Page 62 of The Breaking Pointe
“Sensitive is good.Sensitive means you’ll keep being sweet like candy.”
“Sensitive…meaning I can kiss you?” he whispers, brush- ing his fingers over the nape of my neck to bring our lipscloser together.
Anything to have him touching me like this for a little longer.
15
sensitive little life
COLTON
Driving to Noelle’s house gave her a sure amount of timeto educate me on who Lauren is, and what position she plays in her life.Roommate would be a very small titlethat sits amongst larger titles like best friend or platonic soulmate. Tony, her boyfriend, doesn’t play such a notable role, however he’s an annoying older brother type who used to be in a frat.Despite such odd traits, he and Lauren despise her past choices, which means I have a fifty-fifty chance of making a decent impression—and I can’t buy them drinks this time.The worst part of making the impression goodis knowing that the ones closest to you are the ones who let you know your significant other is actually the hugest loser you’ve ever met. And in the world of women, you can multiply that by ten.
I’m not expecting Lauren to love me.Hell, she doesn’t have to like me, either, but if we could have mutual respect,
I’d take that as an okay.But based on the twenty minutes of bragging that Noelle did during our drive to her place, Lauren isn’t just anybody. She means a lot to her and plays an essential role in her staying in New York.
Which serves a purpose for me, as well.
“Okay, so Tony isn’t my favorite.He’s cool, but…you’llsee.” Noelle shakes her head. “Ignore him. He doesn’t live here, but if nobody told you that, you would never know,” she says, seemingly bothered by that as she unlocks the door. I follow her inside, hanging closely behind as the dooropensandsheleadsusin.Theroomispotentwiththe smell of chicken marsala. It smells good, too. There is light music playing and chatter commencing between two people. Lauren stands at the table, plating food.Tony paces around,
shirtless, as hedrinks abeer.
“Good, you’re back, Noelle. With company, I see,” Lauren says, sizing me up. “Hi, Colton.” She forms a small smile, continuing to put food on each plate as she takes a second to look at us.
“Hey, yeah—uh, this is Colton.Colton, meet Lauren, and that’s her boyfriend, Tony,” Noelle says, looking up at me as she gestures to both of them.
I give a small wave, nodding. “Nice to meet you guys.” “Cool,sothere’senoughforeveryone.Colton,getready
toeat,”Laurensays,soundingsimilartomymother.
Noelle giggles quietly and looks up at me.“Here, let me hang your jacket up,” she says, allowing me to remove it before she takes it.
“Yeah, man, get comfortable,” Tony says, approaching us as he holds out his hand for me to shake.
Iwatchhisbodylanguage,lookinginvitingbutalso
performative.I hold my hand out anyhow, linking it with his and shaking it firmly. His lacked seriousness.
I saw his eyes avert themselves to my biceps, looking my body up and down almost.
“Damn,dude,you’reevenmoreinsanelyinshapeup close.” He lets out some laughter.
Noelle rolls her eyes and says, “He’s a boxer.He works out. Something you never do.”
I half-smile,huffing out a forced laugh.“Just a little,nothing crazy.”
Tony looks at Noelle and begins to laugh.“Hey, man, thanks for the drinks that night, too. That was awesome,” he says, slapping my arm, but then glaring at the firmness. “I told you.You do have a type.”He raises his beer to
Noelle as he slowly walks away.
“Thank you, Tony.Your commentary is always excep- tional,” Noelle says speedily, turning crimson in embarrass- ment.
Her hand grabs hold of mine, leading me down the hallway to reach the bedroom that sits at the end.She pushes the door open, pulling me in swiftly so that she can close the door once again.As we enter, I’m able to take a good look around the room.Framed pictures of Audrey Hepburn. Different white lights dangling from the corners of the ceiling. Even a vanity—which in my opinion solidifies the theme.Everything is perfectly placed in its assigned spot. Neat. Clean.
She hangs my jacket on a hook that is nailed to the back of her door then takes her jacket off, hanging it up as well.
“Not gonna lie, I’m a little bit intimidated by your condo.” She smiles a little as she begins to take her shoes off.“It
