Page 53 of Worth the Want
“Well then, let’s go camping,” Colt says, smiling at Indie like she’s one of his weekly conquests.Not gonna happen.
“Alright, fine,” I relent. Indie bounces up and down in her seat; Winnie and Mare squeal and clap their hands along with her.
“I need a tent,” Indie announces excitedly. “And probably some other things.”
The words are out of my mouth before I can think about them. “I have a tent you can use.”
“I’ll bet you do,” Alder jokes and elbows Colt.Children.I sigh.
“Between all of us, we’ll have everything you need. Don’t worry,” Mare assures her.
“Aww, thanks, guys. I’m gonna get another drink. I saw moonshine is available, and I’ve never had it before. Anyone else want something?” she asks, looking around the table.
“I’ll have another beer, and I’ll come with you,” Colt tells her. I clench my jaw. He’s doing this on purpose, and I’m getting tired of it.
Alder checks his phone. “I better get going actually. I need to get some oranges and get home. It was nice meeting you, Indiana. Ivy will be grateful for your offer, I’m sure, and probably call you to say so. If not before, we’ll see you at the Spring Festival,” he tells her.
“Call me Indie—and absolutely. I’m looking forward to it.”
He grins at her. “Goodbye, family. Make good decisions. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” We all have a laugh at that. Something that, up until the last eight months or so, would have been something we said to him.
“We have shots!” Indie yells, approaching our table.Shots?What is this, her second one of the night? “Round three!”Thirdshot of the night?
“What the hell, I’m off tomorrow,” Mare says.
“I’m in!” Winnie squeals.
“What are you in? Trouble?” I hear Rhett say from behind us.
“Hi, handsome! I didn’t know if you would make it!” Winnie cheers.
“I thought the staff meeting would never end, but I snuck out when they started debating if we would be allowing metal water bottles inside the school anymore,” he says, sitting next to her, keeping an arm around her.
“You’re so bad, Coach Holloway,” she teases, and he whips his head to her. A knowing grin on full display.
“Alright that's enough of that.” Colt groans.
I laugh. I can’t imagine seeing Florence like this with a guy. I feel for him.
“Oh, come on, Colt. We all know you're not a prude,” Mare says in an accusing tone.
He cuts her a dirty look that ends up looking more predatory than threatening. “Why don’t you come home with me tonight, and we’ll test that theory, Goldie.” Marigold holds up her middle finger in response. Colt takes it in stride, smiling widely. “I’ll take that as a maybe and definitely don’t tell Dr. Grant,” he says, shooting her a wink. I fight my smile, as does everyone at the table except for Indie, who looks mildly confused. I can’t blame her. The tension between these two is hard to figure out.
We all take our shot, and it goes down like I imagined it would. Tasting like I won’t be having another drink the rest of the night, and my beer will be abandoned. I have a beer here and there occasionally. Hard liquor has never been my friend, and even though I’ve been called a stick-in-the-mud, I have never had any interest in drinking to excess. I do like to watch all my family have a good time though.
A few more rounds for the table, and a soda for me later, and everyone who’s still here is well and drunk.
“I’m going to dance!” Indie announces, waltzing out in the open with a few other couples. She dances alone. Not caring who’s looking. Her body sways to the rhythm, enchanting me. I can’t take my eyes off her.
“You should dance with her, Knox,” Colt tells me before taking a long sip of his drink.
I scoff. “I don’t dance.”
“No, but I do, and if you don’t get out there soon, I may have to make sure Indie doesn’t have to dance alone.”
“Oh, fuckoff.”
“I’m serious. She’s a great girl. Smart, funny, beautiful, and don’t get me started on her a?—”
