“Once we are at the house. Only then will we speak about this.” Matt’s answering sigh was all I needed before I set off again.
As I drove, I thought about Jay. He really was a sweet guy. Illegal fighting aside, I thought snidely to myself. The boys were all up in arms about him, but they were hanging out with him and they said it was his brother that was the problem? Jay had said that Colton was fightingforhis brother. What did that mean? Colton wouldn’t allow that surely – he was a control freak – of the highest order.
“He sure feels free to kiss you all the time,” Matt muttered, breaking my thoughts.
I shrugged uncomfortably. “I think he’s just friendly,” I said in defence. Matt barked out a laugh.
“He sure ain’t that friendly with me!” he scoffed. I rolled my eyes at him. The answering cheeky smile almost,almostmade me forgive him my grumpiness
“Ari, you have to be careful when you come to the house,” Matt cautioned. I looked at him and frowned. “Colton is not in the best place to talk to about this at the moment. Couldn’t we do this another time?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I know there is something going on, you tell me to stay away from Jay and then you and Jay are getting me to pick you up from the police station. You still need to tell mewhyI’m picking you up from police stations,” I added crossly. I sighed as I looked at him. “Iknowthere is something going on. I need to know what. I won’t be lied to. This concerns usall.” I glanced at Matt quickly as we pulled up to the house. He hung his head in defeat.
“Fine,” he muttered as he got out. “But Connor doesn’t know what we are doing. Colton will never forgive you if Connor gets involved.” I nodded curtly to show my understanding of the warning even if I didn’t understand the situation.
As we entered the house, Matt shouted out he was back and I heard a door upstairs opening. We carried on into the kitchen. Cole was at the breakfast bar. He had text books spread out in front of him. He looked at us both and I saw his eyes flick to Matt. The eyebrow was inevitably raised in question.
Theo came into the kitchen. He pulled up short when he saw me and looked at Matt.
“Where’s Connor?” I asked. Silence. “Connor. Where is he?” I repeated.
“He’s out with Corey,” Theo supplied. I nodded.
Matt went to speak but I silenced him with a glare.
“I just picked Matty andJayup from Lafayette. The police station to be exact.” I had been looking at Colton when I said it, so I saw him shut down. I saw the cold mask slip down. Theo went to speak. I shook my head, still looking straight at Colton.
“Matt’s been fighting. Matt’s been fightingwithyou andforJay’s brother?”
Colton’s eyes slammed into Matt with accusation. He got up off the stool.
“Arielle,” he began.
“No! You will not talk me out of this. You three,” I spun wildly pointing at all of them, “willtell me what the fuck is going on. Now.” I was panting. I slammed my palm down onto the breakfast bar and waited.
“Can I speak?” Colton asked coldly. I glared at him. He met my glare, cool as a cucumber. I felt a cool tingle start at the nape of my neck.
I nodded. I mean I couldn’t actually say no, could I? I was demanding an explanation. He needed to speak to give me it.
He walked to the fridge and pulled out a beer. He offered one to Matt and Theo, one was pointed to me – I shook my head. He smirked.Asshat.
“Why did you call Ari?” Colton asked. He twisted off the cap of his beer and tossed it into the sink. Matt sighed and threw himself down on a nearby stool.
“Because I couldn’t call Con, you were with your dad and Theo didn’t answer,” he grumbled. I frowned. I was fourth choice? That sucked. Why couldn’t he call Connor?
“Ari was the only obvious option left?” Colton stated. Matt shrugged. “What have you told her?”
“Heris standing right here,” I interrupted. “He told me nothing. Jay did. And I told Matt that youallwould tell me. Together.” Colton was holding onto his temper, I could tell. I remember Matt had told me not to push him. Screw it – I was pushing. “Now, tell me.” I was not backing down and he knew it.
“It isn’t what you think,” Colton started.
“So, you aren’t fighting for money?” I asked snidely. He smirked at me and turned away back to his seat and his books.
“Well it is what you think. Seems you have it all figured out. What do I need to tell you?” He took a drink of his beer as he sat down.
I heard Theo groan. I saw Matt’s shoulders slump. I felt my temper rising.
“Whyare you fighting? Your dad is filthy rich. I’m pretty sure Matt’s family own half of Georgia. Theo’s family is loaded. None of youneedthe money! Why are you being asshats?” I shouted at them. I looked between the three of them. Three perfectly blank faces looked back at me. I never lost my temper with them, but they were shutting me out and not even Matt would bend this time.