Page 7 of Crazy for You
His wince was fleeting, but it was there, nonetheless. “Are you trying to look like a boy, Lawson?” Grady continued to scrutinize me. “Why did you cut your hair?”
I threw him the middle finger as my stomach dropped to my feet. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that Grady didn’t like my new look. Then again, rumors about my hair were far better than him telling boys I was bad in bed.
Mia came running up like she was about to save the day, her ponytail swishing behind her. “Back the fuck off, Grady, or I will blast pics of your small dick around school.”
“You, of all people, know my heat-seeking missile isn’t small,” Grady shot back.
Georgia and I snorted at his metaphor—of course Grady had named his third leg. Colton didn’t react at all. Actually, I couldn’t get a read on him, in stark contrast to Grady’s flamboyance.
Petite and fiery, Mia rolled her hazel eyes, brushing off Grady’s bravado. “Well, if you want to get laid again”—she poked him in the chest—“step off.”
Grady squinted at Mia, a muscle ticking in his jaw. Then he turned to Colton, who had just closed the door to his truck. “Welcome home, bro. Are you ready to play football?”
They exchanged a quick manly hug.
It was my turn to roll my eyes. I didn’t remember Colton being friends with Grady. Then again, I couldn’t recall much of my freshman year after Mom’s death.
Colton’s head dipped, his hair falling forward. “For sure.”
Georgia took hold of my arm. “Let’s get out of here. I had Mia put your skateboard in my car.”
Mia flanked me on the other side as we left the guys talking about football and games and the upcoming season.
Whatever.
When we were finally in Georgia’s VW convertible, she asked, “Did you know Colton was home?”
I pushed out a shoulder. “No clue.” His mom came over to see Dad on occasion, but hardly talked about her son, and I had no reason to ask.
“You think he got kicked out of that private school?” Georgia asked, starting the engine.
Mia flipped down the visor in the passenger seat and checked her red lipstick. “Who cares? Have you seen him? His hair. I want to run my fingers through it.”
Sighing, I rested back against the seat, glancing up at the clear blue sky. “Get in line.”
Georgia wheeled out of the lot behind a long line of cars. “It will be an interesting year.”
“Why? Because Colton is back?” I asked, even though I knew what she was thinking.
Georgia eyed me through the rearview mirror. “Um. Yeah. He’s the only guy who stole your heart. So you need to make sure no girl gets her paws on him.” Then she whipped her attention to Mia. “He’s off-limits.”
I had to love my BFF. She always had my back.
Mia propped her arm on the passenger door. “It’s not me you have to worry about. You both know Amanda will be brushing her big tits against him and marking her territory when she sees him.”
Every damn girl in school would be doing the same. Colton was, for all intents and purposes, fresh meat, and I had no doubt he would have groupies hovering.
“He’s his own person,” I said. I didn’t have time to swoon or get caught up in a love affair. Dad was my responsibility, and I had to spend every free minute I had with him.
3
The cafeteria was brimming with students, and the noise level was so loud, I could barely hear Georgia. Her lips moved as she leaned in across from me, but the thunderous drone was masking her high-pitched voice. It didn’t help that I wasn’t really paying attention.
I was laser-focused on Colton, who was sitting with dickwad Grady. They seemed to be best buds as they laughed and ogled girls who were giggling and flirting with them.
I rolled my eyes as my stomach churned. Jealousy was new for me, and I wanted to trip each hussy as she waved at Colton. Or maybe they were waving at Grady. He was a good-looking guy, but his bully attitude blackened his soul and handsome features.
Georgia banged on the table. “Wake up, woman.”
