Free Winning Me Over by Amber Garza Page B

me.
    “Who was that, Colt?”
    “Paige.” I run a hand over my head. “We work together. We’re just friends.” I have no idea why I feel the need to clarify this to Callie. “Is it okay if I go to the lake with her today?”
    “Of course.” Steam rises from the top of the stove and a burnt smell permeates the air. “Oh, crap.” She whirls around and pries a black pancake from the skillet. “Guess that one’s going in the trash.” After dropping it in the garbage can, she wipes her brow.
    “I don’t have to go if you would rather I stay home and help out.”
    “I’m fine. It’s Saturday and you don’t have to work. You should go have fun with your friend. Besides, I thought I’d take Zander and Bristol to the zoo today.”
    “Okay.” I spin on my heels. Then I glance back over my shoulder. “Thanks, Aunt Callie.”
    She smiles, and it makes her look younger. “Sure. Oh, and Colt?”
    “Yeah?” I lean against the doorframe.
    “I think I have some swim trunks you can use if you want.”
    I cock an eyebrow. “Aunt Callie? Is there something you need to tell me?”
    She laughs. “I haven’t always been an old maid, you know? I used to have a boyfriend. He was a complete asshole, but his sense of style wasn’t so bad. And when I kicked him out I didn’t really let him take his stuff. There’s a box in the hall closet. I’m sure there’s swim trunks in it.”
    I scrunch up my nose, wondering if I really want to wear some other dude’s swim trunks.
    “I’ve washed everything,” she supplies. “I was planning to take it all to goodwill.”
    “Okay.” I shrug, deciding it’s better than swimming in my jeans or boxers. “Hey, Zander,” I call to my brother as I pass him. When he looks up at me, his rainbow colored tower falls over, crashing to the floor. “I’m going to go out with some friends today. Wanna help me find some swim trunks to bring?”
    “Sure.” Zander hops up and walks on tip toes toward me.
    He follows me to the hall closet and I pull out a large brown box filled to the brim with clothes. As I rummage through it, I realize that Aunt Callie’s right. Some of the stuff in here is pretty cool. I check the size and wonder if the jeans will fit. It’s worth a try. I could sure use some new clothes and I don’t exactly make enough at the coffee shop to buy a new wardrobe. Zander helps me look through the box and pretty soon we locate a pair of board shorts. Thankfully they’re plain black and look like something I would wear. They look a little big, but they have a drawstring so I can cinch them if need be.
    “Is your friend a boy or girl?” Zander asks, pinching his forehead together.
    “A girl.”
    “Like a girlfriend?” He gives me a conspiratorial look.
    “No. She’s just a friend, buddy.” I bend down until our faces our level. “Are you okay with this? I can stay home today if you want.”
    Zander shakes his head. “It’s okay. Aunt Callie’s taking us to the zoo.”
    “You like it here, huh?”
    Zander nods. “You?”
    “Yeah. I like it here too,” I answer, the words hurting as I force them from my throat. If only I believed it would last. Then maybe it wouldn’t scare me so bad.
    I spend the morning helping Aunt Callie get Bristol and Zander fed. Then I change into the board shorts and a tank top. I have one pair of old flip flops and I slip them on. When I glance in the mirror I feel like a poser. The surfer look’s not really my style. Then again, at least I still have my piercings in, and my tats really stand out in this shirt. Shrugging, I turn from the mirror and round up a towel. Aunt Callie only has one beach towel and it’s covered in Hawaiian flowers. Oh, well. It’ll have to do. Her shower towels hardly cover my ass.
    At exactly noon Paige shows up. She’s wearing a strapless swimsuit cover up and white flip flops. The red bikini she’s wearing is plainly visible beneath the cover up, and my palms fill with sweat. It’s a losing