TEX (TRAVIS)
That damned Sara was a cock blocker for sure. After eating pizza and keeping my conversation with Colton strictly on my classwork, I drove home in my truck. I’d sensed a definite space grow between us after she’d appeared at our table. I’d been damn sure he was queer though, and I’d almost kissed him right there at the table. It had felt right.
I parked in the driveway of our home and hopped out. Light spilled from the front room’s window onto the landscaping rock. Malik and Grey were home. Would they be decent or fooling around? I was pretty sure whenever they had the house alone they took advantage of it.
Swinging the front door open, I said, “I’m home.” I didn’t want to catch them in the act. No, that was gross, and I didn’t need to see it. Especially after my strange night with Colton.
Malik sat on our blue sectional next to Grey, playing Madden. Malik flicked his gaze toward me. “Hey, Tex. How was the date with your tutor?” He chuckled.
“It wasn’t a date and the girl he’s bringing to the game was there.” With a huff, I strode to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottled water. I should rehydrate after drinking all the beer.
“Are you shitting me? He invited the girl to your study datething?” Grey paused the game and set his controller on the coffee table.
“No, he didn’t invite her. She just appeared there with some friends and damn, she was protective of him.” In fact, I’d even say she seemed jealous of me. Did she know he was queer?
“Protective?” Malik patted the cushion next to him. “Sit down and tell us more.”
Think I wouldn’t? I’d sat and listened to all his worries about Grey for the last few months. Now it was my turn. I fell onto the end of the sofa and unscrewed my bottle. “Colton opened up to me tonight. It felt like we had a moment, and I almost kissed him.” I sipped my water, thinking back on the confusing night.
“Are you serious? You were going to plant one on him right there at the pizza place?” Malik’s brows swept up. “Were there people around?”
“And did you confirm if he’s queer?” Grey planted his hand on Malik’s thigh.
“I didn’t ask him, but he seemed into it. He didn’t move away when I got close to him.” Yes, I’d done my fair share of testing him, and his body language had given me a green light. I twisted the bottle between my thighs.
“You need to talk to him, Tex. Talk to him and find out for sure if he likes guys.” Malik glanced at Grey. “Don’t be stupid like we were.” He chuckled.
“No one could be as clueless as you two were.” I tsked. Their deep, unspoken love probably spanned years.
“Still, verify things with him.” Grey gave me a pointed look. “What did Colton share regarding his date on Saturday?”
“He still says he doesn’t like her romantically, and after her behavior tonight, I don’t think they’ll have a second date.” She’d dug her grave, and I couldn’t say I was unhappy about it.
“So when will you ask him out?” A shit-eating grin spread across Malik’s lips.
“Don’t know. First, we’d have to cut ties officially as student and tutor.” I worried my lip. Did I need more tutoring for myclass? I was fine for now, but who knew what crazy math was coming next?
“Oh, yeah, that’s a problem.” Malik rolled his eyes. “Like school policy stops people from hooking up.”
I pushed Malik’s shoulder. “It wouldn’t stop me, but he’s the one who’s a stickler for it. I think he’d probably lose his authorization to tutor if they discovered him.”
“So, do it in private and don’t tell anyone.” As Grey’s eyes grew wide, he stared at Malik.
“Yeah, right.” I’d leave that comment alone. They had good reasons for hiding their status, but I didn’t want to live like that. “Anyway, I’m going to bed.” But before sleep, I’d scroll Colton’s Instagram feed a little. Maybe knowing him better would clarify the photos.
After getting ready for bed,I slipped between my sheets with my phone in my hand, settled on my pillows against my headboard and opened my Instagram app. It might be fun to follow Colton. Would he follow me back? With a smirk, I tapped the follow button on his profile. This could be telling.
My scrolling continued until I arrived near the end of Colton’s high school years or just beyond. The young man staring back at me had vacant eyes. All the photos were chaotic, with random things like parking lots and messy bedrooms thrown in between images of him at parties. His large, bloodshot eyes stared back at me, and his cheekbones protruded, like he weighed thirty pounds less than he did now.
“Oh my God, Colton. What happened to you?” I knew, though. He’d almost lost his life. My heart ached for him. Without hearing his story, what would I have thought about these photos?
With a deep inhale, I scrolled further. Selfies came up of him with a thin woman wearing a scarf. She had the same stunninggreen eyes. She must be his mother. How awful for him to have gone through that.
Were there any photos of his father? I continued searching, but there were no photos of an older man, just him with a dark-haired man in a jersey at a hockey rink. That must be Evan. He had his arm around Colton’s shoulders and gave the camera a wide grin. It was easy to see the close friendship between them.
As I scrolled to more recent photos, the difference in Colton’s appearance was stark. He’d gone from a messy teenager to an adult with conservative clothing and practiced smiles. Who was the real Colton? Could I bring back some of what he’d lost? An ache filtered through my chest. I wanted to. I barely knew him, but he intrigued me like no one else had.
With a sigh, I set my phone on the charger on my nightstand and turned off the lamp. Colton had free time tomorrow, but I had so much to prepare for before the game. I shifted down on the bed and rolled sideways, tucking my hand beneath a pillow. I’d look ahead at my assignments and see if they’d get any easier. Then maybe after Colton’s date with Sara, I’d take a chance with him.