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This, unfortunately, was more normal. “Why?” Sam asked congenially.
“A movie premiere,” he said. “I’m invited to an after-party.”
Sam nodded. “Well, we’ll need to get permission from your probation officer for the absence, but if he’s okay with it, bon voyage.”
“Everyone who’s anyone will be there,” Colton went on, completely ignoring the statement about his probation officer. “It’s black tie.”
“Do you have a tuxedo?”
“I do. It’s Tom Ford.”
“And will you bring a plus-one?”
Colton blinked. “A plus-one?”
“A guest. Will you be bringing your girlfriend with you?”
A wistful smile bent Colton’s lips. “I wish I could, but Lilac has a game.”
“What kind of game?” Sam asked mildly, but his heart had started to beat harder. Lilac.
“She plays lacrosse. She’s the prettiest one on the team, even though I like her better with her hair down. She wears it in a ponytail when she plays. But purple is her color.”
“Her hair is purple?” Sam asked in surprise.
Colton laughed. “No, her uniform is purple. Her hair is blond.” His eyes widened and flickered with something that looked like panic. Again, he’d become aware that he’d said too much. “I’m not feeling well. Can we reschedule this session?”
“If we must. I’ll have to report your partial absence to your probation officer.”
Colton’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve been here for more than half an hour.”
“You’re court ordered to be here for a full hour,” Sam said, keeping his voice level. Colton hated that.
Colton sprang from his chair, fists clenching, eyes abruptly wild with fury. “You sanctimonious little—” He cut himself off, shaking his head. Drawing a deep breath, he relaxed his fists and sank back into his seat, flattening his hands on his thighs. “I apologize,” he said stiffly.
Sam exhaled quietly. That had been unnerving—and the first time Colton had acted violently toward him.
Steadying himself, he focused his attention on Colton’s hands. Well, shit. The knuckles on his right hand were raw with open abrasions. He’d hit something—or someone—hard.
“This is what we need to discuss,” Sam said seriously. Because he’d let Colton ramble longer than he usually did. He’d check out local girls’ lacrosse teams later. “You losing your temper just now.”
“I didn’t lose control,” Colton said from behind clenched teeth.
“No, you didn’t.” Although it appeared he had at some time in the recent past. “What stopped you?”
“You did.”
“How did I do that?”
A sneer twisted Colton’s features. “Because as soon as I step out of line, you’ll rat me out. I can’t trust you.”
“What stops you when you’re at work?”
“Don’t wanna lose my job,” Colton said with a small snarl.
“Who did you hit?” Sam asked quietly, pointing to Colton’s hand.
Colton’s nostrils flared. “A wall.”
