Page 23 of Send It
Lincoln
When I think I can’t fall any harder for Colson, he pulls me right back in. Cold shoulder one minute and breathlessly kissing me the next. It’s so intoxicating that I almost forget that just a few hours ago he was telling me everything I didn’t want to hear.
Everything that would take us right back to square one.
But I know damn well that he might be able to bury it, but I won’t.
I can’t. Not anymore.
“Earth to Lincoln,” Stassie says, waving her hand in front of my face. “I’ve been taking care of your tables for thirty minutes. What the hell is wrong with you?”
I snap back to reality and look up at her.
“Something happened,” she blurts, grabbing my shoulder as she sits down next to me. “Your face is different, Linc. What happened?”
I cut my eyes to her, “What do you mean my face is different?”
“I don’t know, it’s all distant and glowy.” She purses her lips together in a smirk, “You look freshly fucked.”
I jerk my gaze away, trying not to smile.
“Oh my god, you and Colson?” She all but squeals, causing me to jump from my seat and quickly place my hand over her lips.
“Shut up, shut up, shut up,” I whisper shout. “Why don’t you just tell the entire restaurant?”
“So you did?” She teases, wiggling her eyebrows. “I knew it the second he scooped your ass up and limped out of here last night that was definitely happening.”
“Unfortunately, so did Jackson,” I growled. “He sent a message last night saying that I could do better than Colson.”
Stassie shakes her head, “You think he’s mentioned it to Reiss? I mean, surely if other people notice, Reiss does too.”
For some reason, my brother is oblivious to Colson and I and it’s so fucking annoying. It’d be too easy for him to notice and call us out on it. Instead, Colson has to worry about his friendship imploding and we have to keep things under wraps.
My phone chimes on the table in front of me and I pick up the phone to see a message from Colson.
Colson
Come over for dinner tonight
Lincoln
So casual. Like that would be normal? Won’t your dad be suspicious?
Colson
It’s only weird because you are making it that way.
Lincoln
I’m making it weird and you’re the one lying to Reiss?
Colson
He will also be here.
Lincoln
My Mom and Dad?
Colson
Yup, them too.
Lincoln
I guess I could come by.
Colson
Will you be nice?
Lincoln
I don’t know, did you think about what I said the other night?
Colson
About racing?
Lincoln
Yes.
Colson
No.
Lincoln
No you didn’t think about it or no I can’t race.
Colson
No I didn’t think about it and no you can’t race.
Lincoln
So you want me to tell Reiss?
Colson
You’re bluffing.
Lincoln
Wanna find out?
Colson
It’s cheating, Linc. You can’t race in my place.
Lincoln
No, it would be cheating if I was better than you. It’s simply keeping your racing career relevant until after your surgery.
Colson
Stop trying to rationalize with me.
In reality I wouldn’t tell Reiss anything without giving Colson the opportunity to talk to him first, but it sure was fun messing with him about it. Although I know it isn’t something I should play about.
Do I want to race at Nationals? Yes. Do I want to tell Reiss about us? Also yes. Do I respect Colson’s decisions to tell Reiss in his time? Yes again.
Does it suck? Yes it fucking does.
Lincoln
Even I know that’s hopeless.
Colson
See you tonight.
My mind was all over the place after Colson told me about dinner at his house tonight, so Stassie agreed to just take over my tables completely and I drove home to get ready.
I add the most perfect waves in my long dark hair and paint my cheeks a rosy shade of pink.
I opt for a more natural makeup look but still more than I’d normally wear and apply some red lipstick.
A statement to match the red sundress I’ve slipped on.
If I am going to spend the evening with Colson while he flips his attitude into the guy he is when Reiss is around, then I’m going to have fun watching him squirm.
And squirm he does. He’s so uncomfortable that it’s easy to notice the way he glares at me across the room.
How his eyes linger longer than they should.
Reiss doesn’t notice but Colson’s dad does.
I don’t know what he says to him, but it causes his eyes to jerk away from me and fixate on the man before him.
I watch as they interact and how Colson’s demeanor changes, and I’m not the only one to notice. Reiss crosses the room and instantly it’s like the ice is broken. Colson’s shoulders relax and mine mirror them, feeling calmer when he does.
“How’s my girl?” Dad says as he turns the corner to Colson’s giant family room.
If you can even call it that. More like an abandoned, untouched family room. The most recent picture of Colson is when he had braces. He was probably eleven.
“I’m okay,” I say. “How’s my dad?”
“Trying to understand why Colson is looking at you like you like you’re something to eat.”
I nearly choke on the saliva in my mouth.
Maybe because to him I am something to eat.
“Dad, what the hell?” I continue to choke. “What are you even talking about?”
He shrugs, “I mean… I can see why he would be intrigued but please tell me there’s nothing to worry about there. The last thing we need is a mindfuck for Reiss with Nationals next month.”
I stare at my dad and I really want to tell him the truth. But I don’t.
“No, dad. Colson isn’t interested in me.”
Dad turns his back to everyone else, blocking them from our conversation, “But you’re interested in him?”
I press my mouth into a fine line and lick my lips, trying to keep the word “yes” from spilling out.
My silence only fuels his curiosity, “Oh Jesus, I knew this would happen.”
“Dad, no. It’s not… I mean…” I fumble over my words like a little kid who just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
He holds his hand up to silence me. “Lincoln, I’ve known for a while. I give Colson credit for burying it this long for the sake of his friendship with Reiss, but you need to make sure that it’s something you both want. Especially before talking to Reiss.”
I nod sheepishly, like I’ve been caught.
“Honey, I watched him hold your hand while I raced. Reiss would be out in the pits, doing simulators and chasing the Monster girls around like it was his job, but Colson sat with you.”
He taps his fingers into his palm as he counts, “In Indianapolis, Atlanta, Salt Lake.”
I look over to where Colson is laughing with Reiss about something. “I would never come between them. That’s not what I want to happen.”
“You’ve been coming between them longer than you think.”
I shake my head, “Well don’t worry. Colson won’t do anything to risk Reiss. Reiss’ mind is safe for Nationals.”
He kisses my temple, “I care about your mind being safe too, baby girl. I trust your decisions, you have a good head on your shoulders and so does Colson.”
I can’t help but grin, “Colson’s is a little iffy.”
Dad laughs, “He’s good when it counts.”
Yes he is.