Page 58 of In the Dust

“Nice to meet you, Gina.” Colton’s thick southern drawl could melt butter in the dead of winter, and I’m positive Gina is chomping at the bit to learn all about him.

She knows bits and pieces, things I’ve mentioned on drunken nights and sad, lonely mornings.

“Same to you.” She brushes his hand away. “I’m a hugger, though, so bring it in, big boy.”

She sends me a look as she hugs Colton, mouthing, “Oh my god.”

I know, G, I know. And he’s all mine.

* * *

Colton crookshis arm and I loop mine through it. “Don’t get too scared now.” He grins, looking at the dark skies overhead. The moon hangs low, covering everything in a white sheen.

We’re at the opening of the corn maze, and it’s so nice to not have to pay admission or deal with a bunch of kids running around at our feet.

I look back to my friends. “How are we doing this?”

“Race!” Gina shouts.

“Partners?” Harper wonders.

Gina shakes her head. “No way. You all can team up with your guys. I’m glad Andre was busy at work and couldn't come because he would just slow me down.”

Colton laughs under his breath. “You all,” he whispers in my ear. I playfully slap his rock-hard chest.

I’ve never seen her so competitive, but then again, we spend most of our time at her gallery, with its winding walls of charcoal, acrylic, and watercolor. She doesn't know I paint; I never told her. I looked at that as a moment of time in my life that didn't exist in the new.

Too painful to speak of, even more painful to find the courage to pick the brush up.

That’s what G was for me: a fresh start. A friend and companion who knew pretty much everything about me aside from the things that hurt. But now that I’ve realized the pain needs to be embraced to get through it, I’m so thankful my two worlds have collided.

This may be the first corn maze she’s ever seen, but she’s been frolicking the concrete maze that is New York City since she was an infant.

And there’s no way I can let her beat me at my own corn maze. “Good luck.” I send her a wink.

We walk in, and Gina rips the scarf from her neck. “He made this? No way.” She laughs, tying it around his face. “Now the playing field is even.”

Damnit, she’s disabling my one tool. “G, you know I can’t navigate shit.” I laugh.

Harper slings her arm around me. “Gina’s right. It would be too easy if Colton could see.”

“Ready!” Jackson shouts.

Everyone gets into a running stance, and although I have a behemoth of a man to pull behind me, I get ready too. “Set!” I sing.

“Go!” Harper yells out.

We take off, with Gina going straight and Harper and Jackson going left.

I begin to scurry to the right when Colton shakes his head. “Go left,” he instructs.

I smile, but he can’t see me. “Colton, we can’t cheat.”

“Trust me.” He squeezes my hand as I pull him left.

Harper and Jackson are rushing ahead, going in and hitting a dead end before coming back to the main stretch and taking off again.

We walk straight for a bit before he tugs down his blindfold. “Colton!” I whisper, not wanting to break any of our game rules even though Harper and Jackson aren't in sight anymore. There’s no way we’re going to win.

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