Page 74 of Crazy for You
After Mom had passed, Dad and I had taken a road trip to clear our heads. We’d talked endlessly about Mom and celebrated her life. The time away had helped to ease our suffering, so I wasn’t about to argue. I knew Georgia would keep my mind occupied. She had a way of knowing how to make me laugh, even if I really wanted to hang out with Colton. He could definitely relate to what I was going through.
A car door slammed, making me pull away from Nan. Colton was home. I’d peeked out the window a few times since I’d been up to see if he’d gotten home.
As if Nan knew I was thinking about him, she said, “You love Colton. Don’t you?”
“It’s that obvious, huh?” No sense in denying how I felt. After all, she’d witnessed us with our tongues down each other’s throats when she’d returned with dinner.
The light from the hood over the stove cast a glow around the kitchen, highlighting her tired and red-rimmed eyes. “First love is always intense. Do me a favor? Please make sure you practice safe sex.”
A flush of heat crawled up my neck. It wasn’t so much the topic that was making me burn from the inside out, but the thought of sex with Colton. Aside from the play-by-play Mia had given Georgia and me from time to time, I didn’t know much.
A knowing smile played across her lips. “I was a teenager once. No need to be mortified.”
“I guess it’s more of the fact I’m still a virgin.”
She slumped as though relieved. “Maybe we should put you on the pill.”
I imagined a similar convo if Mom had been there. No way could I have spoken to Dad about the birds and the bees. “You would be okay with that?”
She smoothed a hand over my hair. “I’m here to guide and help you, not lay down strict rules to keep you from growing into a young woman. I know you have a good head on your shoulders. But do me a favor?”
“Anything.” I wanted to make her proud of me, as if she were my mom.
“Anytime you feel like you can’t make it through the day, I want you to talk to me or Colton or Georgia. Please don’t suppress your feelings.”
I hugged her with all I had. She was the best gift God could’ve given Dad and me. “Thank you.”
“Aw, sweetie. I love you.”
I couldn’t keep the tears at bay anymore. “I love you too.”
“We should try to get some sleep.”
Rain began to fall, battering against the sliding glass door. Then thunder boomed.
Nan and I turned our attention outside as a flash of lightning brightened the yard.
“I love the rain.” Nan yawned. “I’m going to bed. Maybe the rain will help me sleep. The sound is soothing. I’ll see you in the morning.” She left just as Stella came into the kitchen, purring.
I wasn’t ready to put my head on a pillow or lie in bed and watch my ceiling fan turn endlessly.
I picked up my Maine Coon and stroked her ears. “Hey, girl. You can’t sleep, either?” I imagined she might have been wandering around, looking for Dad.
She jumped down just as the front door opened.
“What are you doing out there?” Nan asked. “It’s pouring. Come inside.”
I ran into the family room and stopped short.
Colton flicked his worried gaze in my direction.
I shuddered, hoping nothing had happened.
“Colton, it’s two in the morning. Is everything okay?” Nan asked in a concerned tone.
I was beginning to think the worst. Maybe something had happened to Grady, or even to Colton’s dad.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, not breaking our connection. “I saw Skyler’s light on in her bedroom. I wanted to check on her.”
