“Good to see you too, Dad.” He comes back, kisses my cheek, and turns back to Colt.
“So, what’s this?” Dad gestures between me and Colt. “And how come you took Hunter to the game and not your old man.” He pulls Colt into the kitchen and pours him a mug of coffee while Cheryl makes breakfast.
“Dad, Colt has practice.”
“You can visit for a few minutes, can’t you Colt?” Dad adds more coffee to Colt’s mug.
“Nothing would delight me more, JT. In fact, I want to talk to you.” The seriousness of Colt’s tone puts me on alert. I turn around and narrow my eyes at him. “You too, Mrs. Taylor.”
“Just call me Cheryl.” The evil one is practically blushing at Colt.
“Well, JT, Cheryl, I’d like your permission to court your daughter.” The plate I’m holding slips from my hand and lands on the table, and my mouth flies open. Thankfully, the plate does not break.
“Excuse me?” I take a threatening step toward Colt.
He takes an exaggerated step back. “Sir, ma’am, I care about Victoria very much, and I want to make sure it’s okay with you both that your daughter and I—”
“This is about to be the shortest rela—” I catch myself before I can complete the word. His eyes light up and he smirks.
“Say it,” he whispers.
I clear my throat and say, “Whatever this is, Colton, is about to be over if you don’t shut up right now.”
Cheryl clears her throat, but I know it’s to mask her laugh. Dad puts his mug to his mouth to cover his smile.
“Now, dumplin’, calm down. I’m here to get your mama and daddy’s blessin.” He turns away from me and looks at my dad. “Now full disclosure, she’s already agreed, but I want to make sure it’s okay with you.” He snakes an arm around my waist, and I fight with all my might to get away, to no avail.
“We accept,” Cheryl says.
I look at her with my mouth hanging open.
“Yes, calm down, dumplin’,” my dad says. “Welcome to the family, Colt.”
I elbow him in the ribs. He winces and pretends to be hurt.
“It’s over,” I tell him, but he lifts me off my feet and stares into my eyes, doing nothing to hide his amusement before spinning me around the kitchen.
“Kiss your man, darlin’,” he says so that only I can hear. “Do it. I’ll have no problems holding you like this until you do.” He squeezes my waist, and I pretend to give in. I lean down and bite his upper lip.
“I told you I like a little bit of pain.” He plants a loud kiss on my lips and puts me down.
“Now that that’s settled,” Dad says. “Where is Evan? You’re both welcome here any time.” Colt grins smugly, and I mouth ‘whatever.’ He discreetly makes an indecent gesture with his tongue.
Breakfast is great, with Dad monopolizing Colt while I talk about plans for the last few days of school. Cheryl teaches at another high school and plans on retiring in a couple of years. Once breakfast is over, I start to clear the table, but to my surprise, Colt jumps in to help.
“Sit. You’re our guest.”
He leans in and rubs his nose against my cheek. “I’m part of the family now. You heard your daddy.” He bites my face, and I let out a yelp of surprise. “That’s for bitin’ my lip earlier.”
He removes the dishes from my hands and takes them to the kitchen sink where he rinses everything before putting it all in the dishwasher.
Once we’re done, Dad drives Cheryl to work, and Colt insists on driving me to school. Just like he did when we arrived at my house, I turn to him before he can open the door.
“I’ll see you tonight. You will not distract these kids today.” He takes my hand in his and intertwines our fingers.
“What kind of man doesn’t walk a lady inside? Especially when the lady in question is his.”
“His lady? When did that happen?” I tease. “And I swear, I don’t know what century you’re from.”
