Page 49 of Forever Wild

“Well, my word. I can’t believe you’re back in Peach Springs. Everyone in town thought for sure you were going to go on and have a big-time art career, especially after you went to SCAD and all. But here you are, back home.” She purses her lips, giving me a kind of half-smile, half-smirk.

“Yep, here I am. Back home.” I smooth my T-shirt down, resisting the urge to fiddle with a loose thread on my shorts.

“Wow. How’s it feel being back here after all this time? Does Peach Springs feel small after being away?”

I shake my head, my ponytail swishing across my back.

“Not really. It feels good. I don’t know if you heard, but I took over Ms. Lottie and Ms. Dottie’s space in the town square and I’m opening up a vintage retail shop. It’s going to be a really cool spot, with lots of restored finds. I love a good makeover!” I shoot her a tight smile, wishing she’d take the hint and keep on keeping on.

“Oh, that dumpy place near the bakery? I can’t even remember what used to be there. A Mexican restaurant, maybe? You must have your work cut out for you.” She flips her artificially blonde hair over her shoulder.

“It’s actually a really great space, with good natural light and strong bones. Colt and I have the entire place demo’d. Now we’re working on the renovations.” As soon as his name leaves my lips, I know I made an egregious mistake.

“Colt? As in Colt Wild? He’s helpingyouwith your shop?” She puts heavy emphasis on the ‘you’ and I bristle at her insinuation, feeling like the world’s biggest loser.

“Uh, yeah. That Colt. And he is. Helping me.” My cheeks flame, heat creeping up my neck, and I want to die for the second time this morning.

“Huh. I never would have figured on the two of you. He’s just so—” Her voice trails off as she searches for the right word. “I don’t know, just so—different from you. Like, really into fitness and stuff and you’re so—I don’t know—artsy.”

I guess that’s her not-so-subtle way of saying Colt’s out of my league.

“So the two of you are, like, together? Dating?” She tries to frown, but her face doesn’t really move. The only thing she manages is a miniscule lift of her brow.

“Uh…” I shove a hand in my pocket, trying to decide what to say here. “Not really. I mean, sort of. It’s casual.” I shrug, kicking my toe against the white linoleum floor.

“Wow. That’s something. Trixie Lovell and Colt Wild. And aren’t your brother and Colt best friends? Who would have ever seen this coming.” She stares at me, her perfectly French-manicured fingernail tapping against her cheek, and I try not to squirm.

She drops her voice, leaning in. “He’s a great kisser, isn’t he?”

My stomach knots, her heavy floral perfume stinging my nostrils as she scoots in closer.

Of course Colt’s kissed Blake.She was one of the most popular girls at Peach Springs High. I shouldn’t be surprised. And I certainly shouldn’t be jealous. They probably kissed a million years ago. And I have no claim on Colt, anyway; things between us are casual.

I stammer, searching for what to say. “Uh, yeah. Things between us are good.”

“I hope you can handle it, though, Trix. He has a real reputation, as you’re well aware. Pretty sure he’s hooked up with just about every female in Peach Springs by now. So be careful. Colt’s a real heartbreaker!” She pats my forearm, a huge diamond ring sparkling on her finger beneath the fluorescent store lights.

“God, I’m so happy to be married, with all that dating nonsense behind me. It’s a jungle out there!” She shakes her head, shaggy bangs feathering across her forehead. “Well, great to see you! Good luck with your junk shop!”

Hot anger gurgles in my gut, and I tamp down the urge to slap her, my fists balling at my sides. Nothing good will come from getting in a fight with Blake, no matter how badly I’d like to put her in her place. She waves, then sashays away, leaving me standing in front of the rainbow of stain choices remembering why I left town in the first place.

CHAPTER 23

COLT

Trix shows up with the stain for the beams and an industrial-height ladder she rented from the hardware store. Together, we haul all the supplies in and get set up for the next undertaking.

She doesn’t mention her conversation with her brother and I don’t tell her I overheard what she said, that she’s keeping things casual between us.

That was our deal.

Who would have thought it would be me who wanted more?

“You okay, Wild?” Trix nudges me with her elbow, jolting me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah, fine. Tired is all.”

“How can you be tired? You slept in.”

---