I smiled at her in gratitude, but before Allison could leave the room, Joni stopped her.
“We can have more margs later,” Joni said, getting up from her spot on the carpeted floor. “Colt has a kick-ass sound system. Let’s dance. Your feet okay?”
“They don’t hurt at all.” I nodded. “Dancing sounds like fun.”
“That’s tequila for you,” Darcy said.
Joni turned on music and before I knew it, the five of us were bouncing around Colt’s living room, laughing like loons and enjoying the hell out of ourselves. I liked them; they were straight shooters, which I greatly appreciated. Their offers of friendship felt genuine and even though I had no idea how long I’d be stuck in Waco, it was nice that there was a group of women who were willing to accept me into their fold. Despite my blunders, despite my reservations, despite the fact that I’d been judgmental about the Blue Angels and what I thought I knew of them.
“What the hell is going on?” Colt demanded, taking in the scene of dancing women.
I hadn’t even heard him come in, but the look of astonishment on his face had me giggling.
Joni cut the music and said, “You’ve been acting like a prison guard. So we came to entertain her.”
“We approve. Just so you know,” Rachel stated.
“I don’t need your approval,” Colt grumbled.
No one looked uncomfortable or afraid of him. I found that oddly fascinating. While I was studying his expression, I wobbled and had to reach out to steady myself using the back of the couch.
Colt looked at his sister. “I blame you for this.”
“Me?” Joni raised her eyebrows. “Are you referring to the mess or Mia’s inebriated state?”
“I’m not that inebriated.” I hiccoughed which only caused the girls to snigger. “Okay, maybe I’m slightly toasted. But I can still walk a straight line. Want me to prove it?”
“Please, don’t,” Colt said. “The last thing I need is for you to trip over your own two feet and hurt yourself. You’re a walking liability, you know that, right?”
I wrinkled my nose and stuck out my tongue.
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Joni said to the others. “This feels like some weird version of foreplay.”
“None of you are sober enough to drive,” Colt muttered, pulling out his phone. He pressed a button and then, “Get over here. Bring reinforcements.”
Colt hung up and then stepped further into the room until he was close enough for me to touch him.
“Are you mad they’re here? Are you really upset I’m kind of inebriated?”
His gaze softened. “No, I’m not mad they’re here. I’m glad they like you.”
It’s what I read between the lines that fascinated me—that he was happy they liked me because it meant I could fit in with his life, long term.
It was there for the taking. All I had to do was reach out and press my lips to Colt’s and nestle myself in the crook of his body. I kept shooting him sidewise glances as the girls trickled out of the house when their men came for them. Joni hitched a ride with Darcy and Gray. The front door closed and Colt and I were alone.
“My house is a mess,” he stated.
I looked around the living room, noting the empty margarita glasses, the crust-filled plates, and empty pizza boxes.
“You are mad.”
“Yeah, I’m mad.” He grinned. “Mad that you didn’t save me any pizza.”
I laughed. “Who says I didn’t save you any pizza?”
“Did you?”
“No.”
He peered at me for a long moment. “You had fun? With the girls?”
I nodded. “Yeah. It was…enlightening.”
“Enlightening. Did it change anything for you?” When I didn’t reply, Colt said, “Leave it. It can be cleaned up tomorrow.”
He walked past me up the stairs to disappear into his bedroom. I looked after him, wondering why there was an ache in my chest, wondering why I felt like I’d made a mistake by not being honest with him.
I headed up to my bedroom, lonelier than I’d felt before.
Chapter 10
By the time I woke up late the next morning with a slight hangover, Colt was gone. Cheese sat on the porch in his customary chair and I waved at him through the front window. The remains of my impromptu party littered the living room. While I sipped on a cup of coffee, I cleaned up. As I threw the last of the empty pizza boxes into the garbage, my cell phone vibrated. I followed the sound of it, wondering where I’d left it the previous evening. It wasn’t like I had tons of people trying to get in touch with me. Finding it between the couch cushions, I fished it out and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Get dressed,” Joni commanded.
“Um…”
“We’re going to the clubhouse for a barbecue. So nothing fancy. Jeans will work.”
“But I—Colt—”
“You’re getting sprung, chicken. Everyone wants to meet you.”
“Everyone? Everyone who?”
“The club.”
“Oh, boy.”
“Yeah, so we’re having a potluck, grilling out. The kids will be there, so it’s just family. Nothing crazy. Promise.”
I laughed, though part of me was curious about the Blue Angels I was hearing so much about. I’d only interacted with Zip and Cheese. “Okay, well, what can I bring?”
“Nothing.”
“I have to bring something. What will these people think of me?”
“They know you’re a bit of an invalid and cooking and or stirring things is difficult.”
“I’m not showing up to a potluck without beer or chips. I’m not a moocher.”
“Fine, we’ll stop by the grocery store on the way.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. Can you be ready in an hour?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, see you soon.”
She hung up, and I shook my head. Before I could dial Colt to confirm the potluck, my phone buzzed again.
Colt.
“Are you calling to tell me about the barbecue at the clubhouse?” I asked.
“Yeah. How’d you know?”
“Your sister. She’s coming to pick me up. I need to hit the store and get some stuff.”
“No,” Colt commanded. “Zip will drive you.”
“But Cheese—”
“As soon as Zip gets to you, Cheese is on party duty.”
“Do I even want to know what that means?” I asked.
“No.” I heard the smile in his voice.
“Why can’t you drive me?” I demanded.
“Do you miss me?”
“No,” I lied. “You’re just a control freak, so I’m surprised you’re letting Zip drive me.”
“I’m in town. I’ll be at the clubhouse later.”
“Okay,” I said, giving in.
“And no grocery store.”
“But I want to bring things.
“I’ll swing by and get some stuff.”
“Get beer, chips, and a premade salad. Or a fruit tray.”