Page 73 of The Perfect Distraction

Chapter Twenty

“So, now that we’re alone, why did you have to knock yourself out to sleep last night?”

They were leaning back on their elbows, watching Joey splash in the water with his soccer friend Adam when Colton posed the question.

Beth had been hoping to avoid the subject since Joey would be with them all day, but when Joey had spotted Adam and his mom a little further down the beach, he’d run off.

She sighed. “Didn’t you say you have trouble sleeping sometimes?”

“Yes, but it’s usually because something’s bothering me. So, fess up. What is it?”

In the time she’d spent with him, she’d discovered that Colton didn’t pull any punches. He’d been forthright and direct with her from the beginning, and she felt she owed him the same courtesy—yet she didn’t want to hurt him.

Lowering her voice, she said, “It was Christopher. He contacted me last night.”

She watched Colton’s face as he processed the news. “Did he call you?” he asked, looking and sounding perturbed.

“No. He sent an email.”

“Let me guess. He wants you back.”

She gaped at him. “How’d you know?”

“Look at you,” he said, gesturing. “You’re beautiful inside and out. The jerk had to lose you to realize it.”

“Colton…”

“Sorry for calling him a jerk.”

“Don’t be.”

“So, what are you going to do?”

She’d been grappling with the question ever since she’d read the email, but to hear Colton ask…

“Never mind. I guess it’s really none of my business,” he said and averted his eyes to where Joey and Adam were playing.

Placing her hand on his arm, she said, “That’s not true. You’ve been open with me about Gretchen, and I owe you the same courtesy.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Beth.”

He was obviously disgruntled, but she plowed ahead. “Maybe that was the wrong choice of words, but I want to share things with you. I care about you, and Joey too.”

“So, were you planning to let us down easy? Is that it?” Suddenly, Colton pushed to his feet, his body tense with anger. “I’m going for a swim.” And with that, he stalked across the hot sand to the water’s edge. After saying something to Joey, he dove in the water and resurfaced several yards out.

Her emotions rioting inside her, she watched him swim further out, keeping his back to her the entire time. So much for honesty. She hadn’t been prepared to tell him about Christopher, but he’d caught her off guard, and she hadn’t wanted to lie.

She was contemplating whether to swim out to where he was when Joey, Adam, and his mother approached her.

“Hi. I’m Lynne, Adam’s mom.”

“Beth Summers.”

“My dad’s girlfriend,” Joey added.

Beth’s eyes grew wide, but she quickly tried to compose herself while Lynne looked at her curiously.

“We’re getting ready to leave, but Adam wanted to ask if Joey could come to our house for the afternoon.”