Lineage

Chapter 9

Colton

        "I can't believe Theo is going on a date!" Teagan gushes. 

        "Me either!" Tatum agrees.

 I wince as she squeezes my sore hand. There's a slight bruise there from Dane's run-in with my fist.  

       "You two better keep quiet about it!"  I look over at Tay and then glance at Teagan through the rearview. "I'm sure he won't be happy I told you."

       "No way, I can't wait to grill him about it!" Tatum giggles. 

    I roll my eyes at her as I pull the Jeep into a parking spot at Northwoods Mall. Once inside the girls are about to drag me off to Hollister with them, but I have an idea.

       "Hey, so I have an errand to run while we are here. You two go on and I'll text you in a few to see where you are."  I have to smile at the pouty look on Tatum's face. "I won't be long! Go buy something smoking hot." I kiss her on the cheek as we part ways.

    I wait long enough to make sure they are headed to Hollister before I walk towards Reeds Jewelers. I want to surprise Tatum with something special, maybe some sort of necklace. Reed's is on the other end of the mall, so it takes a few minutes to get there. I don't see anything I think she will like in the first showcase of necklaces. Finally, after examining several cases I spot the perfect necklace for my girl. It's a studded compass necklace. The message on the packaging says, "Wherever you are is where I want to be". I signal the jeweler for assistance. After making my purchase I walk out of the jewelry store on cloud nine. I can't wait to give her the gift. I step to the side just outside the doors and take out my phone to text Tatum, but I'm interrupted. 

    "Hey there handsome," gushes a voice that makes me cringe. Leslie runs her hand up my arm. 

    "What are you doing Leslie"  

    "I miss you Colton!" she whines 

    "It isn't happening, Leslie. I'm with Tatum and you better not pull another stunt like you did in the lunchroom." I warn. 

    "Oh, come on, Colt. She's just a kid, what could you possibly want with her." she sneers. 

    "I'm series, Leslie! Back off and leave Tatum alone",  I grab her hand to remove it from my arm at the same time the twins come around the corner. The look on their faces as they stop dead in their tracks confirms my thoughts that this didn't look good. They think I was holding her hand. Tatum turns on her heels to leave, and I rush to catch her, leaving Leslie standing there without another word. 

    "Hey," I grab at Tatum's hand as I catch up to them.

    "Get lost, Colt" barks Teagan. 

    "That wasn't what it looked like. I was trying to get her off me." I plead. Tatum has yet to stop walking away. She hasn't spoken to or even looked at me. She walks all the way to the mall entrance while I plead for her to listen the whole time. We continue out the entrance and to the jeep with Tay still not speaking. I follow her to the passenger side and box her in with my hands on either side of her against the jeep. Teagan stands awkwardly at the back of the jeep, not knowing if she should defend her sister or stay out of it.

    "Listen to me! That was not what it looked like. Why on earth would I bring you to the mall and then sneak off with Leslie?" 

    "I don't know you tell me. You sure couldn't wait to get away from me as soon as we got here!" she spits back as she pushes me. Trying to get out of my embrace.  I don't budge. 

       "Tatum, I swear to you I was not meeting Leslie. It was pure coincidence that she ended up here." I lay my forehead on Tatum's, but she turns her head to the side to avoid contact. 

    "Take us home", she says flatly. 

    'Tatum, you know me. You know that is not my style." I plead frantically. "I was in Reeds buying you a gift and when I walked out there she was. I swear"

    "Why did it look like you were holding her hand?" Tatum explodes, her beautiful green eyes glinting with murderous intent directed at me, or maybe Leslie, I hope, but probably at me.

    "Because she had her hand on my arm. I took it to get her off me" I explain. "You know I've not had anything to do with her for a long time now". 

    That is true, she knows that. She also knows that I'm not the type to cheat on one girl with another, but dang I like knowing I can make her so jealous.

    "Ok, I'm sorry I overreacted." she breaths. "Fair warning though, if you ever cheat on me they will never find your body!" 

    "Duly noted," I say as I unlock the doors of the jeep. I hear Teagan say "Finally"  as she rounds the jeep and gets in on the driver's side. Tatum starts to open her door, but I put my hand on it.

    "Tatum," 

    "Yes?"

    "You will never have anything to worry about, ok?" I swear as I hand her the pretty gift bag she finally notices. "Open your present."

    She reaches into the bag and pulls out the jewelry box. I help her take the top off to reveal the compass necklace. 

    "Oh, it's gorgeous!" she melts. "Put it on me."

    She turns and holds up her long hair so I can fasten the necklace around her delicate neck. I place a gentle kiss on the side of her neck and breathe in her sweet scent. She smells so good, like a tropical beach. 

    "Wherever you are is where I want to be!" I whisper in her ear. 

    "Thank you, Colton." she melts into my arms. "I'm really sorry about earlier. I just didn't like what I was seeing, but I should have let you explain."

    "It's ok. I would have had the same reaction if the roles had been reversed. I also kind of like how jealous you got!" I laugh then dodge a punch to the gut.

    "I did not!" she says indignantly but it was hard to refute that she'd been in a jealous rage.

    "Yeah, ok whatever!" I grin as I open the door for her. She climbs in and shuts the door in my face making me hoot with laughter all the way around to the driver's side.