18. Orion

18

ORION

" Y ou're brooding more than usual," Colton said, sinking a three-pointer from the edge of the court. "And that's saying something."

I caught the ball as it bounced toward me, dribbling absently. The private gym was empty except for us, which was exactly why I liked coming here at 5:30 AM. Well, that and because Colton wouldn't shut up until I agreed to “hang” when he was in town.

"I'm not brooding," I said, taking a shot. It bounced off the rim.

"Right." Colton grabbed the rebound, his usual serious expression brightening with amusement. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the woman Remmy told me about, would it?"

I made a mental note to have a word with my sister about gossiping. "She's an employee."

"Who apparently got drunk at your mom's house and told you that your ass could cause physical injury."

The ball slipped in my hands. "I'm going to kill Remmy."

Colton laughed, the sound echoing off the gym walls. Despite his usually stern demeanor, he had one of those infectious laughs that seemed to come from deep in his chest. "Come on, man. When's the last time you actually dated someone? And don't say Stephie, because we both know that was just you trying to get your family off your back."

I took another shot. This one went in. "I don't have time to date."

"Because you're too busy measuring skirt lengths with rulers?"

"I hate all of you,” I said, chucking the ball toward Colton with more force than necessary.

"Look," Colton said, his voice turning serious as he caught the ball. "I know losing your dad young messed with you. Made you think you had to be perfect. In control. But you're allowed to actually live your life, you know?"

I stopped dribbling, studying my oldest, and likely my only friend. Colton was probably the only person besides Remmy who could talk to me like this. We'd met in college when he was getting his medical engineering degree, and somehow he'd stuck around despite my... everything.

"It's complicated," I said finally.

"Because she works for you?"

"That's part of it." I hesitated. "She's different. Unpredictable. The exact opposite of everything I've built my life around."

"Sounds terrifying," Colton said with a grin. "You should absolutely go for it."

I shook my head. "I can't just..."

"Can't just what? Feel something? Take a risk?" He tossed me the ball. "Maybe that's exactly what you need."

I thought about Ember's laugh, the way she challenged me, how seeing her in my mother's kitchen had felt strangely right.

"I’ve already gone through the most likely outcomes. All of them involve things going terribly wrong.”

"What if they don’t?" Colton shrugged. "Besides, from what Remmy tells me, this woman already drives you crazy. How much worse could it get?"

I thought about Ember's texts from last night, her complete lack of fear when it came to teasing me, the way she looked at me like she could see right through my carefully constructed walls.

"Much worse," I said. But I was already thinking about possibilities. Ways to maintain control while exploring... whatever this was.

"Good," Colton said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Now stop thinking so hard and play. Some of us have actual jobs to get to."

"You fix machines for a living."

"Very expensive, very important machines. Speaking of which, I'm in town for the next few weeks installing some new imaging equipment at Mount Sinai. We should grab dinner. Bring your chaos agent."

"She's not my anything," I said automatically.

"Yet," Colton said with a knowing smile. "Now are you going to shoot or just stand there looking constipated?"

I threw the ball at his head. He caught it, laughing.

At least someone was enjoying this.