Teased(32)

“Is that so?” Colton questioned, his expression thunderous.

“Yes!” Vida spat back at him.

“Go get a shower. There’s Ibuprofen in the medicine cabinet; you’re going to be sore later tonight. I’ll fix us something to eat.” Taking a deep breath, Colton managed to do what she hadn’t been able to do. Reign in his temper.

Their argument ended so suddenly it took Vida several seconds to realize that Colton was no longer participating.

“I’m sorry, Colton. I didn’t mean to fly off the handle. You were right; I shouldn’t have gotten in the car. I didn’t mean to snap your head off,” Vida apologized.

“It’s all right, Vida. Go get a shower.” Colton didn’t look back at her as he pulled cans out of the cabinet.

Vida felt terrible, yet went to take her shower. Taking clean clothes, she went into the bathroom. Turning the water on hot, she hoped it would take the soreness out of her body.

When she came out of the bathroom, she smelled hamburgers frying. Her stomach growled as she came to a stop in the kitchen. The waitress from the waffle house was back and she was standing at the stove frying the hamburgers. Colton was leaning casually against the counter. Talking to her, his face was relaxed and friendly with the woman fixing their dinner.

Vida felt a jab in her stomach. Refusing to admit she was jealous, she walked further into the room.

“Have a seat. Dinner will be ready in a minute.” His friendly disposition changed when he saw her come into the room.

Vida sat down at the table, reluctantly feeling uncomfortable. Colton had never had a woman in the apartment outside of the bedroom.

He sat a plate down in front of her with the hamburger and a salad that she was sure Tammy was responsible for as well.

“Water?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you.” Colton sat the drink down in front of her. Going back and forth, he sat a couple of bottles of beer down for Tammy and himself before sitting down on the other side of the table. Vida watched as he opened both bottles of beer and then handed one to the other woman.

She felt like a third wheel.

Tammy’s gasp drew Vida’s attention to find the woman staring at her in horror. “What happened to you?” she questioned, looking accusingly at Colton.

Colton had told her before not to break into his conversations, so Vida kept her mouth shut. Colton didn’t seem pleased with Tammy’s accusing look.

“Vida made someone angry that she shouldn’t have,” Colton informed Tammy.

Tammy didn’t look as if her suspicions had been appeased. She cast looks back and forth between Colton and Vida. Colton gave Tammy a reassuring smile. When Tammy wasn’t looking, Vida smirked at him. He began to look angry, which only fueled Tammy’s suspicions.

“Stop it, Vida,” Colton warned her.

Vida jumped in her seat and threw terrified eyes toward Tammy, all while managing not to burst out in laughter. The food tasted really good, despite watching Tammy flirt with Colton. She thanked Tammy, determined to hide how irritated she was becoming.

“It was delicious. I wish I could cook as well as you.”

Tammy preened with the compliment from Vida.

“Let’s go into the bedroom. Vida can do the dishes.” Colton stood up, taking his plate and Tammy’s to the sink.

Vida hastily stood, carrying her half-eaten plate to the counter. Taking an empty to go box out of the cabinet Vida put her half-eaten sandwich and leftover salad into it before putting it in the refrigerator. Tammy stood with her mouth open.

“We can’t waste food.” This time Vida wasn’t joking when she saw Tammy’s pitying look and Colton’s angry one. The phrase coming out of Vida’s mouth had obviously been droned into her by her quick response.

“I’m sorry, Colton, but I need an early night. I have to be at work early.” Tammy went to the couch, picking up her purse.

“Tammy, she can eat whatever she wants. I don’t starve her,” Colton tried to explain.

Tammy looked at Vida’s thin build and loose clothes.

“Honey, you get tired of his crap, I got an extra bedroom you can stay in until you get on your feet.” Throwing Colton a look of disgust, she left in a whirl of perfume and high heels.

Vida waited until the door was closed before she broke down into laughter. She laughed so hard she had to hold her sides. Seeing Colton’s smoldering gaze only set her off in fresh peals of laughter.

“I thought the black eye would do it...” Vida had to pause to catch her breath “...not the food. That’s just habit. I guess she couldn’t stand the thought of you not feeding her.” Vida had to lean against the counter she was laughing so hard.