Instead, Colt veered to the right, making a beeline for a massive fallen tree stump that acted like a bridge across the swimming hole.
Grant followed, curious as to what move Colt would make next.
To Grant’s surprise, Colt hoisted himself onto the log and took off running, his footsteps echoing against the hollow trunk.
Grant’s chest expanded in irritation. It was so like Colt to look for the shortcut.
An image of Colt leaning in to kiss Eliza flashed before Grant’s eyes, and suddenly, his focus shifted from winning the race to making sure Coltdidn’twin. At any cost.
Pulling himself onto the log, Grant pursued his rival with a dogged intensity, never once taking his eyes off his mark.
Colt must have heard Grant’s footsteps close in behind him because he turned and flashed a devilish grin.
“Give up, Parker. I’ve as good as won!”
The image of Colt and Eliza flickered in his mind again, but this time, his imagination filled in the gaps. Envisioning Colt’s lips on Eliza sent a surge of outrage coursing through Grant’s body. And before he knew what had happened, he’d tackled Colt, plunging them into the icy water.
Grant resurfaced first, followed by Colt, who gasped for air.
“What the heck, man?” Colt sputtered. “What was that for?”
The reality of what he’d done slowly dawned on Grant, and he glanced around to see if anyone had witnessed his impulsive outburst.
His gaze landed on Eliza, who stood at the juncture where the creek spilled into the swimming hole. The shocked look on her face told Grant that she’d seen everything.
Colt followed his sight line. “Oh… I get it.”
Grant snapped his focus back to Colt. “Get what?”
“Look,” Colt said with a sigh. “You don’t have to worry.”
“What are you talking about?” As the adrenaline left his body, Grant struggled to tread water. His entire body felt weighed down, either by exhaustion or embarrassment at acting like a jealous idiot.
“She shot me down,” Colt confessed. “And if I had to guess, I’d say she’s hung up on someone else.”
Grant didn’t know what to say, but he instantly felt lighter, as though the anchor tied to his ankles had been cut loose. He opened his mouth to respond, then got a face full of water.
“Hey!” Jack called out, splashing them again as he swam by. “Do you want to practice water aerobics all day? Or win a race?” Chuckling, he flipped to a backstroke, kicking more water in their direction.
Colt raised an eyebrow at Grant. “We’re not going to let Geriatric Jack beat us, are we?”
Grant grinned. “Nope.”
“Then let’s go. Although, he’ll probably get a cramp before he reaches the other side.” Colt laughed, taking off after Jack.
Grant followed behind, but his heart wasn’t in the race anymore.
He couldn’t stop thinking about Colt’s words.
If I had to guess, I’d say she’s hung up on someone else….
Could it be him? Or was it Ben’s father?
Chapter 13
Grant couldn’t stop smiling even though his calves ached and his left ear contained a creek’s worth of water.
Eliza had called things off with Colt!
