Page 29 of Out of the Shadows
To add insult to injury, my phone buzzed in my hand. My stomach clenched with apprehension, suspecting who the text was from before I even looked down.
Dad: Be at La Mamma on Friday at eight. Wear something special, we need to make an impression.
With an angry scoff, I swiped the notification aside. I knew it was too good to be true. Of course, he wouldn’t leave me alone just because I was out of his reach. He could go fuck himself. I wasn’t going anywhere. This shit wasover.
To my surprise, Kyra was waiting for me a little farther down the tunnel, leaning against the wall and playing with her phone.
“Have fun with the mean girls?”
I snorted, apparently I wasn’t the only one who had made that connection in her head. “Oh yeah, so much fun,” I deadpanned.
“I’d say don’t listen to them, but I guess you don’t really care what they think anyway, do you?” She pushed herself off the wall, and we made our way down the hall.
“Nope.”
“Good for you. You know, I think I like you. Most people would have been swayed by their bullshit or just put their heads down.”
I sighed. “Unfortunately, I’ve seen how some people react to Colt over the years.”
“How long have you two been together?”
“Since this summer,” I admitted, my cheeks flushing.
“But then, how did you …?” She looked at me quizzically.
“Long story. Let’s just say Colt and I have known each other for a while.”
Kyra nodded. We reached the locker room, and she stopped, her hand on the door.
“Maybe one day you’ll tell me.”
“Maybe,” I stated, smiling. It felt like I had just made a friend.
Thirteen
Colt
Hailey was going to meet us at the diner, and we were already running late because our practice had taken so long. I hated being late. The thought of making Hailey wait for me made me feel like my skin was too tight. My princess should never have to wait anywhere, especially for me.
I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, cursing the drivers around me, and tried to ignore the way my chest tightened with anxiety. Why was there always a jackass in front of you at the worst times?
The fact no one got hurt during our practice was nothing short of a miracle. Not only did my eyes keep wandering to Hailey to catch even the tiniest glimpse of her, but most of my thoughts were focused on the fact that as soon as fucking practice was over, she would be back within reach.
When she’d shown up in her tight little workout outfit, damp strands framing her face and drops of sweat runningdown her tanned skin, particularly the valley of her breasts, my brain short-circuited.
It was a no-brainer to catch her when she threw herself at me, but I still couldn’t quite wrap my head around it. The fact she had so easily sought me out in public was an instant ego boost. My confidence was nowhere near as shattered as it had been in high school, but this was still something I’d never expected — only dreamed of.
My high lasted all the way to the diner, then I started to get very tense. I’d shared meals with Hailey on more than one occasion, but this had a different vibe.
My friends would probably be scrutinizing us, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d follow through. Tonight would be the first real trial by fire. Although, judging by her greeting earlier, I was probably worrying for no reason. I did my best to put up my usual front on the outside so as not to reveal the turmoil inside.
When I finally pulled into the parking lot, I scanned the area and discovered the others weren’t there yet, but Hailey was leaning against her teal Beamer.
I had memorized every inch of her face, the image was seared into my brain, but I still greedily soaked up the sight every time. The oval shape with high cheekbones, the captivating honey eyes with their sultry, seductive glow, and the bee-stung lips of which I now knew theexactway they felt on mine. Soft, soft, soft.
Everything about Hailey was smooth and soft, a contradiction to me in every way. As I backed the truck into an open spot, I had to tear my eyes away from her, and I hated every second of it. As if she would vanish into thin air if I looked away for too long.
I heaved myself out of the truck, embarrassed as always that even this big hunk of metal creaked and shook under my weight. Before walking over to her, I pulled my already oversized shirt away from my stomach to make sure it wasn’t clinging to me and displaying something I didn’t want to flaunt.
