The Consequence of Loving Colton (Consequence 1)

“Who says I want to?”

“Want to?” I shook my head in confusion.

“Escape.” His eyes went completely black as he took a step toward me, making any space between us nonexistent.

Something shifted in the air. My hand was blazing underneath his. With a curse he grabbed the back of my head, and our mouths met in a violent kiss, one that I knew I’d never forget.

His mouth plundered mine. I arched under his touch and then crumbled under the sensation of the feelings he was creating in me.

“Here’s your ice!” Jason called at the top of the stairs.

Colton released me as abruptly as he’d grabbed me. Adrenaline surged through my body, making it impossible to act normal. Breathing was nearly impossible because I was afraid if I inhaled I’d make too much noise and if I exhaled he’d know that what he’d just done to me had physically altered every single cell in my body and left me defenseless and wanting. I stared at him, waiting for him to say the words I’d longed to hear my whole life.

I mean, I didn’t expect him to propose or say that he was in love with me. Just admitting a mutual attraction would have been nice.

But he didn’t say anything. Instead he looked down at the floor. His face was a mask of indifference, his eyes, once piercing, weren’t even looking at me, his mouth was set in a grim line as if he was disappointed.

“Yo!” Jason made it to the bottom of the stairs and set the ice and towel on the table. “Dad needs help with the TV again. I’ll be right back—don’t kill each other in my absence.”

I laughed weakly and waved him off.

Colton still said nothing.

With a huff I walked over to the table, grabbed the ice and slammed it against his face.

“Shit, Milo. Could you be less violent? Please?”

“Sorry.” My voice was small. I felt small. There was a damn elephant in the room!

“So.” Colton took a step away from me. “I, uh, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“Sorry,” I repeated, my heart dropping all the way to my stomach. “For?”

“Look . . .” Colton swore and rubbed his eyes. “I shouldn’t have done that. You’re my best friend’s little sister—shit, you’re like my sister, you know?”

My mouth dropped open. No. Freaking. Way. No way was he pulling the sister card again! One day I was going to find that card, rip it to shreds, put a hex on it, and bury it next to his body. Okay, a little harsh, but I hated that card. Hated it more than peas and that’s saying a lot. Peas shouldn’t exist. Period.

“No, no.” He shook his head. “Not like that. I’m just saying, I’ve known you forever and I’m sorry. I just . . . I overstepped my boundaries. That should never have happened.” He cursed again. “If I could take it back, I would.”

If he could take it back he would? That was worse than saying sorry! I would have preferred getting run over by my own car—or dying in a bull stampede.

My throat felt thick.

I tried to keep the tears in, I really did. Instead they streamed down my cheeks so fast I didn’t even have time to wipe them away before Colton saw.

“Milo, shit.” He pulled me into his arms. “Don’t cry.”

I tried to pull away, but he kept me firmly pressed against his chest.

“No, it’s not you.” I was finally able to wrangle myself free. “It’s, uh . . .” Think, Milo, think. “It’s just that I’ve never cheated on anyone before, and I feel bad.”

Gold star for Milo.

“Cheated?” Colton’s eyes pinched together in confusion. “What do you mean cheated?”

“Max.” Yeah, he was going to murder me. “We’ve been dating on and off for years and, well, we’re kind of back on, and . . . I’m going to have to tell him . . . You’re right, Colton, it should have never happened.” Yeah, the bitterness in my voice was unmistakable. And the Oscar goes to . . .

“Milo—” Colton cursed and started pacing in front of me. “I’ll tell him, give me your phone.”

“No!” I shouted. “I mean, um, no, it should be in person. I feel bad enough.”

The dog bark ringtone went off.

Damn it, Max!

“You should answer that.” Colton nodded to my front pocket.

“Voice mail.”

“It’s your guy.”

“How do you know?”

“Same ringtone, an unlucky guess.”

“So?”

Colton rolled his eyes. “Be mature, Milo, just answer the damn phone.”

With shaking hands I pulled my phone out of my pocket and clicked “Accept.” “Hey, baby.”

“Uh-oh . . . what did you do?”

“Yeah, I miss you too!”

“Milo, say my name if you did something really stupid and unforgiveable like the time you told me I wouldn’t get a splinter in my ass for using a wood sled.”

“Max . . .” I purred, trying to sound sexy. Colton leaned in like he was trying to listen to our conversation. I glared at him, hoping he’d back off and give me space.

“Shit balls. Oh, look, a bus! What? What was that? You want to throw me under it?”

“So listen . . . you know I love you.”

“I hate you so much right now.”

I forced a smile. “But I may have done something really stupid . . .”