Justified Love (The Southern Gentleman Series Book 1) (4 page)

             
Stupid, Carr.
At this point, he’s probably just being nice to you because you have some anti-social disease.

              “Are you sure? You don’t sound like you’re sure,” he said with a laugh.

             
Oh my ‘Lanta.
He had the sexiest laugh I’ve ever heard. He looked like sex on a stick, and I was digging it a lot.

              “Yea, I’m sure. Sorry. I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight. I mean, not like I was hoping you would be here. I mean, it would have been nice, but I wasn’t, like, waiting for you to show up,” I said praying my cheeks weren’t flaming with embarrassment.

             
Shut up Carr. You sound like a moron right now.

              “Wow, ok. I’m not sure how to take that. Thank you, I guess? Let me buy you another beer. It was my fault you dropped yours in the first place.”

              “Oh gosh, Colt. You don’t have to do that, really.”

              “It’s not a problem. I’m the one who startled you.”

              “It’s not necessary,” I began.

              “Carrington shut up and let me buy you a drink.”

              His assertiveness was such a turn on and didn’t bother me in the least.

              “What’ll it be?” asked Zach.

              “We’ll take two Buds and two double shots of Crown,” Colt ordered.

              “Oh, I don’t know, Colton. I’ve already had a lot to drink.”

              “Y.O.L.O. or whatever those city slickers say.”

              I couldn’t help but giggle. He was so cute.

              “Y.O.L.O.?”

              “Yea, you know. You. Only. Live. Once.”

              “I’m pretty sure not all northerners say Y.O.L.O. when at a bar,” I said with a chuckle. “Plus, I was always a southerner before I was a northerner.”

              “Well, I must insist you take advantage of my generosity… ma’am,” he said with a deep, southern accent.

              “Bless your heart. How could I refuse a gentleman’s kindness?”

              “To be honest, Carr, I didn’t think I’d ever see you again after you took off after graduation.”

             
What is that supposed to mean? Did he want to see me? But he has never even attempted to talk to me, and I sure as hell wasn’t trying to talk to him.

              Trying not to analyze his response over, I took a swig of my new beer, “Well, I’m just in town for a short time. Dad needed my help with some legal issues so I told him I’d come help out.”

              “That’s right. I heard you were a big shot attorney now.”

             
What the hell? Was he keeping tabs on me?

              “Yep, not exactly Matlock, but I’m pretty good enough.”

              Why is it that my head and body lose all sense of direction around this man? You would think after all this time I would have gotten over him, but how could I? He was perfect.

            “Yea, you’re way better looking then Matlock ever was,” he said.

           
Was he flirting? I think he’s flirting with me.

            “I’m sure he would look pretty ridiculous in these jeans,” I said spinning around.

             
Was I flirting? I guess I was. I’ve never flirted a day in my life, but I believe this was warranted. Time to jump in the deep end kiddo and see if you can swim.

              “So, Colton, I’ve updated you on my story, what about you?”

              “Ahh, yes. I had a feeling that was coming.”

              “Well?” I insisted trying to play it cool.

              “After high school, I took a football scholarship at UT but never made it past freshman year.

              Well, maybe I didn’t exactly hold my end of the bargain when it came to the “No Colton” policy. I mean, I wasn’t talking about him, but cyber stalking wasn’t part of the agreement. Leave it to the lawyer to always find a loophole.

              “What happened?”

              “Well, I tore my ACL and it never healed properly. Dad was devastated, and mama cried for days. I lost my full ride and had to reevaluate my plans for the future. I never thought of a backup plan, so I decided to major in Business and help Dad with his company.”

              “And? Do you regret your choice?”

              “Every. Day,” he laughed.  “I wish I had skipped town like you did,” we both laughed together.

              “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I live in a sketchy part of town, have no car, pay way too much for rent, and have zero friends in New York City. I’d say I’m living the dream.”

              “Now that you put it that way, maybe staying in Avery wasn’t such a bad idea,” he retorted as we both laughed.

             
I had no idea Colt was so charming. It made me weak in the knees.

              As much as I wanted to keep the conversation going on all night, I also knew I needed to be up bright and early the next morning to start on Dad’s case.

              “I’m sorry Colt, but it’s getting kind of late and I gotta be up early tomorrow morning,” I confessed.

              “Is this a blow off, Carrington Mason?” Colt responded with a raised eyebrow.

              “Oh heavens no. I just have a lot to do for my dad and need to get started,” I said while reaching out to touch his arm.
Damn his guns are big
. “It was good seeing you, Colt. Good luck with everything.”

              “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. You’re not getting away that easy, Mason. Here, give me your phone.”

              His assertiveness was definitely a turn on.
Oh God, can he see my bra through my shirt? He keeps looking at my chest and then away.

              “Here you go,” I handed over my phone. “You’re not putting in one of those sex hotline numbers, are you? I’m not sure I can handle the bill again.” I said sarcastically hoping he got my joke.

              “You are too funny, Carrington Mason. No, I’m putting in my phone number,” he chuckled looking at me with those intense blue eyes. “I think we should hang out while you’re in town,” he said looking down at my phone.

              Is this seriously happening right now?

              That was the perfect opportunity to look around the room. Finding Harley and Skye across the dance floor, they were pretending to make-out at my expense. With pursed lips, I curse them from across the room, while silently giggling like a teenager.

              Colt handed my phone back, not taking his eyes from me. I couldn’t help but blush. The awkwardness was mounting, so I said the most obvious response, “Thanks.” I smiled and walked away as quick as possible, not waiting for his reaction.

              Idiot Carr. I have got to get better at this flirting thing.

              As soon as I reached the girls, and before they had a chance to put me through an interrogation, I grabbed their wrists and shooed them out the door. With looks of disappointment, we waved goodbye to Colt and his two best friends - Wyatt and Chuck. Wyatt and Skye had been best friends for years, so it came as no surprise that she might have had a hand in this matchmaking.

●

              As soon as I climbed into the truck, I was bombarded with questions, “What did he say? What did you say? Did he get your number? Maybe he’ll text you? What are you going to say if he does?”

              “So, I guess we are throwing the “No Colton” policy out the window?”

              “Well?”

              “Going in order, Hi, Hi, nope vice versa, no chance in hell, nothing because I’m not going to text or call.”

              “Seriously, Carr. We are your two best friends, and those are the kind of responses we get? Let me just tell you, Carr. I may have to look for a new best friend because your communication skills really suck-ass,” Harley pleaded.

              “Says the woman who just used the phrase “suck-ass” in a sentence,” I responded with a giggle.

              “Seriously, are we going to go there?” Harley pleaded.

              “So?” asked Harley.

              “So…what?” I answered.

              “Are you going to call him or not?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

              “I haven’t decided yet. It’s terrifying to think the balls in my court,” I confessed with a look of despair.

              “Honey, if you can get through law school and go up against the most despicable human beings in New York, I think you’ll be fine sending him a simple text. You never know where this could lead,” Skye muttered.

              “Yeah, yeah and he could be incredible in the sack. Did you see that ass in those jeans? Wahoo! Ride em’ cowgirl!” Harley added while we all laughed hysterically.

              “Only you, Har. Only you.”

              “But enough of that, tell us exactly what happened, ” Harley chimed.

              “I don’t know what you’re talking about?” I grinned.

              “Oh, don’t give us that bullshit Carrington Grace Mason! Ever since you were a kid, you were a horrible liar. You know exactly what we’re talking about.”
Damn it!

              “O.K, O.K. You know how I left to go get beers, right?”

              “Yeah,” they grunted.

              “Well, I didn’t notice Colt standing next to me until he tapped me on the shoulder.”

              “And…,” they insisted giving me the hurry up look.

              “I dropped two bottles of Bud, right on his feet.”

              “Grace moment,” they exclaimed in unison while looking at each other.

              “That’s not even the worst part. Bending down we bumped heads when we both went to clean up the mess.”

              “You have got to be shitting me,” Harley said.

              “I shit you not, my friend. It was not the highlight of my life that’s for sure.”

              “So, what did he say?” asked Skye waiting in anticipation.

              “He insisted he buy me a new one. I politely declined a couple times, but then he had an authoritative sound in his voice. I felt as if I couldn’t say no, plus he looked so fucking hot bossing me around.”

              “He did not,” gasped Skye.

              “He did. I think it was the first time we’ve had an actual conversation mounting to anything relevant. It didn’t go exactly how I would have like it, but it was still amazing.

              “So, what are you going to do now?” Skye asked looking intrigued.

              “Guys, I’m only here for a short time, and I don’t want to start up something that is never going to happen. He is a Greek God, while I am the lowly peasant sweeping his bed chambers.”