Free Vicious Circles by J. L. Paul

normal but that wasn't the case. Morgan was jittery, constantly watching me out of the corner of her eye.
    Spencer was preoccupied and quiet. And Col in was concerned and a little overbearing. Oh, not with me. No, not at al .
    Tori started showing up at Rusty’s on Friday nights which was like a massive kick in my gut. And she always tagged along with whatever we’d decide to do after the guys finished their set. The funny thing was that she didn’t hang al over Col in and he didn’t treat her as a girlfriend, per se. I wasn’t sure if they were a couple or not.
    Not even Irelyn or Lucas knew, either.
    As much as my heart crumpled and fel into a pile of litter at my feet, I felt ten times worse for Morgan whose face was a constant mask of anxiety and hurt. I would have loved to tear into Col in for what he was doing to Morgan, but the poor guy had no clue. Maybe if Morgan would speak up she’d have a chance. But then, Col in was so into Tori that I don’t think he would hear a word.
    Yeah, life was pretty crappy al around.
    As the Fourth of July approached, the Newton boys decided that they would throw the First Annual Newton Brothers Barbecue. Irelyn was not thril ed since it was up to her to cal everyone and write down what dish they would like to bring to share with everyone. Being the good friend that I am, I told her I would just bring al the food if the guys would provide the booze. Irelyn agreed and hung up before I could change my mind.
    The party was going to be at Col in’s place since there was a nice-sized yard behind the house – with a privacy fence. He also agreed to cook the meat on the gril .
    Being the daughter of a chain-store owner, I was privy to al sorts of deals. Daddy’s department stores had wonderful grocery sections in them. I just cal ed my daddy, told him of the party and he made a list of al the things I needed. The day of the party I stopped at the nearest store and the manager had everything ready to load in my car.
    I arrived a little early but I didn’t want to wait until two o’clock – I had a car ful of food that I didn't want to spoil. I wandered around to the back yard, looking for someone to help me with the al the bags. I paused near the gate and gaped. Col in was standing before a huge gril – his back to me – hefting a huge bag of charcoal.
    He was wearing cargo shorts and no shirt. My mind rewound to that night and a shiver hurtled up my spine. I was total y mesmerized and it took al I had to shake out of my stupor before he caught me ogling him.
    “Dinner and a show? Wow, I am impressed,” I said, my voice strangely strained.
    He nearly dropped the bag as he swirled to the sound of my voice. His face relaxed in a slow, heartbreaking smile and I leaned against the gate to support my wobbly legs.
    “Hey, Bailey. You’re early.”
    “I have al the food – would you rather I be late?” I asked with a smirk.
    “Not in the least,” he said as he set the bag on the ground and brushed the dust off his hands. “Need help?” I pointedly eyed his arms. “You’re the one with the muscles.”
    He snorted, his cheeks a little pink, and playful y pushed me out of the yard toward my car. My heart was clamoring in my chest as I stumbled, feeling like a total idiot. I opened the trunk and started loading his arms ful of bags.
    “Geez, Bailey,” he said as I fol owed him into the house. “There’s not going to be that many people here.”
    “Daddy owns a chain of stores, remember? I don’t pay ful price for anything.” He set the bags on the table, shook his head in amusement, then went out for the rest.
    I pul ed food out of the bags and began sorting it as Col in brought in the last of it.
    He peered over my shoulder and his nearness caused another shiver. Towering over me, he reached around to pick up a package of meat. I closed my eyes to stil the spin in my head.
    “Steaks? Bailey, this is unnecessary,” he said, his breath tousling my hair.
    “I told you