Page 78 of Strike & Score
“Haven’t happened yet, but I hardly study. I might just be naturally gifted with smarts and looks.”
I hear Mayson scoff next to me.
“Uh, h-how’s soccer going?” Garrett again asks Mayson.
“Ya know, my team isn’t really playing up to my standards so I’m hoping I’ll get them whipped back into shape.”
“Colin,” Juliette snaps with a forced smile on her face.
“Hm?” I pretend to act oblivious to what I’m doing, and I can feel Mayson holding back her laughter next to me.
“All due respect, sweetie, but I don’t think Garrett is talking to you.”
“Oh.” I look back toward Garrett who almost looks like he’s trying to use his mom next to him as a shield, and then back toward Juliette. “Well, with all due respect, I don’t really give a fuck what Garrett is doing.”
“Colin, a word,” my dad says sternly.
“No, I’m good right here. And on that note, I don’t think Mayson really gives a fuck about what Garrett has to say either, do you,sis?”I drop my arm onto her shoulder, pulling her against me.
She pushes at my side, but I don’t let her go.
“Colin,” my dad snaps again, and I ignore him.
“Tell me something, Garrett, do you even think you could handle a woman like this? She’s a feisty one.”
The guy sitting across from me gapes like a fish and it’s so funny, it only spurs me on.
“Do you have any masks? I know she has a soft spot for them. Especially if she’s being chased through the woods.”
“Colin!” my dad tries again. Tensions in the room are increasing, and Mayson is digging her knuckles into my side, but I don’t stop.
“Can’t take it easy on this one. Think you can handle that? I’m not talking about just a little hair pulling and a light slap on the ass. She wants it to hurt.”
“Colin, that’s enough.” My dad looks like he’s about to burst a blood vessel and I really don’t want to stop because Garrett looks like he’s about to pass out. I feel like the idea of anything I’ve said is completely foreign to him.
I stand up, stretching my hand toward Mayson. She looks up at me, my silent request for her to make her decision. I can see her internal debate, the risk we’re going to take if she puts her hand in mine.
But she does it anyway.
I pull her up, tucking her into my side, as we turn to leave this hellhole. “Oh, one more thing.” I turn around.
“For fucks sake,” Mayson mumbles.
I pull my chain from underneath my shirt. “She’s really into this chain, likes to choke me with it. And something about thigh tattoos and guys in crop tops really get her going.” I shrug adding fuel to the already lit fire.
“Are you done?” She shakes her head against me.
“Yeah, I think so.” I lock gazes with my dad. “Remember what I said.”
No one says anything as we walk out the front door.
Chapter 40
Mayson
Ihaven’t looked away from Colin the entire drive back to Northgate. I can’t decide if he’s lost the last little bit of his mind that I thought he may have still had. It’s either that or I’ve lost mine for being so head over heels in love with him.
His hand has been resting on my thigh the entire drive, but neither of us have spoken. I just stare at him. His relaxed posture, with one arm extended onto his steering wheel, resting his wrist on it. His eyes are focused on the road ahead, the street lights illuminating his face every time we pass underneath them.
