Hometown Love

Colton

Waking up in a bed that smells like Callie is the best way to guarantee a fantastic day. I felt unstoppable, like her scent had enveloped me and given me a confidence that I hadn't possessed before.

I also had never been an early riser, but every morning I was jumping out of bed at the prospect of seeing Callie. I had a few more weeks here, and I was going to make them count. I wasn't going to lose her again.

I pulled on my boots and headed to the barn, knowing Callie would arrive any minute. The next step of my plan over the next few weeks was to impress her with any opportunity that arose.

I heard the gravel crunching beneath her tires outside, so I stepped out to meet her. Opening her door, I always marveled at how she looked this good this early. That's just Callie, though; effortlessly flawless.

The last week has been much of the same. In the early mornings I helped Callie with Ranger-- who had been surprisingly cooperative-- followed by lunch with her and John at the house. We shoveled out the barn most of the early afternoon followed by a drive to the lake for a quick dip. As refreshing as the water is on my hot skin, our friends are usually soaking up the sun when we arrive, and steal Callie away from me until we leave. Once the sun starts setting, we head back to my mom's place for dinner-- although Emma and my mom usually steal Callie away from me then, too.

After dinner, Cal and I walk through downtown Cambridge, reminiscing about the past and sharing the new things about our present. Every night I wanted to kiss her, but she asked me to be her friend and I'm going to respect that.

"Good morning, gorgeous," I held my hand out to help her down from the truck, "ready for another day?"

Her broad smile took my breath away. In combination with the sun making her bright eyes gleam, the white noise that buzzed in my ears prohibited me from hearing what Callie was saying.

"...does that sound good?" I caught the tail end, but nodded in agreement anyway. I would follow that girl anywhere.

"You weren't listening, were you?" She chaffed with a smirk.

She didn't even wait for me to admit that I had gotten distracted.

"I was saying that my dad called me this morning and told me he's got some of the high schoolers out today for some kind of career-shadowing. So we have the day off! I was thinking we could hang at the lake with everyone until lunch and then maybe we could drop by the high school? My little cousin has been dying for you to come watch the boys play football."

Hell yes. An opportunity to show off a little wouldn't hurt.

"I'm up for whatever you want, cat." She rolled her eyes in response, not willing to fight me on the nickname anymore but still showing her disdain.

We climbed into her truck and drove toward the lake, I was downright giddy to see her in a tiny bikini again.

When we arrived, it seemed the party was in full swing. Whitney, the Lawsons, Britnee, and more of our friends were laid out on the sand, passing around bottles and blaring music on the speaker.

I tried to avert my eyes when Callie stripped down to her bikini-- I wasn't about to get caught gawking like some creep. I pulled my shirt off, tossing it on the sand before realizing I hadn't brought a suit.

"Colt, I brought you an old suit," Callie said, tossing it to me. "I think Mrs. Spellman is home next door if you want to go change."

"No need, Cal," I shot her a wink before pulling down my jeans and sliding the trunks over my boxers. I wasn't ashamed of my body.