Sally
When I awoke that night, I found myself covered in sheets, with Colby standing in front of the mirror wearing a new set of expensive clothes. I pulled the sheets away and realized I was still naked, though I looked and smelled clean.
Did Colby clean me up?
“Are you awake?” he asked, his voice cold and detached, still not turning to face me.
I moaned softly, holding my throbbing head. Finally, he turned, his brows arched in question.
“Where are you going?” I signed.
“I have a party with the guys to celebrate our win,” he answered, and I blinked, nodding in understanding.
I bit my bottom lip, dying to ask him about what happened at the field earlier. Why had he acted that way?
“What’s on your mind?” Colby’s voice broke through my thoughts. “I know there’s something you’re dying to ask me, so just tell me-what is it?”
I let out a sigh before signing slowly, “What was up with you this morning at the field? You acted quite… rashly.”
Colby looked away, his gaze hardening as his face contorted into a scowl. “Why did you let that bastard kiss you?”
My eyes widened, signaling my confusion. “What?”
“Answer me,” he snarled.
“That isn’t what I asked you, Colby,” I signed, my frustration mounting.
He stepped closer, gripping my chin and tilting my face up to meet his gaze. “How was it? Was his kiss better than mine?”
I was taken aback by his words and didn’t hesitate to knock his hand away from my face. “What are you talking about, Colby? You know Harry kissed me suddenly and unexpectedly. I didn’t even reciprocate!”
He scoffed and turned back to the mirror, adjusting his vintage shirt. “Tell me, Sally. Are you going to go on a date with Harry now that we won? Damn it! Should I have just made us lose? If only I hadn’t scored those two goals.”
I gritted my teeth, grabbed the pillow behind me, and hurled it at his back. He let out a low groan and turned to face me, his face red with anger.
“Do you want me to go on a date with him, then?” I signed, tightening my grip on the sheets that covered my body.
Colby clenched his jaw, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Why are you asking me that, Sally? Do you think I’d date you just because we had sex?”
My eyes widened slightly before blinking once, and a sudden ache spread across my chest-or perhaps it was just my heart breaking. I could feel the sting of tears in my eyes and knew that if I continued looking at him, I’d cry.
Damn it! I should have known that Colby was nothing but trouble. He was just a player, set on ruining my life-someone who was still in love with another man’s girlfriend. Well, to hell with him!
I got up from the bed, clutching the sheets to keep them from falling, and began gathering my clothes one by one. I dressed quickly, determined to leave the room.
“Hey, are you leaving with my bedspread?” Colby called out from behind me.
Maybe I should tear it to pieces and throw it away.
As I entered my own room, I practiced deep breathing exercises, calming myself down and letting the tears subside. Then, I removed the sheets, exposing my naked form.
I decided to take a light shower to wash away the scent of Colby’s rich blend of lavender and cedarwood that lingered on my skin. It was driving me mad and making me think of him. He must have cleaned me with his soap or wipes.
As I stepped into the bathroom, I heard my phone beep-a message. I couldn’t help but wonder who it could be.
Once I finished showering and returned to my room, I picked up my phone to find that the message was from Harry. I couldn’t help but smile. Why was he making me smile these days? Was I falling for him too? Oh well, who knows?
“Can I ask for a favor, Sally?” his message read.
“Yeah, sure,” I replied.
“I was wondering if you’re busy tonight.”
I bit my bottom lip after reading that. Was he about to ask me on a date? At that moment, I realized that I wasn’t actually falling for Harry, because instead of smiling, I felt uneasy. I let out a deep sigh, hoping he wouldn’t ask me out.
“No, why?” I finally typed and sent after several minutes of staring at his message and nervously biting my manicured fingernails.
His reply came almost instantly, as if he were a machine. “The guys and I are having a celebratory night for our win, and we were asked to bring guests. I’m personally inviting you. Can you come, please?”
I sighed deeply and typed, “I’m sorry, Harry, but I really can’t. I’m really sorry.”
Just as I was about to hit send, my eyes widened, and my thumb hovered over the icon. I erased the text and replied instead, “Yes, why not? You can send me the location, and I’ll be on my way.”
I didn’t even wait for his reply, putting my phone away and heading to my wardrobe to find something to wear.
Why did I change my mind at the last minute? Your guess is probably right-it’s because my stepbrother, Colby, would be there.