Sitting on the couch in the living room, I watch Drake and Colt playing against Layla and Clay on the PS5. My belly aches from all the laughter we have shared, they are ridiculous. Big kids pretending to be adults, that's who they are, especially the boys. I lost count of the number of times Drake and Clay threw a fit because they were losing, while my best friend and Colton were acting absolutely unaffected. It takes a toll on my bestie to play it cool, while my man is just being himself.

I choke on my beer, coughing and drawing their attention to me. I give them an awkward smile and excuse myself to go to the bathroom. My man? My fucking man? I'm the biggest idiot on earth! Letting myself get my hopes up, I'm not doing myself any good. It reminds me more and more of my relationship with Levi. How I was ready to do anything for him, forgetting how he treated me all the damn time and secretly hoping that he would change for me... while the only person changing was me, and not in a good way. I almost betrayed the people closest to me and my beliefs for him, and I'm dead-set on not making the same mistake with Colton. Whatever we have right now is fun and feels amazing, but it will be over as soon as he graduates and I go back home for summer break. End of story.

"Can I come in?" Layla's voice behind the door sounds muffled. I sigh and open it for her. "You okay?"

Turning around, I return my gaze to the mirror and stare at myself. I'm makeup free and my hair is in a bun with a few wild locks treacherously trying to escape. I see in the mirror as Layla closes the door and comes over to me. She stops at my right side, catching my gaze in the reflection.

"You okay?" She repeats and I smile, putting my head on her shoulder.

"Yeah."

"Why don't you want to play with us?"

"I don't have any energy in me to jump with these motion controllers." I tell her the truth, regretting it the second my words leave my mouth.

"Why? Are you getting sick?"

"No. Just..." I bite my bottom lip, mentally preparing myself for her banshee scream. "My whole body is sore, and all that I want to do is sit or lay down."

"Wh-? OH MY FUCKING GOD!" Layla twirls around, grasps my hands in hers and starts jumping. "How long can he go for?"

"Hours."

"Ava!" She hits me on my shoulder with her fist, scowling at me. "That's not a fucking answer!"

"I think if he didn't remember plans he made with Clay, we would have left my room just before it was time for us to be here."

"I like that he's good at taking care of your needs, girl." My best friend taps on my nose, smiling mischievously. "What made him leave you, though? It must have been something important if he climbed out of your warm bed to see his friend."

"Colt was awfully weird, avoiding telling me why he made plans with Clay and where they were going." I confess, shrugging lightly. "I didn't insist. I left him with my dad because of you, so I don't think I was in any position to demand answers."

"Sorry." She grins and I laugh.

"You're not." I retort and narrow my eyes, becoming serious at once. "How are things between you and Clay?"

Layla heaves a sigh and leans her side against the bathroom counter. "Could have been better. Drake is watching us like a hawk. He won't leave me alone with Rodgers for more than 10 minutes and it's exhausting. It's like... I can't even breathe freely with him around."

"I can talk to him." I suggest, but she dismisses me, shaking her head.

"No. I want to do it myself. How am I supposed to learn anything if he forbids me from making mistakes? His overprotectiveness is sweet, but lately I feel like... he's suffocating me." I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her to me for a hug. "I don't have my hopes up about Clay. I like him, and I really think he likes me. If we work out, great. If not? Then, it's just another experience."

"Love you." I whisper and she hugs me back, knocking the air out of my lungs with the force of her embrace. "I can't fu-fucking breath... Layla!"

She cackles and releases me, roaming her eyes over my face and then looking around. "Looks like gossiping in the bathroom is our new thing."

"Maybe a little."

We both chuckle and stroll to the door. If anything, her presence helped me to take my mind off my thoughts about Colt, but also brought me some needed solace. I'm not a seer and don't really know what is going to happen next, but... something that feels so good can't be wrong. Why should I let my past dictate my future? Why would I allow my relationship with Jefferson to cast a shadow on anything I can have with Colton? I'm forbidding myself to live my life to the fullest because of one jerk. Without really realizing it, I have given him power over my actions and even my thoughts. It shouldn't be like that. Jefferson was an experience as my best friend called it, he's my mistake and I intend not to repeat it ever again.

I amble to the living room, following Layla on autopilot. I don't even watch where I'm going, until I crash into someone. Two strong arms wind around my waist, steadying me and not letting me fall on my ass. My breathing hitches in my throat as I lock my eyes with Drake. He's frowning, examining me under his furrowed eyebrows. I put my hands on his chest, distancing myself from him and he lets go of me.

"Thank you. You just saved me from embarrassment." I mutter and he snorts.

"Falling on your ass isn't embarrassing when you're surrounded by your friends. Remember that."

Clay reappears out of nowhere, draping a hand over Drake's shoulder and peeling his eyes to my face. "Dude knows what he's talking about. It's a common thing when we're on the ice."

"She knows that too." Drake adds quietly, as I chew on my inner cheek. "Teaching her and my little sis ice-skating wasn't my favorite thing to do, but watching them fall on their asses over and over again was priceless."

"Moron." I hiss, edging around them and heading to the couch. Colt is there and I don't like his expression. At all. I sure hope he's not jealous, even if I know he is. Ugh. The title of 'jealous boyfriend' belongs to Jefferson and I don't want Thompson to take it over. I'm being honest. "Hey you."

"Hey you." He echoes me, barely audible. Clay guffaws so loud, so I don't even understand what Layla and Drake are talking about, not that I care anyway. The somber look on Colton's face worries me way more. "Drake is always there for you."

"He is." I inch closer, cuddling to his side and nuzzling his neck with my nose. His aftershave's scent is strong, arousing all the memories and feelings he ignites within me. I'm floating on my Colton Thompson cloud and don't have any desire to come back to reality... unless he continues acting like a big baby. I'm a very affectionate person, but if my affection is not welcomed... I prefer to act like a cold-hearted Ice Queen. "Why did you stop playing?"

"Layla left to check on you." He answers and slowly slides his hand around my waist. "I don't like him touching you."

"Only him?"

"Anyone." Oh God, this is a totally new level of possessiveness, and also... it hits way too close to home. I'm my own person, and I feel like an animal with a collar around my neck if people try to control me. I hate this.

I move away abruptly and our gazes instantly clash. A fire is burning behind my irises, and it is taking all my willpower not to storm out of the house. "This is not going to work."

Standing up from the couch, I take a step forward and Layla jumps in front of me, blocking my way. I pout my lips, hiding my hands in my pockets and feeling his heavy gaze on my back. Sex is great, but becoming his sex doll with no rights doesn't sound appealing to me. I can only be his equal and I need him to trust me, if he can't? I'm out.

"We're playing Uno."

"No." I snap and she frowns, giving me once over. Layla rolls her eyes, lips twisting in annoyance. She knows me like the back of her hand, and she's perfectly aware how pissed I am. Yet... she doesn't care. Like always.

"Sorry, bitch, we're playing Uno." Then, she sneaks a glance at Thompson over my shoulder. "You too, Colton."

My best friend grabs my palm and drags me in the direction of the table where Clay and Drake are already sitting. I pull my hand out of her grip and go sit by her brother's side. I'm playing with fire but I hope it will help Colton understand once and for all that Drake and Layla are like family to me, being jealous of them is a road to nowhere. It is my only intent, to show him he has nothing to worry about when it comes to my best friend's brother.

Colton strides over to the table and lowers himself into the chair right in front of me. Our eyes meet, and neither of us looks away. People often say that the eyes are windows to the soul, and that's exactly how I feel about his. Today in my room, when we were cuddling and just talking about school I noticed that his irises have little shades of gold, especially when he smiles. His gaze is intense and soulful, it easily catches you off guard and holds you in a chokehold because you literally don't want to look away. He pulls you in and there is nowhere in the world you want to be except being around him and feeling his eyes on you.

"Anyone need me to remind them what the rules are?" Layla chimes in, breaking the magic and returning me to the harsh reality. The reality where I'm not sure I have a future with Colton... not only because of his graduation, but because I can't have him being jealous. It's not the place and not the time to talk about it now, still I make a mental note to address this issue later. We already let miscommunication mess with our lives, and I don't want this situation to repeat itself. "No? Well, then, let's play."

The next two hours we spent playing Uno and drinking beer. My anger vanished in thin air as soon as I promised myself to talk to Colton later. Dragging my mood down when I couldn't do anything to change it at the moment wasn't healthy. It would be better to have all cards in the open when we were alone and sober. Only this way we could work it out.

During the game I laughed a lot, sometimes even to tears. Clay Rodgers definitely has a great sense of humor, and it matches with Drake's kind jokes and Colton's pessimistic comments. Each of them compliments the other while still staying true to themselves. Maybe I'm utterly wrong, but for some reason I think this winter break will forge their bond and form a friendship that won't be possible to break.

It's 2am and I'm trying my hardest to hide my yawn. Unsuccessfully. Drake puts his cards on the table, gawking at me sideways. "I think it's time to go to bed."

"What?" Clay yelps, and I narrow my eyes, noticing his hand on Layla's shoulder. Bold move, buddy, but I'm afraid you just got yourself in trouble.

"Ava looks like she's going to pass out." He answers calmly, taking a swing of his beer. "And you look like you want to sleep in your car."

"Drake!" Layla shrieks, pushing her chair away from the table and running out of the living room. Are there any adults in the room? It sure doesn't feel like it. Dammit!

"I didn't do anything." Clay mumbles, standing up from the table.

"Good. If you want to stay, keep it that way." Drake exclaims, jumping to his feet and snatching a few bottles from the floor. He heads in the direction of the kitchen and I exhale, standing up as well and tailing my friend out of the room.

The door of the kitchen almost smashes in my face. I stop it and slip inside, letting it softly close behind me. "Did you already forget our talk?"

"You should go home."

"She's not your property. She's entitled to make her own decisions, to make her own mistakes. To fall and then get up, becoming stronger and more confident. Forbidding her from doing something you're doing her disservice. Let her fucking breathe, Drake!"

He grittes his teeth so loud, I flinch. I don't ever remember him being so furious with me... only because I spoke the truth. Drake stomps in my direction and hovers over me. I wait, holding his gaze, vaguely recognizing something else behind his anger. He's fucking wasted.

"You should go home." He growls and inches closer.

"Or what?"

"Or you will regret-" He doesn't have time to finish his sentence, because someone pushes the door open from the other side. Drake and I jump back and Colton steps into the kitchen. He scantily drags his eyes over me and then focuses his attention on Drake.

"I advise you to reconsider your next words." Thompson warns and my heart goes berserk. It's beating so loudly that it makes me speechless, and I really feel as if I'm suddenly stunned. He is confronting my friend... his friend... his teammate... for me. Because of me... No guy I was together with has ever done that for me.

"Just go home and take her with you. I'm not in the fucking mood to deal with her lectures." Drake states, putting a hand on my back and shoving me forward.

"Asshole." I grumble under my breath and storm out of the kitchen. I don't wait for Colton, hearing him talk to Benson in a hushed voice. I quickly scan the living room, realizing that Clay is also gone. Such a great evening... and everything was ruined. Dammit!

I grab my jacket, zip it up and just as I'm about to open the front door, I feel him. He's standing behind my back, not saying a word and not touching me. But his eyes... his eyes are glued to my body. Shaking my head, I yank the door open and march off the porch and straight to my house. He will follow me, I have no doubt.

My hand is on the knob of my front door when his solid chest collides with my back. I hold tight, arching my back to blend myself with him. "You need a real good spanking, Ava... to get this fucking attitude of yours out of your system."

Spanking? I blink and a coy smile plays on my lips. I grind my ass over his groin, and he grabs my throat from behind, digging his fingers in my neck. "Sounds good..." I tell him, and he spins me around immediately.

Our mouths crash, and I'm losing it. I moan into our kiss as he squeezes my butt hard and lowers his lips to my neck. "If I ever see you alone with a guy as drunk as Drake was, I will fuck you right in front of him. Am I clear?"

"Yes." I whimper, as he sucks on my neck, marking me as his. I might be tempted to misbehave more often, only because I love how raw and possessive he is when we are alone. A total opposite from what I want from him when there are other people. A stupid controversial bitch, that's who I am. No surprise I confuse the hell out of him.

"You are such a good girl ... always doing what you're told-"

"No!" I push him away and he laughs, dropping his hands off my sides.

"And bratty Ava is back." Colt steps away and I open the front door letting us both in.

We move in silence, taking off our jackets and our sneakers, but our hands constantly find each other in this darkness. He walks me up to my bedroom and leans his side on the wall. "We need to talk about your jealousy... I'm honestly not a fan, not after my past relationships."

"Okay." He agrees so easily, so I frown, a puzzled look on my face. He has something big on his mind, and it prevents him from arguing with me.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask quietly, edging inside my room.

"I've been thinking..." My lips part and I stare at him in anticipation. Whatever it is, it should be good, even if he's nervous. "Will you go with me to visit my mom?"

"Visit?"

"As I said... it's complicated." He rocks on his heels back and forth, and I put my palm on his cheek, halting him.

"I'll go with you."

"Really? I mean, I want to go on Christmas."

"We can always celebrate later. My dad will understand,"

"Thank you, Ava." He kisses me hard, melting me on the spot and making me feel as if I can do anything with him around. Lowering his forehead to mine, he smiles. "I will explain everything on our way and we also can talk about me being a jealous idiot."

"Promise?"

"Pinky swear." A light peck on my lips and he steps back. "Goodnight, Ava."

"Night, Colt." Closing the door to my bedroom, I can't help but smile. Colton is everything.