Sally
In a split second, Colby pulled away from our accidental kiss, and I watched his Adam’s apple bob as I slowly raised my gaze to meet his. Damn, he looked furious. Could he tell that I could still feel his bulge pressing against me?
Someone was leaning against his back, their combined pressure pushing him against me, his hands still on either side, locking me in place.
“Fuck, I can’t get out,” he growled, his eyes blazing with anger.
The moment the elevator doors opened and a few people stepped out, he quickly released me, a frown creasing his face. I furrowed my brows in confusion-why was he angry with me when none of this was my fault?
Anyway, guess who just got up close and personal with their crush? Or, I mean, guess who just kissed their crush? I looked down at my shoes and couldn’t help the foolish grin that spread across my face-at least until his thick, angry voice jolted me.
“Are you going to keep standing there?” he asked, his glare and scowl evident as he stood by the door.
Oh my goodness. I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t noticed Colby moving away from me. He didn’t even wait for my response and left. I quickly made my way through the crowd and soon found myself outside. When I looked ahead, Colby was already far away.
I started running toward him, and when I caught up, I reached for his hand. He snapped it away quickly.
“What?” he asked.
I signed with a hint of sadness on my face, “You were walking too fast, and I couldn’t keep up. I don’t know my way around here.”
He let out a deep sigh and ran his hand through his hair but remained silent. I wondered if he didn’t understand me.
My gaze lowered, and I noticed blood trickling down his hand, causing my eyes to widen in concern. I grabbed his hand before he could make a move and saw a displaced band-aid, revealing a medium-sized cut.
“I got it from the accident,” he blurted, pulling his hand away. “I’m fine.”
I looked at his face, my eyes refusing to return to their normal size; instead, they widened further.
“What are you staring at?” he asked, his eyebrows arching in confusion.
“Isn’t that the same hand you slammed on the nurse’s counter downstairs?” I signed.
Colby simply stared at me, not replying. I assumed he didn’t understand sign language, so I searched our surroundings for anything that might help me communicate with him. When I spotted a nearby counter, I smiled and walked over to it.
The nurses watched in surprise as I struck the counter. When I turned to Colby to explain further, I noticed he was gone. I saw him walking away.
What was his problem, really? I ran after him quickly but chose to remain silent, simply walking alongside him.
However, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his bleeding hand. He knew his hand should be healing, yet he risked further injury by forcefully slamming it on that hard counter. What was truly wrong with this man I had feelings for?
We arrived at a door, which he opened before stepping inside. I saw my mom by the empty bed, while Yvonne was sleeping in a chair by the wall, her head tilted back. My stepdad was sitting next to her.
When I looked back at my mom, I saw a bright smile on her face. She quickly approached me, taking my hands in hers. At that moment, Colby walked past us and laid down on the bed, turning his face away as if to ignore us.
“Where were you, Sally?” she asked, shaking her head. “I was so worried about you.”
I pulled my hand away and signed, “Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that? Where were you?”
“When I entered the hospital, I didn’t see you. I even rushed into the elevator, thinking you’d be there, but you weren’t. I assumed you’d already be here, but you weren’t.”
I sighed deeply before finally signing, “I didn’t get on the elevator. I went ahead. Why didn’t you text me or search for me?”
“I did text you, but you didn’t reply,” she answered. It was then that I remembered I had left my phone at home.
“But you didn’t look for me,” I signed, a slight frown on my face.
“I wanted to, Sally, but your brother volunteered,” she explained.
My eyes widened slightly, and I moved closer before signing, “Does he know? Do he and Yvonne know that I’m their stepsister?”
“Of course, they do. They’ve known for a while. Your father and I already told them, but, well, I’m not sure they’re thrilled about it. Don’t worry, though; they’ll get used to it.”
I hoped so, I thought, as my gaze shifted to the sleeping Yvonne, and I swallowed hard.
“Mom, I was really scared. I thought something terrible had happened to Colby, but he seems fine. He only has a cut on his hand.”
“I know, right? We thought it was something serious. Unfortunately, a friend and teammate of his had a severe injury, and his leg was broken. He might not be able to play again. Colby was really lucky.”
My gaze shifted to Colby on the bed, and I let out a deep sigh. I was relieved that he wasn’t seriously hurt. If he had sustained a career-ending injury, it might have changed him. As a cheerleader, I’m close to him in that aspect, and I know how much football means to him.
“Seeing her close makes me feel like I’m looking at you, honey,” I heard a manly voice say. I looked to see my stepdad smiling at me.
“Yeah, people say that a lot,” Mom giggled, taking my arm and leading me toward him. “Isn’t she pretty?”
“Oh, she’s absolutely beautiful!” he agreed. “Hi, Sally. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Jerry, your father now.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I signed, surprised when he signed back, “It’s a pleasure.”
“You know sign language?” I asked, my movements quick and eager.
“Of course I do,” he nodded, signing with amusement. “Oh, and my son Colby understands as well.”
My eyes widened, and I turned to Colby, whose back was facing us as he lay with his front against the wall.
Who would have thought? Colby had never signed to me, and even when I signed to him, he never responded. I’d given up and resorted to gesturing or writing things down instead.
“What about Yvonne?” I asked, pointing to the sleepy Yvonne.
“Actually, no. She never really bothered to learn.”
Hmm, I thought as much.
“About Colby, why doesn’t he sign? He never responds when I sign to him.”
Jerry sighed deeply and looked down. Just as he was about to reply, Colby’s gruff, sinister voice interrupted from behind us. “It’s none of your fucking business.”
I turned to see him sitting up, glaring at me with hatred in his red, furious eyes.
“I wasn’t trying to pry,” I signed.
“Stop signing!” he screamed, panting hard. “Can you just leave? Get out of my life, please! Leave my family! Leave me the fuck alone.”
My eyes stung as tears began running down my face. I gave him the middle finger before turning and running out of the room, slamming the door behind me.