Returning to Rockport: A Brother's Best Friend Romance

by Kelsey Clayton

  “Yeah, sorry man. It’s a Monday night. I have work in the morning.”

  “Don’t give me that shit. You can do whatever you damn well please.”

  “It’s called responsibilities.”

  “It’s called your best friend’s birthday.”

  Colton’s face lights up in amusement. “Do you want a Birthday Girl sash to go along with that narcissism?”

  “Depends. Will it make you come out tonight?”

  Before he can answer, Roman pipes up from beside Parker. “Well, not all of us own the company we work for, so I’m gonna have to pass.”

  Maverick scoffs. “Just call out. Your boss is a douche bag anyway.”

  We all laugh while Parker’s brows furrow. “Isn’t Colton his boss?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I am.” Colton takes another sip of his beer and smiles at his best friend’s antics.

  He nods. “Well, while I’d love to continue celebrating your birthday, Maverick, I have a class in the morning and I’m afraid it’s one I mustn’t miss.”

  “You’re the only one with a reasonable excuse, man. I get it. Thanks for coming to dinner though.”

  “It was my pleasure.”

  To be honest, I’m not quite sure my brother cares that Parker isn’t joining them at the club. It’s not like they’re the closest of friends. I, however, know it’s going to be difficult to get out of going.

  “I think I’m just going to go home with Parker. I’m exhausted.”

  Sure enough, Maverick gives me a dead stare that tells me I don’t stand a chance. “I don’t think so, Squid. You missed my last three birthdays. You don’t get to miss this one, too. You’re coming.”

  I look to my fiancé for some support but he only shrugs. “He’s right. You should go and have fun.”

  “I knew I liked you.” Mav grins at Parker.

  “Fine.” I sigh, not missing the way Colton perks up at my submission.

  After an intense debate between who’s paying the bill, which Parker somehow managed to win, he says goodbye to everyone and I tell them I’ll be right back. I walk him out to the car. He gives me a kiss and tells me to have fun tonight. When he drives away, I head back inside and straight to the bathroom.

  The door is locked, telling me that it’s currently occupied, so I lean against the wall and wait. In the meantime, I take out my phone and frantically dial Ivy. It only rings twice before she answers.

  “Hey. Everything ok?”

  “No.” I reply without hesitation. “I need you to come to Mixx 360.”

  I can hear her shuffle around and the background noise fade. “Does this have something to do with Colton?”

  “It has everything to do with Colton. Parker went home because he has class in the morning, but Maverick won’t let anyone else out of going. I can’t be alone with him, Ivy. I can’t.”

  “Okay, okay. Calm down. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Thank you.”

  We hang up the phone and I let out a long exhale. I have no idea how Colton’s flirting went unnoticed by just about everyone tonight, but if I know Colton, it means that he’ll only get more ballsy at the club. At least with Ivy there I’ll have someone in my corner.

  “Calling for back up?”

  I startle and turn to see the devil himself standing unnecessarily close. “How long have you been there?”

  “Long enough to hear you tell Ivy that you can’t be alone with me.”

  Great. That’s just great. I swallow down the lump in my throat and try to appear strong. “What are you doing here, Colton?”

  He gestures back to the restaurant with a confused look on his face. “It’s Maverick’s birthday.”

  “No, what are you doing here, in this hallway? Why’d you follow me?”

  “I told you, we need to talk.”

  Shaking my head, I look away from him and down at the ground. “No, we don’t. It was nothing.”

  “It wasn’t nothing. I kissed you, and unless I was imagining things, you kissed me back.”

  “I’m sorry. It was a mistake.”

  He takes a step closer to me, the same way he did last night, and I’m forced to look up. “A mistake? Is that right?” I nod, not trusting my voice enough to speak. “So, if I did it now…”

  His voice trails off as he runs his fingertips up my side. His presence alone is enough to throw me off completely. Everything in me is screaming to move but I can’t. I stay frozen, waiting for him to do something, anything.

  “McKenna.”

  Tatum’s voice makes Colton’s head drop in defeat and he takes a step away. He gives me a look that tells me this is far from over, and turns to leave. When he passes Tatum, she smacks him upside the back of the head.

  “What was that for?!” He rubs where her hand connected.

  “You know what.”

  Colton chuckles and goes back to the table, but Tatum comes right toward me. I brace myself for the words of disappointment I know are about to come out of her mouth.

  “What the fuck, Mac? What are you doing?!”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, you may want to figure it out real fucking quick. You’re lucky it was me that found you two and not your brother. Do I even need to ask or are you still going with the ‘we’re just friends’ excuse?” She shakes her head and takes a deep breath. “He destroyed you.”

  I run my fingers through my hair and push myself from the wall. “Okay, stop. Stop reminding me of what happened between us. Stop lecturing me on how wrong it is to have him in my life. And stop telling me what I should and shouldn’t be doing.” Her eyes widen at my outburst but I’m not finished yet. “Do you realize that every time you try to push me away from him, it only makes me want it more? It’s like sticking a big red button in front of someone and telling them not to push it. Making him off limits isn’t going to suddenly make all of this easy. I get it, he broke my heart and that should make me hate him – but I don’t. He’s still Colton.”

  Her once hard expression softens and she frowns. “I was afraid this would happen.”

  “What?”

  “That you would come back and he would have you falling in love with him again at the snap of his fingers. I just don’t want to see you give up a good thing, only for him to hurt you again. You’re the closest thing I have to a sister. I worry about you.”

  I nod in understanding. “I get it, I do. But this is one of those things I need to learn for myself. As of right now, I’m not doing anything, so there’s nothing to worry about. If there is, I’ll let you know.”

  THE LOUD MUSIC BOUNCES around the walls of the club. The floor vibrates to the beat of the song, making you feel it in your bones. It’s been a long time since I was in a place like this. Julia had brought me to someplace in the city for my 21st birthday. It was fun, but way too overcrowded. Thankfully, since it’s a Monday night, it’s not bad in here.

  We step up to the bar and while Colton orders everyone a round of drinks, I look around for Ivy. I find her just as she’s walking in. Her long blonde hair is a contrast against the black dress she’s wearing. A part of me feels bad for interrupting her date, but she could’ve brought him along.

  She comes over, greeting everyone and wishing Maverick a happy birthday. Colton gives me a look as if he’s teasing me for the reason she’s here in the first place. I discreetly flip him off, to which he mouths ‘yes please’ in response. Ugh.

  After taking a sip of his beer, Maverick places it down on the table and drags Tatum onto the dance floor. I brace myself because I know without the worry of my brother seeing, there’s nothing holding Colton back. Ivy must sense my nerves because she pulls me into a conversation about her date.

  “It was nice. We went to Seaport Grille. He was a gentleman and pulled my seat out for me.”

  “Ooh. You don’t come by those very often anymore.”

  She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I know. He’s really sweet.”

  “So, what’s the probl
em?”

  “I don’t know.” She takes a swig of her drink. “There just wasn’t that really strong connection, you know?”

  “Ouch. Yeah, I could see why that would be an issue.”

  Ivy looks behind me and raises her eyebrows, but I don’t need to turn around to figure out why. A familiar body plasters itself against my back. I try to stay calm as the burn sets in.

  “We don’t have that problem, do we Princess?” His tone is sulky with his lips against the shell of my ear.

  I tilt my head to the side. “What do you want, Colton?”

  “Dance with me.”

  “No.”

  “Please?”

  “No.”

  His hand slips under my shirt. The feeling of his skin against mine sends shockwaves through my body. Fuck, this is so wrong. He pulls me closer and I bite my lip to suppress a moan.

  “Dance with me, or I’ll find someone who will.”

  It’s a tempting threat, really, I won’t deny that. But still, giving into him is not something I’m willing to do. I glance down at the ring on my finger, watching as it glistens in the light. No matter how much I may want him, I can’t.

  I turn in his hold to face him, momentarily taken back by how close we are. He smirks and glances down at my lips then back up. With all the self-control I have, I put my hand on his chest and lightly push him away.

  “Then go do it.”

  His eyes glisten with something I can’t put my finger on but it makes a chill run down my spine.

  “You asked for it.”

  IT ONLY TAKES COLTON ten minutes before he has some perfect Barbie-lookalike all over him. Ivy tries to distract me, but I can’t seem to stop myself from watching them. The way she giggles and puts her hand on his arm makes me feel sick to my stomach. I always knew I was possessive over him, but this is out of control. The sight of him with someone else shouldn’t affect me this much.

  I down my drinks like their water, needing the buzz to relax me. If I don’t manage to calm down, I’m afraid I’ll end up going off on him in front of my brother, and that wouldn’t do anything good for anyone. Talk about ruining his birthday.

  When Colton leads the girl to the dance floor, I head straight for the bar. Ivy watches as I down three shots in a row. By the time the fourth one gets put in front of me, I’ve got enough alcohol coursing through my blood to make my speech slur. I swallow the next shot, embracing the way it burns my throat.

  “Can you fucking believe him?” I spit. “The nerve of that guy, I swear.”

  “The nerve.” Ivy mocks me.

  I glare at her but before I can respond, Rome steps up next to us.

  “What’s up with her?” He asks Ivy.

  She says nothing but nods her head over to where Colton has that bimbo grinding into him on the dance floor. When he sees what she’s referring to, his mouth makes the shape of an O. I scoff and wave the bartender down for another shot.

  “Aw, is someone jealous?” Roman teases.

  “No. I just think he could do better.”

  “You mean, with you?”

  The logical side of me knows I should keep my mouth shut, but the drunk side just doesn’t give a shit. I flip my hair over my shoulder and stand up a little straighter.

  “Please. If I wanted Colton, I could have him. That girl is nothing but a petty attempt at getting a reaction out of me.”

  “Oh yeah?” He leans his back against the bar and crosses his arms over his chest. “Prove it.”

  I narrow my eyes at him. The challenge is laid on the table and I can do one of two things. I can stick to my morals and tell Roman to fuck off, or I can throw caution to the wind. The bartender places the shot in front of me and I take it in one fluid motion. I slam the glass down onto the counter and turn to Ivy.

  “Go find Tatum and tell her to keep Maverick distracted.”

  Before she can even try to stop me, I turn and march my way towards my ex – pushing through the crowd until I’m standing directly in front of him and his flavor of the night. They’re moving to the music and I almost vomit when I see the way she’s humping his leg like a dog.

  “Get your hands off her.” I tell him.

  His eyes meet mine and just like that, his hands are in the air. The girl is confused as she looks from me to him. He shrugs and gives her a cocky smile.

  “Sorry babe, she’s the boss.”

  She gives me a dirty look before pushing her way past me, shoving me with her shoulder. I’m about to return to Roman and Ivy, knowing I made my point, but Colton grabs my hand and spins me around – tugging me into his arms.

  “You can’t scare away my dancing partner with your jealousy and then leave me alone.”

  “Fine, then shut up and dance.”

  He holds my waist and starts to grind against my ass. I move with him to the beat of the music, losing myself in the way his body meshes with my own. My hand reaches up to wrap around his neck, pulling him impossibly closer. I really hope Ivy got to Tatum in time, because if Maverick sees the two of us this way, he’s guaranteed to lose his shit.

  “Did I mention how sinful you look tonight?”

  All it would take is the slightest turn of my head and his lips would be on mine. I’m walking a dangerous line between frowned upon and downright wrong. Yet, as horrible as it is, while I’m dancing with the devil, my engagement isn’t even a blip on my radar.

  He pulls my hair to one side then places his mouth on my neck. My head lulls back against his shoulder. The moan I release is barely loud enough for him to hear but I can feel the way his dick twitches in his jeans.

  “Colton.” I murmur, unable to think clearly while he’s this close. He hums in response. “Take me somewhere.”

  Not needing to be told twice, he wraps his fingers around my wrist and leads me off the dance floor. We walk down a darkened hallway before reaching a door. He pushes it open and pulls me inside. It’s your typical stingy club bathroom, but no part of me cares at the moment. I lean against the counter and watch as he locks the door then checks to make sure no one else is in here. Once he’s done, he stalks towards me like a lion with his prey.

  “Do you know how long I’ve waited for this?” He runs his hand up my side. “How many times I’ve dreamt of this body.” Nuzzling his face into my neck, he sucks lightly on my skin. “It’s damn near impossible for me to be in a room with you and not be able to have you.” He pulls away and places his forehead against mine. “I tried to resist you, McKenna. I tried so goddamn hard, but the need that burns inside me when I see you is so strong. I can’t do it.”

  “Then don’t.”

  It’s the same two words I told him when he said he didn’t want to hurt me, but this time the meaning is so different. He moves his hand to my face, rubbing his thumb over my cheek before pressing his lips to my own. For the second time in a little over 24 hours, my blood runs hot as sparks fly between us.

  He grabs my hips and lifts me up, sitting me on the counter and stepping between my legs. I wrap them around his waist and my arms around his neck. When I nibble on his lower lip, a groan emits from the back of his throat. I smile into the kiss, pleased with his reaction.

  His hands slide up my back as his tongue licks into my mouth. I moan at the taste of him – beer, and spearmint, and Colton. Arching my back, I do my best to grind myself into him. My intense need to have him is overwhelming.

  “Colton.” I breathe, saying his name like a prayer.

  “Yeah Princess?”

  “Fuck me.”

  He kisses me again, only harder this time. He grips my thighs so tight I think he may leave bruises. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s enough to remind me he’s there. When my hands move to his belt buckle, he stops me.

  “Not here.”

  “What?”

  Letting out a long exhale, he braces himself on the counter and bows his head down – trying to calm himself. “I haven’t had you in four years. I’ll be damned if the first time I get to be with you aga
in is in a dirty bathroom while we’re both too drunk to think clearly.”

  His words cause me to suddenly feel stone cold sober. The reality of the situation hits me like a ton of bricks. We’re somewhere that looks like it could give me hepatitis if I touch the wrong thing. My diamond engagement ring is so out of place in the filthy room. When my mind finally goes to Parker, a pain shoots through my chest.

  “Get out.” I all but whisper.

  “McKenna, don’t do this.”

  “Get! Out!”

  He takes a step back as I shout in his face. The internal debate he’s going through is obvious as he tries to decide if he should leave the room or try to come closer again. When his eyes meet mine, he must realize there’s nothing he can say to change my mind.

  “Fuck!” He screams, at no one in particular, and swings his closed fist right into the paper towel dispenser. Then, he storms out of the room, leaving me alone to process what the hell just happened.

  11

  COLTON

  I stare down at the dozens of text messages I’ve sent McKenna. Each one has gone unanswered. Judging by the way she is when it comes to her phone, there’s only one logical reason – she’s avoiding me, again.

  After we shared that kiss at her parents’ house, I knew I’d fucked up. It didn’t surprise me when she wouldn’t answer my calls the next day. But Monday night, that was something else. Going into that bathroom was entirely her idea. Yet still, she’s gone radio silent.

  I get it, or at least I think I do. She’s getting married. In what I assume is only a few months away, judging by the way Tatum is frantically throwing everything together, she’ll be vowing to devote her life to someone else. I won’t lie – the thought sucks. Parker seems like a decent guy, despite being some British trust fund brat, but the thought of his hands on her body sends me into a jealous rage. The only person that should be able to touch her like that is me, and for a while, I was the only one who could.