“What happened to my light weight?” Thankfully, he spared me from having to listen to him detail all the times I got wasted off one or two drinks in high school. You’d never believe how crazy our 4H parties could get sometimes.
“She spent a year in college.”
“Ah, I forgot. You’re the cool, sophisticated sorority girl now.”
“Shut up. I love Delta Mu.” Just the mention of my sorority was exciting. I couldn’t wait to get back to it.
“Sure you do. And I bet you love the frat guys just as much.” He smirked.
“I dated a few.” A few was a slight exaggeration. I’d spent nearly all of freshman year single.
“Spare me the details.”
“If you insist.” I watched Colton’s retreating figure. He looked way too good in his jeans. Maybe I’d had more to drink than I thought. I couldn’t think about Colton that way. I wasn’t into guys from Gasden anymore, especially not that one.
Drinks in hand, Colton joined me again. He twisted off the top of a bottle before handing it to me. “I’m not sure how you drink these things.”
“I don’t know either, but it’s better than the beer.”
“What did you drink in college?” He walked toward the edge of the woods, and I followed. I was ready to get away from the crowd while I waited for Annie. Tucked in the near darkness of the trees, we escaped the loud music.
“Better stuff than this.” I took a long sip of the sweet liquid.
“Oh yes. Sophisticated sorority girls drink far better things.”
I pushed his shoulder. “Lay off, Colt.”
“Where’s your other half?” He didn’t have to mention Annie’s name. I knew exactly who he was referring to.
“Annie’s off with Greg making sure no one sets the field on fire.”
“She left you all alone to fend for yourself?” He took a big swig from his red plastic cup of beer.
“It looks like I’m not alone anymore… that is unless you’re here with someone.”
“I’ll tell my girlfriend to hit the road.”
“Girlfriend? I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
“Is that jealousy I detect?” A smile lit up his face.
I shook my head. “Of course not.”
“I’m here alone. Geez, pumpkin. You still can’t take a joke.”
“Don’t call me pumpkin.” I grimaced.
“Why not?”
“Because I was eight when I won that competition. I’m nineteen now.” Even more than ten years later, the name made me squirm. Being named Little Miss Pumpkin of Johnson County wasn’t my shining moment. I blame my mother for signing me up for that one.
“You’ll always be my pumpkin.”
“Go bother someone else.” I looked around for Annie. She’d have to come back to look for me eventually.
Colt wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “No. I’d rather bother you.”
There was something kind of sexy about the motion, something more confident than his usual goofy flirting. His hand felt nice resting on my hip, so I let it stay. Was this really the same Colt? Since when did his touch have that kind of effect on me? “When did you get back to town?”
“About two hours ago.”
“You didn’t wait long to come out.” I took a big sip of the drink. It was starting to taste a lot better.
“I took time for a shower.”
“That was thoughtful of you.”
“Planning on getting close to me tonight?” He watched me intently.
“Maybe.” The flirtatious word flew out of my mouth without me realizing it. The alcohol and that smile of his was making me forget where I was. “Sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” He moved his hand, turning me and wrapping his other arm around me so my body was pressed against his.
“Colton…”
“Mallory…”
I laughed. “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing? You’re the one telling me you might be getting close to me tonight.” His hand slid down slightly, settling below my hip. His touch felt so good.
“Your birthday passed, right? You’re nineteen now?”