Justified Love (The Southern Gentleman Series Book 1) Read online

  Shut up Carr. You sound like a moron right now.

  “Wow, ok. I’m not sure how to take that. Thank you, I guess? Let me buy you another beer. It was my fault you dropped yours in the first place.”

  “Oh gosh, Colt. You don’t have to do that, really.”

  “It’s not a problem. I’m the one who startled you.”

  “It’s not necessary,” I began.

  “Carrington shut up and let me buy you a drink.”

  His assertiveness was such a turn on and didn’t bother me in the least.

  “What’ll it be?” asked Zach.

  “We’ll take two Buds and two double shots of Crown,” Colt ordered.

  “Oh, I don’t know, Colton. I’ve already had a lot to drink.”

  “Y.O.L.O. or whatever those city slickers say.”

  I couldn’t help but giggle. He was so cute.

  “Y.O.L.O.?”

  “Yea, you know. You. Only. Live. Once.”

  “I’m pretty sure not all northerners say Y.O.L.O. when at a bar,” I said with a chuckle. “Plus, I was always a southerner before I was a northerner.”

  “Well, I must insist you take advantage of my generosity… ma’am,” he said with a deep, southern accent.

  “Bless your heart. How could I refuse a gentleman’s kindness?”

  “To be honest, Carr, I didn’t think I’d ever see you again after you took off after graduation.”

  What is that supposed to mean? Did he want to see me? But he has never even attempted to talk to me, and I sure as hell wasn’t trying to talk to him.

  Trying not to analyze his response over, I took a swig of my new beer, “Well, I’m just in town for a short time. Dad needed my help with some legal issues so I told him I’d come help out.”

  “That’s right. I heard you were a big shot attorney now.”

  What the hell? Was he keeping tabs on me?

  “Yep, not exactly Matlock, but I’m pretty good enough.”

  Why is it that my head and body lose all sense of direction around this man? You would think after all this time I would have gotten over him, but how could I? He was perfect.

  “Yea, you’re way better looking then Matlock ever was,” he said.

  Was he flirting? I think he’s flirting with me.

  “I’m sure he would look pretty ridiculous in these jeans,” I said spinning around.

  Was I flirting? I guess I was. I’ve never flirted a day in my life, but I believe this was warranted. Time to jump in the deep end kiddo and see if you can swim.

  “So, Colton, I’ve updated you on my story, what about you?”

  “Ahh, yes. I had a feeling that was coming.”

  “Well?” I insisted trying to play it cool.

  “After high school, I took a football scholarship at UT but never made it past freshman year.

  Well, maybe I didn’t exactly hold my end of the bargain when it came to the “No Colton” policy. I mean, I wasn’t talking about him, but cyber stalking wasn’t part of the agreement. Leave it to the lawyer to always find a loophole.

  “What happened?”

  “Well, I tore my ACL and it never healed properly. Dad was devastated, and mama cried for days. I lost my full ride and had to reevaluate my plans for the future. I never thought of a backup plan, so I decided to major in Business and help Dad with his company.”

  “And? Do you regret your choice?”

  “Every. Day,” he laughed. “I wish I had skipped town like you did,” we both laughed together.

  “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I live in a sketchy part of town, have no car, pay way too much for rent, and have zero friends in New York City. I’d say I’m living the dream.”

  “Now that you put it that way, maybe staying in Avery wasn’t such a bad idea,” he retorted as we both laughed.

  I had no idea Colt was so charming. It made me weak in the knees.

  As much as I wanted to keep the conversation going on all night, I also knew I needed to be up bright and early the next morning to start on Dad’s case.

  “I’m sorry Colt, but it’s getting kind of late and I gotta be up early tomorrow morning,” I confessed.

  “Is this a blow off, Carrington Mason?” Colt responded with a raised eyebrow.

  “Oh heavens no. I just have a lot to do for my dad and need to get started,” I said while reaching out to touch his arm. Damn his guns are big. “It was good seeing you, Colt. Good luck with everything.”

  “Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. You’re not getting away that easy, Mason. Here, give me your phone.”

  His assertiveness was definitely a turn on. Oh God, can he see my bra through my shirt? He keeps looking at my chest and then away.

  “Here you go,” I handed over my phone. “You’re not putting in one of those sex hotline numbers, are you? I’m not sure I can handle the bill again.” I said sarcastically hoping he got my joke.

  “You are too funny, Carrington Mason. No, I’m putting in my phone number,” he chuckled looking at me with those intense blue eyes. “I think we should hang out while you’re in town,” he said looking down at my phone.

  Is this seriously happening right now?

  That was the perfect opportunity to look around the room. Finding Harley and Skye across the dance floor, they were pretending to make-out at my expense. With pursed lips, I curse them from across the room, while silently giggling like a teenager.

  Colt handed my phone back, not taking his eyes from me. I couldn’t help but blush. The awkwardness was mounting, so I said the most obvious response, “Thanks.” I smiled and walked away as quick as possible, not waiting for his reaction.

  Idiot Carr. I have got to get better at this flirting thing.

  As soon as I reached the girls, and before they had a chance to put me through an interrogation, I grabbed their wrists and shooed them out the door. With looks of disappointment, we waved goodbye to Colt and his two best friends - Wyatt and Chuck. Wyatt and Skye had been best friends for years, so it came as no surprise that she might have had a hand in this matchmaking.

  ●

  As soon as I climbed into the truck, I was bombarded with questions, “What did he say? What did you say? Did he get your number? Maybe he’ll text you? What are you going to say if he does?”

  “So, I guess we are throwing the “No Colton” policy out the window?”

  “Well?”

  “Going in order, Hi, Hi, nope vice versa, no chance in hell, nothing because I’m not going to text or call.”

  “Seriously, Carr. We are your two best friends, and those are the kind of responses we get? Let me just tell you, Carr. I may have to look for a new best friend because your communication skills really suck-ass,” Harley pleaded.

  “Says the woman who just used the phrase “suck-ass” in a sentence,” I responded with a giggle.

  “Seriously, are we going to go there?” Harley pleaded.

  “So?” asked Harley.

  “So…what?” I answered.

  “Are you going to call him or not?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

  “I haven’t decided yet. It’s terrifying to think the balls in my court,” I confessed with a look of despair.

  “Honey, if you can get through law school and go up against the most despicable human beings in New York, I think you’ll be fine sending him a simple text. You never know where this could lead,” Skye muttered.

  “Yeah, yeah and he could be incredible in the sack. Did you see that ass in those jeans? Wahoo! Ride em’ cowgirl!” Harley added while we all laughed hysterically.

  “Only you, Har. Only you.”

  “But enough of that, tell us exactly what happened, ” Harley chimed.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about?” I grinned.

  “Oh, don’t give us that bullshit Carrington Grace Mason! Ever since you were a kid, you were a horrible liar. You know exactly what we’re talking about.” Damn it!

  “O.K, O.K. You know how I left to go get beers, rig
ht?”

  “Yeah,” they grunted.

  “Well, I didn’t notice Colt standing next to me until he tapped me on the shoulder.”

  “And…,” they insisted giving me the hurry up look.

  “I dropped two bottles of Bud, right on his feet.”

  “Grace moment,” they exclaimed in unison while looking at each other.

  “That’s not even the worst part. Bending down we bumped heads when we both went to clean up the mess.”

  “You have got to be shitting me,” Harley said.

  “I shit you not, my friend. It was not the highlight of my life that’s for sure.”

  “So, what did he say?” asked Skye waiting in anticipation.

  “He insisted he buy me a new one. I politely declined a couple times, but then he had an authoritative sound in his voice. I felt as if I couldn’t say no, plus he looked so fucking hot bossing me around.”

  “He did not,” gasped Skye.

  “He did. I think it was the first time we’ve had an actual conversation mounting to anything relevant. It didn’t go exactly how I would have like it, but it was still amazing.

  “So, what are you going to do now?” Skye asked looking intrigued.

  “Guys, I’m only here for a short time, and I don’t want to start up something that is never going to happen. He is a Greek God, while I am the lowly peasant sweeping his bed chambers.”

  “I will hear none of that. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and funny as hell, Carr. Apparently he sees that and wants to get to know you better,” said Skye.

  “That, and he wants to see those cowboy boots on his bedroom floor,” exclaimed Harley.

  Letting out a slight chuckle, “I don’t even know why he gave me his number in the first place.

  “Maybe, he wants to take you out sometime?” said Skye while she placed her hand on my arm.

  “I’m pretty sure it’s ‘cause I’m desperate and can’t get a date,” I said.

  “Wrong,” they said together.

  “Seriously. What am I going to do?”

  “Here’s a crazy idea, why not call him?” Harley said.

  “What if he was just being nice?”

  “You won’t know until you call,” Skye said.

  “Who knows, maybe he just wants to be fuck buddies?” Harley added.

  “I highly doubt that,” I said rolling my eyes.

  “So, you’re trying to tell us, you’ve never thought of him naked, if not more?” asked Harley.

  “Oh, I didn’t say that. I mean, how could I not. The man is gorgeous.” I think about him all the time. Stripped down naked, standing there in all his glory. Feeling his rock hard abs licking every part of his body….snap out of it Carr!

  “I think you were just fantasizing about him just now by the look on your face.” And, I’m caught.

  I turned away blushing, “I can’t help it. There’s something about him that gets me all worked up.”

  Just the thought of him makes me squirm in my seat wanting a release. How is it he has never touched me, and yet I get wet just thinking about him?

  “Looks like someone needs to get laid and fast,” barked Harley.

  “I think I would settle for less if I could.”

  Chapter 4

  “Morning, Granny,” I said cheerfully.

  “Well, good morning to you too, sunshine. You look happier than a pig in shit. What’s gotten into you?”

  Grabbing a piece of bacon, shoving it into my mouth, I laughed at the irony.

  I muffled, “I just had only the best nights of my life; that’s all.”

  “Better than the time you won a blue ribbon for best pie at the county fair?”

  “Better.”

  “Better than winning first place in the tomato costume contest?’”

  “Way better.”

  “It can’t be better than the time you got Bessie?”

  “Close call and I applaud your creativity, but way better.”

  I love my truck more than anything in the world, but sorry Bessie.

  “What’s got you in such a good mood then?” she asked.

  “I saw Colt last night, and get this, he gave me his phone number,” I said with astonishment.

  “Is he the one with the mullet who works at the hardware store?” she questioned.

  “No, Granny,” I said annoyed.

  “Well, is he the one with a pot belly that works at Todd’s Auto shop?” she asked scratching her head.

  “Granny, no.” I said frustrated.

  “I know. I know. He’s Shepley and Wynonna’s son, the quarterback from high school. I may be old, but I’m not senile child,” she said jokingly.

  “Granny, this man makes me crazy. He’s beautiful and charismatic and, and, and so freakin’ hot…”

  “Oh honey, you’re getting me hot and bothered,” Granny exclaimed.

  “Granny, he gives me goose bumps all over and makes me act like a fool when I’m around him. I can never seem to hold it together when he’s near. Even after I dropped a bottle of beer on him, he still wanted my number. He must have taken one too many hits to the head in high school,” I exclaimed.

  “Care Bear, I don’t think you give yourself enough credit. You are funny, intelligent, and best of all, my granddaughter. Plus, you get your good looks from me,” she heckled.

  “Colton is a smart, young man. I doubt he even has to question why he’s interested in you. And, who knows, even if he isn’t interested, at least you walk away with a new friend. That’s gotta mean something, sweet pea.”

  “You’re right Granny, even if he just wanted to be a friend, that’s better than not being friends at all, I guess.”

  Granny always knew the right things to say. When Mama died, Granny stayed up all night rocking me to sleep while stroking my hair, just like Mama would. Daddy had a hard time when Mama passed, and in-turn secluded himself from everyone. He would lock himself in his room for days, and just lay there crying. I would just barely peek through his bedroom door, but I didn’t know what to say or do. At the time, I was just a child, grieving myself.

  Granny was the backbone I needed when I didn’t think I could stand. She always made sure I got up for school, took a bath at night and always did my homework while, trying to be a parent to her child. Losing a loved one is all consuming and grabs a hold of you till you can’t breathe. I praise Granny for getting Daddy on his feet again. Sulking and feeling desolate was not in her vocabulary. I always remember her saying, “When things get rough honey, you pull up your big girl panties, and trudge through the cow shit.” Leave it to Granny to make me smile, even at a time when I didn’t think I could. I always tell myself that Granny’s heart must be so big since she has enough love for Daddy, herself and me.

  After cursing to high heaven at Daddy for not being a proper father to me, eventually Daddy started to come around. For the longest time, he had a hard stretch accepting that Mama was gone, but marched on with the help of Granny pushing him. She never gave up on him, and never gave up on the hope that we would put our family back together. She was tough as nails but for real reason. Mason’s are strong-willed people with hearts of gold. People may push us down, but we always come back swinging.

  There was a time when I was around twelve when Granny tried sitting me down to have the birds and the bees talk. Already, I was downright uncomfortable. I was twelve for crying out loud. Why on earth would I need to know this, especially since everyone seemed hell-bent on calling me “Muffin Top Mason” for the rest of my life? No boy would ever look at me.

  “Care Bear, when a man and a woman love each other very much….”

  O.K., that’s about enough of that.

  “Granny, can we not? I won’t be doing that for a long time, and I doubt any boys even look at me.”

  “Baby girl, you need to put some oomph into that step of yours. Just because you think boys aren’t interested in you, doesn’t mean there aren’t secret admirers out there just waiting to snatch you up.
”

  “I highly doubt that, Granny, but thank you.”

  “Sugar, when I fell in love for the first time, I felt the same way you feel.”

  “Growing up, my mama and daddy were dirt poor - nothing came easy to us. I spent years working in our fields, picking cotton and shucking corn, so that we could make a living. Just like your Daddy, we worked hard for our money.