AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don’t deny it. “I never saw it going well. And I was right. It didn’t go well when I finallydidsay something. But I always—I just… I don’t know. I knew, you know?”
“Not really,” he replies, and I chuckle.
I think Colt’s longest relationship has lasted a week.
“Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t.”
“I’m glad it worked out for you two. Every other guy in Landry is not.”
I side-eye him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know what I mean, Winters. Ryan James looked like he’d sucked on a lemon when you showed up at my place last night. And you know Will Masterson is single again. Plus there are probably lots of guys at RCC who—”
“Are youtryingto get punched in the face?”
Colt laughs. “She’s crazy about you. I almost want to consider a serious relationship, after seeing you guys together. And I knew why you were in such a foul mood, the last time we were here. Even if you wouldn’t talk about it.”
I don’t deny it. The summer after junior year was when I really started to give up hope of anything changing between me and Lennon.
“I’ll meet you down at the dock.” Colt punches my shoulder, then heads into his room.
By the time I head outside, all traces of the early morning chill Lennon and I were met with at dawn have disappeared, replaced by a heavy blanket of heat.
The shiny motorboat Colt talked about for most of the drive here last night is tethered about thirty feet offshore, the white paint blinding in the sunshine. I wish my parents had bought a place here instead of the ski chalet in Aspen I’ve only been to once.
I made no secret of my distaste for Landry when I was a kid. Or how much I hated the idea of moving there for high school. I’m positive my parents assumed graduation was the last time I would spend any time in the small town.
Instead, I’ve spent every possible second there I could.
Neither my mom nor my dad were supportive of my relationship with Lennon when we first started dating. And they both assumed it would be a brief fling.
Two and a half years later, the comments about spending time at one of the other properties they own besides the Kentucky farm have increased in number significantly.
If my parents thought I wasn’t serious about Lennon Matthews before, they most certainly know I am now.
“Swim or row?” Colt asks, nodding to a rowboat lying next to the canoe Lennon and I took out earlier.
“Swim,” Lennon answers, pulling her shirt over her head and revealing a dark green bikini underneath.
I’m not the only one looking. I glare at Luke when I catch him glancing at Lennon as well. I know none of my friends would make a move on her, but the direction of his gaze makes me question the wisdom of bringing my girlfriend on a trip with three single guys.
Jake and Luke shuck their shirts as I wade into the water. I didn’t bother with one. Lennon’s already halfway to the boat, and Colt’s rearranging stuff on shore.
Lennon’s climbed aboard the speedboat by the time I reach it. She’s studying the array of dials and gauges behind the wheel when I climb the ladder, lake water pouring off my body and dripping from my swim trunks. The bright sun immediately starts to dry me.
“Do you think Colt knows how to drive this thing?” she asks.
“No idea. I don’t think boats are all that complicated, though. You just turn it on and go, right?”
Lennon rolls her eyes. “Yeah. Sure.”
A quick glance behind reveals Colt is still on shore, and Luke and Jake are just entering the lake. I stalk forward, caging her against the side of the railing.
“Jake was just talking shit earlier. I didn’t say anything.”
“I know.”
“I don’t talk about that stuff, Len. Not with anyone. It’s just between us.”
