“A chest? Already planning on dipping into my supply, are you?”
“You admit there’s a supply?”
“I didn’t drag a freezer into my dorm for no reason.”
“Thanks. I needed this.”
“No problem.” He held the container so I could get a good spoonful. “Your brother says hi, by the way.”
“You talked to Davie?”
“Yeah. He asked me to check on you.”
“So that’s what this is?” A wave of disappointment hit me. Was he hanging out with me because Davie told him to?
He set down the ice cream and leaned back on his elbows. “You think I needed an excuse to want to see you?” The glow from a streetlight lit up his face, giving him an almost surreal look.
“I guess not. How is he?”
“He’s all right.”
“He saw Dad?”
“No.”
“Really?”
“He refused to go if you didn’t.”
I let out a relieved breath. “I knew my brother was cool.”
Colt laughed. “Am I allowed to tell him you said that?”
“No. Absolutely not.” As selfish as it might seem, hearing my brother hadn’t gone made me feel better. Somehow, I felt less left out. Of course, it had been Davie’s choice to avoid seeing Dad. A choice I didn’t get to make for myself.
I leaned back next to Colt. The city sky wasn’t filled with stars the way it was back home, but it was still beautiful. Colt reached over and took my hand. I didn’t stop him. Being so close to Colt reminded me of why I liked him so much in the first place. He put me at ease while also exciting me. No one else ever made me feel such different sensations at once.
“I heard you had a great date tonight.” He looked over as he spoke, but I avoided his eyes.
“Did Tanner tell you that?”
“Yeah. He got home right before we were excused for the night.”
“And he said he had a great time?” I finally gave in and looked at Colt.
He smiled. “You didn’t have such a great time, huh?”
I sighed. “No. It was all his friends. The only one I knew there was Jana who was angry drunk. Then he kissed me when we got back and… never mind.”
“Oh no. No neverminding me.”
“You don’t want to hear it.”
He rolled over on his side. “Oh, I want to hear.”
“Promise not to make a big deal out of it or tell anyone?” There was something so comforting about lying there with Colton. With everything else going on, it was nice to spend time with someone who really knew me before college and didn’t require explanations about my past.
“I promise not to tell anyone. I’m not sure about the first part.”
“Colton!”
“Fine. I’ll be good.”
“It stunk. Both times he kissed me, I felt nothing. No sparks, nothing. It was awkward and kinda boring.”
He laughed. “And what’s it like kissing me?”
“I don’t remember. It only happened once,” I teased. My body heated remembering the taste of his lips—and mouth.
“Then I’ll make you remember.”
I should have stopped him, but I didn’t. Before I knew it, his lips were on mine, moving against them perfectly, just like they had the night in the hayloft. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He tasted like pralines and sweet ice cream, and it was so much better than even the real treat.
He moved on top of me, deepening the kiss as one hand settled on my breast. I moaned, reveling in the comfort of his lips and the weight of his body on mine. I slipped my hand under his t-shirt, brushing my fingers across his warm skin. He groaned, and I liked it. I liked causing that response, and I moved my hand up higher, exploring every inch of his muscular planes.
He broke the kiss, and I relaxed back against the grass.
“Are you going to remember the way I kiss this time?” He moved off me, and I felt him settle down at my side.
“Maybe.” I opened my eyes. His face was inches from mine.
He smiled. “That’s a yes.”
“Don’t look so proud of yourself.”
“Why not?”
“Because.”
“Oh no. Are you going to say this was only a two-time thing? Because if so, I might as well get more than making out with you out of the deal.”
I punched him playfully. “You are not getting anything else tonight.”
“That’s all right. At least I know you like kissing me. That’s better than some other people get.”
“Don’t start, and you promised not to say anything.”
“When are you going to tell him?”
“I don’t know.” I was so not ready to deal with the fall out of ending things.
“You have to tell him. You can’t just let him find out about us.” Colt ran a hand over my arm. It sent a shiver through me. “If you want, I can tell him.”
“There’s no ‘us’ to tell him about.”
He exhaled sharply. “Yes, there is. I was part of that kiss. There is definitely an us.”
“We can’t do this, Colton.” I shifted away.
He followed. “Why not?”
“First off, I can’t break it off with an active and then date a pledge. They’d make your life horrible.”
“So?”
“So? Do you want more hazing?”
“I don’t care. He’ll get over it.”
“Second, it would be terrible for me.” I sat up.
“Oh, now the truth comes out.”
“What do you expect? My best friends are dating seniors in your house. I can’t just jump from Tanner to you.”
“You’ve got it all wrong.” He sat up next to me. “You jumped from me to Tanner. Now you’re just coming back where you belong.” He left three small kisses along my jaw that sent shivers throughout my body.
“We can’t.”
“Yes, we can. What’s the alternative? Ignore the feelings we have for each other? You keep dating a guy you don’t even like?”
“I don’t have to have a guy. I can just end things with Tanner.”
“Is it the timing? Do you just want to space things out?” He stretched out his legs in front of him.
“Yeah. I need time.” That wasn’t the whole truth. I wasn’t sure if it would ever be okay. He was Jack’s brother after all.
“Are you really going to be able to wait long?” He raised an eyebrow.