Page 8 of Don’t Call Me Son

Colt walks up behind me and lets out a deep grunt, clearly fighting a grin like he just read every single thought in my head. He hits the unlock button on his fob.

I sigh, already dreading the drive; traffic better not be bad today. I’m seriously considering busing home later, even though the buses run every half hour and I’ve never actually had to use one before. Right now, though? Anything feels better than being trapped in close quarters with him for twenty-five minutes.

I yank the passenger door open, climb up into the seat, and dump my bag between my legs. Slamming the door shut a little harder than necessary, then lean my head against the cool window, arms crossed tight over my chest.

My heart starts racing the second I hear Colt open the driver’s side door. He hauls himself in, the truck dipping slightly under his weight, and the cab suddenly feels way too small.

Nothing is going to be the same ever again. I can still feel the marks he left on me; the bruise on my thigh rubbing against the inside of my shorts, the one on my wrist, the hickey on my nipple brushing against my vest with every breath. And now I’m sitting here next to him like it’s just a normal morning drive to college.

…

My phone suddenly rings from inside my bag and I flinch hard, my whole body jerking at the sound. I’m so tense right now it’s ridiculous. I dig it out quickly and let out a quiet sigh of relief when I see Jay’s name on the screen. Thank God; anything to avoid sitting here stewing in Colt’s dominating presence.

I answer fast and turn my face toward the window. “Hey Jay, what’s up?”

“Hey, man!” Jay’s voice explodes down the line, way too much energy for this early in the morning. “You nearly here?”

I glance through the front windshield. “About ten minutes away, why?”

“Cool, so… did you ask your folks to come to the races tonight?”

Right, I’d completely forgotten about that. I press my fingers into my eyes and inhale slowly. This is really not the day to be running multiple heats. “Thanks for reminding me, Jay. And I don’t have folks… but no…”

“Right… sure, sorry, you know what I mean.”

I hate the words ‘parents’ or ‘folks.’ My dad died when I was fourteen; it still stings every single time someone says it like that. Jay knows how sensitive I can get; he’s been my best friend for years. I hate that I still react like this.

I clear my throat. “It’s alright, man. Anyway, no, I haven’t told them, Jay, they’re busy…”

Colt’s big hand suddenly lands on my thigh and squeezes. My breath catches sharply as I slowly turn my head to look at him.

“You haven’t told us about what?” he asks, voice calm.

Before I can answer, Jay shouts loud enough for him to hear, “HEY COLT!”

Colt grins, reaches over, and snatches the phone right out of my hand. “Jay, speak.”

I sigh and roll my eyes, slumping back against the headrest. I watch him as he listens, nodding and humming occasionally. God, he looks good like this… one hand casually on the wheel, the other holding my phone to his ear, jaw sharp, long hair tucked behind one ear. The tattoos on his forearm flex every time he moves his fingers. He’s so fucking big in that seat, taking up space like he owns it. That deep, raspy voice when he answers Jay… it does things to me I don’t want to think about.

Jesus Christ, Archie, stop. That’s your mom’s fucking husband, what the hell is wrong with you? I blink rapidly and tear my eyes away, cursing myself hard for sitting here and admiring my stepdad’s fucking forearms.

“See you later, Jay,” Colt says, then hangs up and passes the phone back to me without a word.

The rest of the drive is dead silent. But I can feel something coming. The second he parks this truck, Colt’s going to say something; or do something. I swallow hard, nerves twisting in my stomach as we get closer to campus.

…

Ten minutes later we’re pulling onto campus, but Colt doesn’t slow down near the usual drop-off spot like he always does. Instead, he keeps driving, taking the narrow road that curves around behind the track field. He pulls into the small faculty parking area tucked away back here. It’s dead quiet; barely anyone parks here this early unless they have to. He swings the truck into a spot and kills the momentum.

My fingers start fiddling nervously in my lap. I’m holding my breath without meaning to, staring straight ahead, too scared to look at him.

A large, rough hand suddenly grabs my jaw and turns my face toward him sharply, pulling me halfway across the centre console. I swallow hard and squeeze my eyes shut.

He grunts, then shamelessly drags his hot tongue in a slow, wet stripe right across my lips. I gasp in shock and my lips part instantly. Colt takes full advantage, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth like he owns it. A pathetic little whimper slips out of me before I can stop it. I really need to have hard words with myself today, learn how to be firm and say no. But the second he touches me it’s like my brain melts; one night with him and I’m under some weak-kneed spell.

Colt pulls back just enough to look me dead in the eyes. “So… you didn’t want to invite us to watch you run?”

I swallow thickly, my voice coming out quiet and unsure. “You and Mom are always busy… I didn’t want to be a bother…”