Page 71 of Overtime
“Joss,” I confirm, holding my hand out, and he shakes it giving me a bright smile as he looks me over again with what looks like a new understanding. Apparently, Colt talks about me to his brother. Interesting. My heart flutters a little and I try to regain my composure. “Like I said, I didn’t know your brother was coming back with you. I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t either. He surprised me by getting a flight back. He left the game a little early and told me to pick him up at the airport. Luckily, we landed at similar times.”
“I just wanted to surprise you.”
“That’s going around today.” Colt flashes a smile at me.
I grin at his brother wanting to support him in the same way. Glad that whatever his strain might be with his parents, he at least has one family member in his corner. And from the way Cody looks at him, I’d guess Colt is his own personal superhero.
“Do you want a cupcake?” I ask Cody.
“That sounds fucking amazing.” He sits down at the counter, and I pass one to him along with a napkin. “What do you want to drink?”
“A coke?” he asks.
“Coming right up.” I go to the cabinets to get a glass.
“Now suddenly he gets waited on?” Colt feigns hurt.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Just some ice water.” He grins.
“All right.” I grin back at him and work to fix their drinks like I’m some sort of domestic goddess that gets up in the middle of the night to wait on company. I don’t know what this guy is doing to me, but it’s definitely a new experience.
I hear them whisper something behind me, and I know it has to be about me, so when I set the glasses down in front of them, I give them both a surly look. Cody grins at me in response, and it’s unbelievable how similar his smile is to Colt’s, just younger and more boyish. As I glance between them, I really see how much Colt has changed.
“How old are you?” I ask Cody just as he takes a bite of the cupcake.
He chews and swallows, wiping some of the frosting off his lip with the napkin before he responds. “Twenty-one.”
“A baby. Jesus. Is this really what you looked like when we met? Was I this much of a cougar?” They both laugh in response. “I’m serious, it’s eerie. You should let your future wife know there’s a built-in younger model to trade in for. Just in case,” I tease Colt, and Cody whistles low and then bursts into laughter.
“I don’t play football like a god though.”
“That’s to your advantage for those of us who don’t care about the sport.”
“You don’t like football?”
“Well, I don’t dislike it—anymore. Your brother cured me of that because he looks so fucking sexy playing it. And I like watching him light up when he talks about it. Like a little kid on Christmas. But it’s definitely an acquired taste.”
“Fuck. I love football. I wish I’d been half as good as him. Instead, I get to go back to the farm when I’m done with college later this year.”
“I bet the girls love that though. Working with your hands, riding your tractor… I bet it's bucolic bliss.” I lean over, staring at him as I flutter my eyelashes, and he laughs.
“I’m gonna need you to not sound like you’re hitting on my brother.” Colt’s arm wraps around my waist and he hauls me back toward him. I turn around to tease him when the robe I have on starts to fall open, and I remember that I’m still half naked.
“I should probably put clothes on, huh?”
“I’m not one to encourage it normally but…” Colt’s eyes slide to his brother. “All this trade-in talk with a cougar in the house has me nervous.”
“All right. Be back in a minute.” I laugh and give Colt another chaste kiss on the cheek as I leave the room.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Colt
“That’s Joss?”Cody looks at me wild-eyed once she’s out of earshot.
