More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
“Can I get something for you?” “An ice cream,” I mumble, standing on my tiptoes to get a better look. “With M&Ms.” Colton’s lip twitches, as if he’s trying to fight the urge to smile. Then he averts his gaze and buys two ice creams with M&Ms.
“Do you always order ice cream at the movies?” “Most of the time,” he answers, taking the ice creams from the girl and handing one to me. “Not that I’m a frequent moviegoer. I prefer the comfort of my place.” Me too. Damn him.
He taps on my nose and leans away. “You.” Me? I blink, and he opens the door to the theater. It takes one second for me to realize he meant one of my most favorite TV shows ever. Houston, I think we have a problem. Instead of finding reasons not to like him, I find things that draw me to him. What the hell am I supposed to do with that?
“What’s your favorite TV show?” Should I tell him the truth? Is it even a question? “Actually…” I trail off, and he turns his head to look at me. “You?” I nod, and he laughs, hanging his head low.
“Baby, you smell so good.” He sucks on my neck, and my face twists into a grimace. I put my beer on the table and elbow him in the ribs. When he releases his grip on me, I instantly jump back, putting my hands on my hips. “What the hell?” I open my mouth, but someone shoves me back and hides me from Moore. I realize at once it’s Clay. “Leave her the fuck alone.”
Layla rushes over to her, throwing her arms around her shoulders and whispering in her ear. They stay in each other’s embrace, and suddenly Benson’s sister starts laughing. Ava takes a step back and presses a finger to her lips, urging her best friend to keep quiet. I frown, my eyes glued to her face. This is not the reaction I expected.
Ava is fucking with them all and didn't actually fuck Moore
Ava heads to the front door, and I go after her. I don’t care if she slept with Moore; that won’t change how I feel about her. I just try to understand why…unsuccessfully. I feel like I need an instruction manual, a how-to guide. How to win over a girl without pissing her off every damn minute? I need a book for dummies, because I feel hopeless when it comes to her.
“Does it matter? You knew about it and did nothing to stop them. Moore was groping her, forcing himself on her, all because of the damn bet. Was it worth it to watch him try to get into her panties?” “Is it really that hard? To get into her panties? I mean, you did it pretty easily.” The second the last word leaves my mouth, Benson punches me in the face.
why the fuck would you say that Colton?!?!
She keeps silent for a few minutes, then stops and turns to face me. “What do you want?” “To make sure you’re safe.” “You’re like a week late, Thompson.” She narrows her eyes. “I don’t remember you giving a shit about my safety when you let me walk back to my dorm alone after the movies.” “I’m sorry about that.” I take a step closer,
“That I’m so easy? That I’ll fuck anyone?” “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not judging you—” “I fucking hate you, Thompson.” I let her pull her hand free. Breathing heavily, she opens her purse and takes out her phone. A moment later, she shoves it into my hand. I bend down to look at the screen, and suddenly my insides are frozen. The photo is colorful and clear. A blindfolded Hudson Moore is lying on his bed with his hands tied to the headboard. He’s naked, with only his hockey glove covering his dick. She never planned to sleep with him. She just wanted him to pay for making a bet about
...more
“I can’t believe I thought I liked you.” My heart stops for just a moment, and then it speeds up and thunders in my ears. She thought she liked me? Liked? As in past tense? No. That’s bullshit. I refuse to accept it.
I lift her, making her lock her legs behind my back. She licks her lips, her breath hitching. “What are you doing?” Ava whispers, all her bravado gone. “Kidnapping you.” I head in the direction of my apartment building. It’s about twenty minutes away from here, but I’ll carry her the whole way without any problem. “Looks like that’s the only way to make you listen to me.”
I love going places, and I prefer outdoor activities over spending time indoors. Is he the same? Or not? I know almost nothing about him, and I did nothing to change that. Miscommunication is a bitch, and it’s our fault we let it happen.
“Colton, I’m not going to run away.” Hearing this, he focuses his attention on me, slowing down just a bit. “You can put me down.” “Do you think that’s the reason I’m carrying you? That I’m afraid you’ll run away from me?” His voice is full of amusement, and I pinch my brows together. “Why else?” “Because I want to.”
It feels so good, I decide to tell him the truth about Layla’s brother and me. “I didn’t sleep with Drake that night you saw us leaving the party together. We just watched The Witcher in his room till morning.” His face lights up with a smile as he gazes at me. “Geralt is a great character. I watch it too,” he chimes in softly. He doesn’t question my words, he simply chooses to trust me.
“Come with me.” And now my panties are a hot, wet mess. Damn him. I suck in a breath, my lips parting as I stare at him from under my eyelashes. Colton grins and leans to my ear. “Come for me could be arranged too. But only later. First, I want to talk to you.” “Sure,” I mumble, licking my lips. “Talk.”
“If I wanted to fuck you, I would’ve done it already. I wouldn’t have brought you to my place. And I definitely wouldn’t have carried you here. Any dark alley would’ve worked. Or a car.” “Who said I’m interested?” I arch my eyebrow, keeping my face impassive. “Your pulse.” I slide my gaze to my wrist, only now noticing that his hand is wrapped around it. “And probably your panties.”
“Why didn’t you read my message when I texted you on Friday before the game?” “Because I saw you with Drake,” he admits quietly. “And?” I press, trying to figure out what that means in the long run. Do I want to believe what he’s saying? Does it mean he likes me? Because if yes—oh my fucking God. “I thought you were going to hook up with him again.”
“You look tired.” He cups my cheek with his hand, bending down to meet my eyes. “Even though it’d be flattering if you passed out while I was fucking you, that’s not how I want our first time to be.” Colt kisses my nose, leans away, and walks into his bedroom. I step inside, thinking about everything he just said. My mind drifts back and forth between his words, and the more I absorb them, the more my amusement grows. Our first time. He doesn’t want it to be a one-time thing. He doesn’t want it to be his usual, but what does that mean for me?
“My dad is the coolest man I know.” She takes a sip of her coffee, cocking her eyebrow. I put our empty plates in the dishwasher, so there’s only a bowl of M&Ms cookies left. “He set my standards pretty high.” “I’ll try to live up to your expectations.”
that's cute
“In the past, but not anymore.” My body relaxes, and I sigh. “My lies led to something horrible. Someone incredibly dear to me suffered because of it. The consequences of my actions will haunt me forever, and I don’t have it in me to lie ever again. It’s not worth it.”
What did you want to ask?” “Do you like me?” Do I tell her the truth or laugh it off? If I want her in my life, there is only one option. “Yeah, I do. I like you. I thought I’d made it embarrassingly obvious.” “And confusing,” she utters, smacking her lips together. “I like you too, but—” “But?” I pinch my brows together. “You don’t date anyone,” Ava blurts,
If my past taught me anything, it’s that everything can change. Nothing is set in stone. Except for one thing: I refuse to accept her not being in my life. “Then how about being my enemy with benefits?” “Why enemy?” “Because they make the best lovers, don’t they?”
“Colt?” “Being enemies with benefits means being exclusive. I’m only yours, and you’re only mine,” I muse huskily and feel her shudder.
“Never heard that.” “Really?” His hands grip my hips firmly. “Then the guys you’ve been with are morons.” “Or you’re just a sweet-talker.” “Me? A sweet-talker?” Colton laughs heartily, standing up. “I’m the grumpy one. The grumpiest of the grumps.”
“Take it off.” I roll my eyes, a bit confused by my own reaction. Since when do I like to be bossed around? Since when do I enjoy being obedient? Since Colton fucking Thompson, goddamn it. He grasps my chin and forces me to look at him. I swallow hard, my nipples pebbling instantly. He bends down to look me in the eyes. “Wh-what?” “If I tell you to do something, you do it,” he states, and I stubbornly want to argue. I’m not his toy, I’m— “If you don’t want to do it, you tell me. Don’t stay silent. Please.”
A few hours go by. We talk, we kiss, we laugh, and the more we do it, the more normal it starts to feel. As if it’s something we do all the time.
“You hit the jackpot,” Layla comments. “Maybe. For all I know, it could be a one-time thing.” I’m such a pathetic liar. “Yeah, of course.” Her voice drips with sarcasm, and she looks at me. “The guy is whipped, and he truly has never dated a girl in all the time he’s been in college.”
“I still don’t get why she needed to sleep with him to make a point.” “She didn’t.” “She didn’t?” He blinks, his brows knitting together. “Then why the fuck am I wearing this?” “Because you want to be her friend, and she wouldn’t have forgiven you otherwise.”
“She showed me a picture she took of Moore naked and blindfolded, tied to his bed with his hockey glove on his dick. Ava wanted to punish him, not sleep with him.” I drum my fingers on my thigh, fidgeting in my seat. “She was furious when she realized I thought she’d slept with him.” “Did she slap you again?” Clay snorts loudly. “No. Even if she had slept with him, I wouldn’t have judged her. She knows that. We’re good.” “Awesome. I still kinda ship you two together.” “You what?” I say, staring at him like he’s crazy. Clay shrugs and flashes me a smile. “You’re like twin flames. So much alike,
...more
“Can you stop Ava-dreaming?” Clay’s voice rings in my ear, and I almost jump out of my seat. “Stop what?” “You’re Ava-dreaming, obviously. The look on your face says it all.” My
“When are you going to ask her on a date?” “She doesn’t want to date anyone,” I mutter, and Clay frowns. “Ava isn’t interested in a relationship.” “And you’re okay with that?” “Why not?” I’m not okay with that. I want her to be mine, but I can’t do anything about it right now. I only hope my persistence will help me change her mind.
“Friends with benefits then?” “Why put a label on it?” I dodge his question and head to the dining hall. When the idiot jumps on my back, I know I screwed up. I didn’t openly tell him anything, but I left him enough breadcrumbs to figure it out. He knows Ava and I hooked up. “How was it?” “I don’t brag. Did you forget that?” I brush him off my back with ease. “Man, just this once?” “About her?” I shake my head. “No fucking way.” “Looks like our girl has a magic pussy.”
“What the fuck are you doing here?” “Haven’t I told you she’s my friend and I don’t want you near her?” Clay says. “Friend? A friend who made you wear a fucking dress—” “I deserved it,” my best friend grinds out, flexing his muscles. “Did she leave you naked, tied to your bed on your own birthday, at your own house? Did she take a picture of you like that?” He spits out the words. “This ho—” “Call her that again…” Benson and I say at the same time, stepping closer to him.
“Or what?” Moore demands, but his face pales. “You’ll regret it.” I hold his gaze, ready to do anything to take him down. “If you don’t want anyone to see a picture of you with just a hockey glove on your dick, you’ll back off and leave her alone. If not, I’ll make sure you pay for it.”
She waves and strolls away. I give myself five minutes. Five minutes, and I’ll follow her. Who am I kidding? Only myself. I stand up from the table so abruptly they all turn their heads toward me.
“Now I know something new about the girl I like.” “You make it sound as if she’s…” Benson’s jaw drops, and he eyes me like I’ve turned into Shrek. “Is she the first girl you’ve ever liked?” I fix my hood in annoyance, furrowing my brow and looking away. “Yes.” “Dude. Are you for real? That’s amazing.” “It’s embarrassing.” “No, you dumbass. It means she’s special. Maybe even the one.”
“You can invite him,” Dad tells me, cupping my cheek with his palm. “Drake suggested Colt could stay at their place.” “Good.” He chuckles, eyeing me with a smile on his face. “Something is telling me if I want to see you at home, I’ll need to prep a room for your new guy.” “He’s not my guy.” “But I’ll still need to prepare a room,” my father counters with laughter.
My father gazes at him with a tender smile. “Hey, Colt.” I feel like I’m drowning. Does he know him? It’s the only way to explain this strange reaction. “Hello, Dax,” Colton mutters. His voice is barely audible. I step closer, looking at both of them in turn. “You know each other?”
wait wtf!!!!
“My name is Dax,” he tells me, and I narrow my eyes. What does he want from me? “I was on my way home when I saw your mom’s car hit the railing of the bridge.”
Oh wow
“You’re very welcome...” He arches his eyebrow, and I realize I still haven’t introduced myself. “I’m Colton Thompson. Colt.” “You’re very welcome, Colt.” He extends his hand to me, and we shake. “I hope to see you on the ice one day. I promise to cheer for you.”
He takes a sip of beer and grimaces. “It’s as warm as pee.” “Talking from experience?” I kid, and he freezes, staring at me as if he doesn’t recognize me. “What?” “She’s rubbing off on you. In a good way.”
doesn’t do relationships.” “There are always exceptions,” I say quietly, and we lock eyes. I’m talking about Ava, and he understands it right away. “Someone who will make you forget everything and everyone else.”
“Because I honestly think I’m losing my shit. My best friend wants to buy gifts for his girl and her dad. For his girl and her dad. Colt, are you shitting me?” “No.” I pull on my T-shirt. “She’s not my girl. We’re just…seeing each other.” “Seeing each other? Thompson, can you tell me the truth for once?”
“Tell me this: if you’re just seeing each other, what happens if some guy decides to hit on her? Ava is gorgeous. It’s easy to imagine.” “I’d break his neck.” “That’s what I thought,”
You’re a loner, Colt, but it doesn’t mean you need to stay like that forever.” “The old version of me wouldn’t believe what I’m about to say.” I shake my head, heaving a sigh. “I don’t want to be a loner anymore.”
“I don’t plan to let her go,” I confess, and Dax’s eyes widen. “I-I didn’t mean—I won’t be trying to…I just want her to be with me.” “Then be honest with her.” He folds his arms over his chest. “She said you’re not dating, that you’re just having fun. But, watching how affectionate you are with one another, I don’t think I agree with her. You talk a lot, but you’re comfortable with each other in silence too. What you have is deeper.”
“But I have no idea if I can be different.” “You can. For the right girl, you can.” “Aw, you fucker.” He lunges at me, taking me into a bear hug. “Can I be your best man?” I push him away, hearing my phone buzz. “Get off me, Rodgers.” “Only if you promise to make me your best man.”
He’s about to say something stupid, I have no fucking doubt. “Make me the godfather of your firstborn. Please.” “Fuck off, Clay.” I wriggle out of his grasp,
“Is it from Ava?” I turn my head and see him eyeing my phone with a curious expression. “Yes.” “Why honey?” Just fucking great. He saw how I saved her number. “Because she tastes like honey?” “Fucking nosy moron,”
Lmao
