Crazy For You Alexander, S.B. (ebook reader 8 inch .TXT) 📖

“It’s not fixed,” she reminded me.

I scanned the room for Colton. “I know. I’m going to take it down to the skate shop.” That would cost money, but I had a few dollars saved. First, I had to get it back from Colton.

My search for the hunk came up empty. He was probably down on the field, making out with some girl, which was the rumor running around school. Apparently Amanda wasn’t mad only at me, but also at a petite brunette who had been sticking her tongue down Colton’s throat at lunch only days before. I couldn’t say I blamed Amanda. If I’d seen the girl glued to Colton, I might have unleashed some of my jealousy too. On the other hand, I knew how rumors went. Some were true. Some weren’t.

Mia bounced up, her dark hair braided, her hazel eyes sparkling, and her smile was as electric as if she’d just gotten laid in the janitor’s closet, until she saw me. Then she frowned as she set down her leather bag and came over to my other side. She rubbed my arm. “What’s wrong? Please tell me your dad is okay.”

Lately, Mia and Georgia had been very attentive. They both knew Dad was getting worse, and they dropped what they were doing to console me.

I dashed away an errant tear. “Can you both sit down and look like nothing is happening, please?” I could feel eyes lasering on us.

My friends took their seats beside me like bodyguards.

“We should have that beach party,” Mia said. “You know, the one Georgia was supposed to have but didn’t.”

“After the drunk fest all of us had,” Georgia piped in, “I figured it would be best to push the party out. How about a Halloween party? My parents are away at some medical conference that weekend.”

“Ooh, costumes,” Mia practically squealed. “I want to dress up as Snow White. One of you can go as Cinderella and the other as Princess Aurora.” Mia had a fascination with Disney characters. “We can make it a Disney theme.”

Georgia nudged me. “What do you think?”

I shrugged. I wasn’t in the mood for a party. And after Grady’s, I wasn’t ready to make an ass out of myself again. Mia had filled me in on what she’d witnessed that night, which was exactly as Georgia had described it.

I’d been dancing and having a great time when I’d gotten the harebrained idea to go skinny-dipping. When I’d started to run toward the ocean’s edge, trying to take off my top, Colton had bolted to my rescue. Over the last few weeks, I’d been remembering bits and pieces of my actions after the fight with Amanda.

I’d downed more marshmallow vodka while dancing—the more I danced, the more I drank. The one thing I couldn’t piece together was Colton carrying me up to the house. Then again, Georgia had said the minute I was in his arms, I mumbled something about his dick before passing out.

Heat gripped my cheeks. That was probably another reason he wouldn’t look my way when I passed him in the halls. He probably thought I was just another chick hungry for his body. Well, that wasn’t far-fetched. But I also wanted… I didn’t know what I wanted from him.

As if Colton could hear my thoughts, he strutted into the cafeteria with a bad-boy swagger that most girls drooled over. He searched the room.

I guessed he was looking for Grady, who was at a table in the back somewhere.

Georgia squeezed my thigh.

Mia nudged me. “Grady tells me Colton has sworn off girls.”

I wanted to remind her that the rumor mill said otherwise until Colton looked directly at me. I would like to have thought his eyes lit up, but that deadpan look he always sported was replaced with anger. He hated me. I could feel it in my bones. Or maybe the guilt was getting to me.

“Why does he always have a vacant look in his eyes?” Georgia asked. “He’s a hard one to figure out.”

“I think he wants to eat Skyler if you ask me,” Mia added on a snort.

I choked on her comment just as Colton reached our table.

I cleared my throat. “Skateboard. I would like it back. I’ll fix it myself.”

He studied me for the longest beat, as if I was the most confusing person on the planet.

Mia snapped her fingers. “Did someone cut your tongue out, Colton?”

He ignored Mia, watching me. “Find me later.” He lifted his arm, and his biceps bunched as he threaded his fingers through his hair and continued on his way.

I let out a huge breath.

Mia swiveled in her seat. “I think someone pissed in his Wheaties.”

“That would be me.” Before they could bombard me with questions, I told them my theory and what I’d said to him in the bedroom. “I said I was sorry.”

“He’ll come around,” Georgia was quick to add.

Mia dipped into her purse and plucked out her lipstick. “Grady says Colton is butting heads with his dad.”

“Their arguments are epic,” I mumbled.

Mia dragged her lipstick over her lips. “That doesn’t change the fact that Colton wants you badly.” She tittered.

I snorted.

Georgia’s pretty eyebrows knitted. “I did not get that he wants to eat Skyler.”

I had to agree with my BFF. If anything, Colton wanted to tear me to pieces.

Mia leaned in and over me. “I know, guys. I see it on Colton. Grady had a similar look with me.”

“Everyone knows what Grady thinks or is feeling,” I said. “The guy wears his emotions on his sleeve.”

Mia dumped her lipstick in her purse. “Maybe. But not the I-like-you-a-lot look. Grady comes off as a player, but deep down, the dude only has eyes for one chick.” She sounded proud and in love.

Georgia leaned in. “Oh my God. You’re in love with Grady Dyson.”

“We might have dropped the L word to each other.” Mia stuck out her chin, rubbing her lips together. “You have a problem with that?”

“I think