Addicted to You (13 page)

Landon:
Sorry again about tonight. I drank too much. And that wasn't really the way I wanted things to go down.

So did he regret the kiss? Or just the way it happened? I shook my head. This back-and-forth had to stop. I was making myself crazy.

Me:
No worries. We'll talk later.

I quickly threw in a smiley face to soften the delivery, then shoved my phone away with no plans to answer any more texts tonight. But then it buzzed in my hand, and like some ridiculous conditioned response, I pulled it back out, knowing there was no way I couldn't at least glance at the message.

And because life liked to throw curve balls, the new text wasn't from Landon.

Colby:
I know you probably don't want anything to do with me right now, but I have to say one thing: I'll always support your decisions and as your best friend I hope you always choose happiness.

No matter how many times I told myself not to reply, my fingers seemed to have a mind of their own. After all, it was Colby. If I was any good at ignoring him, I wouldn't be here right now.

Me:
Don't worry. At the rate I'm going, I'll be single for the rest of my life.

Colby:
If that's what makes you happy.

Me:
Yeah…funny thing is I don't actually want to be the crazy cat lady.

Colby:
I doubt you want my advice but if you ever do choose a guy, my suggestion is to choose the one who pays attention when no one else is watching.

Me:
And how am I supposed to figure out who this mystery guy is?

Colby:
He'll prove it with the little things. Your favorite food, your favorite color, the words to make you smile…

Did he just describe Landon? Chocolate croissants, Yellow flowers. The note that was left with them. Nothing made sense. He mentioned Landon's possible feelings, then got upset when he saw us together, yet now he was pushing me toward his brother again? Colby wasn't stupid. He had to know I had feelings for him so why was he so convinced I should be with Landon?

Me:
And tell me again, why should I choose him?

Colby:
Because he's the one who loves you.

Me:
What if I don't love him back?

I waited for a response but as the seconds ticked by I became doubtful I'd actually get one. And as we pulled up to Taylor's place, I finally gave up on hearing back from Colby. I tried not to take it personally, considering he'd probably passed out.

“Everything okay?” Taylor asked as she turned off her car.

“Um, yeah.” I shrugged but as the corner of one side of her mouth turned down it occurred to me I'd done it again. I was shutting her out to avoid talking about myself. The whole point in coming here was to vent, so why was I bottling this up? I sighed and patted my phone. “I just got drunk Landon followed by drunk Colby texts. When we get inside, maybe you can help me interpret them.”

“For sure.” She offered a small smile, then added, “Not to minimize your situation, because I know it's stressing you out like crazy, but if I
had
to be stuck between two boys, I'm not sure I'd complain
too
much if those two happened to be Callahans.”

I laughed because she was absolutely right. There were probably a lot of girls who would give anything to be pinned between the hot bartender and the sun-kissed boat captain. It was like the perfect love triangle, straight out of a movie. Problem was, the reality of being wedged between two brothers, both of whom I loved and cared about, was actually kind of heartbreaking. And a place I didn't enjoy at all.

The next morning, I rode with Taylor over to Colby's to pick up Matt on her way to take me home.

She cracked open the front door and peeked in. “Oh, sorry to barge in. Matt said it'd be open and that knocking might wake you. Didn't realize you were all up now.”

“No worries, we haven't been up long. Come on in,” Colby said from the other side.

My stomach twisted at the sound of his voice. Our conversation had ended last night with decisions needing to be made, then the whole Landon kiss thing…Yeah, I wasn't too sure he'd even want to see me now. But after Taylor's revelation about how maybe Colby felt stuck between his brother and me, I decided not to push for more. I'd let him decide where we stood with no more pressure from me.

Of course, I'd been told he was sleeping and hadn't really expected to run into him, but a part of me probably wanted to. After all, I had followed Taylor inside.

“Hey babe.” Matt kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for picking me up. Let me finish helping out.” And as I came into view, he added, “Oh, hey Isla. Didn't see you back there.”

Colby spun around, clearly not expecting me either. My gaze washed over him. His disheveled hair complemented his wrinkled shirt and gray sweatpants nicely. Really. He looked adorable.

Not really sure how to act, I blurted the first thing to come to mind. “You guys need a bulldozer and about thirty cans of air freshener.” I waved my hand in front of my face. “It smells like a bar at two
A.M.
in here.”

“I happen to enjoy that smell,” Landon, who appeared from around the hall, joked. “Always reminds me of closing time and tip-out.”

And not to compare the two brothers, but I couldn't
not
notice the way Landon's basketball shorts hung low on his hips and the way his broad shoulders bunched as he heaved a black trash bag into the kitchen. He was shirtless, after all. It kind of invited staring.

Except I shouldn't be gawking, so I defaulted to sarcasm to hide my thoughts. “Really? Because to me it kind of reeks of desperation and futile attempts to not go home alone.” I shrugged. “But I see how it might grow on you.”

Landon laughed and I smiled. It really had a nice ring to it. Genuine happiness.

Colby grabbed a beer can and tossed it into the black garbage bag he was carrying. He looked as if he could get sick any moment. “I'm never drinking again,” he muttered.

Matt dropped a bag onto the kitchen floor with a thunk. He'd knotted the top. “That's everything from outside.” His lip turned up in disgust. “And I'll join you in the never drinking.”

Taylor chuckled. “Yeah, I'll remind you of that.”

“Okay, okay, I'll drink again but it won't be for a loooong time.”

I raised an eyebrow.

He laughed. “A week. Max.”

Landon, who'd walked out of the room, came back carrying his own bag and wore the same look of disgust as Matt and Colby. “Who drinks this much beer in the shitter? There were cans everywhere. And did someone sleep in the tub last night? Because there's a towel in there, and I hope it was used as a blanket and for nothing else.”

Matt shook his head. “That's just wrong.”

“I'm not touching that shit without gloves.” Landon threw up his hands. “Who knows what could be on it,” he shouted as he disappeared down the hall again.

“I'd throw it away or burn—” I motioned for Colby to open his bag as I balanced a couple beer cans in one hand and an empty bottle in the other.

“Oh, you don't have to do that.” Colby stretched the bag wide so I could drop everything in. “Not like you made this mess.”

“Yeah, but it'll go faster if we all help.” I scrunched my nose. “Plus, it's just really gross. The faster we get all this out, the better.”

He chuckled. But his grin faded as we made eye contact. How much did he actually remember?

Maybe I could find out. “I'm actually surprised you're up, considering how much everyone drank last night.” I glanced up ever so slightly, trying to get a read on him.

“Yeah, we were all pretty drunk.”

“I figured as much.” I grabbed some paper towels and a spray bottle of cleaner and went to work getting the sticky, grimy residue off the counters. “Probably don't even remember half the night.” My gaze sought him out again, but he kept his head down and focused on the last bit of trash. Dammit.

“Probably not. Some of it, maybe, not all of it.” He forced a laugh.

I glanced around but no one was really paying attention to our conversation, but they were within earshot. “Yeah, you were pretty drunk.” I sprayed the counter in front of him and stepped in closer to wipe it down. “So was Landon.” My gaze lifted, hoping he'd read between the lines:
It was only a drunk kiss, don't be mad.

He finally made eye contact. His gaze seemed to search my expression, and then he nodded. “Yeah, he was. Probably doesn't even remember winning the beer pong game…or anything that followed.”

I smiled, hopeful that we at least got one thing cleared. “I think you're right.” I stood back and examined the counter. “Much better.” Then I tossed the dirty towels into the garbage bag and grabbed new ones to start the kitchen table cleanup.

“I think I'm declaring my house a party-free zone for at least a month,” he grumbled.

“For sure, it's ridiculous. The guys could at least throw away old beer cans.” I raised a can, shook my head, then tossed it into the trash.

“Agreed. No parties until after Christmas.”

“Well, that works out. Just in time for a going-away party!” I joked.

He turned to me, his expression serious though my tone had been playful, and I regretted even bringing it up.

Landon reappeared, wearing a shirt, and pointed to the trash bag. “All done with that? I'm taking them to the garage.”

Colby did a quick scan of the kitchen. “Yeah, looks like we got it all.”

“Cool.” He knotted the top together then lifted the bag. Glass bottles rattled inside. “This shit stinks. Our friends are pigs.”

Matt pretended to clear his throat. “Says the beer pong champ.” He lifted his hands, his face masked in innocence. “Didn't say a thing.”

“Ha-ha, okay, okay. Yeah, so maybe I contributed.” Landon shouldered the weighted bag. “A lot. But I also kicked your ass.”

“We,” I chimed in. “Considering how drunk you were, we should probably respect the solid seventy/thirty split of the win.”

Landon opened the garage door and paused. “Hold that thought.”

“Uh-oh, you got him all fired up now.” Matt laughed and plopped down on the couch in the now clean living room. “You got anything for a headache?”

Colby nodded, reached into the kitchen cabinet where he stored the ibuprofen, then tossed him the bottle.

The garage door reopened and Landon stepped through already talking. “Okay, so if I'm not mistaken, you're saying you did seventy percent of the winning?”

“Seems about right.” I grinned, just to egg him on.

“What I'm thinking is we should just call it fifty/fifty because my drunkenness just took my superior beer pong skills down to average-guy range.”

“Oh? So that's what we want to call it? Hmm…Okay, if this helps keep your ego nice and inflated, I guess I can get on board with that.”

“Hey now…” He forced back a smile.

“Kidding. We all know I suck at beer pong. If it hadn't been for my champion of a partner and Matt's extreme inebriation, I wouldn't have stood a chance. It was a team effort and we…how did you say it? Mopped the floors with the blood of our enemies?”

“Damn girl, you're feisty. This isn't no red wedding. I just said we kicked some ass.”

“Oh, you didn't say something like that? Wow, now I see how the inflated ego comes about. That kind of win just really goes straight to the head. I'm like crazy with power.”

“I'd say.” He laughed. “And remind me to never play
against
you.”

“Anyone want me to order a pizza?” Colby blurted.

I glanced at him, not sure if he intended to end the conversation but getting clear vibes that it wasn't coincidence.

He shrugged. “I'm getting hungry.”

“Taylor's my ride, so whatever she wants to do,” I answered.

Colby glanced at Taylor.

“Um, I'm just here to pick up Matt, so whatever he wants.”

“I can't even think about food. I really just want a shower and a bed, but if y'all want pizza…”

“Well, I'm going to order pizza. Isla, I'll give you a ride home after you eat. Taylor, you're welcome to stay and eat too. And Matt, you can shower here and crash in my bed while we eat. But if you'd rather head home, that's cool too.”

Everyone just stared for a moment, even Landon. Considering Colby was usually the peacemaker, not the decision maker, his taking charge seemed to throw the group off. But then I smiled, enjoying this side of Colby.

“Extra olives, please.”

Taylor turned to Matt and he shrugged, like he'd go with whatever she wanted, but she took pity on him. “I'm not that hungry. I can just get you home.” She paused, then turned to me. “Are you okay with that?” She glanced between Colby and Landon, then back at me.

I nodded, but Taylor seemed to be waiting for more. Her expression seemed to say, “You sure you want to be stuck with these two?” Like she'd find an out for me if I couldn't come up with one myself.

So I smiled. “I got a ride and pizza. I'm good.”

“Okay.” Taylor seemed to relax. “Call me if, you know…”

“I will.”

After they left, I looked between the boys, wondering if I'd regret this, then took a deep breath and sat on the couch. “Maybe extra cheese too.”

Landon plopped down on the other couch and clicked on the TV. “Sounds good to me.”

Colby pulled out his phone to place the order, then slid it back into his pocket and crashed on the end of the couch opposite me. “The pizza will be here in half an hour.”

“Cool. If I fall asleep, wake me when it gets here.” Landon reached to the sky with a big yawn, then stretched out on his couch. He tossed the remote between Colby and me. “Feel free to change it. This looks like it's gonna be a total chick flick.”

I was pretty sure Colby knew I loved this movie, but I glanced at him to assure him I was okay with a channel change. “You can change it.”

He settled back, angling his legs in my direction to give himself more room to stretch out. “I'm good.”

I smiled, and though I wasn't sure exactly what he was thinking, there seemed to be a bit of you're welcome behind his little grin.

I stared at Landon, stretched out on the couch opposite me, eyes heavy with sleep. Maybe it had been a misunderstanding. Landon had been drunk and not thinking clearly, and Colby interpreted something he'd said or done as feelings. Then I looked to Colby, comfortable by my side. He may not remember my ultimatum but if he did, he seemed to be okay with whatever decision he was making. Problem was, it was hard to tell if he was choosing friendship or more. After all, we'd always been comfortable together. With a deep breath, I focused back on the movie. Whatever was going on in this moment felt pretty good. Maybe I should just enjoy it. After all, how many more moments like this would we get?

Somewhere between the three slices of pizza I ate and the end of my favorite movie, I'd dozed off. The stiffness of my neck woke me and I winced as I readjusted. I arched my back into a stretch trying to alleviate the tension in my body. A pillow I didn't recall grabbing had been wedged under my head, but I still felt crammed in a tiny space.

I shifted, still half asleep, but then froze as everything came into focus. My head rested half on the pillow, half on Colby's hip, and my hand—well, it had probably started on his thigh but was now, thanks to all my squirming, basically working its way over his crotch. Nothing but a thin layer of gray sweatpants between my fingers and…Shit. I prayed that he was sleeping and the soft snoring in the distance belonged to him, but judging by his rigid posture and what sounded like the beginning of a stifled groan, he was wide awake.

I yanked my hand back and attempted to sit up, but quickly realized I was too wedged between his body and the couch to not replace my hand on his thigh to free myself.

Once finally in a sitting position, I mumbled an apology.

His eyes were dark, but he went for a casual shrug. “Don't worry about it. I fell asleep too. Hell, Landon's snoring away over there. Guess we were all exhausted after last night.”

My gaze fell to his lap. Didn't look like every part of him was quite as relaxed as he tried to play off.

“Or maybe it was your chick flick,” he teased.

My gaze snapped up. “Uh, yeah, guess I've seen it one too many times. And all that pizza made me sleepy.”

“Me too.” He finally shifted to grab the remote, and not so casually readjusted his sweatpants. “Want to see if something else is on?”

My face warmed, but not from embarrassment. It was the knowledge that Colby was turned on and now I was too. “Grandma's probably wondering where I am. Maybe I should head home.”

“Oh, yeah, of course. I can drive you.” He didn't move from the couch. “Want to go right now?”

My gaze started to drift down, yet again, and I quickly snapped it back to the TV. “Um, whenever you're ready.”

“We can go now.” He glanced at me and paused.

My face grew even warmer.

His gaze lowered to my mouth, then swung to the kitchen table before making its way back to me. He bolted upright, shifting his body away from me. Then he grabbed his keys off the table.

Now the reddening of my face came from embarrassment. Here I'd thought the table reminded him of our night together, but in reality, he'd been looking for his keys.