Page 268 of One More Kiss

Chapter4

“Close your eyes,”Colton yells from down the hall.

I’m sitting on the couch, curled up under a blanket with a book. After the game, we all went out for drinks, and then Colton and I came back to my house and ate takeout.

“Are they closed?”

The last time Colton told me to close my eyes, I got a plate full of whipped cream smashed in my face. Even though it was years ago, I still don’t trust that he won’t do something crazy like that again.

“Colton Jameson Hayes, I swear if this is a trick, I will tell the media that you sleep with your baby blanket under your pillow.”

“You wouldn’t,” he challenges.

I bite my lip to hold back my laughter. When I first found it under his pillow he thought I would tease him and tell all of the guys. But how could I when I still slept with my stuffed bear I’ve had since I was born. It’s been stitched back together so many times that it barely resembles a bear now.

“I will if you’re planning to prank me.”

He’s quiet for so long that I wonder if he really had planned on pranking me. “I promise this isn’t a trick. Will you please close your eyes?”

I hesitate for a moment, then set my book on the table and place my hands over my face. “They’re closed.”

I hear his footsteps approach as he crosses the room. I hate surprises, and Colton knows it. My body tenses in anticipation of what he’s about to do. Maybe he’s naked. That would be a welcome surprise and one that I would actually enjoy.

“Okay, you can open them.”

I slowly lower my hands from my face. To my disappointment, he’s fully clothed and holding a box wrapped in blue paper with a giant red bow.

Sitting up, I drop my feet to the floor, my brows drawn in confusion. “What’s this for? My birthday isn’t for three more months.”

Colton settles onto the couch next to me and sets the box in between us. “Open it and see.”

I tug the bow off and toss it on the table. Flipping the box, I slide my finger under the flaps of paper and tear it open. Once all of the paper is in a pile on the floor, I stare at the plain box in front of me. There is no writing on the top to give a hint as to what could be inside.

I glance at him before lifting the lid off and suck in a breath as I lift my gaze to him. “Is this for real?”

Colton nods, and I pull the blue hoodie out of the box. I can barely see the Buffalo Bills logo through the tears flooding my eyes. He’s moving back to New York. No more long flights to California and months between visits. He’ll be just a few hours’ drive away.

“This is the best news I’ve had in a long time.” I climb over the box, wrapping my arms around his neck, and hug him tight.

“So I take it you’re happy?” Colton’s voice is thick with emotion.

I release him and wipe the tears off my cheeks. “Of course I’m happy! Now I can get season tickets and critique all of your plays in person. Is this why you came back home? To tell me the news? You could have done this over a video chat.”

Colton laughs, and I realize that I was rambling. But I can’t help it. I’m excited that he will be close to home again.

He cradles my face and brushes a stray tear away with his thumb. “I figured it was about time you replaced my Syracuse University sweatshirt with the Bills one.”

“What?” How could he possibly know I have his sweatshirt?

“Not that I mind that you’ve had it all these years. It actually looks really good on you, but I think the Bills one would look even better.”

He’s seen me in his sweatshirt? That doesn’t make sense. I’ve never worn it . . .

Allie! I knew she was up to something the other night. She must have sent Colton a picture of me wearing it. That traitor.

“I should have asked you for it. If you want, I can give it back.”

“I don’t need it back, Skye. I’ll give you all of my sweatshirts if it will make you happy.”

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