Unfortunately this wasn’t the kind of chat I wanted to have through texts. I knew when she worked shoots they usually lasted several hours, which meant I probably wouldn’t get a chance to talk to her before going to Colby’s.
Me: Just call me when you have time to talk.
Felicity: Everything all right?
Me: Yep! Just wanted to chat.
Felicity: Okay. I’ll call you later.
For years, I’d been dying for some Colby-action, dreaming about a moment just like this. Now here it was and I was completely lost. No clue how I should be acting, and no one around to help me figure it out. When I couldn’t turn to Felicity, my next choice was always him. What now?
Grandma flitted through my mind but that idea was quickly smothered. I couldn’t talk to her about this. No way. Gah. I needed more friends.
—
I pulled up to Colby’s and stared at his house. It was as familiar as the cars parked in front of it, yet everything felt off. And because of that, I just knew I’d walk in the door and the guys would know. Not because I didn’t trust Colby to keep quiet, but because I wore my emotions, and subtlety wasn’t really my strong point. My expression would basically be like an “ask me about the amazing sex I had with Colby last night” sign. I was so screwed. Maybe I shouldn’t even bother? I could just go home, get a little schoolwork done, maybe finally get a chance to talk to Felicity—
My heart leapt from my chest as a hand banged on my window, followed by a deep laugh.
Owen shouted, “You napping in there?”
I rolled my eyes and, with no other choice now, opened my car door.
“I was until you came along.” I playfully swatted his arm. “Need help with those?” I pointed at the two cases of soda he carried.
He raised his arm, intentionally causing his bicep to flex, then winked. “I got it.”
With a laugh, I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure that works wonders on the girls at school.”
“You think?”
But I didn’t bother answering because clearly Owen knew the answer. And I couldn’t really blame him. He was basically Colby’s good looks topped with Landon’s charisma. Like the best of both his older brothers wrapped up in one adorably cocky package. Somehow it really worked for him.
“So how are you enjoying your last year of high school?”
He shrugged. “Ready for May.” His answer lacked conviction. But really, what was the rush? I mean maybe high school sucked—though doubtfully for a guy like Owen—but juggling college and a job definitely wasn’t much better.
I opened the front door for him, then did a quick sweep of the room. Colby must’ve been out back. But I did spot Landon in the kitchen talking with Matt and Taylor. He nodded and waved me over.
“You made it.” He grinned and then wrapped me up in a big hug. “Can I get you a drink?”
“I’ll take a soda.”
He walked to the fridge and I turned to Matt and smiled. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks. You’ve met Taylor, right?” He pointed to the cute blonde at his side.
“Yeah. Of course. How have you been?”
“Good thanks. And um, really happy to have another girl to talk to.” Her laugh sounded almost nervous, like she’d admitted something then immediately doubted herself.
I smiled. “You and me both.”
Her face brightened and she glanced at Matt, who looked a little relieved himself. It must have really sucked being the new girl. I’d never had to be on the other side of that, and I felt kind of bad about all those other girls who’d come and gone but I’d never really gotten to know. Granted most of them hadn’t been the younger sister of one of the guys, so maybe this was a little different. One way or another, I figured Taylor would be around for a while, which was cool with me.
Landon returned, drink in hand. “Did Colby keep you up too late? You look exhausted.”
His joke was innocent enough and there was no reason to suspect it wasn’t just his usual teasing, but I went into panic mode, knowing full and well my emotions would seep through. “We just hung out, waiting for the storm to pass. But tell me about the bar. Was it completely packed?”
He laughed. “Oh man, do I have a few good stories.”
Matt shook his head. “A few?” He laughed. “Where do you even start? It’s like the wind blew the crazies in.”
I leaned against the counter. “Now this I have to hear.”
Landon rested his elbow next to me and started with his first story, and I was beyond grateful for the distraction. The last thing I needed was to be thinking about what Colby and I did. Especially since it all started right there. At that table. In the very chair I was staring at now.