As I settled back, I heard my phone ring. I was so tempted to ignore it, but I had given Jay my number last night. With an excited grin I jumped up and dashed to the bedside to answer. My smile dimmed a little when I saw the call was from Theo.
“Hi,” I answered.
“Hey Lil Bit, how are you?” Theo sounded edgy. Concern bloomed in my chest.
“I’m good. How are you guys?” I heard Theo draw in a breath.
“All good. Bit bashed but ok.” I almost dropped the phone. This wasSaturday, oh my God they had been fighting last night and I hadforgotten. I had been with Jay at the movies. Icy dread replaced my concern, is that why he had taken me to the movies? To distract me? No, surely not.
“Are you all ok?” I whispered. I could feel tears building up behind my eyes.
“Yeah, nothing a few ice packs won’t cure.” A sarcastic laugh followed. “Look I shouldn’t be calling; I am going to get even more bruises for this...”
“Morebruises?” I cut in. I felt a tear slip over.
“Don’t worry about it, they look worse than they are,” Theo drew in a breath. “I need you to come here and distract Connor,” he rushed out.
In a million years that was not what I was ever expecting him to say. “What? Why?”
“He can’t look at us too closely, we got more marked up than usual. He’ll ask questions. He’s stupid but he isn’t blind. We need a distraction. You’re the best kind of distraction I can think of.”
Gee thanks. I wasn’t sure if I should be insulted or not. Although I knew it was Theo trying to lighten the mood.
“Please Lil Bit. I wouldn’t normally ask…” I heard him curse under his breath. Then I heard Matt’s voice. I heard Theo muffle the phone and then a door closing.
“Lil Bit?” He asked me again.
“You tell me everything today,” I said firmly. “Everything.” I repeated.
“OK.” Was the reluctant reply. It peeved me off that he was asking for this but wasstillreluctant to share the reasonswhy. Nevertheless, I was determined, they had played all their cards, the game was up.
“I’ll be there in twenty.” I hung up.
I switched the coffee off and jumped into the shower and quickly got dressed in jeans and a simple t-shirt. I slipped on my sneakers as I grabbed my purse and headed out the door.
I parked up at the house with two minutes to spare. I was good I mused to myself as I got out and headed for the front door. Theo opened it before I approached. I gasped when I saw him. He mumbled a hello as he pulled me into a tentative hug. I returned the hug briefly but was soon pushing out of it to get a look at his face.
He had bruising along the upper left side of his face; his left eye was slightly swollen and he had a split lip. He moved stiffly, and I guessed that most of the damage was to his body, which was currently hidden under a long-sleeved t-shirt and faded pair of jeans. I glanced at his feet which were bare and gasped again at the bruising to his toes and feet. Theo visibly flinched at my reaction and pulled me into the house.
“Connor spent the night at Corey’s, but he doesn’t stay there long, so he is due back any time. We better make this quick,” he tugged me towards the kitchen. As we got closer, he slowed and turned to me. “This is gonna be a bit brutal but just bear with it.”
I went to question what he meant but he shook his head and entered the kitchen.
Colton was standing beside the coffee pot waiting impatiently for it to brew it seemed. He was wearing pyjama bottoms and a loose cotton pyjama top. His hair was messy and unstyled and my fingers itched to run through it. He was completely unaware of me standing there looking at him. It had been a long time since I had seen Colton so unguarded. I liked this Colton. This was who he was, not the hard, cynical guy he projected to everyone else.
“Bit?” Matt had looked up from the breakfast bar where he had been assembling what looked like an ice pack. He too was in his sleepwear, only he was shirtless and that was awholelot of muscle to be greeted with at this time in the morning.
Colton turned sharply and saw me there. I gave a small awkward wave – but as I saw his eyes narrow – I immediately crossed to Matt to inspect any injuries. He squawked in protest, but I examined every inch of him. My hand grasped his jaw and turned his head this way and that. He had some slight bruising to his jaw. I noticed he had purplish marks to his kidneys and I growled as I saw the bruising.
I turned swiftly to Colton next and marched across to him. He hadn’t moved from the coffee pot and as I approached, he held his hands up in warning.
“I’m not marked,” he said his eyes hard, but he started to pull up his pj top. “You’re more than welcome to check me over though,” I noticed the bite to his words and flushing I swiftly turned back to Matt who was now standing.
“Theo decided to call you I’m guessing, even though I specifically told him not to,” Matt groused glaring at Theo.
“I’m your best distraction,” I said boldly as I quickly looked back at Colton daring him to challenge me. The cold mask was in place and he was not a happy camper.
“That you are, but I am not sure you want to be in this position, do you?” Matt asked me.No of course I don’t but this is for youI thought. “Ari!” Matt snapped at me. I felt my temper rising.