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The rest of the walk is relatively quiet, giving me way too much time to be in my own head. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t missed Colton every second that I’m away from him, but I’d also be lying if I said I won’t miss Parker if I leave him. I feel like no matter what I decide, I lose. I just have to determine which loss I can live with.
As soon as the beach comes into view, the air gets sucked from my lungs. Colton is already there, looking like sex on legs. He’s throwing a football back and forth with Maverick. Sweat glistens across his torso, making his already perfect body look even more magical. I’ve never been more grateful for the heat and his lack of wearing a shirt.
“And you pretend you don’t know what you want.” Ivy murmurs.
I lightly smack her arm with the back of my hand, then continue to walk towards Tatum and Roman. Ivy follows. As soon as Colton sees me, he bites his lip to conceal his smile. His muscles flex a little more than necessary as he throws the ball back to Maverick.
“Look who finally decided to join us.” Roman quips. I try not to laugh at the way his eyes widen when he sees Ivy. How have I never noticed this before?
I hug Tatum hello, then give one to Rome. “Well, I was told I didn’t have a choice.”
“Because you don’t.” My brother comes up and wraps his arms around me. “It’s been too long since you’ve come to one of these.”
Nodding, I look around and try my best not to let my gaze linger on Colton for too long. “This is crazy, Mav.”
“It’s the biggest event of the year now.” He nudges me. “You’d know that if you had come home for a summer, or at all.”
Leave it to Maverick to consistently bring that up. “Yeah, yeah.” I wave him off. “Oh, is that a taco truck?! I’m starving.”
I grab Ivy’s and with a discreet smile at Colton, we leave the gang behind and go get some food. If I’m going to handle being around Colton with his shirt off and not being able to touch him, I need a clear head. Just the sight of him takes all my thoughts and jumbles them up.
THE ENERGY ACROSS THE beach is electric. Everyone is in a great mood as they listen to music and catch up with old friends. Still, no matter how many people from my past come up to say hello, I can’t seem to take my eyes off Colton. He’s standing with Maverick, Roman, and a couple other guys from their graduating class, laughing about something and looking like he just stepped off a Calvin Klein photoshoot. God, he’s flawless.
“You know, I’ve seen you look at Parker plenty of times.” My mother remarks, making me wonder how long she’s been sitting next to me. “And I have never seen you look at him the way you look at Colton.”
“Mom.” I whine.
She raises her hands in surrender. “I’m not judging. I’m just trying to understand why you’re still engaged to someone who isn’t him.”
“It’s complicated.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
I run my fingers through my hair and give her a defeated look. “There’s so much that you don’t know.”
She gives me one of her comforting smiles. “You mean, how you two were a thing before you left for school?”
My jaw drops. “How did you…”
“I’m not blind, McKenna. I’ve always known.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
She shrugs. “It wasn’t any of my business. You were happy, and I figured if there was something to tell, you’d come to me.”
My eyes widen. “Does Maverick know?!”
“Oh, god no.” She scoffs. “He’s oblivious to everyone and everything that isn’t Tatum.”
I may argue that she’s wrong if I hadn’t seen how little he noticed at his birthday dinner. I swear, Colton could have told me every sexual thought he had about me, and Maverick wouldn’t have realized a thing. Still, even the idea that he could find out makes me sick to my stomach. He’d hate me for stealing his best friend, and he’d probably kill Colton for as much as thinking about me that way. Maybe staying with Parker would be best for everyone.
“It doesn’t matter.” I murmur.
“If that were true, you wouldn’t have strayed fro
m Parker in the first place.” When I don’t say anything, she continues. “Look, McKenna, I might not know much about what you two have going on, but I do know he’s a great guy, and that he looks at you like you hung the moon.” She stands. “Don’t let the fear of upsetting someone keep you from what you truly want.”
“Well, if it isn’t my two favorite women.” The familiar voice has my heart racing in an instant. I turn my head to see Colton walking toward us.
