Page 5 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

With a low chuckle, I scan the kitchen on the opposite side of the house.

There’s a pretty little redhead pushing aside a bunch of mixers and bottles on the white granite island in the kitchen, making space on the opposite side. Once she’s satisfied she has enough room, she climbs on top and lays down. She’s lifting her shirt when a familiar face appears next to her.

“Aaaand there’s the man of the hour,” Theo mutters, motioning to Logan.

Logan pours tequila into the redhead’s belly button and laps it up, pinning the girl’s hips against the counter as she giggles beneath him.

“Seems like not much has changed since high school,” I joke, turning around and dipping my chin toward the group of girls grinding against each other in the middle of the main room. “Is it like this every night?”

“Usually only on the weekends or after a game. Speaking of which––”

“Not gonna happen,” I interrupt.

“You know, I gotta ask, Colt.”

“Not gonna happen,” I repeat.

“Just train with us. See how you feel. Coach Sanderson-–”

“Theo,” I warn through gritted teeth.

He sighs. “All right. We’ll talk later.”

“I think I’m good,” I mutter.

“Get yourself a drink. You need one after moving all day.” With another slap against my shoulder, Theo lets go of the lecture he’s probably been preparing since the moment I asked if I could stay with him. He leaves me alone, weaves between the crowd, and hooks his arms around the two blondes, guiding them upstairs.

Same old Logan.

Same old Theo.

I chuckle under my breath as I watch them go, then head to the kitchen and grab a beer from the fridge. Theo’s right. I need one. But not from moving. From being back here. Surrounded by memories and the reminder of everything I gave up.

“Why hello, stranger,” a feminine voice says from behind me. The stainless steel refrigerator closes with a soft thud, and I turn around, finding the voice’s owner. Dark skin, thick, curly hair, red lips matching her short dress. She’s stunning.

“Hey,” I answer.

“Hi.” She offers her dainty little hand to me while her confidence and perfume hit me at the same time. “I’m Gwyn.”

Her skin is like velvet beneath my touch as I shake her hand. “Colt.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

Her tongue darts out between those red-painted lips as she shamelessly looks me up and down. “Are you new?”

“How could you tell?”

“I have a feeling I would’ve remembered a face like this.” She runs her hand across my cheek and grins. “What are you studying?”

I open my mouth to reply when Logan stumbles into the room and tosses his arm around her shoulder. “Gwyndolen, Gwyndolen, Gwyndolen,” he tsks. “Why are you bothering my buddy over here?”

“Buddy?” She looks me up and down again, surprised. “You two know each other?”

“We go way back. Right, Colt?” He offers his hand and pulls me into a quick hug, slapping his hand against my back.

“Good to see you, man,” I reply.

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