“You’ll have all day tomorrow to recover.” Sophie replied as she patted his cheek, then gave it a pinch. “You’ll be just fine.”
Colton inwardly huffed. Did Sophie even care that he had a job to do? That he had demands and expectations from his entire team, and millions of fans counting on him to perform at his very best? Football fans expect a championship, not some half-assed, post-party performance.
“I need to find a restroom,” he said. Not that it mattered, seeing as Sophie practically ignored him, too busy sifting through her designer clothing options. Colton dropped the bags and stomped off to find a toilet. He didn’t need one, but he desperately needed a minute to himself.
He planted his hands on the bathroom counter and stared into the mirror.
What’s the deal?
Sophie was a great girl…well, most of the time. That particular day, she was acting like a selfish, spoiled supermodel. She’d been acting like that more and more, ever since Colton proposed.
They used to have fun. Even going clubbing had been fun at the beginning, but Colton was starting to understand it had just been the thrill of a new relationship, and not the club itself.
Now, the thought of spending the evening with Serena and Chastity, and Sophie, if he was being honest with himself, made him want to wretch.
That's not the life he wanted. Not anymore. What did that mean for him? Was it too late to back out?
He had neverlovedhanging out with Sophie, except for in the bedroom. The sex had always been pretty good. As good as can be expected, at least. Sex was fine for Colton. It felt nice, and an orgasm always felt great, but Colton never really understoodwhat all the fuss was about. For him, sex wasn’t the earth-shattering, knee-wobbling experience people claimed it to be, even though sex was probably the most satisfying part of his relationship with Sophie.
But everything else…all the shopping, clubbing, drinks and dinners with her boring, vapid celebrity friends? Colton was growing increasingly tired of it all. Was that what his life would become once they are married? Endless days of shopping and nights of clubbing? The thought made Colton shudder.
Colton proposed. She said yes. But that’s as far as it had gone. A date had not been set, and no plans had been made for any ceremony, showers, or parties. More and more, he recognized this was not the path he wanted for his life.
Could he back out? Sure.
But what would happen? Would Sophie freak out and verbally trash him any chance she got? Would he be a laughingstock with his team because he couldn’t go through with the marriage?
Would he be skewered by the fans? That’s probably a given. The fans would skewer him for anything, no matter what.
Regardless of the consequences, the reality was becoming crystal clear, and it punched him right in his gut. Dean put him at ease, Sophie stressed him out. Colton would rather spend time with Dean than be with Sophie.
Although, that wasn’t realistic, was it? Sure, they were friends, but Dean deserved love…real, passionate, long-term love. Colton couldn’t give him that.
At the same time, he was beginning to understand those feelings weren’t there for Sophie either. The more time they spent together, the less they had in common, and the less interested he became.
Colton did love Sophie though, even if he wasn'tinlove with her. The last thing he wanted was to trap her in a lifeless, loveless marriage. That wasn’t fair to her. She deserved love andpassion just as much as anyone else, and suddenly, Colton didn’t feel he could give her what she wanted, what she needed.
Those thoughts haunted Colton for the rest of the day. Sophie seemed oblivious to any of it. Maybe she was too caught up in her own bubble to see it, or maybe Colton was better at hiding it than he thought. Still, he was becoming more miserable by the second.
His misery only lifted at the prospect of seeing Dean later this evening. The thought of drinks at the loft brought a smile to his face as he was dressing for the evening.
Dean greeted them at the door wearing jeans and a ‘St. Olaf’ sweatshirt.
Colton's face gleamed, immediately focusing on Dean’s dancing eyes and bright smile. Then Colton’s gaze shifted lower, to the jeans Dean was wearing, so tight they fit his beautiful legs and butt like a second skin. Colton felt his mouth going dry, his throat closing a bit, as the urge to reach out and run his hands across those thighs and squeeze that ass came over him.
Sophie noticed Dean’s sweatshirt and howled in laughter. “Where did you get that? I fucking want one!”
“I don’t get it.” Colton said with a puzzled look.
Sophie scoffed, “It’s fromThe Golden Girls,it's a TV show.” She turned to Dean. “Rose is my favorite!”
Dean grinned widely. “I honestly loveallof them, but being from the south, I have a kindred connection with Blanche.” He cleared his throat, “’We mature faster in the south…I think it’s the heat.’” Dean quoted the show with a thick southern drawl.
“’I think it’s the gin.’” Sophie quoted right back, and they both giggled gleefully.
Colton just shook his head.
Sophie looked gorgeous, in a slinky, emerald-green Versace gown, showing lots of skin while her long brown hair covered hershoulders. Colton was wearing a navy-blue Prada suit, tailored to perfection.
