In Too Deep

Chapter 48

Colt’s phone has buzzed against his desk twice now. The third time, I hop up from the bed and jog for it. The name Yes flashes on the screen. A pang of jealousy flares up inside of me.

“Who is it?” he asks.

“Here.” I toss the phone at him. I can’t say her name. Actually I don’t even know her name, just the sexy yet ridiculous nickname he’s given her that makes me want to puke. The next time I get a hold of his phone, I’m going to change the contact name to No.

He inspects the phone with a frown, then sets it on the table beside his bed. “Don’t worry about her. You have nothing to worry about.”

We continue snuggling on his bed, pretending to watch a movie when there’s a knock at his door.

We both sit up, looking at each other. Who’d be here this late? “Are you expecting someone?”

“No.” He shakes his head.

I stand beside the table while he opens the door.

A beautiful blonde with long, lean legs and sky high heels stands pouting at his door. “You didn’t answer your phone.” Her voice is light, seductive.

Holy shit! This is Yes.

“Oh.” Her eyes dart past him to me. “I didn’t know you had company.” The tension on her face is visible. She doesn’t like the idea of Colt being with anyone else.

Colt, who seems stunned and unsure, recovers just slightly, motioning her to come inside. “This is Taylor, my girlfriend.” He says it so naturally. My heart swells with pride.

She sucks in a breath, her eyes moving over me with hatred.

“This is Samantha.” He walks back over to me, snaking his arm around my waist, which is good, because my legs feel shaky.

She’s gorgeous. This girl makes Bria look homely. Holy shit. This is not good. Not good at all. Samantha comes closer, her heels clicking across the wooden floor. She extends her hand to me, shaking mine once. She looks a few years older than Colt. Her face is impassive, confident and poised. She gives nothing away.

Meanwhile my cheeks flame red, remembering the loud groans and bed knocking against the wall that night. And then her seeing me crying in the hall. She doesn’t seem to recognize me though, thank God.

Colt clutches my hip, and I’m not sure if he’s trying to convince me, himself or Samantha that we’re together. Holy hell. Breathe Taylor. Seeing her in his room is more than I can handle.

“Why are you here?” Colt asks.

“I thought you’d be alone and might want some company.”

“I didn’t answer my phone. That should tell you I’m not available.”

The banter between them is thick with tension. I can feel their closeness, that they know each other well. And I really freaking hate it.

I slip out of Colt’s grasp, needing to make a break for the door. “I’ll let you guys talk.”

“No, Taylor. You don’t have to go.” Colt reaches for me again.

“It’s okay. You guys probably have some things to sort out, I’ll just be outside.”

He nods, almost reluctantly, like he doesn’t want me to leave him alone with this girl. I don’t want to leave him alone with her either, but I can’t watch them together.

I step out into the hall, leaning against the wall. I leave the door cracked open behind me. I’m not going to leave them completely alone and unsupervised in his room. I trust Colt, it’s her I don’t trust.

Samantha’s heels click across the floor. I don’t like knowing that she’s so comfortable in his bedroom. “So that’s who’s captured all your attention lately.”

“Yes,” he returns, polite as ever.

“She looks awfully young. Does she satisfy you, Colt?”

“That’s none of your damn business, Samantha. Why are you here?” His voice sounds tense.

“I don’t get what you see in her. Why does she get all your attention and I don’t anymore?”

Colt stays quiet and my heart thumps against my chest, waiting.

Samantha’s heels click across the floor again. “I was your go to girl. I know you. And I know you must miss it.”

“Miss what?”

“The sex,” her voice is teasing, playful.

Holy God. I can’t breathe. I hold my breath, waiting for Colt to answer. He must miss it.

“No,” Colt says, his voice firm.

Oh, thank God. Air surges into my lungs again. Samantha isn’t the meaningless fling Colt always assumed she was. She likes him. I can hear it in her voice. Her desperate pleas. She wants the side of him that I have captured.

“I outlasted all your other play things. You’ll get bored of this one too.”

“I am far from bored by her,” Colt says.

“Oh.” Samantha laughs. “I get it. You haven’t had her yet. Well once you get her out of your system, baby you know I’ll be there for you.”

My insides flame with jealousy. I want to storm in there. I want to cause her physical pain, but instead, I stand in the hall trembling.

“That’s enough. I think you should go now.”

Her heels click across the floor again. “Just remember how good we used to be, baby.”

“Goodbye, Samantha.”

I disappear down the hall, not wanting Samantha or Colt to see me cry.