Microsoft Word - Starter Boyfriend.doc

Home > Other > Microsoft Word - Starter Boyfriend.doc > Page 36
Microsoft Word - Starter Boyfriend.doc Page 36

by Lana Jovanovic


  “Daddy, how can you stand her!” Minnie wailed as Edward escorted her around the table as if she were a stubborn child. “You saw how hurt Colton was—you saw it. Everyone saw it! You saw how she hurt him and you just sit there like Mom and let her twist him up inside?”

  “Enough, baby,” Edward said.

  “No!” Minnie sobbed. “No, he was moving on! He was falling in love with my friend! I will not accept that stupid bitch into this family—I will disown all of you if he marries her… I will…”

  The back door closed and Minnie’s sobs were silenced. Colton heard sniffling across the table and saw Paige in tears but trying her hardest not to shed them. She used a napkin and pressed it to her face; she whimpered when Penelope reached over to rub Paige’s back.

  “I’m sorry,” Mallory whispered as she rose to her feet. “Excuse me.” She set her napkin down by her plate and followed her husband and daughter inside.

  “Wow,” Preston whistled. “She has absolutely no filter on her anger—she just explodes.

  It’s terrifyingly awesome.”

  “Y-you… do you love her?” Cara whispered. Colton turned to her and knew instantly that the tears streaming down her cheeks were real. She stared at him hard, her eyes searching. “Well… do you?”

  Colton’s entire chest felt tight and he found it difficult to breathe. He opened his mouth, unsure of what would come out. Yes or no? Perhaps? He wasn’t sure anymore. What he thought to be true love had left him. He didn’t know if he was willing to give someone that much of himself ever again.

  Did he love Zoe?

  His face filled with blood and his heart pounded so quickly in his chest it was beginning to hurt.

  “Excuse me,” Cara whispered. Her chair scraped against the deck and she ran toward the house, disappearing inside. Colton rubbed his face with both hands and reached for his beer, which he had finished a while ago. He looked at his brother and then at Paige who was watching him with red eyes.

  “Minnie loves you,” Paige said softly.

  “I know,” Colton smiled.

  “She’s hurting for you,” Paige added. “That’s why she hates Cara so much. I’d like to say that she didn’t mean everything she said but….”

  “She did,” Preston said simply.

  “She did,” Paige nodded.

  Colton rose to his feet and stepped around his chair. He headed for the house, unsure of which fire to put out first. Cara was standing in the kitchen fixing her makeup so he chose her. She glanced at him and then dropped her compact into her purse; she turned slowly and leaned back against the counter.

  “I… I know I have a lot to make up for, Colton,” she said softly. “I know that maybe I won’t mend all bridges—especially with your sister, but I am trying. I didn’t force you to cut your hair.”

  “I know.”

  “You didn’t say anything when she was attacking me!” Cara exclaimed. “You just let it happen. I need for you to be more protective of me and my feelings. Your sister has never liked me, Colton, she goes out of her way to hurt my feelings and you’ve never stopped her. Not once. She’s not that scary!”

  Minnie was terrifying at times, but Colton would never openly admit that. Not to Cara anyway.

  “And she’s turned that little girl against me too—that girl doesn’t even know me,” Cara pushed her hair out of her face. They stared at each other and listened to the silence in the kitchen. Colton glanced out the back window and saw that Paige was making Preston squirm in his chair. They looked like they were having an argument, but it was difficult to tell. Colton just prayed that Paige wasn’t screwing things up between Preston and Penelope. It would do his brother a world of good to have a relationship with a woman for more than just a weekend.

  “I want this to work, but do you?” Cara asked.

  Colton turned his attention to her. “I want to… try.”

  “You’re not trying, Colton,” Cara said. “If you love this other woman than just say so and we’ll end with this.”

  “This isn’t fair,” Colton stammered, “I told you that I’m willing to work on things and I am working on things. You did come back when I was starting to feel something for someone else—it’s confusing, Cara. I can’t just stop feeling something for another person, it doesn’t work that way.”

  “Do you even know what you want?” she asked. “Your sister and her little friend seem to think you do. And don’t think I missed that little girl’s subtle comments about your hair and how sexy you are. I know those came from Zoe.”

  Colton felt his face heat up; Cara saw and looked away. Colton wasn’t sure how to approach this so he stepped back a little. “I’m going to go check on Minnie—then we can go home.”

  “Yeah, fine,” Cara turned and dug through her purse for her compact. She took it out and began blotting her face with it. Colton bolted from the kitchen and climbed the stairs two at a time. He found his mother and father sitting with Minnie in her old, pink room. They sat at her sides, each with an arm around her shoulders and the small of her back.

  Together their parents were a force of calming love for Minnie. Colton had seen this tactic several times in the past and it usually worked. Only love could slay the beast was a very familiar quote in their family growing up. Mallory and Edward never tackled Minnie’s rants and tantrums solo; together they had more of an impact.

  “You’re just saying that mom!” Minnie cried.

  “I’m not—” Mallory whispered.

  “You treat Cara like the second coming—you’ve made no qualms about your feelings for her. You’re glad she’s back.”

  “I never said that,” Mallory said gently but with a firmness that silenced Minnie’s new protests. “I… well… I know how much Colton loves Cara. He’s always been awkward around girls. When Cara came around in college I was over the moon with delight that he’d finally found someone to love. I watched his love for her grow and then there was the wedding he was so excited and happy, you remember, don’t you love?” Edward nodded. “I saw him fall in love and I saw how devastated he was when she left.” Colton crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. None of them saw that he was standing there, which was fine. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself. He had been awkward as a kid, not dating too much before Cara. She had been his first everything—it was hard letting someone like that go. Her leaving him had been devastating, but Colton thought he’d kept his feelings private and under control. He must have failed miserably.

  “We thought he would hurt himself at one point, do you remember?” Mallory continued.

  “I couldn’t bare the thought of him in so much pain, so… I hoped and prayed that Cara would come back. And she came back and I thought that he’d just snap out of it and would be happy, I know how silly that sounds.” Mallory gently smoothed Minnie’s hair back. “All I wanted to do what to bring her back so that he’d have a smile on his face again. But I… I didn’t… is he really in love with your friend?”

  “Almost!” Minnie cried. “Then that stupid bitch came—” Edward put his hand on Minnie’s knee and the rest of her statement became a garbled, rambling mess of words and sniffles. Colton stepped into the room and all three of his family members looked up. He wasn’t sure what to do or what to say so he just stood there and looked at them.

  “Colton,” his mother sighed heavily. “I didn’t know that you….”

  “Mom, stop,” he interrupted. “Yes, I was dating Zoe, we went out a few times, but that was it. It had only been eighteen days, and she’s a great girl, we had a lot of fun, but come on… love?” His face turned red as he laughed. “It’s silly to think that I’d fall in love that quickly.”

  “It took you a day to know that you loved that stupid cow down there,” Minnie snapped.

  “You love Zoe, Colton—you’re just scared.”

  “Can I have a minute with my sister?” Colton asked. His parents reluctantly left the room, but not before telling Minnie not to punch anyone or
anything. Colton closed the bedroom door and joined Minnie on the bed. He was happy that she didn’t pull away from him when he wrapped his arm around her waist; in fact, she leaned into him and laid her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her back as she sniffled. He wasn’t sure of what to say to her. He couldn’t affirm her statement and he couldn’t deny it either. He could admit to one thing.

  “I am scared,” he whispered.

  “I know,” Minnie said. “And you are in love with Zoe.” Colton laughed, “Come on, Minnie... I knew her for….”

  “Eighteen days,” Minnie grumbled. “I know that, Colton. If you don’t love Zoe then why do you get all red each time I say her name with the word love? Like that.” She pointed at his face and Colton laughed again as a new flush of blood crawled up his neck and cheeks.

  He sighed, “Look… I don’t know what I’m feeling okay. I just know that I’m not sure about much of anything at this point. But—I will admit that I have strong feelings for Zoe. I’m not in love with anyone right now, Minnie.”

  “You’re trying to fall in back in love with Cara.”

  Colton squeezed Minnie tightly. “I don’t know what I’m doing most days, Min.”

  “Then dump her already—you aren’t other any obligation to give her a second chance, Colton.” Minnie spoke forcefully and her muscles in her back tightened. “She broke your heart once and she’s done nothing in my opinion but try to mold you into some debutant to flash around to all of her rich friends. What the hell is this about you expanding your business—you don’t want to do that!”

  “Well, a new building with more space would be nice.”

  “Please! Your space is fine for the operation you have now—and you’d have even more space if you lost the flower arrangement crap. You don’t do that—Cara does. And change the damn name of the building she doesn’t own part of it anymore!”

  “That part of the business makes great money in the winter,” Colton pointed out.

  “Listen to yourself,” Minnie moaned. “You’re getting sucked back in and I’m scared that you’ll fall for her again. And what about Zoe?”

  Colton sighed.

  “She’d be the best sister-in-law, Colt.”

  “Is that why you’re pushing this?” Colton laughed. “So you’ll have a sister-in-law to play with? She doesn’t need to be married to me for you two to have a sisterly relationship, Minnie. You two are best friends—what difference would marriage make?”

  “It’s closer to happening and being real sisters than adoption,” Minnie whispered. “I want a sister! Colton and we both know that Preston is never going to make the plunge. If you’d just open your eyes you’d see that Zoe is great for you.” She twisted and looked up into his eyes. “You two have lots of fun together, she’s gentle and kind, soft, fits nice into your arms—she said so herself—she loves kids…. Kids! Don’t you want to have little chubby babies with Zoe?”

  Colton thought of Zoe’s honey-colored eyes, the soft spicy smell of her hair, the feel of her eager mouth, the softness of her skin.

  “You’re blushing,” Minnie smiled.

  Colton frowned at her and looked away. “Sis….”

  “Okay, sorry,” Minnie smiled. “But… maybe, just maybe Zoe is who you’re supposed to be with?”

  Colton rubbed the bridge of his nose and groaned. “Can’t you let me figure this out on my own?”

  “You suck at puzzles, Colt.”

  He pulled her into his arms and squeezed her as tightly as he could. He set her away from him and kissed her forehead. “I hate when you’re mad at me—are we made up now?”

  “Not until you dump Cara,” Minnie answered. “But I suppose we can talk and stuff.”

  “Good.” Colton rose to his feet and headed across the bedroom.

  “Do you want to know how Zoe is?” Minnie asked quickly.

  Colton knew he should say no, but he felt himself nod just once. His stomach tightened in apprehension; he knew that Minnie was about to tell him all the stories of Zoe’s dates with random guys or that she had moved on.

  “She’s okay,” Minnie answered. “Embarrassed about what happened outside the hotel a few nights ago. She’s having me set her up with guys—none of them are serious or anything. She just feels the need to test herself and… and… well, she just wants to make sure that she doesn’t get hurt again.”

  The thought that he’d hurt Zoe in anyway didn’t settle very well. Colton wanted to ask Minnie more about that, but she got to her feet and hurried on, “But don’t worry, these guys are such dweebs, I’m making sure of it.”

  Colton didn’t know what to do or say, so he just nodded and looked away.

  “You’re blushing again,” Minnie said. Colton turned to leave, stopping when Minnie grabbed his hand in hers. “All you have to do is tell Cara that you don’t want to be with her, Colt. And then you can be happy!”

  “I’ve gotta go, Min,” he bent down and kissed her warm cheek. “Have lunch with me soon, okay?”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’ve gotta take Cara home,” Colton answered. “Paige was really upset when you left the table—you might want to go talk to her or something. And… look, I know how you feel about Cara, okay, but you’re not making things easy.” Minnie cocked and eyebrow up, which enhanced the ugly look she was giving him. “Easy on who?”

  Colton sighed heavily. “Just… chill out, okay?”

  Minnie shrugged her shoulder indifferently and pulled her shoulders back.

  “I love you Colt, but I’m not making anything easy on that whore and you can’t ask me to chill out in front of her. She doesn’t deserve it.” Minnie left the room before Colton could say another word, but it didn’t matter. Arguing with her was pointless and she’d never listen to reason in regard to Cara so he wasn’t going to try. He followed her downstairs and held his breath as she passed Cara in the hallway. Minnie said nothing, but the cold snub probably said enough. Colton kissed his mother’s cheek and hugged his father as they entered the foyer to say goodbye.

  “When will we see you again?” Mallory asked as she gazed up into Colton’s eyes. “You don’t visit us enough Colton—I miss you. You’re my baby boy!”

  “Oh mom,” Colton rolled his eyes, “Why don’t you try coming to the city now and then?

  I’ll take you out on the town,” he drew her into his arms.

  “Maybe I will—I can come and visit your sister and brother,” she sighed. “I wish you’d stay longer.” She let him go without a fight. Colton turned to Cara.

  “Ready?”

  She nodded, took his hand, and turned to leave.

  “Colton, wait!” Paige called out. She ran through the house to the foyer and took something out of her back pocket. She held the folded piece of paper out to him. “I wanted to see if you were ready to sign the contract termination. It’s been a while so… I just thought you might be ready now. I mean there are only eight days left in it anyway, might as well sign now.”

  Paige kept her eyes on him, but he had a sneak feeling that she was also watching Cara’s reaction. Colton felt Cara’s fingers tighten and pull his. Paige wiggled the piece of paper before his eyes.

  “So?”

  “No,” he finally said. “I don’t want to sign anything.”

  “O-oh, okay,” Paige returned the slip of paper to her pocket. A smile spread across her face. “I’m glad.”

  Cara sighed heavily, pulled her hand free of Colton’s and left through the front door muttering under her breath. Colton turned his eyes back on Paige who was grinning wider now. She looked very proud of herself.

  “Paige…” he sighed. He suddenly had a horrible headache.

  “What?” Her innocence was charming. “I just asked a simple question.”

  “Yeah, right,” Colton ruffled her frizzy spikes and smiled. “Nothing is innocent or simple with you, is it? Take care of your sister for me, okay?”

  “I always do,” she stepped in and quickly hugged him aro
und the middle. “And she did say all of those things about your hair—you should grow it back out. It’ll make you happier.”

  Colton smiled. “Maybe I will.”

  He patted Paige’s shoulder and then headed outside. He wasn’t looking forward to the drive back to the island or the questions their therapist would ask during the next session.

  He knew he was supposed to be trying to work things out with Cara, but maybe his heart wasn’t in it 100 percent after all.

  --

  Lesson Seventeen: “It’s often said that it’s when you’re not looking for something that

  it finds you.”

  Zoe had never been more fascinated and disgusted in her entire life. She had wanted to go to the American Museum of Natural History, but Paige had read an article in the Times on the BODIES… The Exhibition, and wanted to go there instead. BODIES was an intense display of, for lack of a better word, skinned cadavers dipped in a special preservation liquid to maintain the muscles, tendons and bones as they are in life. The exhibits were grotesque and yet impossibly amazing to view. Zoe hadn’t done much research into the exhibit as Paige changed her mind at the last minute, so she had been shocked at first. The museum was definitely not for the weak stomached. Zoe wanted to throw up at every new thing she saw, but at the same time she couldn’t look away. She moved as close to the bodies as possible and stared at each inch of them with amazement.

  She had to admit that coming here was probably best in the end. The other museum was a little too close to Colton’s shop for comfort. Zoe didn’t want to accidently bump into him and Cara; she didn’t think her stomach could handle that. Now she was clear across town surrounded by preserved human cadavers put on controversial display for all to see.

  “God Zoe,” Paige whispered as she appeared suddenly at Zoe’s side. “You move so slow!”

  “Aren’t you supposed to appreciate the fine details of these things?” Zoe whispered back.

 

‹ Prev