Crazy For You by Alexander, S.B. (best ebook reader ubuntu .TXT) 📕

in my bedroom after dinner, and that wasn’t the way I wanted to start my new relationship with her.

29

The deck lights lined the perimeter around the railings, providing a soft glow to an otherwise eerie night. A drizzle fell as I stared out the sliding glass door in the kitchen. Sleep had escaped me, but I wasn’t surprised. My mind was more awake than ever. Dad had only been gone for seven hours, and the weight of his passing felt like a boulder on my chest. If Dad wasn’t in my thoughts, then Colton was. I believed Colton was the reason my soul was still intact.

The creak of the stairs made me flinch. Nan probably couldn’t sleep, either.

I hugged myself as I watched the branches sway in the distance.

She sidled up to me, gently touched my arm, and let out a soft sigh. “A storm is coming.”

As if she’d willed the gods, the wind lifted the leaves and errant pinecones off the deck and tossed them around.

“I can’t stay here,” I mumbled. I felt like a storm was brewing inside me, turbulent, wild, and destructive. “It’s too painful.”

I wished Colton was with me. When I’d been securely cocooned in his arms, the pain had dulled. But I didn’t expect him to be at my side in the middle of the night. He wasn’t home yet, anyway. He was probably hanging with Grady after the meeting with the football coach. I imagined they were playing pool or kicking back. If Colton had been next door, I would’ve been nestled in his arms.

Nan tucked her hands into the pockets of her robe. “Maybe you should spend the weekend at Georgia’s. I’m sure she needs you as much as you need her. It will take your mind off things.”

Georgia had texted when she’d gotten home from the hospital. I knew she was worried about me. “I don’t want to leave you.” Nan was mourning too.

She snagged me into her side. “I’ll be okay.”

I lay my head on her shoulder, watching the wind wreak havoc on the trees outside.

“Try to enjoy the weekend with your bestie. When Monday rolls around, we’ll talk about school.”

It sounded odd to hear the word “school.” I hadn’t thought about classes or teachers or grades. Since Dad had been admitted, everything had become one big blur. “Don’t we have to talk about the funeral?”

“We have plenty of time for that next week. Right now, we both need some time to mourn.”

After Mom had passed, Dad and I had taken a road trip to clear our heads. We’d talked endlessly about Mom and celebrated her life. The time away had helped to ease our suffering, so I wasn’t about to argue. I knew Georgia would keep my mind occupied. She had a way of knowing how to make me laugh, even if I really wanted to hang out with Colton. He could definitely relate to what I was going through.

A car door slammed, making me pull away from Nan. Colton was home. I’d peeked out the window a few times since I’d been up to see if he’d gotten home.

As if Nan knew I was thinking about him, she said, “You love Colton. Don’t you?”

“It’s that obvious, huh?” No sense in denying how I felt. After all, she’d witnessed us with our tongues down each other’s throats when she’d returned with dinner.

The light from the hood over the stove cast a glow around the kitchen, highlighting her tired and red-rimmed eyes. “First love is always intense. Do me a favor? Please make sure you practice safe sex.”

A flush of heat crawled up my neck. It wasn’t so much the topic that was making me burn from the inside out, but the thought of sex with Colton. Aside from the play-by-play Mia had given Georgia and me from time to time, I didn’t know much.

A knowing smile played across her lips. “I was a teenager once. No need to be mortified.”

“I guess it’s more of the fact I’m still a virgin.”

She slumped as though relieved. “Maybe we should put you on the pill.”

I imagined a similar convo if Mom had been there. No way could I have spoken to Dad about the birds and the bees. “You would be okay with that?”

She smoothed a hand over my hair. “I’m here to guide and help you, not lay down strict rules to keep you from growing into a young woman. I know you have a good head on your shoulders. But do me a favor?”

“Anything.” I wanted to make her proud of me, as if she were my mom.

“Anytime you feel like you can’t make it through the day, I want you to talk to me or Colton or Georgia. Please don’t suppress your feelings.”

I hugged her with all I had. She was the best gift God could’ve given Dad and me. “Thank you.”

“Aw, sweetie. I love you.”

I couldn’t keep the tears at bay anymore. “I love you too.”

“We should try to get some sleep.”

Rain began to fall, battering against the sliding glass door. Then thunder boomed.

Nan and I turned our attention outside as a flash of lightning brightened the yard.

“I love the rain.” Nan yawned. “I’m going to bed. Maybe the rain will help me sleep. The sound is soothing. I’ll see you in the morning.” She left just as Stella came into the kitchen, purring.

I wasn’t ready to put my head on a pillow or lie in bed and watch my ceiling fan turn endlessly.

I picked up my Maine Coon and stroked her ears. “Hey, girl. You can’t sleep, either?” I imagined she might have been wandering around, looking for Dad.

She jumped down just as the front door opened.

“What are you doing out there?” Nan asked. “It’s pouring. Come inside.”

I ran into the family room and stopped short.

Colton flicked his worried gaze in my direction.

I shuddered, hoping nothing had happened.

“Colton, it’s two in the morning. Is everything okay?” Nan asked in a concerned tone.

I was beginning to think the