Page 72 of My Best Bet

He shrugged casually. “That’d be great, no?”

I gave him a look that saidare you crazy?

“What?” He laughed as he started pulling out another mug and more hot chocolate mix.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I wasverysweet untilyoudragged me into trouble, Colt.”

His mouth dropped open. “What? No, I–”

“Let’s think about this… First kiss, you. First time I snuck out of the house, you. Teaching me to drive without a license? You. First time I ever drank alcohol– also you.”

He rubbed his jaw to cover a grin. “We were in Canada,” he said lamely. “It was legal.”

My eyes widened.

“Shit.” Then his shoulders rumbled with a laugh. “You’re right. That was funny though.”

“That wasn't funny at all.” I struggled to keep a straight face thinking of the first time we ever drank alcohol– well, the first time I ever drank, I had my suspicions the boys had already gotten into trouble before then. Piper and I had gone to Toronto to catch one of their games and we went out together after. We didn’t realize that “purple rain” drinks were actually long island iced teas. I ended the night with Colt carrying me out of the club and then holding my hair back while I puked.

I smacked his hard stomach. “I thought I was going to die.”

“I know, I know, I’m sorry,” he said, trying to stop laughing. “Damn, maybe you’re right. She’s not allowed to talk to boys until she’s 20.”

“We did much more than talk at a much younger age,” I said with a snort.

His laughter died and his face faltered.

“What?”

His hand raked through his hair. “I corrupted you.”

“You did.” I laughed, poking him in the stomach.

He grasped my hand in his and smoothed it behind his neck, making me grin. “I’m very sorry, will you ever forgive me?”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t take much convincing, so that’s on me. But karma’s gonna bite your ass. Just wait ‘til she brings home a hockey boy one day.”

“Nope. No hockey boys.” He waved the spoon he was holding. “Maybe she can find a nice boy who plays,” he stuck his tongue out, thinking, “chess.”

“You put her in figure skating,” I deadpanned.

“So?” His eyebrows tugged together.

“So, she’s most likely gonna like the hockey boys.” Even though none of us would ever admit it.

His shoulders fell. “Shit.”

“Daaad!” Lucy’s voice called out. “We’re watching Halloweeeentown! We’re having a marathon! Hurry up!”

“We’ve been summoned,” he said with a sigh.

“Oh,” I swallowed hard and looked at the clock. “I should probably go. I don’t want to overstay.”

His face cracked, looking at me like I was crazy. “Didn’t you hear? We’re having a marathon, Bennett. Let’s go.”

Grinning, I chewed on the inside of my cheek, debating for a second. Deep down, I really wanted to stay, but I wasn’t sure if I should let myself. Talking to him wasfun, and if I left now, I’d just go back to my empty apartment with no TV and only my thoughts to keep my company– which was dangerous because I was already overthinking everything when it came to him. The problem was that every moment I spent with him, I wanted him a little more, and I wasn’t sure if I was just building myself up for another heartbreak. While he said he’d do it all over again with me, he could’ve just been cementing that he was happy we had our past together and he wouldn’t change a thing about that. He didn’t necessarily mean he’d do everything with memoving forward. And he could’ve just been carried away in the moment… I sure was. I was about to jump him for a kiss.

“Hey, don’t overthink it, alright? There’s no pressure.” His eyes dipped to my neck. He came closer and I practically stopped breathing while he tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “If you want to stay, then stay. If you wanna head back, that’s fine, too. But… I selfishly kind of hope you stay,” he said with an easy grin. With that, he grabbed Lucy’s hot chocolate and headed into the living room.

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