Returning to Rockport: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Kelsey Clayton

  “How did you find this place?”

  “A friend suggested it.”

  “A friend? Isn’t the reason we’re here because no one can see us together?!” My eyes widen as I frantically look around the place for anyone I may recognize.

  Colton chuckles and reaches across the table to grab my hand. “Relax, babe. No one will see us.”

  Hearing the pet name come from his mouth, my body instantly calms. His ability to make me go from frantic to zen in seconds flat has always been like magic to me. He knows exactly what to say and just how to say it. It should scare me, the way he can get me to do anything, but it doesn’t.

  The server comes and takes our orders. I choose the baked ziti while he goes with the filet mignon. Before she leaves, I ask her where the bathroom is. She gives me the directions and then she’s gone.

  “Alright. I’ll be right back.”

  Just as I’m about to slide out of the booth, Colton’s eyes grow bigger than I’ve ever seen them. My brows furrow as I try to figure out what’s going on. If it wasn’t for the fact that there’s no food at our table, I’d think he’s choking. He’s looking at the door but when I go to see what has his attention, he lunges across the table and kisses me. Our mouths move together like they were made to do exactly this. By the time he pulls away, I’ve lost the ability to think of anything but him.

  I shake off my dazed state and excuse myself to the bathroom. Thankfully, it’s rather easy to find in the back corner of the restaurant. Splashing some cold water on my face, I need a reminder on how to breathe. My reflection stares back at me through the mirror as I try to talk some sense into myself.

  “It’s not a big deal, Mac. You’re just on a date with the guy you’ve wanted forever. It’s really not a big deal.”

  Who am I kidding? It’s a huge deal.

  After a couple more minutes, I manage to compose myself before leaving the bathroom. I’m halfway back to my table when the sound of someone’s voice has me stopping dead in my tracks. I spin quickly to find my father, only he’s not alone – he’s sitting at a table ten feet away with a woman from his office. The way his hand rests on top of hers, I can tell this is anything but a business dinner.

  “Dad?!”

  He whips his head towards me, looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

  “McKenna? What are you doing here?” When I raise my eyebrows at his dinner guest instead of answering, he tries to talk his way out of it. “No, this isn’t what it looks like.”

  “Seriously?! You’re going to lie to my face about it?! Are you fucking kidding me?!” With every word I say, my voice gets louder until I feel a pair of arms wrap around my waist. I don’t have to look to know who they belong to. “Get the fuck off me, Colton.”

  “No. We’re leaving. Come on.”

  He pulls me out of the restaurant, tossing some cash on our table as we pass by. I try thrashing around to get free but it’s no use. He’s stronger than I am and the hold he has on me is tighter than he’s ever held me before. It isn’t until he puts me in the car that the reality of the situation causes my world to crash down around me.

  My dad is cheating on my mom. My poor mother, who has done everything for him the last twenty-three years, is sitting at home believing whatever excuse he gave her while he’s out to dinner with some mistress whore. I can’t believe him.

  “Are you okay?” Colton’s voice is low, which tells me he’s afraid of saying anything at all.

  “You knew.”

  “Huh?”

  “You saw them when they came in. That’s why you started to freak out and kissed me so I wouldn’t look at the door. You fucking knew and you said nothing.”

  He reaches over to put his hand on my knee but I immediately push it off. Instead of trying again, he sighs and places it back on the steering wheel. We ride the half hour home in complete silence while I wonder what my life is going to be like now.

  That night was the first time we ever fought. I wouldn’t talk to Colton for a week after that, and I’ve barely spoken more than ten words to my dad since. When he got home from the restaurant, I told him that either he tells my mom or I will. I’ll never forget how hard she cried, or how Maverick punched our father in the face when he found out.

  “Honey, do you mind helping your brother set the table?” My mom asks, handing me a stack of plates.

  I take them from her and walk into the dining room. Maverick is already placing down the napkins and tablecloths when I get in there. I follow behind him and put a plate at each chair. However, when I’m done I realize something looks off.

  One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Six? Why are there six?

  “Mom, I think you gave us one extra.” I call out.

  Counting once again, I still come up with the same number. When I look confused, Maverick starts to count as well, but with names.

  “Mom. Dad. You. Parker. Colton. Me. No, it’s right.”

  The sound of his name has goosebumps rising across my skin. “Wait. Colton’s here?!”

  “Yes?”

  “Why?!”

  A chuckle comes from behind me and all the air seems to leave the room. “Well damn, Mac. Try not to make me feel too wanted.”

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I didn’t expect to see him today, and the last thing I want is to sit at dinner with him, Parker, and my family. It’s bad enough I need to pretend to like my dad. Adding more awkwardness to an already tense situation is making me feel sick.

  In the worst possible timing, my mom calls for Maverick and asks for his help. He walks out of the room, leaving Colton and I alone together. I stay completely still. Maybe if I don’t move, he won’t say anything.

  “McKenna.” Okay, maybe not. “McKenna, look at me.”

  I take a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm before turning around. The second my eyes land on him, I begin to salivate at the mouth. He’s wearing the shirt I got him for his 21st birthday – a turquoise, plaid button down that brings out the color in his eyes. The jeans he has on hug his hips perfectly, and his hair is messy in the way I’ve always loved on him. Why does he have to be so good looking?

  “You’ve been avoiding me.” He’s not asking; he’s telling me that he knows.

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  I mess with the bottom of my shirt, giving myself anything other than him to focus on. “Because, it’s not right. I’m engaged.”

  A dry laugh leaves his mouth. “It’s a friendship, McKenna, not a damn offer to run away together.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Seriously? That’s all you have to say? You’re sorry?” My eyes meet his but I don’t say anything, so he continues. “You can’t do this. You told me we could be friends. You can’t expect me to have you back in my life for four days and then not care when you take it away again. You can’t do that!”

  I motion for him to quiet down, not wanting anyone else to hear us. “What are you so hell bent on being my friend for? Why is it so important to you?”

  He looks as if he wants to scream, but instead, he clenches his jaw for a second then rolls his eyes. “It’s not. Screw it, okay? It’s fucking not.”

  With that, he storms away – leaving me standing in the dining room, as confused as ever.

  THE SIX OF US sit around the table, eating my mom’s famous lasagna. I can’t remember exactly what she does differently, but I’ve never had anything that comes close to hers. All throughout dinner, I can feel eyes on me, and I know they’re not Parker’s. Staring at me the way he has been is dangerous. If Maverick notices, if he even gets the slightest idea of Colton and I ever being anything more than friends, we’ll all see a side of him that puts the hulk to shame. No one will be able to stop him from leaving nothing but destruction in his wake.

  “So, where’s Tatum?” I ask, noticing the absence of my brother’s girlfriend.

  “Her sister needed her for something tonight, otherwise she’d be here.”

  “Oh good, so I can sa
fely ask you when you’re going to propose.”

  Maverick chokes a little on his drink and starts coughing profusely. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “You heard me. You two have been together for nearly a decade. What are you waiting for?!”

  My mom looks shocked while my dad smirks at my straight-forwardness. Neither one of them come to his rescue. They probably want the answer just as much as I do. When my brother realizes I’m still expecting a response, his eyes narrow.

  “So, what? You get engaged and suddenly you’re the expert on the proper timeframe now?”

  A little taken back by his defensiveness, I recoil. “No, I was just wondering-”

  “Cause I’m pretty sure before Parker came into the picture, you spent half your life swooning over Colton.”

  My jaw drops. For one, I had no idea he knew anything about my feelings for his best friend. I mean, I guess I wasn’t the greatest at hiding things as a child, but I didn’t think he could tell. He never said anything.

  “Maverick.” My mom tries to get him to stop, but he’s too focused on his snickering best friend.

  “What the hell are you laughing at? You can’t talk either. You haven’t hooked up with anyone since that mystery chick from four years ago. I mean really, that’s a long time to stay hung up on a summer fling.”

  His words are a sudden blow to my chest. Four years ago. That’s what Maverick said – that Colton hasn’t hooked up with anyone in the last four years. Either there was someone else while he was with me, which is what I’ve always assumed, or the mystery woman my brother is referring to, is me.

  Colton’s laughter stops immediately and he looks down at his plate. His sudden discomfort is obvious. A part of me would like to believe it’s because it just came out what he was, in fact, seeing someone else on the side, but I know it’s not. The man who spent the past hour sneaking glances at me, now won’t look at me at all.

  “I-I’m sorry. I need a minute.” I get up and head for the door when a hand wraps around my wrist. I turn to see Parker looking at me, mentally asking if I’m okay. “I’m fine. I’ll be right back.”

  As I rush up the stairs, I can hear my mother reprimanding Maverick for his behavior, though I don’t care to listen. My mind is racing with so many thoughts I shouldn’t be having. The second I get into what was once my bedroom, my lungs search desperately for air.

  Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.

  The sound of someone walking down the hall causes me to freeze. I know there’s only one person who would dare to follow me, and it isn’t my fiancé. Sure enough, when I turn around, I find Colton leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest and his gaze focused on the ground.

  “You didn’t get that tattoo when you were drunk.”

  He looks up and smirks but I can see it in his eyes – the pain and vulnerability he’s been doing his best to hide. Suddenly, I’m right back to how I was before I left for NYU, staring at him and feeling a million things all at once.

  No. This can’t happen.

  I do the only thing I can think of to try to push him away – lie.

  “There is nothing between us.”

  “I don’t believe you.” He replies, taking a step towards me.

  “I love Parker.”

  His feet move another small stride in my direction. “I don’t believe you.”

  “You should.”

  “Should I?”

  With one last step, he’s so close that I can feel his breath on my skin. The smell of his cologne infiltrates my senses while my heart pounds rapidly against my chest. His stare bores into me with an intense level of hunger and need, reminding me of the times he’s explored my body with his hands – as if he was committing it all to memory. I can feel it; that electric buzz in the air that makes my blood run scorching hot and keeps my attention solely focused on him. There isn’t anything in existence that could keep the honesty from slipping off my tongue.

  “No.”

  That’s all he needs to hear. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him, pressing his lips to mine. Sparks zing through my body, a feeling only he’s ever been able to cause. He’s breathing life into me and sucking it out all at the same time. His tongue slips inside my mouth, letting me taste him for the first time in entirely way too long. God, I missed it.

  My hands move to his head and my fingers lace into his hair. A groan emits from the back of his throat as I tug. The sound causes my sex to spasm, craving something to clench around. In this moment, there is nothing I want more than to rip his clothes off and dive right back into everything Colton Brooks.

  “McKenna? Are you alright?”

  Parker’s voice from the bottom of the stairs has me pushing Colton away in an instant. My hand flies to my mouth as I realize what just happened. I cheated on my fiancé. My eyes tear up at the thought. Colton must realize what I’m thinking because he takes a step back, careful not to say anything. To be honest, I don’t think there is anything either one of us could say right now. All I know is that I need to get out of here. I slip past him and hurry towards the door.

  “Mac.” He tries to stop me but I don’t listen.

  My feet fly down the stairs so fast that I think I might fall. When I reach the bottom, Parker places his hands on my arms to stop me. I rip myself from his grasp as the first tear slips down my face.

  “I want to go home.”

  “What’s wrong? Are you alright?”

  “No. I want to go home. Just take me home or give me the keys and I’ll take myself.”

  Thankfully, he doesn’t question it. He pulls the keys out of his pocket and gives them to me, telling me to wait for him in the truck. I take them from his hand and head for the front door. Judging by the way I can feel someone staring at the back of my head, I know Colton is watching me from the top of the stairs. I can’t handle seeing him again – not right now, not after that kiss. So, I do exactly what he did four years ago; I leave.

  9

  I lie in my bed, staring at the ceiling and watching the fan blades spin. There are a million and one things I should be doing, but I can’t seem to focus on any of it. The only thing I can think about is the intoxicating feeling of Colton’s kiss and his body pressed against mine. However, every time I let my mind go there, it always travels back to four years ago…

  “I’m telling you Ivy, today is the day.”

  She chuckles into the phone. “You said that yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that and the day-”

  “Okay. I get it, but there was never the right time. The fact is, I can’t wait any longer. I leave tomorrow morning so it has to be tonight.”

  “If you say so.”

  I roll from my back to my stomach. “I do say so. Tonight, I’m going to tell him.”

  Her and I spend the next hour going over exactly what I’m going to say. When I finally feel like I’ve got it down, she wishes me luck and hangs up. To say I’m nervous would be an understatement of epic proportions. Before this past April, I never thought Colton would look at me as anything other than Maverick’s little sister. Now, well, now I just hope to hell I’m not thinking too far into this.

  This summer has been amazing. Every chance we’ve had, we’ve spent time together. He sneaks into my room after Maverick passes out. We sneak away on dates that only the two of us know about. He even slips in brief touches when no one is looking. All of it has only made my feelings for him go from puppy love to the head over heels, I’d marry you tomorrow, can’t imagine my life without you, kind of love.

  I’m leaving in 12 hours for NYU and the idea of ending things between us scares me half to death. Four months of finally having him is not long enough. Hell, I’m not even sure if forever is enough, but it’s a hell of a lot better than one summer.

  I shower quickly, making sure to shave everywhere. If I know Colton as well as I think I do, we’ll be all over each other tonight. It sucks to think it might be the last time for a while, but if
everything goes according to plan, it won’t be too long until I see him again. Thanksgiving break is only a few months away and that’s assuming he doesn’t come to visit me at some point beforehand.

  After blow drying my hair, I throw on a pair of gray shorts and a white camisole with lace on the bottom. I don’t bother straightening my light brown locks, knowing they’re going to end up in a ponytail by the end of the night anyway. Just when I finish spraying some perfume, I can hear Colton’s Shelby Mustang pull in the driveway. The engine is so loud, I’d be able to recognize it anywhere.

  I run down the stairs and to the front door, opening it just as he’s walking up the steps. Before he gets inside, I jump on him. My arms wrap around his neck, my legs around his waist. He chuckles while he carries me inside and closes the door behind us. Usually we would be careful about any PDA, but no one’s home.

  “You seem happy.” He places a kiss on my neck. “I half expected you to be all mopey today.”

  “Mopey?”

  “Well, yeah. You leave tomorrow. I know I’m not happy about it.”

  I pull myself back to look at his face. “I don’t want to think about that right now.”

  “Oh? What do you want to think about, Princess?”

  My teeth bite down on my lower lip. “I can think of a few things.”

  “Hmm. Maybe you should show me.”

  Colton presses me up against the wall as I pull him into a deep kiss. Our tongues tangle in a heated battle over dominance. Like always, he wins and conquers my mouth. As the taste of him takes over my senses, he grinds himself into me. I moan at the contact. The sound only motivates him further.

  He pushes us off the wall and carries me up the stairs. Blindly walking towards my bedroom, he kicks the door with enough force to make it slam shut. It’s so sexy the way he takes completely control. He lays me down onto the bed and climbs on top of me. I can feel his hardened length straining against his jeans.

  One hand grips my side while the other slides up my shirt to cup my breast. He takes my nipple between his fingers, tweaking it in just the right way. I arch my hips up in search of some friction. Anything to rub against would be fine but I’m happily satisfied when he pushes his pelvis down onto mine.