Hendrix - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,52
is when I need to think of ways to keep my distance.
Every part of me believes that Brenna interrupting us not once but twice is a sign from the universe that it's a bad idea. It's like I'm being warned to keep my distance, and I'd be stupid not to listen to that.
I'm just about to leave the house when Colby walks in from practice—twenty minutes early.
Fuck.
I try to slip past him, but he steps in front of me.
“Oh, no, you don't,” he says, pulling me away from the door. “You can't keep avoiding me like this.”
“I'm not avoiding you,” I lie.
He smirks knowingly. “You're not, huh?”
“Nope.”
“So, if I bring up the other night...”
I shake my head and tap my metaphorical watch. “Sorry, Colbs. I don't have time. Things to do and people to see.”
This time, he doesn't stop me as I walk around him and toward the door.
“We're going to have to talk about it,” he tells me, and my steps halt. “The first time, I let it go. You were in a relationship, and I had no business bringing it up. But this is twice now.”
“I know,” I sigh.
Two options run through my mind. I can either run out of here and continue to play this game of cat and mouse with him, or I can act like the grown-up I'm supposed to be and face the monster head on.
I can do this. I can do this.
Colby stands there patiently, and as I turn around, I realize this is probably the worst time for this conversation. His shirt is a rolled-up piece of fabric tossed over his shoulder, and sweat glistens across his perfectly sculpted torso. The fact that this man is even real is unfair to humanity.
“Saige.”
He goes to take a step toward me, and I hold up a hand to stop him.
“Don't. Please, don't.” I exhale in relief when he freezes. “If you come over here, you're going to kiss me, and I'm going to let you. So, before I lose all control of my brain again, I'm asking you not to.”
He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. “Would giving us another shot really be that bad?”
“No,” I admit. “Probably not. Chances are it would be as wonderful as it was the first time. Maybe even better.”
“Then why won't you let me come over there?”
My shoulders sag. “Because there's still that chance it could all go wrong, and for Brenna's sake, I can’t do that. She finally has you in her life, and the relationship you two have together makes me so unbelievably happy. I won't play games where she's concerned, and things between you and me are a gamble.”
He rubs the back of his neck and nods. “Okay. I can respect that.”
With a thankful smile his way, I continue my way out the door—not knowing if I just protected myself from chaotic heartbreak or pushed away the love of my life.
16
COLBY
The pavement moves quickly beneath my feet as my lungs burn with the need for more air. Running has always been my outlet. There's nothing like pushing your body to the breaking point when you've got something plaguing your mind.
I come to a stop next to the large oak tree. It takes a few seconds for Asher to catch up, and when he does, he's panting like a dog. I chuckle and grab him a bottle of water from the cooler we left here before we started.
“You're getting old,” I tease.
He rips the water out of my hands and glares at me. “Fuck off. You're only two years younger than me.”
I shrug. “If anything, you should be in better shape than I am. You've got a toddler girlfriend to keep happy.”
His head falls back as laughter roars out of him. “Let Tessa hear you call her that. I dare you.”
“Hell no. My house isn't fireproof, so I'll stay away from your little psycho's bad side, thank you very much.”
He knows I'm kidding, sort of. I love Tessa to death, but if I'm being honest, she scares the shit out of me. But she has settled down a lot since her and Asher got serious. I will give her that. He'll just never hear the end of the age-gap jokes.
I sit down and lean back against the tree, allowing myself to catch my breath. I've been running every morning lately, if not at practice, then here. With my stress level lately, I've needed it.
Everything Selena set up has been going according to plan, but