The Consequence of Loving Colton

Chapter Thirteen

He was kissing me.

            In the hallway.

            My fake boyfriend was in the guest room, a few feet from me, and Jason was just down the hall.

            It was one of those kisses that girls talked to their friends about—possessive, dark, hungry. I loved it—I wanted to wrap my arms around his body and pull him against me.

            Instead. I barely kissed him back.

            Because that wasn’t how I wanted him.

            Out of anger…out of jealousy. Because he was pissed that I was finally out of his reach. As his lips moved across mine—I pondered, almost like time stopped, I let myself wonder. Would I ever be okay with half of him? When I wanted the full thing. The sucky thing about unrequited love—you’re never quite sure if the other person feels what you feel. Yeah, they may say they want you but is the want as strong as yours? Does it hurt? Does it ache?

            Gently, I pushed Colton away, “We shouldn’t.”

            “Sorry.” His voice was hoarse, “I don’t know why I keep doing that.”

            “Yeah you do.” I said sadly.

            “He’s not right for you.”

            “And you’re the expert because?”

            Colton touched his forehead against mine, “We’ve been friends since first grade—when you used pink marker to write your name all over my bedroom walls.”

            Tears threatened, making my throat close up. He was being kind—what I’d actually done was write Colt+Milo=Love.

            “I know you.” He put so much emphasis on the you that I started to shake, “Trust me.”

            “How can I trust a guy that pulls and pushes so much, hmm?” I pressed against his chest. “What do you want from me?”

            His eyes darted back and forth with uncertainty.

            And that was the thing.

            I wanted him to be certain. No hesitation.

            “I want—“

            “—I’m home!” Mom called from the kitchen, “Donuts! And time to re-group! The decorators are here so we’ll need everyone to pitch in! Let’s go troops!”

            Colton stepped away from me and walked down the hall towards the kitchen.

            With a sigh, I went back into the guest room to rescue Max.

            He was sitting on the bed texting.

            “Wow, miracle recovery.” I joked.

            He looked up from his phone and grinned, “Theatre camp. Admit it, you totally dig my acting skills.”

            “Those acting skills earned you a punch in the jaw.”

            “False.” Max crossed his arms, “My acting skills got you and Colton to talk, geez you two are so boring. I swear he wears his thoughts on his face, I’m surprised Jason hasn’t’ figured it out and murdered him already.”