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Colton sat beside her. “There’s more.”
The way he said it made a heaviness settle between them. Remi looked at him, her heart in her throat. “What?”
He stared down at the bedspread. “I fired my father.”
She gasped. “You didn’t.”
Colton jerked his gaze to her. “Why? What’s wrong? You told me to.”
“I didn’t think you’d do it right after your father told you all that!” She whacked his shoulder. “What were you thinking?”
His eyes widened and he slumped. “I was thinking you’d be proud of me. Sheesh, Remi. This day has been so difficult. The least you can do is support me.”
Guilt constricted her throat. He was right. She was being awful. It took a lot of courage for him to say that to his father. And yes, it was the right thing to do. It was best for them both. She patted his leg and shifted closer to him. “I’m sorry.”
“At first, I thought he was going to see that it’s best for us. I thought he was listening to me. But in the end, he just got mad and left.” Colton shook his head. “I don’t know what I can say to make him understand.”
“Maybe he just needs time. Let him process what you said. He’s been through a lot. When you were little, he had to be terrified of losing you. That must be where he’s still at.” She gently squeezed his leg, then removed her hand. The warmth from touching his skin was starting to spread through her, and she needed to stop.
He grabbed her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “You’re right. Why are you always so much smarter than me?”
She looked down at their hands and realized something. Colton was always touching her, but it never meant anything. No wonder she was so confused when it came to him. She was constantly getting the wrong impression. For a split second she debated pulling away, but she decided against it. The evening was quickly approaching, and she only had one day left. She wanted to pretend for just a little bit that things were different between them. That the handholding, and yes, even his kiss, meant something more.
She impulsively batted her eyes at him. “I guess I was just born that way,” she said, trying her best to flirt. Something told her it wasn’t the right way to do it, though. She felt awkward and clunky.
Colton chuckled, his eyes smiling at her. “Yes, you were,” he said quietly. His gaze traveled over her features, dipping to her lips.
Her mouth grew dry as time seemed to slow. His thumb grazed over the back of her hand and his grin slowly faded. He drew closer to her, and all she could think about was how it had felt to kiss him in the cave. He slowed, and then stopped just inches from her.
“What are you doing?” she whispered. The second the words were out she regretted them. Why was she asking him that? She didn’t want him to answer. She just wanted to pretend for a moment that Colton desired her like a woman.
He blinked but didn’t move away from her. “I don’t know,” he whispered back. He raised his hand and brushed his fingers across her cheek, sending electricity through her. She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. She no longer cared what he was doing. She just wanted him to keep doing it.
“Remi, I—”
The door opened and Brooke waltzed in. Colton jumped back. He stood and crossed the room, sliding his hand over his hair. “Hey, Brooke,” he said, his voice sounding funny.
Brooke’s gaze bounced between the two of them, and then she grinned. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.”
Colton waved his hands. “No, you didn’t.”
Right. They weren’t doing anything. Then why was her heart going a million miles an hour?
“Just needed to grab something.” Brooke dug around in the closet and pulled out a light jacket. “It’s supposed to rain tonight.”
“Oh, is it?” Colton glanced to the patio door.
Brooke sent another grin toward Remi. “I’ll be out late. Don’t wait up for me.” She didn’t wait for a response before leaving.
Colton exhaled and sat back down. His cheeks were flushed and his movements stilted. It was obvious why he was embarrassed, but she couldn’t figure out why. Then it hit her. He liked Brooke. Of course. He was embarrassed because it looked like he and Remi were doing something.
Suddenly, the long summer days he would spend at her house took on a new meaning. She remembered how he would hang around and they would play video games or pull out a thousand-piece puzzle. She always thought he liked hanging out at their house because he likedher, but now she wondered if he had ulterior motives.
She leaned back and squinted at him. “How long have you liked Brooke?”
He cringed and avoided eye contact. “Don’t ask. It’s stupid anyway. Brooke and I have nothing in common.”
“No, really. Tell me.” Remi studied him. “I want to know the truth.”
