Thawing the Ice

by Shyla Colt

  “You have something to say, Mary Jo?” Leighton’s voice turned saccharine sweet, and her spine stiffened. This could get ugly. Mary Jo had been trying to get him to commit for awhile, and the two worked together at the school.

  “No, just didn’t figure you for the sloppy seconds type.” Jo tossed her long blonde mane behind her back.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” Lei placed a hand over her heart. “Were you under the impression that he was ever yours?” Leighton laughed airily. “Silly rabbit.” Casey stepped up and completed the Boyer sandwich. Leighton wrapped an arm around Casey’s waist. “Come on, boys, I’m feeling parched.”

  “God, you are so hot when you’re in bitch mode,” Ryan whispered, giving her side a squeeze as they walked away leaving the pissed blonde glued to the spot with a stuned expression on her face.

  “For once, I completely agree,” Casey said.

  “I barley said anything.” She snickered.

  “It wasn’t the words, it was the tone. Mmm. Can’t wait to get you home tonight.” Ryan moved his hand down to squeeze her ass. The round globe of her cheek filled his hand, and he bit back a moan.

  “Down, boy, you two promised me a good time.”

  “I assure you, that’s what you’d get at home,” Casey said.

  “Holy shit, way to man up, little brother,” Ryan said.

  “Don’t change too much, Case. One of him is hard enough to handle.”

  Ryan steered them to the table in the back, and they piled in, placing Lei in the middle. A few minutes later, Becky, the bubbly brunette who usually worked weekends greeted them.

  “Hey, guys, what can I get you tonight?”

  “Just a bucket of Blue Ribbon beer for us, I think.” Ryan glanced at Lei, who nodded.

  “All right, I’ll get it coming your way,” Becky said.

  “Thanks, Becky,” Casey and Lei said.

  A half a bucket later, the night had turned around. Mary Jo kept her crazy over at the bar and limited her disdain to dirty looks.

  “Hey, guys, what’s going on?” Jake asked. He pulled his hand from his blue jeans and offered it to shake and Ryan smiled at his friend They’d grown up together, and gotten into trouble a time or two.

  “Hey, man, not much,” Ryan said, as they clasped hands in greeting.

  “What are you up to tonight?” Case said.

  “Just killing some time with the crew over there.” Jake nodded toward the bar at the local group he hung out with.

  “I hear that,” Lei said, smiling.

  “I actually came over here to talk to you, beautiful,” Jake said with a wink. A fringe of dark hair fell into his eyes and Ryan tensed. The ladies liked Jake. He wasn’t a bad-looking guy, held a good job, and had smooth pick-up lines.

  “Always a flirt.” Lei rolled her eyes.

  Casey’s jaw tensed, and he shot Ryan a look that said Can you believe this guy?

  “No, seriously. I have a wedding coming up, and I need a date.” He flashed his perfect set of pearly whites, and Ryan balled his fists. If this guy doesn’t get the hint soon, I’m going to lose my cool. They hadn’t talked about telling anyone else besides Pop, but Ryan couldn’t see going through this time and time again.

  “She’s busy that weekend,” Ryan said.

  “What? I didn’t even say when,” Jake said.

  “I can guarantee you she won’t be available,” Casey said.

  “What’s going on with you guys? I know you’re protective, but damn. You know me.”

  “She’s taken.” Ryan wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “Very.” Casey added his arm around her waist, and Jake’s eyes grew round.

  “Oh…o-okay. My bad.” Jake held up his hands.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Ryan relaxed. Word spread like wildfire here. It’d keep the others away.

  “Jesus, way to cave man me, guys. I’m sorry, Jake,” Lei said.

  “No, I don’t blame them. They’re lucky men. I’ll let you guys enjoy your evening.”

  “Well, consider the news broken.” Lei took a long draw from her bottle.

  “Are you mad? I know we told Dad tonight, but that’s a hell of a lot different from letting everyone in town know,” Casey said.

  “No, it’s better this way. Rip the band-aid off all at once. Plus, I want that bitch to know everything she’s imagining in her head is true. Jo’s been after both of you for as long as I can remember. Hopefully this will throw her off your scent for good.”

  “Our kitten has claws.” Ryan curled up his hand.

  “Shut up.” Lei punched his arm, and Ryan laughed. They’d overcome the first major hurdle. It felt like the sky was the limit.

  THE END

  About the Author

  Told once ‘You have to be an author, then your craziness becomes eccentricities,’ Shyla Colt has always been in love with the written word and possessed a desire to write. Named after Super Girl in the comics, she often mistakes her mortality for super hero status. So, she holds many hats. Writing allows her to explore new venues, face her demons, and touch others. A huge practitioner of paying it forward, and putting in what you want to get out, she hopes to inspire, enlighten, move, and entertain you with her work. Mixing humor, drama, and strong women, often with a paranormal element, she continues to soldier ahead in the writing field. One of her favorite things is talking to fans. If you’d like to learn more or just drop a line, please check her out at http://www.shylacolt.com or email at sassy3134@gmail.com.