Tempted

Chapter 29

Taylor

I see something in Colt snap. His control is gone. He takes a swing at Reis, which is so unexpected; he easily connects with his jaw. Reis stumbles back several steps, but once he’s caught his balance, he stands his ground, watching Colt.

My stomach drops to my toes. I grip MJs hand and she squeezes mine back, holding me in place.

Reis grips Colt around the waist trying to drive him toward the ground. Colt won’t go down easily and turns on Reis, pining him underneath him. Once Reis is down, Colt slams several punches straight into Reis’ face.

I watch as Colt slams his fist into Reis’ jaw. The pain shudders through me as though I was the one hit. It slams into me. A primal scream rips through my throat. Tears steam down my face.

I free myself from MJs hold and cut through the crowd, pushing bodies out of my way, heading straight for the center of the ring. All eyes are on me as the noise level in the barn drops to a whisper. Colt stops at the sound of my screaming, his face is a mess of pain, anger, and hurt.

I pull Colt off of Reis, gripping his shoulders and pushing him back. They’ve both stopped struggling and watch me with concern. Reis’ lip is split and bleeding. His eye is swollen and puffy. Colt is out of breath, but doesn’t appear hurt.

I hate myself. I’ve driven them to this moment. I drop to my knees beside Reis, still crying. Colt gets up and storms away, slamming the door open loudly as he exits the barn.

The party atmosphere dies away and people begin to filter out. I sink to Reis’ side, crying too hard to even talk as I inspect him.

“I’m okay.” He sits up and attempts a smile. “Shh. Don’t cry, Taylor.”

“This is my fault!” I sob into his neck.

He stands and pulls me to my feet. He brings a hand to my face and with just his trembling fingertips, brushes away the tears coating my cheeks. “Go to him.”

He turns to leave without another word, heading out the opposite side of the barn.

I drop my head and let the tears flow. Even though I hate seeing Reis hurt, I realize my pain isn’t entirely for Reis. I feel for Colt too, driven to fight his own brother over my actions. I’d hurt them both. My feelings for Reis in this moment are nothing compared to what I feel for Colt.

A few minutes later, I wipe my face and notice MJ and a few others are still in the barn, but pretty much everyone else is gone. I should feel embarrassed, ashamed, something, but I just feel numb. Alone. Completely alone. I head toward the door, but MJ grabs my hand, preventing me from going out after either Colt or Reis. Her eyes implore mine, filled with worry.

“Don’t Taylor. Don’t you dare go after either one of them. What happened to the strong, independent girl that signed up for college classes and swore off Colt’s bullshit?”

“If you hadn’t noticed – Reis just got his ass kicked because of me. How selfish would that make me to not see if he’s okay?” I shrug out of her grasp, only to stop dead in my tracks. Logan is the darkened corner of the barn, pressed up against a guy I don’t recognize. They’re kissing, quite enthusiastically. Holy crap!

I turn to MJ. “Did you know?” I don’t mean the accusing tone in my voice, it just comes out that way.

“Of course. Anyone with functioning eyeballs could see that he’s been trying to come out. But you’ve been so damned wrapped up with those brother’s, you’ve not noticed anything. Get your head out of your ass, Taylor.” She stomps away, leaving me standing alone in the center of the barn.

I have to check on Reis. He was bloody and battered when the fight ended, but lifted himself up and staggered from the barn. He shouldn’t be alone right now. Besides, I feared Colt’s reaction had something to do with my kiss with Reis.

I find Reis sitting outside up against the side of the barn, his head in his hands. It’s started raining, but he doesn’t seem to notice or care that he’s getting wet.

I kneel beside him and he lifts his head at the intrusion. His features are a mix of pain, worry and regret. I smooth my thumb over the crease in his forehead and he relaxes ever so slightly. His face is a mess. Busted lip, swollen eye, bloody nose, and a big gash in his cheek. “Are you okay?” Damn Colt did a number on him.

“I’ve been better.” He attempts a smile and his busted lip oozes fresh blood.

I swallow down a sob. I can’t help that I’m still crying. Seeing Colt attack Reis like that was intense. And knowing Reis is hurt physically, and Colt is hurt emotionally because of me just sucks.

“Don’t cry, Shrimp.” He catches a tear on my cheek with his thumb. “There’s a reason I didn’t fight back, I probably deserved what happened in there.”

“How can you say that?”

He takes a deep breath. “I told him I kissed you. And he was right to hit me. It’s like guy code,” he explains at my confused expression. “Everything will be fine now, you’ll see.”

“How can you say that? Nothing is fine.” I’ve ruined everything. Between Colt and McAllister, Colt and Reis. “I’m like…toxic.”

“Hush. Colt wants to protect you, from the shitty stuff in life, from me.” He squeezes my hand. “Let him, okay?”

Lightening streaks through the sky, momentarily lighting up the intensity in his eyes. I’m lost in my own thoughts when a loud clap of thunder startles me. Reis chuckles at my response. The flashing of the lightening and the violent crashes of thunder continue for several minutes, but the rain has dwindled to just a mist.

“Now that he knows I kissed you, he won’t want me back.”

“Nah. He just got out all his anger on my face. He’ll forgive you.”

I can’t think about Colt and I right now. That gash on Reis’ cheek still hasn’t stopped bleeding. “Come on, let’s go clean you up.”

He doesn’t argue. He just lets me help him back the school. I lead him to the girl’s dorm and into the bathroom. After cleaning out his cuts and scrapes, the slice on his cheek is deeper than I thought. The skin is completely split open right over his cheek bone. I hate that Colt’s fists have done this to him. His skin is slightly feverish and he leans back, grimacing as I dab the alcohol pads over his skin.

“I think you might need stiches.”

Reis inches closer to the mirror to inspect the damage. “Damn, he really got me.”

I can’t help but smile at him. Even after his fight, he’s calm and easy going. “Come on, cutie. I’m taking you to the emergency room. We can’t have that face of yours scarred.”

He hops down off the bathroom counter and stands in front of me. “Thanks for everything. I’m still glad you were mine for a few weeks.”

I don’t correct him, but I’ve never been his. “Thanks for being there for me while Colt was gone. And I’m sorry how everything turned out. You will make some girl very happy someday.”

He smiles and pulls me in for a hug. “Go to him,” he whispers near my ear.

I shake my head. “No, we’ve got to get you to the hospital.”

“I’ve hogged you enough. It’s time I let you go. I’ll drive myself.” He pulls his keys from his pocket. “I have my Jeep, remember?”

“Reis, you’re hurt. I’m not letting you go alone.”

“Shrimp, you need to go figure out what’s left between you guys. I can tell you miss him. I’ve been a poor excuse for a fill in. And I won’t continue to be your buffer.” He grips my arms and moves me away from him. “Go.” His eyes plead.

I nod. “Okay, I’ll get MJ and Logan to go with you.”

He kisses my forehead. “Thanks, Shrimp.”

I text MJ, telling her Reis needs to go to the ER. Then bandage his cheek, hoping to hold the cut together and stop the bleeding until he can get it stitched up. While we wait for MJ and Logan to walk back from the barn, Reis changes his blood stained T-shirt for a fresh one from his backpack.

I walk him downstairs and make MJ promise to text me and keep me updated.

Reis is right – I need to talk to Colt.