She felt Colton’s eyes on her, but she pretended his father’s question was nothing more than some menial joke. No way would sheeverconsider taking her father’s place.
After they ate, the crowd slowly began to disperse. She slipped her hand around her clutch and attempted to bolt out the door. She should’ve know Colton would strike again. No doubt, he’d had a say in his father singling her out. Putting her on the spot like he’d always done.Once a jerk, always a jerk.
Colton reached her just as she was about to climb into her car. “Blayze, wait up.”
“Colton, I—” she tried to cut him off. She knew that leaving without saying goodbye was rude, but her emotions were all over the place.
Would he ever stop? Would he ever stop poking fun at her?
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m just a little tired is all.” Blayze hated lying—she wasn’t tired at all…just frustrated.
Colton reached up to run his fingers through his hair. “Would you go to dinner with me tonight?”
Blayze was stunned. Seriously? A few minutes ago he and his father had wanted nothing more than to embarrass her in a room full of people. And now he wanted to ask her out for dinner. What kind of an idiot did he mistake her for?
“I’m sure I wouldn’t be good company,” she replied snidely.
“Or we could just order pizza?” he suggested. “I could pick us up a six-pack of beer and we could hang out at your hotel.”
Not that Colton was being pushy—okay, maybe he was—but it genuinely sounded like he wanted to spend time with her. She was so confused. “I…I don’t—"
“Say seven o’clock?”
He didn’t seem the list bit fazed that she refused to look at him. “Fine. I’m in room 403.”
Before she could change her mind, she cranked her car and drove away, leaving a trail of dust behind her. Men. They could be so…
She couldn’t come up with the right word. Conniving? No. Manipulative was more like it.
Ten years ago, she would’ve never agreed to meet Colton anywhere. Let alone, of all places her hotel room. Even if it was just to have pizza. Time sure had changed things.
He wasn’t supposed to be there for another couple of hours so why was she acting frantic? Scurrying around, picking up her shoes and random clothes she’d left draped over the chairs. Housekeeping had tended to her room that morning, but she was worried something would be out of place when he got there.
It wasn’t too late to change her mind. She could always leave and find someplace else to go. It’s not like she owed him anything.
Rather than pace the floor for hours, she changed and went back out to the pool. She opted to sit in one of the loungers instead of going for another swim since she didn’t want to mess her hair up. Kids ran about, jumping in and out of the water and having a good time. The warm sunshine felt just as invigorating as it had the day before.
Her mind was literally in a hundred different places, yet everything still pointed right back to Colton. She released a sigh then closed her eyes.
Fifth Grade
Field Trip, Naval Air Museum
“Please refrain from touching anything behind the roped off areas,” the tour guide instructed. “This area is strictly for viewing. I repeat, it is very important that you NOT touch any of the devices.”
Blayze lagged behind the others, not wanting to be anywhere near Colton. Seemed that every time they were put into groups, she always got stuck with him.
As they walked through the museum, she watched Colton purposely step in front of the others or stick his foot out to try and trip them. Why in the world didn’t someone put a stop to it? If she saw it, surely someone else did too.
She was completely in awe with the planes hanging overhead. It was one of the coolest places they’d ever visited, besides the fire department. Instead of paying attention to where she was going, she walked right into an area where several workers had just finished painting.
“Oh, no,” she gasped, causing everyone to turn around and stare.
“Bahahaha,” Colton burst out laughing, seeing her shoes stuck to the floor.
The other students followed suit. Blayze lowered her head, embarrassed that Colton had made such a spectacle.
