I have no experience with guys. I’ve never had the opportunity to date or even really hang out with boys. When Colton teases me for being brash, all I can think about is how very unbrash I’ve been for the majority of my childhood. Living with an abuser comes with its own set of rules, and being brash isn’t typically one of them. Learning how to keep your head down, stay quiet, and follow orders…those are the traits I mastered over my sixteen years.
“So how long is halftime?” I ask abruptly.
His eyes brighten. “Usually as long as it takes the Shaughnessy twins to each eat a sandwich, catch a little TV, and then get their asses back here. They’re the ones who orchestrate these daily games, so we let them get away with taking their sweet time when we break.”
“You seem like you’ve gotten to know the kids here pretty well.”
“Sports are an easy way to make friends.” He tilts his water bottle toward me. “How about you? Have you met a lot of the girls here?”
“A few,” I say noncommittally. “Not too many. I guess I’ve been more of a loner.”
“Are you always that way?”
I pick at the paper wrapper on my water bottle. “Maybe. I just…”
“You just what?” He leans forward like he really wants to know.
I rip the wrapper off the plastic bottle completely. “Nothing. I’m just weird, I guess.”
And now I’m feeling a panic attack coming on.
I suck in a breath, trying to ignore my sweating palms as Colton reaches over and takes my hand in his. “I understand.”
My breathing starts to even out at his calming statement. “You do?”
He nods, and for the first time, I see real pain cross his face. “I’m kind of…going through something with my family right now. Sometimes, being alone feels easiest.”
Without realizing I’m doing it, I find myself squeezing his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” His expression shifts back to his usual mischievous manner. “I like holding your hand, Sky.”
I jerk it out of his grasp, and he grins at me. “Does that make you nervous?”
Ivan’s words of warning flash through my brain.“Don’t get too close to anyone. Hang out, and have a good time. But keep your distance. This isn’t a good time to make a lifelong friendship, you hear me? That will come later when you’re safe and settled. But not on this trip. Colorado is for shaking the devil and starting fresh. Deal?”
“Deal,” we all said.
I promised him. I promised the man who acts more like a father to me than my own. And I know he always wants what’s best for us.
But right now, as I sit on the bench next to Colton and look into his clear blue eyes, I want to disobey Ivan and Mom.
I want Colton Wild to be a real friend for me. And the truth is I want more than that with him. He’s been turning me on since I met him an hour ago. Even when he irritates me nonstop on the football field, he makes me want to get to know him.
It takes everything I have to shutter my expression and tell him politely, “No, it doesn’t make me nervous. I’m just not interested in anything romantic. So when you flirt…”
The obvious disappointment on his face disappears quickly, to be replaced by his easy smile. “Got it. No flirting. Right?”
I nod in relief. “Right.”
He tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. I can’t stop the shiver from running through me.
“Have you been for a walk through the forest?” He points behind us to the woods I’ve fallen in love with.
“I’ve been walking there every day. I love it.”
His eyes light up. “Want to walk with me? I’ll show you a cool spot I bet you haven’t seen.”
I glance down at my phone. “I’ll have to text my brothers first. They’ll worry.”
