“What’s it to you?” I glared back at him. “So what if I kiss half of CU! It’s none of your damn business. You are not my boyfriend and quite honestly at this moment in time – you aren’t even my friend!”
“Boys.”
Excellent. Jake Dawson had arrived.
Connor turned to his dad. Matt was still looking at us, trying to figure out what Connor was talking about.
“Corey is sitting at the table, waiting for you,” Jake said quietly. Connor turned back to us as if he wanted to argue more and then with a grunt, he walked away.
Jake looked at us all, “Can we go inside please?”
“No.” That would be me. Why was it me?
Jake’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“I’m not going back in there. I don’t know what his problem is, but I am not going back in there to more of that.” For the first time in my life, Jake looked at me with what seemed to be sympathy.
“I understand, I can only apologise for my son. I’ll make your excuses,” he turned away, to go back inside. “Colton,” he said in surprise.
I looked up to see Colton standing off to the side looking at us all. As always Colton was the epitome of calm. He said nothing as his eyes ran over us. How long had he been standing there? His dad hovered beside him, his journey back inside halted.
“I’ll take you home,” Theo said to me. I went to protest but he slightly shook his head at me in warning with a quick glance at Cole.
“I’ll come with,” Matt muttered.
“Your mom will kill you with her butter knife if you leave.” A startled laugh from Matt made me grin. Theo chuckled quietly. Even Jake smiled.
“Ok how about we get a car for you Arielle and us men return before Mary Ellen gets us all?” Jake suggested.
“You’re not leaving,” came the soft command. I looked at Colton in question. He was standing tall and his gaze on me was steady.
“We’re all going back in. Dad I need to speak to you after dinner, but for the moment, that little shit isn’t winning. Not tonight.” He looked at me waiting and despite the shitty night, slowly a smile spread across his face. I couldn’t help it, I smiled back. I looked at Matt and Theo and shrugged, they both grinned back.
“Absolutely,” I agreed. Why did I feel so much stronger knowing he was here, supporting me? Jake looked at all of us and with a shake of his head, he went back inside. Colton nodded to his father as he walked past him, then he too turned to walk back in; the three of us went to follow. Colton stopped and turned back to us, an eyebrow raised.
“We’ll talk about kissing Theo later,” he turned away.
Matt looked at both me and Theo. “Too right we will,” he muttered as he held the door open for us to pass.
Damn it.
We all sat back down at the table and I threw a quick apologetic glance to Mary Ellen. She was not at all happy, but before anyone could comment, our starters arrived.
I ate my soup in silence as conversation quietly resumed around the table. I didn’t partake in the conversation, I was grateful to be left alone.
“What is on the agenda for tomorrow?” Matt’s dad asked. Matt quickly ran through the day. It seemed it was another full eventful day. I was looking forward to it, if I survived the rest of this night, I thought ruefully.
“What about you Colton?” Cole looked up from his soup and glanced quickly at his dad before addressing Matt’s dad.
“Dad’s leaving early for business. So, there’s nothing for me to do. I might tag along with Matt to some of the Business events,” he answered, “If that’s ok with you all?” Matt was enthusiastic, as was his dad, Mary Ellen commented that one of their professors was looking for him at an earlier event.
My stomach clenched. Matt and Colton chaperoning me. Joyous.
“Happy little family,” Connor snarked from across the table. My jaw clenched but it seemed the answer was to ignore him. The entrees followed soon after and I ate my salmon quickly. I wanted this night over, I wanted home and to close the door on all of this.
Amy had been talking to Corey throughout dinner and I picked up snippets of their conversation. It seemed to be very fashion orientated and I noted how Mary Ellen was listening intently to what seemed to be her youngest daughter’s clear intention to go to college.
I bit back my smile. They were all delusional if they thought Amy was going to wait for a man to come and provide for her. That girl wasn’t going to be held down or held back at any time in her life. Matt was also listening, and I could see that he was fully supportive of her intentions.
I looked down at my empty plate, how much longer was there to go? I placed my hands in my lap as I waited patiently for the end. Colton shifted beside me, he was fully engaged with Theo’s dad about the current NFL season. My dad had been mad about football and my mother would remind him every season that what he was watching wasn’t football but rugby for softies. When I was younger, I was fully supportive of my dad and the NFL. Then I watched a rugby game and those guys have no padding or helmets. It didn’t take away from the sport of American Football, but I appreciated where she was coming from. Wow that was a first for me in a long time. A fond memory of mum? I smiled a sad smile at the thought.
I startled slightly when I felt his hand clasp mine again. I tried not to look to him, how did he know? How did he always know when I needed him? Colton continued his conversation as he laced his fingers loosely through mine, and I let him as I pushed my memories of her aside.
We sat like that for the remainder of the meal, it wasn’t long – but it was long enough. Mary Ellen made the motions to leave and soon we were all gathering our things. Connor and Corey left first. The goodbyes were frosty. Well Connor’s was frosty, Corey got smiles and a hug from me. I got a nod from Jake Dawson and I nodded back. I still didn’t like him and he hadn’t softened to me either but at least we could be civil.
Matt and Theo were chatting to their respective parents. Mary Ellen hugged me goodbye as she rounded up her husband and daughter with a reminder that she would see me in the morning. Suddenly it was just the four of us. Colton turned to us and Theo immediately tensed.
“Not here,” Colton murmured as he held up my jacket for me to put on. I looked at Theo as I slipped into the jacket and he rolled his eyes at me which made me grin – I remembered our chat after the kiss happened and couldn’t help shake my head. Seemed I was going to find out what Colton would do after all. “I have the car with me,” Colton said as we all left the country club.
As we approached the SUV, I noticed it was the modified one Matt had with him the other night. Colton looked around at the empty parking lot and then turned to regard Theo.
“It’s not what you think,” Theo immediately went on the defensive. I let out a frustrated sigh.
“It’s my fault,” I cut in. Theo was already on thin ice with Matt, plus I could explain this to them all. “I saw Theo and thought he was hitting on a girl and I was feeling slightly peeved at how it’s ok for all of you to go around being loose with your kisses and thought I would save her the heartache.” Three expressions regarded me, one incredulous, one slightly offended and one coolly appraising me. “I went up to Theo and kissed him to give the girl the hint to stay clear. However, I didn’t know Theo had already been with her, so I was basically not saving her, but saving him from an overeager fan.”
Matt had started grinning halfway through my explanation. Theo was looking as smug as Don Juan. Colton’s cool appraisal hadn’t changed.
“And kissing in the bar?” He prompted, my cheeks flushed. Ok so he had been on the decking longer than I thought. His gaze was unwavering.
“We met Jay and his friends on Sunday night while out having some drinks,” Matt muttered, Colton looked at him and said nothing. Matt squirmed slightly. “Bit and I were just out having some fun and they turned up, you know how it is.”
“Sunday?” Wow. Ice freeze or what? My temper was beginning to fray.
“Yes!” I
snapped. “Sunday. Matt and I went out, had a few drinks and played eight ball. No big deal. It’s what friends do.”
“Alright, no need to be so defensive Lil Bit. Let’s get you home.”
Colton got in the car. I stared after him wordlessly, well what was that about then? I looked at Matt he shrugged and held the door open for me. I clambered in and kept staring at Colton. His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. The eyebrow raised. I felt my own narrowing. I saw him smirk.
Ugh are you kidding me?
“Well what was that about?” I demanded. He half turned in his seat to look at me. He adopted an innocent expression.
“Colton!”
He turned around shaking his head. “Nothing Ari, it’s as you said, it’s what friends do.”
I opened my mouth but Theo who had got in the back with me, nudged me with his knee and when I looked at him, he shook his head. Fine, whatever, boys suck.
They dropped me off and said goodbye as if nothing had happened. I was being shut out again and I didn’t like it.
Tomorrow, tomorrow I was going to get answers.
I woke with intent and a plan. I showered much more thoroughly than I had managed the day before and when the call came to tell me they were five minutes away, I was dressed in a pair of white linen slacks and a pale blue mock wrap top which was nice and lightweight.
Seriously, the heat was going to kill me soon. My hair was pulled back in a Dutch braid in the hopes of keeping it off my neck. My sandals were flat and white and I am not going to lie, I checked several times to make sure they matched.
I was waiting outside for them when the car pulled up. Matt got out to greet me and open the door for me. I slid in as I had yesterday and was momentarily surprised to find Colton in the car along with Amy. Amy resumed her chattering once the pleasantries were out of the way. The three of us said nothing, happy for the conversation to be dominated by Matt’s youngest sibling.
Despite the initial awkwardness, the day flew by, much like it had yesterday. Matt’s dad had been sitting up front when I got in the car, so it was a full crowd which maybe allowed the day to move quicker too. Any conversations between the three of us were tension free and there were no lasting effects from the night before – that was until lunchtime when Matt’s dad raised it without really thinking.
“Connor still hung up on you eh Arielle, shame really the new girl seems nice.” Matt raised his head sharply to look at his father. My eyes flicked to Colton before I could help myself. His head was down as he cut into his chicken salad, there was no indication he had even heard the comment.
“I am sure he isn’t,” I murmured as I felt my cheeks burning. However, he was not to be put off and when he went to follow up, Mary Ellen smoothly interrupted her husband. With that line of questioning curtailed the lunch continued with no further hiccups as did the rest of the day.
The day came to an end around four. I received warm farewell hugs from Matt’s family as they left us in the centre of campus. Mary Ellen reminded me quietly that I was to call her if I needed her at any time, or even just to call and say “hello”. She held me in a long hug and I felt so blessed to know that she cared for me.
When it was just the three of us, I turned rather apprehensively to Matt and Colton. I had been determined all day to address the issues we had. I took a deep breath – before I even got the chance to utter a word – Matt’s phone rang. He quickly answered it and I exhaled the breath I hadn’t known I had been holding. I glanced at Colton and caught him staring at me. He didn’t look away even though he had been caught and weirdly, I felt my cheeks getting warm as if I had been the one caught staring.
Matt hung up, glanced at me and then said quietly to Colton. “That was Aaron.”
Colton’s body tensed as he looked at Matt, “What the fuck does he want?” he growled.
“Wants to meet, you’re to call him,” Matt muttered flicking his eyes to me whilst talking to Colton. Was he reminding him I was there?
Colton cursed again as he pulled his phone out. He turned to me and pulled me into a hug – which was so unlike him – the hug was brief and unfortunately over too soon.
“I enjoyed the day Ari, thank you for letting me be a part of it.” He kissed the top of my head and with a nod to Matt he was striding across campus on his phone.
I didn’t envy Tattoo Neck that phone call that was for sure, I turned to Matt hoping for an explanation. “Please tell me,” I asked softly. He looked at me and looked away, after Colton.
“I can’t Bit, it’s for your own good. I promise, please believe me,” he was almost pleading with me. I took a step back and looked at him. Really looked at him. His blue eyes were begging me to understand. I frowned. I wanted to know – no I needed to know – but Matt wouldn’t be looking at me like this if it was something, they were just not telling me because they didn’t feel like it.
No, this was obviously serious. Which didn’t actually make me feel better. In fact, I felt worse. A tight knot had formed in my stomach and I wasn’t sure what could make it go away. Was not knowing better than knowing? Matt was still looking at me, waiting for an answer and I didn’t know if I could let this go. I think knowing that it was something I didn’t need to know for my own good was something I could let lie.
“Matt…I don’t know if that helped,” I admitted. He grunted an acknowledgement as he took a step towards me, he took hold of my shoulders and crouched down slightly to look at me.
“Bit, I love you, you know that. You’re one of my best friends and I class you as family. I hate that I can’t tell you, but please believe me. If I could, I would,” he was so earnest and so desperate for me to understand.
My resolve at being hard headed about this, melted a little. “The minute you can tell me anything, I mean it Matty, anything then you tell me. Understand?” He pulled me into a tight hug.
“Of course Bit, thank you for understanding,” he muttered into my hair. I didn’t call him on the fact I didn’t understand at all. I felt the kiss on top of my head and then he released me. As he stood back, I saw him stiffen slightly. Turning in question to see what was wrong, I groaned inwardly as I saw Connor approach. I wasn’t sure I was ready to face him yet after last night.
“Matt now Lil Bit?” He was grinning, but I got the distinct impression it was lacking humour. Surprisingly, Matt pulled me back slightly until I was beside him. Connor noticed and his eyes narrowed. I forced myself not to look at Matt although I also wanted to know why there was friction here. Was it just because of last night? I mean I was still pissed at the way Connor had behaved last night, but I assumed the guys had worked it out after dinner, at home. Seems maybe not.
“Connor,” I greeted. I wasn’t about to make a scene here in the middle of campus, this kind of stuff could be dealt with when there was no potential audience. His eyes ran over me assessing me before his focus switched back to Matt.
“Where’s Colton?” He demanded. I glanced up at Matt, remembering that Connor apparently didn’t know about the fighting. Again, I was kind of surprised at the way Matt was looking at Connor. He regarded Connor with cool detachment. I glanced at Connor and saw him shift slightly in discomfort. Matt really could seem quite intimidating if you didn’t know him, or if he just didn’t like you. However, the thing was, Connor did know him so did that mean he just didn’t like him? This whole situation was getting odder by the minute.
“He’s not here,” Matt answered. Connor snorted.
“Well, where is he?” Matt shrugged in answer. Connor switched his focus to me, “Ari?”
“I don’t know,” I answered, which wasn’t a lie. I genuinely didn’t know where Colton had gone to. Connor glared but shifted his anger back to Matt.
“You always know where my brother is.” There was a heavy emphasis on the ‘my’ I noted. “Where is he?” Connor asked again.
Matt shrugged at Connor rather insolently, “I told you I don’t know.”
Connor glared at Matt and Mat
t held his glare steadily. I didn’t like this, it was rare for the guys to be at odds with each other. Yet Matt was giving no cut to Connor at all.
“Is this about last night?” Connor demanded. His attention shifted to me. Wow, that was a lot of animosity there.
Matt shook his head and took hold of my elbow. “See you later Connor,” he turned away from him. Connor was not to be deterred and reached out and grabbed my arm to pull me back. I shrugged him off.
“Jesus Con, I’m not a chew toy!” I snapped, as I rubbed my arm. Matt cursed and took a step in front of me, effectively blocking me from Connor. I rolled my eyes and stepped out from behind the barricade. Matt didn’t notice, he had a death glare focused on Connor.
“Keep your hands to yourself, you want to go grab people go see if Corey will put up with it. I don’t know where your brother is, he left. Try calling him and stop being a whiny little bitch. Speak to Ari like you did last night again and I will knock you out. You feel me? Now go away, you’re annoying the fuck out of me,” Matt was in Connor’s face.
I knew my mouth was hanging open. What the hell was this? I looked up at Matt, maybe he was joking? Nope. Not joking. I placed my hand on his arm, I wasn’t entirely sure he wasn’t going to hit him now.
Connor took a step back. He held up his hands mockingly. “Calm down dude, I just wanted to know where my brother was. You need to chill. I’ll see you around Lil Bit.” He walked away.
I looked up to Matt, he met my eyes. He shrugged, “What?” He returned his attention to the retreating back of Connor.
“What?” I asked incredulously, “What do you mean what? What the hell was that?”
“Guy’s a real jerk sometimes. He ain’t grabbing you and speaking to you like he did last night and getting away with it anymore. When you were a couple I didn’t interfere because it wasn’t my place. You never really noticed his behaviour, but I did, I used to want to punch him regularly. I don’t care anymore if it causes people to be upset. He’s a little shit and I just won’t stand here and see him treat you like that.” Matt looked back at me and blinded me with a grin.
Indian Summer Page 20
