Page 156 of Toxic Wishes
“Okay, Grammy,” Bodie slumps over his shoulders as he lowers his head slightly.
She walked over and stood next to me as I waited for a room key
“He’s not here right now.”
“Who?”
She smiles at me. “Colt.”
I sighed. “Am I that obvious?”
She bumped her shoulder with mine, “You’re scanning the room better than an FBI agent waiting for your target to walk in.”
I smiled sadly, “Guess I need to work on my poker face. Thank you for telling me.” I relax now, knowing I won’t accidentally walk into him. All I have to do now is wait for Josh to arrive with our rental car.
“He will be at the dinner tonight, though, and I wanted to be the first to tell you, so will Naomi.”
“Naomi?” My heart drops in my stomach.
“From what I heard, Troy’s wife invited her so she wouldn't be bored, and they could go shopping together with the baby.” She rolls her eyes. “Don’t know what he ever saw in that lady.”
“Nora, you don’t have to.”
“No, no, no. I am not just saying that to appease you, I mean it.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that. But I’m not the one you have to convince. Never been much of a peer-pressure-pusher either.”
“I know, dear, that’s what I like about you.” She winks at me, and I’m quickly taken back to the first day we ever met.
Josh told me Cliff and some of Colt’s teammates would be at the ceremony dinner, in addition to Colt’s entire extended family. So tonight, there was a dinner for everyone to meet in a private room before the Super Bowl on Sunday.
“Okay, thank you for the heads up.”
With no chance of running into Colt, I had about three hours to try and relax. Josh is in the room next to me, and Mel is supposed to come into town tomorrow so she can go with us to the Super Bowl. This was a big deal for Colt since this would be his third time participating in the championship. With him retiring soon, I’d say he’s going out with a bang.
I tried not to focus on my nerves, knowing Colt would be in the same room as me. I spent a restless hour flicking through the television when I decided the best thing to do to conquer my nerves would be to shower and get ready. It would give me something to focus on.
I bought a green casual silk dress, yet showed off a little cleavage and leg. And since I had time to spare, I put on more makeup than usual, displaying a smokey eye effect and contouring my cheekbones. Now that I know Naomi and Jenna will be here, I need all the confidence boost I can get, and the thought of blowing Colt’s mind when he sees me encouraged the motivation I had behind the makeup brush.
I’ve been working out like crazy and eating healthy for a month. I know I lost weight, so I needed to put on some muscle to look good for tonight, and so Colt wouldn’t worry about me.
When I was done, I looked in the full-length mirror and was happy with what I saw. It’s been a while since I got all done up, Jenna’s wedding, to be exact. And this gave me the confidence I needed to get through tonight.
Just as I’m putting on my silver strap-on shoes, I hear a knock at the door.
“Yo, I-” Josh eyed me up and down, practically letting his mouth drop to the floor. “Wow, you look fucking hot, Asher. You didn’t have to go all out for me like that.”
I swat at his shoulder. “Oh, stop.” I walk back over to the bed, and he follows, closing the door behind him.
“I figured we could have a drink before we head out. I know you may need something to calm your nerves.”
“Why would you say that?” I ask.
He narrows his eyes over his shoulders as he places the brown bag on the little bar counter in the corner of the room.
“Yeah, well, he’s not the only reason. How come you didn’t tell me Naomi would be here?” I asked.
“Because I know you wouldn’t have come. Besides, I wouldn’t sweat it, and it’s not like Colt invited her. She wanted to tag along since she knew Troy couldn’t tell his wife no. Naomi is his favorite cousin. Oh my gah.” He says in his best Valley girl imitation.