Bria relished in taunting me in Zumba, remarking that now I know how it feels. She’s right. The highs and lows of Colt’s attention were all consuming. For once I felt sorry for all the girls before me. They’d played with fire and though it burned hot at the time, the after effects were scarring.
MJ finds me in bed at the end of the day. My little cocoon. I haven’t been able to speak about anything with her, knowing that I’d break down, but suspecting that I’m ready, MJ pushes me to talk. I lie in bed, gripping my body pillow for dear life as I open up to her. MJ sits beside me, patting my back as silent tears stream down my cheeks. I tell her all about McAllister, then all about Colt. She didn’t know they were related either. But I can practically see the, I told you so non-verbals rolling off of her.
“We’ll get you drunk and stupid so you won’t have to think about all this.”
I wipe my eyes, sitting up. Getting so drunk I can’t think sounds perfect.
“It’ll be your going away party.”
She assumes I’m leaving just like Jewel did. It would probably be the smart thing to do, but the truth is, I haven’t decided.
MJ makes a few calls, lining up a ride for us from one of her many off-campus guy friends she spends time with on the weekends.
“Cool. They’ll be here at ten to get us.”
“Okay.” I blow my nose, appreciative of MJs much needed distraction.
“Come on. We need to go to your computer lab.”
“For what?” I ask.
“We have to be eighteen to get into the club tonight, so you’re going to make us fake IDs.”
I roll my eyes. MJ has vastly over estimated my abilities, as usual.
Chapter 51
Taylor is asking me to do something I cannot do. How does she expect me to ask my father to leave his own company? And she thinks he’ll just go willingly? I knew when she discovered my connection to McAllister, I’d lose her. I try to remind myself of that. My relationship with her had been doomed from the start. It doesn’t mean I don’t feel like shit for how she found out. If I was better at this relationship stuff, I would have figured out a way to tell her before now. And then maybe we’d still be together.
McAllister came back today and even thought there were a million things I wanted to say to him, to scream at him, I knew none of it would matter. He wouldn’t change who he was.
I’ve heard thought the grapevine that she’s going home. And tonight’s her going away party. I watch her leave with MJ, climbing inside some guy’s SUV, wearing a tiny skirt and a revealing tank top. I don’t like it.
Jealously spikes up inside me. It’s not an emotion I’m used to and it takes me a second to recognize it. Then I realize what this means. Taylor is mine. I just need to find a way to show her that.
I consider getting in my car to follow them, but I force myself back inside.
I shower and shave, dress quickly, then head off to find Logan.
He’s in the rec room playing video games.
“Hey man.”
“Oh, hey.” He glances up at me.
When I don’t move he pauses the game and turns to face me, his expression not particularly friendly. “I need your help tonight.”
Logan’s glare is icy and cautious. “And why would I help you?”
“I have some things I need to say to her before she leaves.”
He sighs. “Okay.”
I have no idea what he must think of me, the way I hurt Taylor, but I’m thankful he agrees to help me. I learn from Logan they’ve gone to Taste, a dance club in the next town over.
Logan hesitates beside my car. “I won’t be able to get into the club. MJ and Taylor brought fake IDs.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll get you in.” I get in the car, waiting for Logan to follow.
When we pull up in front of the club, I opt for the valet parking, wanting to get in to see her as quickly as I can. I don’t like the idea that she’s out with another guy.
A kid who barely looks old enough to have his license grins from ear to ear when he sees my BMW. Logan and I exit the car, and when we reach the front door, I slip the bouncer a fifty, ensuring he doesn’t ask Logan for an ID. He lets us in without any fanfare.
Inside the club it’s stuffy and hot. People grind rhythmically to the loud music thumping from the speakers. I scan the club, searching for Taylor. My eyes flick past girls scantily clad and dancing in groups. But I don’t see Taylor or MJ, or those two frat boys they came with.
I turn to Logan motioning to the top floor. “Go look upstairs. I’ll look down here,” I shout above the music.
He nods, and sets off through the crowd.
I make my way deeper inside the club, and spot MJ and the two guys sitting in the VIP area, which is little more than a few tables and plush bench seats in the corner of the club.
MJ spots me and her face falls. She jumps up to meet me before I reach their table. I don’t see Taylor anywhere.
MJ grabs my arm, leading me away from the guys. “What are you doing here?”
“Where is she?”
“She went to the bathroom. Chill.”
I turn and head off to the bathrooms. Didn’t girls usually go in groups? I don’t like that MJ’s left her alone.
I navigate my way around the half dozen girls waiting in line for the bathroom and do a quick check of the stalls. I recognize Taylor’s sandals from underneath the stall door on the far end.
I knock on the door. “Taylor? Are you okay?”
No response. I knock again. “Taylor? It’s Colt. Open up.”
A second later, the lock turns and she’s standing in front of me, peering through the cracked door, tears streaming down her beautiful face. I push open the door and take her in my arms.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” I hold her at arm’s length, inspecting her. If someone’s laid one fucking hand on her, I’ll end them.
She shakes her head. “Nothing happened,” she hiccups.
I pull her to me again, relief washing over me. She puts her arms around me too, weeping into my neck. “Please don’t cry, baby.” The word slips from my lips and instantly she stiffens in my arms.
She frees herself from my embrace and backs up, stumbling until she’s against the far wall, away from me. I hate the distance between us.
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
I reach out and grip her arms, holding her steady. She’s clearly been drinking. “How much have you had to drink?”
“I don’t know,” she says, rubbing her temples with her fingers.
Someone pounds on the door. “Can you guys get a room? There are people waiting out here.”
“Just a second,” I shout over the top of the door. “Are you okay to go out?”
She nods weakly, her blue eyes locked on mine. When she looks at me, it’s like she can see all of me, everything I am, not just what I want her to see. It scares the hell out of me.
I give her some tissue to wipe her eyes, and when she’s ready I lead her out of the bathroom. We stop near the VIP area where her friends are sitting, Logan included.
I take her elbow, stopping her from going any farther. She turns and looks at me, her eyes searching mine.
“I’m taking you back.”
She studies me for a second, like she’s considering it. Then she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, clearing her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Colt.”
“Well I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay here with guys you don’t know when you’ve been drinking. Please, let me take you back, Taylor.”