Page 26 of Send It
His words shock me silent as he continues.
“I said that because I know what would happen if one of those guys hurt you.”
“What?” I breathe, barely above a whisper.
He leans down to my lips, planting a soft peck on them and pulling back, “I’d make sure they fucking regretted it.”
The way he says it sends a chill down my spine. I love the protective side of him.
Reiss walks around the corner, and Colson steps back fast. Instantly pouring a bucket of ice water on the moment, and just like that we’re back to that place I hate.
“Lincoln, it’s time to cut the cake.”
I nod, following him into the kitchen. I appreciated the thought that everyone put into this but I would’ve beenfine with a cupcake and the four of them. Right now, I really just want to be alone with Colson.
Stassie breaks the silence and thanks everyone for coming, waving her hands like a composer as everyone sings to me. It’s embarrassing and I can feel my cheeks turning pink before the song is even over.
I close my eyes tightly, and wish as hard as I can before blowing out my candles.
Spoiler Alert: I wished for Colson.
14
Lincoln
It is a little after midnight when I excuse myself from my own party and head to bed. It has been a long day and I want nothing more than to curl up in the bed and rest my eyes.
I am tired, and the back and forth with Colson is exhausting. One second he is all over me and the next he is so distant it feels just like it did before. I don’t like that feeling, not after having it the other way around.
I can still hear the sound of the party downstairs, but I am so tired it doesn’t matter. Yawning, I brush the tangles out of my hair, lay my clothes out on the bed, and step into the shower to rinse the day off of me. The scalding hot water feels nice against my sore muscles, and the entire time I am in the shower, I think about Colson.
It’s beginning to drive me crazy.
The terry cloth of the towel is soft against my body as Idry off and wrap it around my bare skin. I step out of the bathroom and jump when I see Colson sitting on the edge of my bed.
“You scared the shit out of me,” I breathe, holding my palm against my chest. “I thought you were downstairs with Reiss.”
“I was,” he shrugs. “Now I’m here with you.”
I roll my eyes, trying to hide my nakedness with the tiny towel wrapped around me. “Yeah, one second you're here and the next you're gone. Sounds about right.”
He reaches for me, but I pull away.
“Linc, it’s not like that. You know that it’s not as simple as it should be. We have your brother to think about.”
I shake my head, “You think I don’t know that, Colson? I wanted to talk to him about us, but you refuse to even try.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, I do. I just don’t think he will be as understanding as you think.”
“How do you know?” I argue. “I can’t be your dirty little secret, Colson.”
He pauses, knowing I’m right. We can’t keep doing this without talking to Reiss. It will be a lot worse when we get caught. He will feel betrayed.
He runs his hands through his sandy blond hair. “Fuck, I know. I know, I just don’t know how to approach the subject with him, Linc.”
I shake my head, “It will be a lot worse if he catches us sneaking around. What if he came in here right now?”
He glances at the door, then to me wrapped in this towel.
