Chapter 10: A Perfect Distraction

Luca sighed. “Miss Mitch, could you explain to me what is going on between you and Mr. Colton?” “Like he hasn’t told you all the sordid details. Don’t act like you don’t gossip all the time.” “Actually, we don’t. But I have known Mr. Colton long enough to know what could have happened,” he announced. “I assume you know that I didn’t think that Mr. Colton and you would last.” “Yes, William told me that,” Sarah mumbled. She didn’t want to be with him, but it still hurt to know people thought that. Luca nodded. “Do you know why I thought that?” Sarah really didn’t, but it wasn’t hard to guess. “We are in different leagues altogether.” Luca shrugged. “He is, but that is not why. William is not a bad guy. While he is not the best guy, he takes his responsibilities very seriously. And his responsibilities demand he listen to his father… which he wouldn’t be doing if he dated you.” His brows were furrowed. “His father is protecting him. And I wish to protect you from the hurt that will come.” Sarah frowned in confusion. That was not what she had expected. “But I can see now that no matter what, he wants to stick by you.” Sarah finally noticed the bruise on Luca’s forearm. “What happened to you?” she asked. Luca smirked and touched his wound. “You should see the other guy.” Fear rushed through Sarah. “What did you do to William?” “We sparred. He needed to let all those emotions out. And it was a lot of emotions.” Why was Luca telling her all of this? To warn her away? To tell her to stay with William? She couldn’t figure it out. He seemed to read her mind. “I want you to know a few things before we part ways.” He sounded condescending. “I don’t hate you. I never did. Was I worried? Yes. But Mr. Colton made his choice and I moved on. And now you made your choice and decided not to be associated with him. It is understandable.” Sarah had to bite her tongue to keep herself from protesting. Luca had it all wrong. He was building up to something, and the anticipation was making her nervous. “I have spent some time with you by virtue of Mr. Colton, and I have come to care about you as a human being. Whatever happened between the two of you… it has turned Mr. Colton inside out, Sarah.” He looked her right in the eye. “I will ask you one thing only: are you in or out?” Sarah wrinkled her brow. “In or out? What?” Luca smiled to himself. “Let me ask you this first. Are you interested in Mr. Colton?” Sarah found herself answering before she could stop to think about it. “Yes.” Luca didn’t look satisfied with the answer, as if a part of him was hoping Sarah would say no. “Fine. Then I have two follow-up questions for you. One, do you want to be with him? And two, do you understand what being with William Colton means?” Sarah bit her lip as she contemplated this. “Sarah, I don’t expect you to answer right now. I would actually prefer it if you thought about it, because being with Mr. Colton isn’t simple. He has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders. Moreover, he is intense. Everyone will expect you to handle him and will blame you when he does something wrong. Do you think you can handle that?” Sarah’s answer was simple and honest. “No.” She gulped before continuing. “I would like to say yes, but I can barely handle myself. And I am failing at that, too. I like William, but I don’t know him. Yes, I feel the connection.” She shook her head and laughed. “I am in college! And being with him is a full-time job and a headache. It is way beyond my level.” Luca nodded in understanding. “I appreciate your honesty, Miss Mitch.” And just like that, he had reverted to being formal with her. The rest of the drive back to her apartment was silent. - - - - - “I…” Amanda looked down and shook her head slowly before looking up at Sarah again. “I didn’t think my little advice would turn to this.” Sarah shrugged. “It doesn’t matter now, does it?” “I guess not,” Amanda sighed. “You said going wild would do me good, but look at me. I turned into a shallow, pathetic person like everyone else.” Sarah laughed and wiped her cheek where a tear had fallen. She was not crying. She was frustrated. She was tired. Of everything. “I don’t know why I pulled William into the apartment that night. I don’t…” She looked down at her lap. “I am not like that. No matter what advice you gave me… I don’t randomly hook up with strangers.” She took a shuddering breath and Amanda waited. “But when I was standing there next to him that night?” She closed her eyes and remembered it vividly. “I feel so out of place wherever I go. And there I was, partying and trying to get away from that feeling… and there William Colton was… a perfect distraction.” “So, that’s all he is then?” Amanda asked. “A distraction from your hard life?” “No!” Sarah corrected her quickly. “That is not what he is… was… I don’t know, okay? I was upfront about it. He knew it was just one night and he went with it. And for a moment, it was just us. Just him and me. There was no social hierarchy… or rich or poor. Just him and me.” Amanda looked confused. Sarah continued, “After that, when I was sure the moment was over and it was time to go back to reality, he came back with food and flowers. He kept coming back and sleeping over—” “He what?” Amanda’s entire attitude changed to absolute shock and disbelief. “Are you kidding me right now, Sarah? He stayed over? Multiple times?” Sarah nodded, unable to do much else. “Wow… you don’t even…” Obviously, William staying in her apartment was a big deal. But why?