got me the skateboard.”

  “Is that why you wanted to skate the other night?”

  I picked at something hard that was stuck to the computer screen. “Yeah. I know I fell, which was your fault, by the way. But the sport helps me clear my consciousness. And I’m finding you help in that regard too.”

  He grinned as Stella mewled. “My mom wants me to see a psychologist.”

  “It can’t hurt.”

  Silence hung between us. He seemed to dive inward, and I hoped he would take his mom up on it. I vowed to help him as much as I could, but I could only go so far. Someone who was removed from the situation saw things differently.

  I scrolled through a string of emails between Dad and his lawyer, giving Colton time to think.

  One email caught my eye: Randall, I’m still in the process of finding out more, but here’s a recent photo of Skyler’s biological mother. See attached.

  Curiosity gripped me, and I opened the file.

  Colton adjusted himself so he was looking at the screen with me. “Who are those ladies?”

  It was the same pic I’d found one night on Dad’s computer screen. “I guess one of them is my birth mom.”

  I flicked back to the email and finished reading the rest aloud.

  “‘The woman in the middle is Ashley Perry, Skyler’s biological mother. Since we opened up the case, Ashley will be informed. I have an investigator who is digging into her whereabouts. I should have more on her soon.’”

  I read the other emails from the lawyer but didn’t find any more info on my birth mom, so I clicked back to the picture.

  “I see the resemblance.” Colton touched the screen, his finger landing on the woman in the middle, who had light-brown hair and eyes to match, along with that cool charm necklace.

  I zoomed in on the picture, trying to read the inscription on her necklace rather than the resemblance, which I didn’t see. Sure, I had light-brown hair and eyes like her, but that was it. Maybe I took after my biological father. “Where?”

  Colton looked at me then at the screen. “Here.” He traced the woman’s nose. “It’s small like yours, and like you, she has a little dimple on the right side of her mouth when she smiles.”

  Mom had been the one to make a big deal of my dimple when she’d been alive. Since then, no one had commented on it until now. The more I studied the woman in the photo, the more I agreed with Colton. “If my hair was longer like hers, we could pass for sisters. She looks young in this photo.”

  “I would guess thirty-something,” Colton said. “Do you think your mom lives in town?”

  “Not sure. I know my parents moved here for my dad’s job, and they adopted me after that. So I assume she lives here.” She could be anywhere in the world.

  “Are you going to find out more about her?”

  I chewed on a nail. “I think I’m ready.”

  He took the computer out of my hands and set it on the other side of him. Then he lifted me up and set me on his lap. Once again, I was straddling him. “I’m ready.”

  I could feel his growing erection. “Nan is home, so we can’t.” I lowered my gaze to his groin.

  He let out a frustrated sigh as he pouted. “I know, but I’ve been thinking about something and wanted to talk to you. You asked me this morning what happens next with you and me.” He rubbed my bare legs. I’d been lounging in my pajama shorts all day, but I was wearing a bra and stretchy camisole that showed my cleavage.

  Intrigue had me biting my bottom lip. “Are you going to tell me or stare at my chest?”

  His grin was magnifying. “What would you think of taking a year and exploring the world? After we graduate, of course. After what you just said about finding an outlet, I think it would be good for us to hit the road and clear our heads, so to speak.”

  My brows hiked to my hairline. “Like other countries?” I’d never thought past Dad or high school. College had crossed my mind, but my grades weren’t great, and I wasn’t eager to sit through four more years of school. Traveling with Colton for a year sounded freaking amazing. “I don’t have money.” I didn’t even have a job. I did have a trust fund, but couldn’t touch it until I turned twenty-five.

  “I have a nice savings account with money I made at a job
I had when I was at the academy. And I’m planning on finding work here to keep adding to it. We have several months before we graduate, anyway.”

  The giddiness bubbling inside was ready to burst. “Yes. Yes. Yes. I’ll get a job too.” I’d never worked because of Dad, but it was time for me to start. “You know, Dad and I took a road trip after Mom died. We had a great time.”

  “For real? Well it’s settled, then.”

  I threw myself at him, crashing my mouth to his.

  As long as Colton was with me, I was ready to tackle anything head-on.

  36

  The cafeteria hummed as utensils clanged, kids chatted, and chairs scraped along the scuffed tiled floor.

  Georgia and Mia sat on the other side of the table, hovering over my phone. “The lady with the pendant is your mom?”

  “Yep. I’m waiting to talk to my dad’s lawyer to find out more.” I’d finally sent the email after Colton had left the night before.

  Mia glanced at me. Her hazel eyes sparkled beneath the heavy coats of mascara. “I can see the resemblance.”

  Georgia pointed to the screen. “Yeah. It’s the nose.” Then she sat back and studied me. “You’re ready to meet the woman who gave birth to you?” Her skepticism came through loud and clear.

  I shrugged. “I guess. I’m a little nervous, to be honest. One minute, I get excited. The next, I don’t want to deal. If anything, I want to wait until after Dad’s funeral—which, by the way, will be one week from today. So mark your calendars.” Nan and I had decided that at dinner the night before, barring any hiccups from the funeral home.

  “I can tell you’re not really sure if you want to open that door,” Georgia said.