I tentatively reached over and placed my hand on his. “I’m really sorry I dragged you into this Colton.”
His eyes swung to me and then down to my hand. I went to pull back, but he moved deftly and his fingers intertwined with mine.
“When I saw you in that dive bar, swaying about with yourboyfriendbehind you, I saw red. When I saw you go down, I knew I had to get to you,” he shook his head. Sighing he withdrew his hand and stood. He looked down at me. “This is my fault. I shouldn’t have tried to keep you out of it, I should have known you would get right into the middle of it.”
“It’s not your fault,” I protested. I looked up at him. “This ismyfault. That bloody crazy Tattoo Neck challenged me and like an equally crazy person, instead of walking away, I ran towards it.”
Colton smirked at my reference to Tattoo Neck. “What did he challenge you with?” He asked, his focus was intensifying.
I scowled. “He threatened you, Matt and Theo with bigger scarier fighters if I didn’t play pool.” When I said it out loud. Itsoundedstupid.
Colton’s eyes narrowed and anger lit his eyes. “That’s not for you to get involved in Ari,” he growled at me.
“Well that freaking psycho made me get involved! I know! Don’t even say it. I should have walked away,” I grumbled. “Corey would have walked away,” I muttered.
“Corey?” He sounded confused. Join the club mister.
“Forget it.” I stared back down at my coffee and took another swig.
He sat back down again. I peeked up at him and noticed the clenched jaw and angry stare as he resumed looking out the window.
I reached out and touched his hand again. “I’m really sorry and so grateful you and Matt just happened to be there,” I laughed a little hoping to ease the tension.
He frowned at me. “We didn’t just happen to be there. I got a call from Aaron, saying you were in trouble and needed help.”
I felt my anger rising. “Hewas the bloody reason I was in trouble. What the hell is his game?” I jumped to my feet and started pacing. Colton stood too and pulled me softly into his arms. Despite all my better judgment I sank into him and laid my head against his chest. My arms snaked around his waist and we stood there in my kitchen, wrapped in each other. I felt the anger ebb out of me and I found it easier to breathe. It was the most peaceful I had felt in weeks.
The front door opening made us spring apart and I sighed in disappointment. I caught Colton’s eyes and he chuckled softly at our reaction. Matt entered the kitchen and I was in a bear hug before I could greet him.
“Still sore Matty,” I mumbled and he placed me on the ground. Colton looked away as I glanced at him and I noted the clenched jaw again.
“All sorted at school?” Cole asked. Matt nodded as he reached into a cupboard and poured himself a coffee. He rummaged in my fridge and poured an unhealthy amount of milk. Not that any amount would seem particularly healthy to me, since I took my coffee black,like your hearta voice whispered inside my head.
“Yeah Jefferson was fine with you missing. I explained you were sick, he bought it.” Matt shrugged. He turned to me. “Theo got most of your notes, caught up with that guy, Ronnie.”
“Robbie,” I corrected automatically.
“Whatever, he caught up with him. Had an interesting talk with him,” Matt chuckled. “Poor guy thought he was getting knocked out again. Said he didn’t want to be involved with anything connected to Aaron Jonson.” Two inquisitive pairs of eyes regarded me.
I sighed in frustration.Fuck my life. Just then the door opened again and mere seconds later, Theo entered the kitchen. Ok my kitchen was just not equipped for the three of them. They were all huge.
After Theo let me go and stopped asking if I was sure I was ok. I suggested we move to the living room. Theo bent and scooped me up. I protested that I could walk. He muttered something unintelligible. I frowned over his shoulder at the other two, who were looking on with a mix of amusement and concern.
I was placed on the couch with a cover no less – I held in my protests – it was still warm outside I didn’t need a blanket. However, it was clear that Theo needed the mothering more than me.
“Right, let’s start at the beginning,” Theo declared as he handed me my refilled coffee cup.
“Um…” My eyes flicked round each of them. Three resolute stares focused on me.Right.Sighing in acceptance, I ran through the evening with them.
I could feel the fury emanating from Colton. I couldn’t look at him. I was only partly sure it was Tattoo Neck he was angry with. I didn’t want the full force of Colton’s anger directed at me. I wasn’t fit for it for starters.
Matt glanced at Colton. “We need to tell her.”
Theo nodded firmly in agreement. He glanced sharply at both of them. “If Ihadtold her on Saturday, this wouldn’t have happened,” he snapped as he settled onto the couch with me. He started rubbing my feet. It was ticklish and I wanted to withdraw my poor feet from this unwelcome attack, but he looked like a giant upset puppy.
“Theo, you know Bit hates her feet being touched,” Matt scolded leaning over and swatting his hands away. I hid my grin. They were both adorable. I caught Colton hiding his grin behind his mug.
Theo growled at Matt and tucked his hands over my feet in protest, but he did stop rubbing them.