Rise (Colton Dixon)

Chapter 3

Annie

"Guess what, Colt?"

I can hear the smile in his voice even more than I have for the past ten minutes that we've been talking on the phone.

"What?"

"Guess."

"Cupcakes," he laughs. "I guessed."

"Do you want those too?" I giggle as I walk past the line and flash my driver's license to the security guard.

Annie Dixon. Still feels good to see that.

He offers me a smile and holds the door for me. Just like I'm the celeb instead of my husband.

I smile at him as I walk on through, pizza box and all. Though there's technically no outside food. I'm seriously allowed to break like every single rule.

"What do you mean?" Colton's laughing harder now. "You're confusing me."

"Well, I ordered you a pizza. Should get there in a few minutes. Do you want me to find you a cupcake place that delivers too?"

"Nah, that's okay. I actually said it cause I'm staring at a plate of them that one of the boys bought. They're seriously trying to shove the stupid things down my throat. I've had like three already."

"It's your own fault for being so skinny," I reply, giggling again.

"But I've had three!" he argues. "Pizza is going to be such a relief after this. But how'd you order a pizza to Denver from Nashville?"

Technically totally possible, but wouldn't he like to know.

"It's this wonderful modern invention, Colt," I tease. "It's called the internet."

"Okay, you got me there," he sighs, half laughing again. "But you're the best. I assume I know what type you got?"

"Only the best for you."

"Yes!" he cheers with too much enthusiasm for pizza. "Now the guys can't complain about it!"

"Fruit doesn't belong on pizza!" I hear one of them shout in the backround. "Annie, don't encourage his horrible habits!"

I just giggle, but a second and I hear a thud on the other end.

"Annie!" The voice whines. "Your husband just threw a book at me!"

"Colton!" I manage through a fit of laughter. "Behave yourself!"

"He's being mean, Anne!" he chokes out in a half-laugh, half-whine. "He deserved it!"

"I think you just have too much energy, Hon," I giggle. "Just 'cause you're a rock star doesn't mean you need to drink a hundred of them."

"I haven't even had one of those things today! It's all those stupid cupcakes they made me eat!"

"You wouldn't get such bad sugar rushes if you weren't so skinny," I tease back.

"Annie!" He laughs. "I ate three cupcakes! It's not my fault I'm skinny. The guys treat me like I'm anorexic or something."

"Well, prove 'em wrong by eating the entire pizza." I set the box, as well as my travel bag, down outside the bathroom door as I prepare to enter it. "It should be there in a few."

"You're the best, Hon," he replies. "And I should let you go."

"Well, I could talk to you forever, but I should go," I say as if I'm not gonna see him in like five minutes. "Talk to you tomorrow?"