Coincidence? Fate was more like it. The asshole was destined to meet a burning pile of shit on his doorstep.
All I had to do was wait for him to get back, then I made my move.
Since it was still daylight, I risked someone catching me in the act. No one stopped me, though. Either I wasn’t spotted, or his neighbors thought he deserved it just as much as I did.
I stared at Josh’s door for a few minutes, knowing how easy it would be to go up there and pound his face in. The motherfucker deserved it. My hands itched with the urge and I had to clench my fists to fight it off.
The only thing stopping me was Ellie. I knew it wasn’t what she would want.
Plus, I wouldn’t put it past the asshole to press charges and the last thing I needed was to get arrested.
I needed to keep my eyes on the prize.
Ellie and Ava.
After hopping back into my truck, I drove out of Frankford with a smile on my face.
*
Two hours later, I parked my truck in front of a house I never thought I’d see again. I knew things about this house that the current residents probably didn’t. Like the fact that there was a dead cat named Tootles buried in the backyard. And in the attic there was a loose floorboard where hidden treasures used to be kept.
I took a deep breath as I made my way up to the white two-story house.
As I walked up the driveway, I searched the concrete pavement for what I knew I’d see. Kneeling down, I placed my hand over the much smaller handprint, noticing the massive size difference. Right next to my handprint was another—only that one belonged to Ellie.
Memories assaulted me as I stepped onto the familiar porch and knocked on the yellow front door. I could’ve sworn it used to be blue.
When it opened, a tall elderly man looked back at me.
“One of those handprints in your driveway is mine,” I blurted out, awkwardly pointing over my shoulder.
He smiled a little, his laugh lines deepening. “Can we help you?”
The door opened a little wider and a small old woman appeared at his side.
Another ‘we’ couple. It gave me hope that they might understand my predicament and take pity on me.
“Yes. Yes, you can. You don’t know me, but I have a really huge favor to ask.”
CHAPTER 46
BRIELLE
The morning after Ava’s birthday I had a moment of clarity. All night long I had tossed and turned as memories of Colton flashed through my mind.
Happy memories. All the good times we’d had as kids. The way he’d barged into my life and refused to leave. His eagerness to include Ava and the bond they effortlessly formed. I thought about the hot nights we had together, the way he lit my body up like no one else could.
Also, Chloe had given me one hell of a talking to at Ava’s party. When she pointed out that my concerns just sounded like a bunch of crappy excuses, I told her that Colton had said the same thing. I tried to find him to talk, but he’d already left.
As I rubbed my eyes, I picked up my phone to check the time and saw that I had a new text. When I opened it, I smiled.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Colton had sent me a picture. We were in my car and it was obvious Ava had taken it from the backseat. Colton and I were looking at each other, but it wasn’t my face I was drawn to—it was his. The expression on his face while he looked at me took my breath away. So much love. Unmitigated happiness.
This. This was an honest representation of us.
When it came down to it, I wasn’t scared of Colton. I was just afraid of history repeating itself. There was still a chance he could hurt me, but I decided to stop being a coward. I loved him enough to risk it.
The crippling fear and anxiety was gone. Now I felt peace.
And guilt. So much guilt for what I had put Colton through over the last week. I thought about calling him or sending a text, but it didn’t seem good enough.
A simple apology over the phone wasn’t going to cut it. Adequate groveling was in order. So, after making sure my parents could watch Ava this evening, I went to the store to get my groveling supplies.
*
On my way to Colton’s apartment, I mentally rehearsed what I would say to him. There were only so many ways to apologize, and ‘I’m sorry for basically ripping your heart out’ didn’t quite have the ring to it I was hoping for.
Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a loud pop and my car started bouncing unevenly. Pulling over to the side of the road, I got out of the car to confirm my suspicions.
I looked down at the flat tire. It wasn’t just flat—the rubber was completely shredded, as if the whole thing blew up.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.
I’d never had a flat before. This was horrible timing. Of course, there was never a good time to get a blowout.
I was only 10 minutes outside of Tolson. I could call Colton and ask him to come help me, but that would ruin the surprise. Besides, I knew how to change a tire now, thanks to him.
Smiling, I imagined his smug face when I would have to admit that he was right—tire changing was a skill that came in handy.
After popping the trunk, I took out the spare tire and gathered the tools I would need, then set them down by my car.
As I dropped down to the ground, I cringed at how muddy it was on the side of the road. There was no getting around it—I was going to be a mess by the time I got done.
I went through all the steps, just like Colton taught me. Much to my surprise, three people stopped to offer their assistance during the process.
“Do you need us to call someone for you?”
“Want some help?”
“Do you need a ride?”
I politely declined all their offers, but now I could see why people loved Tolson so much. Everyone was so friendly.
I grew up in a small town, but in all those years I’d never had people offer to help me unless it was for their own personal gain. In Hemswell, no one offered to make balloon animals for a kid’s birthday party, just because they loved doing it. People didn’t stop to ask a stranger if they needed help on the side of the road.
In the past several weeks, I’d been shown what it was like to be accepted. To be loved. And I wanted it all—the man, the town, the friends. If I was being completely honest I wanted the balloon animals, too. I just needed to be brave enough to believe I could have it.
After twenty minutes and some unattractive grunting, I had successfully attached the spare to my car and I was back on the road.
Now I stood on Colton’s doorstep with sweaty palms, a speeding heart rate, and muddy jeans. I adjusted the paper sack on my hip and when the door swung open, Angel’s surprised face stared back at me. But then her surprise gave way to a big, genuine smile.
“Come in,” she said, sounding excited to see me. “I didn’t realize you were coming over.”
“Well, I didn’t really let Colton know.” I shrugged. “I thought I would surprise him.”
“Oh.” Angel’s face fell and, for a second, I was afraid she was going to tell me he didn’t want to see me. “Colton isn’t home right now. But you can hang out and wait if you want.”
I glanced at the clock on the stove and noted that it was after 5pm.
“I thought he would’ve been home by now,” I said awkwardly as I started to doubt my plan.
Travis’s voice came from the hallway as he appeared. “He usually is but he got off early today. Said he had something he needed to do but he should be home by this evening.”
“Oh, okay.” I tried to hide the disappointment in my voice. “Well, I can just come back later—”
“Don’t be silly,” Angel cut me off. “You can stick around until he gets back. Travis and I were supposed to go out tonight, but we can stay.”
I shoo
k my head, surprised that she would consider cancelling her plans to accommodate me. “I don’t want to impose on your date. Really,” I insisted.
Angel’s face scrunched up as she thought for a second. “Well, I think you should wait for him. I know he’ll be happy to see you.”
“You think?” I asked, hopeful.
She nodded her head enthusiastically. “Definitely. Just make yourself at home.”
Travis stepped up behind Angel.
“I’m pretty sure if I let you leave, Colton would kill me.” He chuckled. “Since I enjoy living, I’m gonna have to insist.”
Grinning, I set my bags down on the kitchen counter. “Okay.”
After Travis and Angel said goodbye, I prepared dinner and lit a candle to set the mood. Then all I could do was wait.
CHAPTER 47
COLTON
When I got home I toed off my boots, and the only source of light in the apartment was the dim glow from a candle on the table.
I flipped on the kitchen light. Two paper plates with sandwiches and Cheetos sat untouched, and I wondered if I’d interrupted one of Travis and Angel’s romantic dinners.
“Hi.” Ellie’s soft voice startled me and I turned to see her stand up from the couch, rubbing her eyes like she’d just woken up.
Immediately, I hid the object I was holding behind my back.
“Ellie,” I breathed out, happy to see her, but also wondering what she was doing here. My curiosity would have to wait. “I have some things to say.”
She shook her head. “Let me talk first.”
“Nope,” I argued. “If you’re going to break things off with me for good, the least you can do is let me say my piece.” I took a deep breath. “I know you. You’re my best friend. Hell, we can even finish each other’s sentences. I know what it’s like to be loved by you, and it’s so fucking awesome. I know you do that when you’re anxious.” I pointed down at the abused skin on her thumb. “But most of all, I know you’re the person I want to be with. Always. I want a family with you, Ava included. You might think you’re selfish, but what you’ve done with Ava? The way you’ve built your life around her… Ellie, you’re the most selfless person I know. But if you need someone to be selfish with, let it be me.” The last words left me in a raspy plea.
“I’m not breaking up with you,” she said, her voice soft.
“Oh.” I paused as pure happiness buzzed through my entire body. “Well, in that case, go ahead.” I motioned for her to continue with my free hand, and the corners of her lips tipped up.
“So bossy,” she teased, then her face got serious. “When we were kids I thought I was in love with you, and I still believe it was real. But the love I felt for you then is nothing compared to what I feel now.” She took a breath. “One of my biggest fears is that I’ll lose my best friend a second time. But if you want me, then you have me.”
“I do want you,” I said firmly. “I want you more than anything.”
We moved toward each other, meeting in the middle of the living room. As she rose up on her toes to kiss me, her arms went around my waist and her hand grazed the object I was still holding behind my back.
Our faces inches apart, her eyes flew up to mine.
“What are you hiding?” she asked as she tried to peek around my body.
I turned so she couldn’t see what it was. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
Her eyes lit up with interest as she tried to circle around me again. “What surprise?”
I huffed. “Well, I guess I might as well show you. I wanted to have it framed…” My words faded as I presented her with the block of old wood.
Ellie gasped as she took it from my hands. Trailing her finger over the grooves in the surface, she traced the letters and the heart.
“Colt and Ellie forever,” she whispered, her eyes wide. “How did you get this?”
I smirked. “Went to your old house. After I told them our story, they agreed to let me take the plank from their porch as long as I replaced it with a new one.”
“I can’t believe you did this,” she said, smiling down at the 6-inch square. “Thank you, Colton. I love it.” She stared at it for a few seconds, and when her eyes came up to mine, tears spilled over. “I’m so sorry.”
“I hate it when you cry,” I whispered as I wiped at her cheeks with my thumbs. “I’m not mad at you, Ellie. Just don’t try to break up with me again. It won’t work,” I teased, even though I was completely serious. “And for the record… If you had been pregnant, I would’ve been the happiest guy in the world.”
“Yeah?” she asked, a smile tugging at her lips.
“Yeah. Boy Scout’s honor.” I held up a hand.
She raised a skeptical brow. “Were you even a Boy Scout?”
“Fuck no.” I laughed.
“I still can’t believe you went all the way to Hemswell,” she said, shaking her head.
“Well, I was kind of banking on the fact that you’d have to stay with me after a grand gesture like this. Six hours of driving and some manual labor goes a long way, right?”
“In this case, yes, it does.” She beamed. Then her head cocked to the side and I could see her mind working, mentally calculating the driving time. “Wait. Six hours? Why were you driving for six hours?”
“I, ah… I went to pay your ex a visit,” I confessed, scratching at my jaw.
“You did what?” she asked, sounding alarmed.
Grinning, I took out my phone and pulled up my videos. “Don’t worry. No one got hurt.”
When I turned the screen toward her, it showed Josh answering his door, finding the gift I left for him.
“Is that—?”
“Your ex, yes.”
“And is that…?”
“A flaming bag of dog poop,” I finished for her.
His high-pitch shrieking came through the speakers and Ellie covered her mouth while she laughed, watching the scene play out. She shifted closer to me, putting her head next to mine, and I caught a whiff of her intoxicating scent.
Strawberries, coconuts, and happiness. Pure fucking happiness.
After the video was over, I hit delete and set my phone down on the counter.
“I have two questions,” I told her and she raised her eyebrows. “Why are you covered in mud?” I pointed down at her jeans, then pointed at the table. “And what’s for dinner?”
Sheepishly, she shrugged. “I sort of had a flat on the way here. I changed it, no problem.” She waved her hand like it wasn’t a big deal, but the thought of her on her knees with a carjack made my dick twitch.
“Hang on a sec. You knew how to change a tire by yourself? Where did you learn that?” I asked sarcastically.
She sighed. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”
I stood back and gave her a ‘give me’ gesture with my hand.
“You were right,” she muttered quietly at her feet.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” I cupped a hand around my ear.
Her lips twitched. “I said, you were right.”
“Maybe I should get that on video,” I joked, reaching for my phone, and Ellie made an adorable scoffing sound.
“Let’s talk about dinner instead.” Pulling me over to the kitchen table, she made a sweeping motion with her arm. “Ketchup and mustard sandwiches, of course.”
“You made me our favorite dinner?”
“Well, I’m not sure how good it’ll taste as adults, but, yeah. My attempt at groveling doesn’t even compare to what you’ve done.” She glanced at our sign, then frowned down at the plates.
“Ellie, the fact that you’re here is enough. Plus, you can make it up to me in a different way.”
Cocking an eyebrow, she looked intrigued. “Oh, yeah? What did you have in mind?”
I sent her a wicked
smirk. “You’ll see.”
CHAPTER 48
BRIELLE
Frustrated, I yanked at the metal chaining me to the headboard. Colton let out a low chuckle, his breath fanning over my swollen clit.
He wasn’t kidding when he said turnabout was fair play in this game. I let out a pathetic whine as he denied my release for the fifth time. He kept bringing me to the brink of orgasm over and over again, but then he would back off.
I had no idea how long it had been going on because I’d lost all sense of time. All I knew was that it was sometime in the middle of the night and I’d been reduced to shameless begging.
“Shiiiiit. Oh, my God. Please…” I pulled at the handcuffs again.
“You’re not gonna do that to me again, right?” Colton asked, referring to my freak-out that resulted in us almost breaking up.
“No,” I moaned, digging my heels into the mattress.
“You’re mine for good?” He slipped two fingers into me and started rubbing my g-spot again.
“Yes,” I panted. It was the truth, but honestly I would have told him anything he wanted to hear at that point. “Please, Colton. Please.”
My mind was fuzzy. I couldn’t feel my toes. My face felt tingly. I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the fact that I needed to come.
He gave my center another lick before reaching over to the nightstand and taking out a condom.
“I’d like to keep torturing you,” he said, rolling it on. “But.” He sucked one of my nipples into his mouth. “I don’t think I can hold out any longer.”
“Oh, good,” I breathed out, feeling disoriented. “That’s really good.”
“I want you to come on my dick, Ellie.”
I made some unintelligible sound of agreement and, with one powerful thrust, he buried himself to the hilt. He pumped his thick cock into me, hard and deep while rubbing his thumb over my clit.
“Shit,” I gasped, spreading my legs wider as I felt my walls start to clench around him. I was already so close.
His mouth claimed mine in a possessive kiss and his fingers threaded through my hair. Thrusting harder, he tightened the grip he had on my strands, causing my head to tilt back. His lips left mine and he scraped his teeth over my chin before sucking at a sensitive spot on my neck.
Dancer (The Good Guys Book 2) Page 23
