Colton's old red and white Silverado had taken residency in Landon's usual spot. Stepping out of the confinement of the high school, I wasn't thrilled to find that my brother's old Charger was nowhere to be found. In the spot he'd spent the last four years picking me up-along the curb at the entrance of the school-stood Colton with his eyes trained on the football field.
By the slight tension across his shoulders and the distant look in his usually kind blue eyes, I couldn't get a good reading on him. It was hard to figure out whether he was reminiscing or glad to be rid of the palce. For guys like my brother and Colton, high school were the glory days. Always at the top of the food chain and walking the halls like celebrities on a red carpet, years from now they'll lay back and bask in the memories of their high school life.
My footsteps drew his attention from the field to me. He straightened a bit, dropping his arms to his sides as I cautiously approached him, careful to keep a safe distance between us.
"Where's Landon?" I questioned.
Colton gasped dramatically, feigning hurt and resting his right palm of his heart for added effect. "He had some issues with his car, sent me to pick you up. Is that a problem?"
I shook my head, rubbing the nasty laceration on the side of my left hand. I'd had to keep a hold of it the last two periods, afraid it may start bleeding again. As of now, it looked as if it were going to bruise badly too. Colton, the observant person he is, noticed my quick action and closed the distance between us.
"What happened?" he asked. "Please tell me that's from punching some asshole in the face for hitting on you."
"I fell. Not a big deal." I lied.
Colton eyed me skeptically. "You expect me to believe that?"
"Colton, just drop it, okay? I'm fine."
Rather than stand and argue, he stepped aside and made a gesture toward the open passenger side door with one hand, scratching at the back of his neck with the other. I moved toward the car, my eyes drifting from the large gap between the ground and the seat.
"Sorry about not having a step-side. Landon's always on my ass about it." he muttered. I tossed my backpack in ahead of me, then grabbed a hold of the passenger assist handle, hoisting myself into the car with a quick, swift movement. Colton's hand lingered a little too close to the small of my back, earning a startled look out of me as I sat and averted my eyes.
"Please don't help me. I can do it myself."
I could see the startled expression cross his face at the comment in my peripheral. Last year he'd helped me into his truck every time I was forced to ride with the two of them anywhere my brother's car wouldn't be suitable. I wasn't sure if it was the quick, snappy remark that earned me the look, or the fact that I wanted him nowhere near me, but I'd never know because the second he opened his mouth, Kevin's obnoxious laugh echoed through the lot. I grasped the seat on either side of me, my breathing growing ragged and forced. Colton turned his head a fraction, sneering at the sound in disgust.
"That rich prick is still here?" Sure it was a rhetorical question, I sat silently, trying to focus on getting a full breath out as he shut the door in my face and walked around the car to get in. A shaky breath of relief escaped me as I rested my head back against the headrest. I pressed myself against my locked door once he was in, revving the engine with a weary side glance in his rearview to see Kevin's whereabouts. I yanked my hand back from where it rested on the clutch the moment his fingertips brushed against the top of it. He didn't seem to notice my reaction, and if he did, pretended he hadn't.
"Do you mind if we make a few stops before heading back to the house?" His quiet voice cut through the tense air. I only stared, far too lost in my own thoughts to try and wrap my head around what he asked. He shrugged, looked over his shoulder, then headed for the other end of the lot. We weren't even off school grounds when a familiar song sounded through the car. My hand shot out to turn it off, but it was still trembling so bad I couldn't get a tight enough grip on the knob to press it down, or at the very least, use the small buttons to change the station.
Sensing and seeing my discomfort, Colton frowned. "You look like shit, Avery. Are you okay?"
I nodded.
"I'm great."
I knew he wasn't a chance in hell he believed me, but he didn't pry at the subject and decided occasionally casting a worried look in my direction the entire drive was enough.
My mouth grew dry upon pulling into the parking lot of a sporting goods store. I wasn't surprised, but there was a part of me that had believed Colton had grown out of his athlete phase.
Throughout all high school, Colton and Landon were gods. Worshiped and loved by everyone for the incredible ability to play whatever sport was in season-and be great at it. They were idolized, but never let the popularity get to their heads. They remained humble and loathed Kevin Marshall with such intensity that it was hard to believe neither of them got into a confrontation with him.
In the sporting goods lot now, I glanced sideways at Colton to find he was already looking at me, deep in thought. After a moment of silence, he stretched his arms behind his head and yawned. I dropped my gaze to my lap, feeling as if I were invading his privacy by watching his every move.
Finally, after what seemed like hours of tense silence, his deep voice filled the quiet car. "Gotta grab a few things. Come on, it's way too hot for you to sit in this old thing and wait. The AC is a piece of crap."
*
There was something about the hesitation in Colton's every step that reminded me of a predator stalking prey. He was cautious, a light, gentle bounce in every quick shift. One arm remained at his side, the other was buried in his hair, but every once and a while, he'd brush back his bangs, muttering irritably about them sticking to his forehead with sweat. But with every step he took and move made, there was a readiness for the unexpected.
I lingered close behind, eyes roaming the equipment lining the shelves of the seemingly endless aisles to avoid having to look at Colton. Months ago, I would have wandered off on my own to explore the large warehouse. Now it was an effort to do as much as follow someone around.
"You need anything?" Colton raised an eyebrow, throwing a questioning look at me over his shoulder.
Once I shook my head in response, he grabbed a couple pairs of shoes; cleats and sneakers. His eyes and expression were prompting, clearly hoping I'd respond with an affirmative answer and not shake my head.
He didn't get his wish.
I thanked him for the offer but waved him ahead of me to the registers without actually answering the question. I jolted to a stop when he spun and grasped my wrist. Colton's kind concerned eyes faded and soon became those of the monster I faced every time I closed my own. I shook him off, a cry rising in my throat. One of my feet caught the edge of the other and I stumbled backward, hitting the cold tile so hard it knocked the wind out of me.
Colton quickly dropped the shoes on the counter and outstretched his hand to help me up, but I scooted back before pushing myself up from the ground with a look in his direction, clearing my throat before whispering "I'll meet you at the car," and rushing out the door before he could stop me.
I collapsed against the bed of his truck, out of breath and nauseous. The last thing I had wanted to do is have another episode in front of Colton. It was likely he wasn't going to let it go this time and would give my oblivious older brother a little more of an idea of what's going on with me.
My assumption only proved right when Colton came stalking out to the truck, eyebrows drawn, and forehead creased in concentration. I straightened as much as I could, ready for the reassurance of everything being okay to come.
It never did.
When I forced my eyes open again, Colton was opening the passenger side door and walking around the car to climb into the driver's seat. Relieved and a little surprised, I managed to get in and shut the door. And with one long, exhausted look in my direction, Colton started the truck and started driving.
***AN***
*Unedited*
Hey guys, sorry for another short, kind of uneventful chapter. I promise the length and events will start to pick up in a couple chapters!
I hope you guys enjoyed!
Let me know what you think/thought!