Break Me Read online

  Sorry about anything you may have witnessed last night. –B

  If she only knew the torture she put me through.

  You owe me, B. I took on a lot of abuse last night. –Colt

  I am sure. –B

  “You better treat her good. She’s different than the other girls you chase.” The protectiveness in Tim’s voice draws my eyes to his. He looks like the protective big brother, eyebrows drawn together with a look of an ass whippin’ promise if I fail to treat her well.

  “I don’t chase.”

  My impassive response causes him to warn, “Same difference, Just be good to her.”

  The professor dismisses us and I stand up.

  “Sure thing,” I reply as I walk out of class. When did Tim decide to be a watchdog over Brealynn? Tim knows me about as well as anyone, except Parker. My soul isn’t like everyone else’s. Something broke inside me and left a gaping hole in its place. Big brother Tim should have never let me look in Brealynn’s direction.

  And now, it’s too late.

  Brealynn

  “Why do I have to leave again?”

  “Seriously Kelsey, if I have to tell you again, I’m going to throat punch you.”

  “Someone is feisty! Colt needs to hurry and give you some so you will simmer down.” Kelsey bounces away from me as I follow her toward the door.

  “You have no fear, do you?” Hands on her shoulders, I walk her backward through the threshold.

  “Nope! But don’t worry, I’m leaving. Text me when that sex cookie leaves.” She winks and walks off down the hall to hang out with Tim.

  Finally.

  Colt texted me about fifteen minutes ago saying he was on his way over to talk. I told him that I was just going to take a nap, but he replied with, “Ten minutes.” I guess avoiding him isn’t going to work.

  My hangover has not lessened any as the day has gone by so I’m still lounging in my PINK Victoria’s Secret sweats and hoody. It can’t be any worse than how he saw me last night. I’m adjusting the messy bun on top of my head when I hear a knock on the door.

  Here we go.

  I walk over to the door and open it up to see Colt standing there looking all kinds of good. He is in gray Under Armor running shorts and a black TBX shirt with his hair fixed all messy. It all pairs really good with his tattoos.

  “Hey,” ‘cause that’s the only thing I could think of to say to him after last night’s drunk adventure.

  Lame, Brealynn, real lame.

  Flutters set flight in my stomach while I fully take in the view in front of me. Deep dimples wink at me while I follow one tattooed arm that leads to his hand holding a bottle of Pedialyte and the other clasping a bottle of Advil. I step out of the doorway and he walks in past me leaving a trail of his cologne, mmmmm…Even with a lingering hangover, he wrecks my senses.

  “Hey B, I brought you my hangover cure. Pedialyte always does the trick for me. How are you feeling?”

  Like shit.

  “I feel...better.”

  Colt takes a seat on my bed, of course. He licks his lips while watching me pad across the floor toward him. Grabbing for the liquid healer that is Pedialyte, our fingers brush against one another, causing brown and blue eyes to collide.

  “Thank you for –um –this.” The bottle leaves his hands before I unscrew the cap, taking a sip of the strawberry antidote. Sitting on the bed, I begin saying my thanks again. “Colt, thank you for bringing me home. Speaking of which…I couldn’t help but notice I was in my bra and panties this morning.” Tugging at the hem of my sleeve, I try to avoid eye contact.

  “You were entertaining to say the least B, not too much trouble, though. You kept saying you were uncomfortable and took your shirt off so I just helped you. It was the gentlemanly thing to do.” The smirk he is giving me right now makes me want to take all of my clothes off.

  Oh shit, I threw myself at him.

  What the fuck. I am a slore.

  Putting my head in my hands to hide my face, a moan escapes, “Oh man!”

  I knew better than to consume that much alcohol. What all exactly did I say to him? Did I confess all the dirty thoughts that have been camping out in my mind since seeing him fresh from the shower? The thought of his lips on mine, or how every night since, I’ve laid awake thinking about him. I could go on and on, but my drunk mind is the one who had control, not me.

  What did that girl rat me out on? That’s the question.

  Colt scoots closer to me and puts his hand on my wrist to pull my hands away from my face. “Don’t hide. It’s not that big of a deal. I am used to girls throwing themselves at me mercilessly,” he teases.

  My body freezes up. Last night’s events, particularly Alex half-naked in his lap, slam into my current reality. I don’t even want to think of how many others he has been with.

  He must notice because he says, “Nothing happened with Alex. Nothing will ever happen with her. That’s a promise.” Rubbing circles over my hand he continues, “I don’t know why I care that you know that. But it’s the truth.”

  “What else-um- happened between us-last night?” I say shyly looking up at him and changing the subject away from slore -face.

  “You sure you want to know all the gritty details?”

  I nod my head with a slight plea in my eyes

  “Once I brought you home and put you in bed, you complained of being hot and started taking your shirt off. Then you grabbed my neck, dragged me down onto the bed, and begged me to kiss you. Let me clarify. You had your shirt off with a sexy little strapless pink bra on. Then you asked me to kiss you. Do you know how fucking hard it was to tell you no?” Colt leans into to me, and I lose my train of thought.

  It probably went right out the window with my dignity.

  He is so close, and I really, really want him to kiss me now. “Why didn’t you?” I tempt him with a whisper of want.

  Calloused fingers brush across the soft skin of my cheek until my chin rest between two of his fingers. Leaning in, he tilts my face up to his.

  “I want you to remember the first time my lips are on yours.”

  And then his lips are on mine, placing a slow, sweet peck across my lips, but the fuse has been lit and this firecracker is ready to explode. As he pulls away, I grab a hold of his shoulders bringing him back to me. Once I do, his restraint breaks—one hand thrusts into my hair and the other grips my waist, pulling me closer to him. As soon as his tongue enters my mouth, sweet spearmint invades my senses while I breathe in his warmth as if it is the only oxygen my lungs will accept.

  I can’t even think straight right now. My mind feels like a jumbled puzzle of emotions, but my body, my body knows exactly what it wants. It’s a war of mind fighting with matter between the two of us. It hasn’t been that long since my break-up. Am I ready for this? Is this just going to last as long as this moment? Whereas my body is set on fire, flames lap up in my stomach setting off a slow, steady but building blaze stretching out from my core.

  All I feel is Colt.

  I hear a moaning sound as Colt begins to pull away, and to my embarrassment, I realize it came from me.

  One kiss and I am moaning? Seriously? Get back here, dignity.

  Colt is holding me at arm’s length while breathing heavily. “B, you can’t make sounds like that. Not right now. I’m trying to be good… to you,” he says like it’s painful.

  “I...I…”

  I apparently have lost my speech function.

  I’m staring at him blankly and just about the time I open my mouth up again for a second attempt, Colt pulls me into his lap so I’m straddling him and starts to kiss me again, fingers weaving into my hair.

  Between kisses, he mumbles, “It’s not often I see your eyes so bright.” Kiss. “I am glad to see I have an effect on you.” Kiss.

  “Shut up.” I wrap my arms around his neck.

  “She talks!” That statement is all I allow out of that pretty mouth of his before I slam my lips back down onto his.
<
br />   Smartass.

  We are sitting on my bed making out like two kids in high school and I love it. Colt releases my bun from its tie and I don’t know when, but somehow, my hands are up his shirt running over his sexy ass six-pack

  Sorry, not sorry.

  I wrap my arms around his back and bring him closer to me as he starts kissing my neck and that’s when I know things are starting to go a little too far because a not so little issue has come up. Actually, I would say it is a pretty big issue and one I do not want to address, not right now anyway.

  I stand up, pulling away from Colt, and with a sly smile, I look at his lap. “I think we should stop.”

  Laughing and readjusting himself, he smirks, “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”

  Damn.

  He looks so good sitting there all ruffled by me.

  I’m pulled out of my haze when he says, “So do you have any plans this weekend?”

  I take a seat back on the bed next to him, but with more space between us this time.

  I don’t trust myself.

  “Yes, the girls were talking about going out to some club called Risk on Saturday night. You should come.”

  “I just might. Maybe this time I can get wasted and you can take me home. I promise to throw myself at you,” he says with a slow, cocky grin.

  “Don’t count on it,” I tease.

  “I’m very much counting on it. From what I’ve seen, you and your friends like to get pretty crazy, and for the record, I’d let you lick my tattoos if you wanted.”

  My eyes shoot up directly to his, frozen in panic. I look at him like how in the hell does he know I want to lick up his sexy arms and over his chest…

  “I overheard you talking to Kelsey last night,” Colt confesses, pulling me out of the memory I’ve locked away. Colt’s phone goes off, shocking us out of our stare. “Shit. I’m sorry B, I have to be somewhere.” Shaking his head in what seems like forgetfulness, he pockets his phone in frustration.

  “No problem. I’m sure Kelsey is dying to get back in here anyway.” I play off my disappointment of him leaving so soon.

  “I’ll text you later.”

  Seconds after his promise, strong hands grip my waist tugging me in close until I’m against his hard body, inches before we reach the door, “Goodnight.” My heart beat slows to a steady drum against his broad chest, my body relaxing into his.

  “Sweet dreams, B.” I feel the bristle of his nose nuzzle the top of my hair before lips as soft as satin sweep across my forehead. My heart glows with affection before he pulls away and strides down the hallway. I turn to go text Kelsey that she can come back. No sooner than I make it to my bed does the door swing open and Kelsey is bounding through.

  “About fucking time! Spill, bitch.”

  “He literally just left.” The giggle leaves my throat before I can stop it. Then I hear my text alert go off so I walk back over to the bedside table to retrieve my phone.

  “Is he texting you already? Damn girl, you got him hooked!”

  With a shy smile, I look at my phone and see a text from Colt.

  You are the only one on my mind. –Colt

  I type out my response.

  That’s the way I like it ;) –B

  My phone alert goes off again.

  I’d like to hear more about what you like. –Colt

  Colt

  I really like spending time with Brealynn, but the text message I just received splashed cold water on my face. It woke me up to the real world of being Colt Taylor.

  When you get close to someone, you give them a part of you and that part is forever theirs. No matter what they do, you can’t just let them go because you ‘love them.’ You are forever tied to them, even when they’re gone. Most people spend their lives trying to find love. I spend mine avoiding it. I fuck ‘em and leave ‘em, no love involved, ever, and then I carry on with my life. I’m selfish because I only have one life to live. I’ve learned that the hard way.

  “What is it this time?” I nod my head once in Parker’s direction, walking into the waiting room of our local hospital.

  “Alcohol poising,” my dad mumbles from the far corner of the waiting area where my aunt sits beside him. He looks like shit. He must have just left his flavor of the week’s house to come here, judging by his un-tucked dress shirt and the lipstick stains on his collar. My aunt, however, looks flawless, as always. Nothing we Taylor boys do affects her anymore. She’s grown use to our spirals, but not Jamie’s.

  “When can we see her?” I need to set eyes on her.

  Jamie, my little sister, is a senior in high school. She was an honor roll student before this past year. If I’m not running to pick her up from some party, then she’s at the hospital or police station. This seems to be her way to deal with her loss. I dealt with mine by running away; she is dealing with hers by losing control. She is acting like she has something to prove, which is insane. I have a feeling some of it is my fault. Probably should have been there for her to fall back on, but I ran.

  “I got here as soon as I got your message. Is she okay?” Tim asks running up to us almost out of breath. He has been there for me a handful of times for Jamie, but he is still blind to the shit storms she can cause.

  “We can go in now. I was waiting for Colt to get here,” my aunt says standing and smoothing down her royal blue dress. She has aged gracefully, but tonight she looks a few years older. My sister’s life choices are taking a toll on her. We head into the back of the hospital to see Jamie, and when we walk into her room, she looks small and weak. Alcohol poising will do that to you. Her long dark brown hair is a mess around her face and she’s pale.

  “Food poisoning from Ashybobs. Can you believe it?” she rasps with a small laugh from the hospital bed.

  I don’t know why she feels the need to lie to us, but I don’t call her out on it. It will just upset my aunt, the one person who always stood beside my mom and us, even after the funeral. I’m only here to make sure Jamie is still breathing. When I was on the road, it was a phone call with her voice on the other end. It’s something I have done since she started this downward spiral. I have to know that she’s okay, no matter how mad I am.

  “I ate a muffin there last week and it made me feel queasy. I’ll call the health department tomorrow,” Tim states as he walks up to the bed. I stand in the doorway as does Parker. We know this routine.

  “You don’t have to do that, Tim. I’m sure it is just a fluke,” Jamie’s face shows a smile. She loves the attention that Tim gives her. My aunt and dad are standing on her left side as Tim is on her right. Everyone crowded around. It’s what she seems to love. I give Parker a nod and head out of the room without as much as a word. Parker follows. Tim stays, like always.

  “Well, she survived,” Parker states as we walk out into the night air, and I finally feel like I can breathe again.

  My sister can be suffocating at times. She wasn’t always like this, though. We all found our own way to deal with the pain.

  Brealynn

  I’ve heard several rumors already about Colt Taylor. It’s like everyone is coming out of the woodwork now that he has shown interest in me.

  Colt Taylor is a great guy to hang out with, just not boyfriend material, Julie, who I just met in the commons area informed me. Or, Melody, who mentioned that Catharine said that he was very, very blessed in the package department, if you get my drift. Also, there was Allie, who said Colt only dates brunettes and oh wow, how strange that he was interested in me, a blonde. The information I’m receiving is endless and pointless because I’m already drowning in him.

  I learned a long time ago not to listen to what everyone else says. I thought Nick was a good guy and look where that got me. My mind starts wandering back to a few weeks ago when my life seemed pretty decent. I still can’t believe I thought I was ‘happy.’ I’m walking out of class when I suddenly feel a hand wrap around my arm to stop me. I turn around with a big smile expecting Colt, but instead, my
face falls as I stare at Nick with wide eyes.

  Shit, did I unwillingly think him here?

  I quickly close my eyes and try to picture anyone else but Nick.

  “Brea, open your eyes.”

  Damn.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” With a frustrating sigh, I open my eyes.

  Why is he here?

  “Can we please talk, Brealynn?”

  “There is nothing to talk about, Nick,” I reply, forcefully removing my arm from his grip and begin walking.

  Nick walks in sync at my side. As we pass a bench, he stops me again and whines, “Please, Brealynn.” With a heavy sigh, I take a seat on the bench. Nick does the same, placing an arm around my back and turning his body in my direction.

  “You have no idea how sorry I am, baby. I fucking love you so much.” He encases one of my hands with his own. Looking up into his eyes, I see he is hurting. The fact that I don’t know if he is hurting because he lost me or because he was caught is where the problem lies.

  “You don’t love me, Nick. You think you do, but you don’t. If you did, you would have never slept around on me,” I tell him frustrated. I can’t believe he is trying to feed me this bullshit.

  “I understand how you can see it that way, but baby, I was so alone with you gone. I missed you so much.” He places his hand on my cheek and a soft kiss on my lips. I don’t return the kiss.

  Jerking away from him and allowing more space between us, I say with anger that I can barely contain, “You were so alone? That’s the excuse you are going with? Wow, Nick. I would have expected a better one than that.”