beard have silvered over the years. His eyes, much like his wife’s, twinkle with kindness.
“Hello, Alyssa. It’s nice to meet you. Jenna and I are glad you could join us tonight.”
“Thank you for extending an invitation,” I tell him.
The older man’s eyes flicker to Colton. “It’s not often my son brings home friends from college.”
“Dad,” Colton grumbles as if embarrassed.
Unbothered by the rebuke, he continues, “I heard that you grew up around here, and the two of you attended high school together.” He unpacks a few of the covered containers before spreading them out on the massive island.
“Yes, we did,” I say with a nod.
“I’ve already set the table in the dining room, Warren. Let’s take everything in there,” Jenna cuts in before the remaining food can be unloaded.
We each grab a couple of containers and follow her into the two-story dining room off the kitchen. When all of the dishes have been laid out, we settle on our respective chairs. The table is sleek and black, stretching at least thirty feet in length. There is enough seating for twenty people. Since it’s just the four of us, delicate ivory and cerulean-colored China has been set at one end. Warren takes his place at the head of the table. Jenna settles on one side as Colton and I move opposite of her. Everything is family-style, and we all dig in, helping ourselves to the entrees.
His parents pepper me with surface-level questions throughout the meal. They tease Colton every chance they get. They talk about the upcoming game next weekend, and how they’re both looking forward to cheering him on. If I weren’t so attuned to Colton’s presence, I would have missed the barely perceptible tightening of his jaw.
Jenna turns to me and says, “Hopefully, we’ll see you there.”
I’ve avoided attending football games this season. I’ve been trying to break free from the hold Colton has over me, and sitting in the stands for three hours, watching him on the field, certainly won’t help reach that objective.
“Maybe,” I say lightly.
“You know,” Colton clears his throat before shifting on his seat, “if you guys are busy, there’s no need for you to make the trip. It’s cool.”
Jenna’s brows draw together as she scoffs, “Are you kidding? We haven’t been able to attend any this season.” She glances at her husband. “We’ve missed watching you play. Now that your father isn’t traveling so much, we’ll be able to make the rest of your home games.”
A look of dismay flashes across his expression. It’s there and gone before I can decipher exactly what it means. Even though I get the feeling Colton wants to argue, he jerks his head into a tight nod. “Great.”
As the conversation turns to other topics, I’m aware of the thick tension radiating off Colton. I can’t help but wonder what’s going on with him. Since I’ve returned from my study abroad program, I’ve tried so hard to keep my distance. If people are talking about Wildcats football or the blond wide receiver, I promptly tune them out. Only now do I wonder if there’s a problem.
I don’t realize that I’ve reached under the table until my fingers wrap around his, and he turns his head, gaze locking on mine. As much as I don’t want to feel the connection strengthen between us, that’s exactly what happens. I’m powerless to stop it from occurring. And maybe there’s a part of me that is weary of fighting against something that feels inevitable.
After dinner, I help clear the table and wash the dishes. Jenna chats about her job as an elementary school teacher and the upcoming trip they have planned after Christmas.
“So, you and Colton? She watches me from beneath a thick fringe of lashes before picking up a plate and drying it. “You’ve known each other for a while?”
It’s a question...but then again, not really.
“Yes.” I’m unsure what to say or how much of our past to reveal. That’s up to Colton. And I don’t want to lead her in the wrong direction. Or myself, for that matter. Although part of me wonders if it’s much too late for that.
With a thoughtful expression, she nods. “Colton doesn’t bring many people home. In fact,” she falls silent, almost as if she’s searching her brain, “you’re the first since high school.”
That doesn’t surprise me. Even though Colton has a lot of friends and girls are constantly buzzing around him like drunken bees, they’re all surface-level acquaintances. None, with the exception of Beck, have