Page 104 of Colton

“What the hell was that for?” She grabs a pillow and smacks me in the face.

“I didn’t realize just how smart you’ve gotten.”

“Duh,” she scoffs. “Someone has to be.”

“Oh, shut up, you little menace.”

Emma flips me off with an eye roll.

“Do that again, and I’ll bite your finger off,” I warn, and the cheeky brat flips me off again.

I’m not sure why I’m even surprised.

41

I park the car a little down the road and turn off the engine. Dahlia unbuckles her seatbelt and turns to look at me. She’s silent for a moment, but I know that the peace is very short-lived.

“Why am I even here?” She asks with a sigh.

“You have a very sweet face,” I say truthfully. “If anyone can break the awkward silence and tension, it’d be you.”

“For the record, this is the first and last time you’re involving me in your love life. I can barely handle my own.”

“You’re sleeping with Artemis,” I deadpan. “I’d hardly call that a love life.”

“She can be sweet!” She says, then adds, “sometimes.”

“Riight,” I roll my eyes, and leave the vehicle. I grab the gifts I’ve prepared for Avalon’s parents, and pray it doesn’t end with me having a bullet through my chest. I did a little digging on her family to know exactly who I’m dealing with, and, quite frankly, I’m not scared of her father. Her mother, though? I hear she can have quite a temper.

I don’t care, though. Whatever they throw my way, I can handle it. If they want to hit me and beat me until I’m barely alive, I’ll allow it. Having their approval means a lot to Avalon, clearly, so I’m not going to do anything that compromises that.

The gift ideas came from Dahlia. For her mother, she suggested a big bouquet and a good bottle of wine. Wine will either be used to hit me in the head or to drink her sorrows away. Either way, it seemed perfect at the time.

Her father seems to enjoy whiskey, which, if I recall correctly, I got through Sophia, and I chose a good-quality bottle. As for the siblings, I hear the boys like playing games, so I found some that teenagers love, and Dahlia chose a fantastic makeup set for Avalon’s sister.

Once we’re at the door, my hands full of the bags, Dahlia knocks. Loud chatter comes from inside the house, and it takes a while for them to open the door. I’ve never been this anxious in my life, mainly because I’m too eager to see Avalon again.

The door swings open, and it’s a mini-version of Avalon. Well, there are some similarities. Their eye shape, nose, and jawline are identical, even though their hair color and eye shade are completely different.

“Good evening,” I say, keeping my voice even.

The girl narrows her eyes in suspicion, glancing between Dahlia and me. To her credit, my sister flashes her a wide, perfect smile.

“Avalon!” The girl screams. “Your boyfriend is here!”

Silence falls around us, and even the inside of the house is eerily silent. Then loud bangs and noise echo, and footsteps approach the door. Much to my dismay and disappointment, it’s not Avalon.

It’s her mother.

“Get back inside, Emilia.” The stern voice makes the girl — Emilia — smile apologetically before she bolts. However, she doesn’t go very far. She stays behind, close enough to hear our conversation.

“Mrs. Evans,” I greet politely.

“Drop the honorifics, we’re basically the same age, aren’t we?” She asks rhetorically, and the venom in her voice is enough to make Dahlia’s smile falter, though briefly.

She folds her arms across her chest, staring me down. She’s looking at me with disdain, and she’s not trying to hide it. I suppress a smirk, I can clearly tell where Avalon gets all of her facial expressions from.

“My apologies,” I offer a small nod. “These are for you.”