Page 8 of Hero's Prize

Colton rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn’t exactly sure why he wasn’t out there.It wasn’t tomorrow’s snowboarding stunt that had him over here like a wallflower. Everything was ready. He, his dad, and Tony had gone over all of it again this morning before the wedding. Every detail was accounted for.

And all his friends were out there on the dance floor. Everyone was having fun. It was usually what Colton enjoyed most.

The wedding had been wonderful. The delight on his parents’ faces as they saw all their closest Linear Tactical friends—some who had moved away from Oak Creek years ago—had been a joy to see.

But perhaps the most meaningful element of the wedding for everyone had been seeing Dorian Lindstrom stand up next to his son as Theo’s best man. The emotion in Dorian’s eyes as he’d looked at his son, his wife, his daughters…everyone had been caught up in it.

Dorian and Ray Lindstrom weren’t here for this reception. They still had enemies that would hunt them down if they discoveredRay was alive. So, they kept to areas where they could control entrance and exit options.

Even at the wedding itself, some of the former Linear and Zodiac Tactical team members hadn’t attended, offering instead to provide security outside with Oak Creek’s sheriff, Callum Webb. Having people Dorian and Ray could trust watching their backs had enabled them to enjoy their son’s wedding.

And that, in turn, had made it more special for everyone. The Lindstrom family had been through enough over the years. They deserved this one day of peace and joy, and they had gotten it.

So…

Great wedding? Check.

Stunt ready? Check.

Here with friends he knew and loved? Check.

Fantastic food and free-flowing alcohol where all he had to do was make it upstairs when he was ready to end the evening? Check.

Not that he was drinking heavily the night before a stunt. It wasn’t scheduled until tomorrow afternoon, but he was not going to be recovering from a fucking hangover as he faced one of the biggest challenges of his life.

But still, Lincoln had asked an understandable question. Why was Colton not participating in the festivities?

He looked over at Lincoln and shook his head. “Yeah, normally I love to be in the center of the action—whether that’s a party or otherwise. Honestly, I’m not sure what my issue is.”

“Oh.” Lincoln nodded solemnly. “I thought it was because Ella is managing the desserts rather than dancing.”

“Ella?” Colton glanced around to get a look at her sweet face. Had he even seen her today? She hadn’t been one of the bridesmaids, but he knew she was here.

“Ella O’Conner.”

“Yeah, I know who you’re talking about, Linc. I’ve known Ella since we were in diapers. What about her?”

“I just thought maybe you were waiting for her to go out and dance before you went out on the floor.”

“Why do you say that?” Colton forced himself to be patient. Lincoln wasn’t being a tease—the man only dealt in strict logic, not conversational nuances.

“Because she’s had a huge crush on you for years.”

He couldn’t have been more surprised if Lincoln had reached over and slapped him. “What?”

Ella had never done or said anything that would suggest even a hint of being interested. Lincoln had to be mistaken.

“Yes.” Lincoln straightened his tie, still looking out at the dance floor, still calculating movements, his words almost secondary. “Evidently, a ‘giant-ass’ one, according to Lilah. I heard her tell Becky that the best thing that could happen to Ella would be to get into your pants.”

“What?” he repeated, almost double-checking that his jaw hadn’t hit the floor.

Lincoln turned to him, nodding solemnly once again. “Just so you know, Lilah’s statement doesn’t mean Ella would want to literally fit inside your pants with you. It’s a euphemism for sex.”

Jesus Christ. “Yeah, I caught that. Thanks.”

He tried to wrap his head around the fact that sweet Ella O’Conner had a crush on him. Fora long time?

He played their interactions over the years in his mind. He got to Oak Creek as often as he could and always loved seeing everyone there—including Ella. She was witty and kind, authentic and fun.

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