Addicted to You (7 page)

“Yeah.” I took a little step back.

“Talk to your friends, see what they say. You know where to find me later.”

I nodded. “Yep.” And my back tensed, because I sensed it coming even before he started leaning in. But before he could officially go in for the kiss, I blurted, “Thanks for the beer.” Then spun away, and came face-to-chest with Colby.

“Ready to go?” Though he was asking me, his eyes were glued to Gabe. They slowly drifted down to where our fingers were still linked.

Gabe, who'd rebounded from the failed attempt, said, “I was just telling Isla that we're heading to the beach for a bonfire. You interested?”

Colby's tone was friendly but his posture was rigid. “Nah, I'm ready to call it a night.”

Gabe lightly tugged my finger. “Well, I can give you a ride, Isla.”

I slid my hand free. “Actually, I'm pretty tired too.”

“Oh.” He looked from me to Colby and back again. “Maybe another time.” He lifted his chin in a quick goodbye, then took off, back toward the stage.

And as Colby, with his shoulders stiff and eyebrows slanted down, tracked his movements, that little voice in my head stirred up all the things we were supposed to be moving past. I'd fully intended to move forward and restore our friendship, but something about Colby's stance suggested so much more than a friend watching out for a friend.

Then again I'd had a couple beers. Maybe I just wanted to see more there. I shook it off and waved bye to Landon.

“I get off in an hour. You gonna be hanging out at my place later?”

Taylor's car was over there but I didn't really know if we'd stay longer than the time it took to get it. I shrugged. “Not sure yet. But I'll see you there if I do.”

As we made our way out, Taylor hung back a little with me. When the guys gained a bit of distance in front of us, she finally asked, “Everything okay?” Her gaze drifted to Colby.

“Yeah. It was just a misunderstanding. We're all good now though.”

“Glad to hear that.” She smiled. “Would you mind if we hung out at his place for a bit? I'm in no rush to get home considering my roommate's boyfriend is in town for the weekend. He's incredibly obnoxious, and Matt can't stand him. Unless you need to get home, of course.”

“Nope, I'm good.” This would also give me a chance to talk with Colby a bit more. Just a little light conversation to help us transition back into the friendship I was really missing or, who knew, maybe it would lead to even more.

When we got back to Colby's, we grabbed a few beers and headed to his back porch. It really was the perfect place to relax. His small two-bedroom house had belonged to his grandparents, which meant it was ideal for two young guys, being that it was rent free,
but
it also meant they lived on what I lovingly called Senior Citizen Row. He didn't have a single neighbor under seventy. It was quiet and peaceful, but the residents of Coral Cove also really loved Colby and Landon, considering they'd watched them grow up, so they tended to look the other way if things got a little too loud on occasion. But that rarely happened, since the guys were quick to remind their friends to respect their neighbors. Add in the lull of the waves crashing against the shoreline just a few hundred feet away, and it was almost spellbinding. So Colby's had become more of a sit, enjoy the beach, have a few drinks, and share some easy conversation kind of place.

But like most people, Matt and Taylor fell to the siren call of the ocean, and it didn't take long for the two to wander off for a late night walk on the beach, leaving Colby and me all alone.

Before, this would've been my favorite time of the night, having him here all to myself. Moonlight, sea breeze, and conversation. All we'd ever needed. But tonight we had everything minus the conversation. I decided to change that.

“I finished my nursing school paperwork.”

Colby's head snapped toward me as if he'd forgotten I was there or was surprised by my comment. “Oh?”

“Yeah. I, uh, actually got in with early admission. I get to start a semester sooner than planned. I leave in January.”

“Oh.”

“Just a few months away.” I glanced at him. “And please don't just say ‘oh' again.” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. “Pretend to be a little interested.”

“I am. I just wasn't sure what to say.” He sank a little deeper into his chair, tugging the brim of his hat lower over his eyes, completely shutting my window to reading his expression. “I'm proud of you.”

“Thanks. It's been a lot of work but I think I'm ready to move on.”

“Move on?”

“Like from my basics. I'm ready for some hands-on learning. I'm really excited about this program.”

“That's great, Isla. Really it is. You'll do amazing. I'll miss you, of course, but you'll kick ass.” He stood and lifted his empty beer bottle. “Can I get you another?”

I shook my head, trying to play it cool. Was it a generic nice thing to say or would he really miss me? And if so, in what capacity?

“Be right back.” He slid open the back door and stepped inside.

About thirty seconds passed, before I decided to follow him. He had his head buried in the fridge as he pulled out another beer, and when he turned around he didn't look surprised to see me. Instead his gaze lingered on me, his eyes shifting from my face to my hair, then slowly down my body.

There were a lot of things that had confused me about Colby over the years; there'd also been a lot of second-guessing and desperately wanting to make something out of nothing. But if there was one thing I knew, as a girl who he'd looked at like that before, I wasn't just seeing desire where I wanted to. And maybe it was the few beers I'd already had, or maybe it was the fact that he looked more than inviting with his messy hair peeking out of his cap, his lips a bit reddened from drinking, and his eyes, so intense and focused on me, but I found my confidence again. The same one that had sprung to life a few nights ago.

As I slowly closed the gap between us, Colby didn't move. Instead he just tracked my movements, as if he could will me closer with just a look. Which he obviously could. After all, that was exactly the motive behind every step I took. I had to know what was behind that look. Would he shut down, like that night by my car, or would he let go, like he had when he first kissed me?

When nothing remained between us but a breath's space, I placed my hand against his well-worn shirt, slowly letting my palm glide up his chest and around his neck.

He took a deep breath, his eyes slightly glazed, and his mouth parted.

But then a thought flitted through my head. He'd been drinking. I doubted he was drunk, but it was safe to assume he had a buzz. Was this Colby the only version who wanted me? I'd let that go the first time, but I couldn't be nothing more than a drunken hookup. It was even lower on the totem pole than friends with benefits, considering he'd at least have to make that decision with a clear head.

As I stood there, letting my thoughts and insecurities carry me away, Colby's hand lifted. He twirled a strand of my hair, then moved his thumb under my chin, tilting my head toward him.

“Life would be so much easier if you weren't so beautiful.”

Was that a compliment? Sure, it was flattering to be called beautiful, but did he mean it'd be easier to not drunkenly fall into bed with me if he thought I was unattractive? After all, shouldn't Colby, the guy who knew me better than almost everyone else, see beyond my looks?

“I think you took that the wrong way.” His eyebrows slanted down as he studied my expression.

“Not really sure how to take it.”

His hand dropped from my chin and he stared at the ceiling, lifted his cap, then settled it back on his head. “Inside and out.”

“Oh.” Well, that changed everything.

“I wouldn't feel so guilty about this.” His hand moved back to my hair, toying with the long strands hanging over my shoulder.

My hand slid back down his chest, and I stared at my nails. “Is that why this only happens when you're drinking?”

“What? No.”

I looked up.

“I feel this way every freaking second of every damned day.” Then he leaned in, his mouth making its way toward mine. And just as his top lip brushed my bottom one, the front door jiggled. “And I'm not the only fucking one,” he mumbled. Then he sidestepped away from me, yanked his beer off the counter where he'd set it, and practically stormed out the back door.

What. The. Hell?

I stood there, trying to find my bearings after another serious case of Colby whiplash.

The front door swung open and Landon walked in juggling a case of beer and a paper bag that instantly filled the room with an intoxicating scent.

“Don't worry. I'll share.” He laughed and kicked the door closed behind him.

“Huh?” I tried to snap out of whatever the hell had just happened.

“You look hungry, and I know how much you like fries.” He set the bag on the table, then slid the case of beer into the fridge.

Hungry. Well, that was one way to describe it. Did I crave Colby? Absolutely. When it came to him, was I completely insatiable? Yep. So yeah, it was fair to say I probably looked
hungry.
Just not for fries. But considering they were basically my favorite food group, I wasn't going to turn them down either.

I peeked into the bag. Landon had brought food home from the bar in two big white takeout boxes.

“Please tell me one of those is french fries.”

“Yep. A whole box of them.” He grinned. “Help yourself. I texted Colby before I got off and he said you were here, so I got extras.”

“You're the best.” I pulled out the top box and cracked the lid and discovered it to be filled with french fries. Gloriously greasy fries. And after the way Colby had just pulled a complete one-eighty, I could use a little comfort carbs. Or a lot.

I plopped into a chair and angled the box between myself and an empty seat. Landon walked over, ketchup in hand, and squeezed what seemed like half the bottle into the box lid, then sat in the chair next to me.

He opened the other box, which was filled with chicken tenders. More yummy, crunchy grease to help ease the confusion.

Landon slid the box across the table, and I plucked one out.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.” He held up a cup of ranch but I shook my head. “Have fun with Gabe tonight?” he teased.

I rolled my eyes, letting them wander toward the back porch where I could barely make out Colby's silhouette. Was that what kept getting under his skin tonight? Gabe? He said he wasn't the only one—but really, he couldn't honestly find Gabe a threat. Or competition. Or whatever had him so worked up. Who cared if the guy flirted with me?

“Be honest, did I give off anything that even remotely suggested I was interested in him?”

“In Gabe?” He laughed. “No. You weren't rude by any means, but other than letting the guy buy you a beer, no. I could tell you weren't interested, but not too sure if he could.”

Could Colby not tell either? I looked at him again, still sitting by himself. Matt and Taylor probably wouldn't be back for a while, and he knew Landon was here, so why not come in?

I lifted a french fry so drenched in ketchup it buckled under the weight, tilted my head back to avoid making a mess, then crammed it in my mouth.

“Did Gabe say anything to you?” I asked between bites.

“Nah, he mentioned the bonfire but seemed more interested in whether or not I could bring you, rather than me actually going.” He took a bite of ranch-covered chicken, then shrugged. “Not trying to break your heart or anything, but I'm sure he's already found a new prospect at the beach party.”

I grabbed my chest and feigned disappointment. “But Landon, he dedicated a song to me!”

He laughed, just as the back door finally slid open. “This is why I love you.”

Colby, who was once again nailing the role of brooding male, glanced at us.

“Hey, I brought plenty. Help yourself.”

Colby leaned against the bar dividing the kitchen and the small nook we sat in. “I'm good. But thanks.”

I lifted another ketchup-saturated fry and dropped it into my mouth. Sure, most girls would try to eat in a manner slightly less barbaric, but most girls weren't playing a game of will he/won't he with Colby. And, quite frankly, this girl was sick of it. So he could stand there with his faint frown and sulking eyes, watching me cram five thousand calories into my sexually frustrated body. I mean, I had to find pleasure in something, right? And at this moment it was in the starchy, salty goodness of french fries.

But when I glanced at him, he wasn't watching me devour twenty potatoes' worth of fries; he was instead staring at the boxes of food between Landon and me. Maybe he was hungry. Except his expression looked more sad than anything else.

His gaze drifted to Landon, then slowly back to me. We made eye contact and the corner of his mouth tugged up in a tiny smile that somehow managed to look a lot like defeat. As if he'd discovered something he didn't exactly like, yet had no choice but to accept.

I tilted my head in question and he tugged out a chair and settled at the table with us. “So tonight was a good turnout.”

Landon nodded. “Hell yeah. The band paid off.”

“Bet your boss is happy.”

“Considering the way things typically die down at the end of summer, I sure as hell hope so.” He leaned back, finally having devoured all his chicken.

“Did you put it together, like find the band and stuff, or just suggest it?”

“I suggested it, then threw out the name of a few bands I thought we might be able to snag. He asked me to put in a few calls and it sort of fell together.”

“That's great, man. Good for you.”

“Thanks. I enjoyed it.” He leaned back in his chair, tilting it onto the back two legs. “I'd love to make this into something more. Like some kind of event coordinator or something.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he shrugged as if to dismiss it and let his chair settle back on all fours. “Not that I don't love bartending.”

But Colby was quick to reassure him. “You'd be great at planning stuff like that. You know a lot of people, have a lot of connections. I think you should throw the idea out to your boss.”

And this was what I'd always loved about all three of the Callahan boys. They may give each other a hard time, even have a disagreement from time to time, but in the end they were always supportive. Unlike my brother, Luis, who I'd barely even spoken to over the last three years.

“Eh, it's just an idea. Maybe I'll get a few more successful nights under my belt first. Who's to say it'll work the next time?”

“Who's to say it won't? Not much to do in Port Lucia once the summer ends. The tourists and their money vanish as soon as the weather shifts. It's like the whole town goes quiet. Bring a little life back into it.”

Landon nodded, his gaze drifting up as if lost in thought. Then he looked back at Colby. “I do have a few ideas, maybe I'll see if I can get the green light at work.” He stood and shoved the take-out trash back in the brown bag. “I'm going to hop in the shower.” He turned to me. “Will you be here a while?”

“I guess until Taylor gets back. She's my ride.”

“You're always welcome to crash here,” Landon offered as he carried his trash into the kitchen.

I glanced at Colby, unable to help but wonder if his mind had also returned to my last sleepover.

“Thanks but I'll probably head home when she gets back. Taylor hasn't been drinking so I'm sure she'll be fine to drive.”

“Okay, well, if y'all change your mind, there's always room.”

“Thanks.”

He walked out of the kitchen, leaving Colby and me alone at the table. Just like we'd been the other night. But instead of dwelling on the fact that something was obviously about to go down in the kitchen earlier, or on his mumbled remark, followed by storming off, only to then do a complete turnaround and join us at the table…I decided to move past it, tonight at least.

“I love how you and Landon can talk. Like friends, not just brothers.”

“We
are
friends.” He crossed his arms and stared into the kitchen. “What do you think of Landon?”