The Boy Next Door

by Jennifer Sucevic

  Those words jolt me out of my lazy thoughts, and my head whips around as I search the crowd for his blond head. It doesn’t take long to find him. He’s standing off to the side, near a large stone fountain. I’ve always found the gurgle of water soothing, although it does nothing to calm my nerves at the moment. The fine arts hall is situated directly across campus from the athletic buildings. The artsy students usually hang out at this end of the university. Colton sticks out like a sore thumb. Even when he’s clearly out of his element, people still recognize and swarm him.

  Unconsciously my feet ground to a halt. I’m not aware that I’ve stopped moving until Colton’s gaze locks on mine. That one look has electricity sizzling in the air between us.

  “Damn, girl,” Zoe whispers from alongside me where she, too, has stopped, “I could get off on the hungry look in his eyes and little else.”

  She’s not wrong. I feel the heat emanating from him like a physical caress straight down to my toes. As much as I’ve attempted to stomp out the budding emotions that have taken root inside me where Colton is concerned, it hasn’t done me a damn bit of good. They’re still there, alive and well.

  “Wait just a minute,” she hisses, “you two aren’t together, are you?”

  I shake my head. “No.”

  “Are you sure? ’Cuz that sexy look in his eyes is all sorts of possessive.”

  Nope. Not at all.

  A shiver scampers down my spine. As much as I don’t want that knowledge to thrill me, there’s no denying it does.

  The outrage in her voice vanishes, and a soft sigh escapes from between her parted lips. “Aw, hell. Who could blame you? Every girl could use a little bit of that in her life.”

  When I stay rooted in place, unable to budge from the spot on the sidewalk, Colton breaks free from the group he’s been mobbed by before swallowing up the distance between us with long-legged strides. Not once does he break eye contact.

  Only when he’s about five feet away does his footsteps grind to a halt. Uncertainty flickers across his face. It’s an unusual expression for him. The Colton I know has always been full of confidence. It practically oozes from his pores—both on the football field and with the ladies.

  I can’t deny that the last couple of days have been odd. Colton cooked me an amazing dinner Saturday evening. As much as I fought against it, the night ended up with him in my bed. He ran out for coffee Sunday morning and, unbeknownst to him, came back with Jack in tow. We haven’t had a chance to talk or sort out where we stand with one another.

  I’ll be honest, the unexpected visit from my friend has me rethinking my decision to allow Colton back into my life again. I’ve told myself since returning to Wesley that I would steer clear of my ex, and yet, how many times have I ended up in his arms? Even though my feelings for Jack aren’t necessarily romantic in nature, he made me realize that I need to slow down and get some perspective instead of leaping headfirst into a situation that has the potential to leave me brokenhearted.

  Colton shifts his weight before shoving his hands into the front pockets of his denim. “Hey.”

  “Hi.” The only reason I can imagine that he would show up here is if there was an issue with Jack. I’m almost afraid to ask. “Were there any problems getting to the airport?”

  “Nope.” Something flickers in his eyes before vanishing. “None at all.”

  I cock my head and scour his expression for the truth. I can only imagine what the atmosphere was like in the car. The thought of them alone together—or worse—having words, makes me nauseous. When he remains silent, the question bursts free. “What are you doing here?”

  The determined expression that I’ve become so used to returns full force. “I needed to see you.”

  His words send a reluctant thrill shooting through me. As much as I don’t want to be affected by him, I am. The truth of the matter is that I always have been. “Oh.”

  Zoe clears her throat, and I blink out of the trance that has fallen over me before shaking my head. It takes a moment to collect my scattered thoughts. But that’s nothing new when it comes to the blond football player. I should be used to it by now. “Colton, this is my friend, Zoe.”

  He glances at the tall brunette. “Yeah, I remember. You’re in the dance program with Alyssa.”

  She straightens. Even though Zoe is a few inches taller than I am, he still dwarfs her in height. “That’s right.”

  They met dozens of times when we were together, but I didn’t expect him to realize it.

  “I hope you don’t plan on jacking around with my girl again,” she says in a no-nonsense tone of voice.

  Surprised by the comment, my mouth falls open, and I gasp, “Zoe!” She can be blunt to a fault. Most of the time it’s a good thing. Every once in a while...not so much.

  “What?” She glances at me as a fierce look grows in her eyes. “He’ll answer to me if he does.” For one brief moment, she channels Xena: Warrior Princess. Trust me, she can be just as fearsome. It’s a relief that she’s on my side.

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to get in line,” Colton mutters under his breath as his expression darkens.

  “What?” My brows draw together, not understanding why he would throw out such a strange comment.

  “Nothing.” His gaze returns to Zoe. “I have no intention of hurting Alyssa, if that’s your concern.”

  Pleasure slides through me. I couldn’t stop it from happening if I tried. And there’s definitely part of me that doesn’t want to try. At every turn, he’s knocking down my walls.

  She presses her lips together, all the while giving him the stink eye. “That’s exactly what I’m worried about. You did a real number on her when you walked away sophomore year. I don’t want to see that happen again.”

  Before I can utter a squeak of mortification that they’re talking about me as if I’m not standing here, Zoe pulls me in for a quick hug and kiss. “I gotta run, but I’ll see you tomorrow in class.” She gives him one last steely look that would have lesser men glancing away. Maybe even tucking their tails between their legs.

  Silence descends as Zoe disappears into the crowd of student traffic. I wrack my brain for something that will break the strange tension that fills the air between us. I have no idea where we go from here.

  “Why did you want to see me?” I glance away as those thoughts pound through me. Only when I’ve wrangled all these out-of-control emotions into submission do I force my stare to his.

  “We’re celebrating my stepmother’s birthday tonight, and I was hoping you’d come with me.”

  I blink, thrown off guard by the invitation. Not once during the time we dated did Colton offer to take me home to meet his family. Even when his parents attended Wesley football games, he was careful to keep us separated. I brushed away the hurt, telling myself that it would take time to earn his trust. In hindsight, it was yet another red flag that went unheeded on my part.

  “Lys?” The way my name sounds sliding from his lips is rough and gravelly. It has me blinking back to the present.

  “Why?” Why is he doing this now?

  “I want you to meet my parents.” He closes the distance between us before reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “It’s something I should have done a long time ago.”

  I hate that he’s saying all the right things. Everything I wish he would have told me nineteen months ago. “What’s the point? We’re not together.” I force out the rest. “When it comes down to it, we’re not even friends.”

  “Aren’t we?” When I remain stoically silent, he adds, “Friends, at the very least?”

  “I don’t know.” I glance away before I can get lost in his blue depths. They’ve always had the ability to draw me in, making me a little stupid in the head.

  “Maybe being friends is a good place to start. What do you think?” He picks up my hand, loosely entwining our fingers together. I can’t help but stare at them and remember how good it felt to wake up in bed with him Sunday
morning. “I want more than that, but I’m willing to take this slow and build your trust over time.”

  Am I a total idiot for faltering? For believing him? For wanting to take a chance that he’s matured, and won’t push me away at the first opportunity when real emotions come into play?

  Probably.

  If I have one weakness, it’s for Colton Montgomery. Sadly, I don’t think that will ever change.

  I release a puff of air from between my lips, afraid to take this leap. Afraid of what it’ll mean.

  “Alyssa?” He squeezes my fingers, effectively pulling my attention back to him.

  “Okay,” I blurt. “I’ll come with you.”

  My heart pounds a painful staccato as a hesitant smile spreads across his face, as if he, too, is surprised by my easy capitulation. “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Awesome.” He lifts my hand to his lips before brushing a kiss across the knuckles. “I promise, you won’t regret it.”

  I hope Colton’s right about that, and I’m not setting myself up for more heartache where he’s concerned.

  Chapter Thirty

  Alyssa

  Three hours and a shower later, I’m settled in the front seat of Colton’s BMW. The top is up, and we’re headed north toward the place we both grew up. Although, admittedly, Colton’s upbringing was vastly different than mine. He was raised in a wealthy neighborhood near Beck and Mia, while I was on the other side of town, in a more middle-class area.

  I can’t resist glancing at him from the corner of my eye as I sit in the passenger seat.

  Was this a mistake?

  If so, it’s too late to back out now. This is happening. There’s no getting out of it. After a couple of miles, the familiar exit comes into view, and we leave the highway before turning onto a country road surrounded by farmland. I roll down the window and inhale a deep breath of fresh air. There’s something comforting about the wide-open spaces that settle the nerves fighting to break free at the bottom of my belly. I need that right now more than anything. Once on the outskirts of town, Colton turns into the drive of a gated subdivision before stopping outside an enormous iron entrance. He rolls down his window and taps a code into the control panel. After the gate slides open, we drive on through.

  “Fancy,” I murmur from the side of my mouth. Even being here makes me sit up a little straighter in my seat.

  He snorts, gaze pinned to the landscape beyond the windshield.

  As much as I want to remain lowkey about the situation, I’m curious to see where Colton grew up and meet his parents. I’m hoping it will shed a little insight into who he is. Lord knows I need it. Even though we were together for six months, he’s still a mystery to me.

  Each house we pass—if that’s what you want to call these monstrosities—grows in square footage. All have intricate stone masonry and thick wrought iron embellishments. Unable to help myself, I press closer to the passenger side window. Each residence has perfectly manicured lawns and flowerbeds that riot with intense color. Trees and shrubs have been pruned to an inch within their lives.

  When I was younger, I’d look at the people who lived in these mega-mansions and imagine their existences were picture-perfect. I mean, how could they not be? Gorgeous houses, fancy cars parked in the drive, trips to warm locales, and the best of everything.

  Only now do I know better.

  Money doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness. Although, let’s face it, it sure as hell makes life easier. I’m not naive enough to believe that it doesn’t. My parents are comfortable, but they’ve worked hard to attain that level of financial independence. While we’ve never had an excess of money, I’m lucky they could afford for me to dance. It’s not a cheap activity by any means. Between the classes, clinics, costumes, travel, and competition fees, it all adds up. It’s one of the reasons I’ve taught in my spare time.

  I blink out of those thoughts as Colton turns into a long winding driveway. Trees that are in the process of losing their leaves dot the front lawn as a majestic stone structure comes into view. It has to be easily twenty thousand square feet in size. I knew he came from money, but I never imagined that it was this kind of wealth.

  Colton pulls up to the front door before cutting the engine. For a long moment, he stares at the house as it looms in front of us. I do the same before tentatively glancing at him. A pit forms at the bottom of my belly.

  The words shoot out of my mouth before I can stop them. “Are you sorry that you brought me with?” Truth be told, I wish I’d had the foresight to turn down the invitation.

  What am I doing here with Colton?

  From all outward appearances, he’s different than the guy I left behind a year and a half ago, but is it enough? Or am I just setting myself up for a world of hurt?

  I wish there were an answer.

  Surprise fills his gaze as it snaps to mine. “Of course not. I wouldn’t have asked you to come with me if I had any doubts.” In no rush to leave the car, he angles his body toward mine. “And I wouldn’t have put you in a situation that was uncomfortable either.”

  Some of the nerves prickling along my flesh evaporate as his fingers drift across the curve of my jaw. It’s so tempting to close my eyes and sink into his touch, but something holds me back.

  “Do they know I’m coming with you?” If not, that could make for an awkward situation.

  “I checked with Jenna this afternoon before I extended the invite.”

  Why does this suddenly feel like such a big deal? “What did you tell them about our relationship?” Or lack thereof.

  One side of his mouth hitches. “Are you asking if I told them you were my girlfriend?”

  A shiver dances down my spine as I jerk my head into a nod. Two years ago, I would have been thrilled to be introduced to his family as such. Now...

  That’s no longer the case.

  A soft puff of air escapes from his lips. “I told them you were an old friend from high school. Can’t go wrong with the truth, right?”

  I suppose not.

  His hand drifts from my face to my fingers which lay twisted together in my lap. He squeezes them as if to reassure me that everything will be okay. I’m trying really hard to believe that it will. “You ready to do this?”

  Nope.

  “I think so.”

  “It’ll be fine. Just a couple hours, and then we’ll head back to campus.”

  With that, Colton reaches into the back seat and grabs hold of a large bouquet of wildflowers he picked up from the florist, and then we exit the vehicle. As Colton rounds the hood, he extends his hand for me to take hold of. I hesitate for a heartbeat, unsure what to do. This feels like so much more than what he’s claiming it is. As much as I want to keep my heart protected against him, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult.

  When I don’t immediately place my fingers in his, a patient look fills his eyes. It’s as if he knows all of the thoughts running rampant through my brain. A tentative connection forms between us in the driveway—one that is undeniable. Against my better judgment, I find myself cautiously placing my hand in his. It feels as if we’ve arrived at a decision—an unspoken promise of sorts.

  Together, we climb the stone stairs that lead to the front porch. It’s wide and sweeping—a grand entrance. The massive mahogany door stretches twenty feet in height. Colton grabs the ornate handle and pushes it open. My feet stutter as I take in the two-story foyer. There is an ocean of white marble as far as the eye can see. An elegant crystal chandelier hangs suspended from high above. It sends glittering patterns of light dancing across the polished-to-a-high-shine floor. A sweeping staircase with an elaborate wrought iron banister leads to a second-floor gallery. Everything is open, airy, and reeks of wealth.

  Sheesh.

  When I turn wide, questioning eyes to Colton, he shrugs. Before I can fire off one of the many questions that sit perched on the tip of my tongue, he raises his voice and calls out, “Hello? Jenna?” He pauses as we listen for
any signs of life coming from within this castle-like home. “Dad?”

  There’s the soft padding of feet before a small blond woman with dark eyes walks into the entryway. A warm smile lights up her face as she pulls Colton in for a hug.

  For a moment, I’m able to stand back and observe their interaction. She’s so petite in size that Colton nearly swallows her up in his arms. There’s something sweet about their reunion. About the tenderness that flits across his face. Once they break apart, he hands over the bouquet. Her face lights up as she buries her nose in the fresh blooms.

  “They’re beautiful! You didn’t have to do that!”

  He shrugs. “I wanted to. Happy birthday!”

  “Thank you!”

  And then she’s turning bright eyes to me. Her expression is so warm and welcoming that I’m instantly put at ease. “You must be Alyssa.” She takes me into her arms as if we are old friends instead of strangers greeting one another for the first time. “It’s lovely to meet you,” she says before drawing away.

  “You, too. Happy birthday!”

  “Thank you.” A smile curves her lips. “I’m delighted you could join us. The more, the merrier.”

  “Thanks for having me.”

  Colton glances around the foyer. “Where’s Dad? Is he still at work?”

  “Nope, he ran out to pick up dinner.” She rolls her eyes. “I told him that I was more than happy to throw something together for us, but he insisted on grabbing carryout from Marco’s.”

  “I love that restaurant,” I say. It’s one we often frequented as a family when I was a kid. Their chicken parm is to die for. Although, a new bar has been set with Colton’s dish. I glance at him, still blown away that he went through all the trouble of preparing dinner for me.

  “It’s one of my favorites, too.” She reaches out and takes hold of Colton’s hand. “I hope you realize that you didn’t have to make such a long trip just for dinner.”