Page 22 of Everything I Need

“I’m good. Glad to finally be here.” Colton glances my way and I swear he knows what just happened. “I thought you were with your business consultant?” He smirks.

Oh, shit.

“Uh, yeah. This is her. Scarlett recently moved home to start up her own consulting firm and she’s helping me get this place ready for a re-brand. We were just finishing up some painting in the back room.”

“Right. Finishing painting.”

Okay, so Colton has the same smirk as Preston and I’m officially embarrassed.

“Hi, Colton. It is great seeing you again, but I have to run to help my mom with these chair covers. Preston, once that paint dries tomorrow go ahead and text me if you like it and I’ll grab more then head over to, uh, finish up.” Oh, my god. Did I just say that? Couldn’t I have found a better phrase? Colton roars with laughter as Preston places his hand on the small of my back and walks me out.

“I’m sorry for not telling Colton you are back yet. You know with the whole cheating thing, I couldn’t really find the right timing.” He runs his hands through his hair, messing it up in that perfect way I always loved.

“It’s fine, Preston. I really have missed him and I would love to catch up with him, maybe just not right atthismoment.” I sigh.

The door to the office opens and Colton has his arms around his back pretending to make out with someone, like a teenager would do. “Ooh, Scarlett, help me with my business. I need a rebrand,” he says in a taunting voice while making kissing noises.

These two have always acted like playful teenagers together. I’m glad to see their dynamic hasn’t changed. Preston quickly turns back to the office and Colton runs back inside yelling, “Miss you, Scar!”

“Okay. Now that I’m fully embarrassed I’m going to go. I really do need to help my mom. You know since I am actually trying to help you rebrand your business.”

Preston chuckles and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “Goodbye, Scarlett.”

Chapter Thirteen

Preston

Whatjusthappened?Imean, I know what happened. But one minute I was barely holding onto my control and the next she took all of it. Now here I am. Outside my practice, with my brother inside, and a raging hard on. I ran my hands through my hair and decided to go face Colton. He's about to give me a lot of shit.

“So, Preston. You two have those types of meetings often?” Colton wastes no time, a smirk on his face as I come back inside.

“Stop it, Colt. It’s not like that. And she’s not like that.” I glare at him.

“Wait a minute. Are you telling me that you two are back together, officially? I thought she hated you?” He sits on my waiting room’s couch.

“She overheard me desperate in the diner to get someone to help me with this marketing stuff, she actually is helping me. I didn’t waste one second accepting her help. Her mom might have called me out and told me to force her to talk to me about everything. I explained what happened with Elizabeth, and the hospital, and she apologized for just running away instead of letting me explain. Although, I understand that I should never have been in a situation where I should have to explain myself, but she forgave me. I wouldn’t say we’re officially back togetheryet, but we’re hopefully getting there. I took her to that Italian place on Anderson last night to talk, and we ran into Caleb. He was everything you’d imagine he’d be meeting her.” I roll my eyes.

“Wait a minute. You saw Caleb last night?” His attention suddenly shifting.

“Yeah. Why? Is there something I don’t know about?”

Colton’s face hardens and I saw the anger creep in. “Where were you?” He asks through gritted teeth.

“My favorite Italian place on Anderson St.” I repeat.

“Fuck!” he roars.

“What am I missing here, Colt?” I sit in the chair across from him.

“Elizabeth said she was at that restaurant with friends last night. But I’ve been thinking that Caleb is who she is cheating on me with. He’s the only one young enough, and slimy enough to sleep with a married woman.” Colton was so torn between sadness and anger. “Makes sense. She got the West name but didn’t get the doctor with it. Fuck, Preston. This is worse than I thought.”

“I’m so sorry, Colt. I was so involved in my conversation with Scarlett I didn’t even see who he was with. He asked me about the charity dinner though. Are you and Elizabeth going?” My mind is spinning back to last night. I knew that he was up to something. Screwing my brother’s wife is just like something he’d be doing.

“You know how I feel about that dinner, but Elizabeth is pushing to go and to be honest I need to see her and Caleb together in a room. Or sneaking out of one. I want confirmation.” He hangs his head in his hands.

“Man. I don’t even know what to say. I’m so sorry. I’ll do anything I can to help you catch her. I’m almost certain that Scarlett would be in on it too. She still hates Elizabeth for everything she did.”

I pull him in for a hug. We aren’t usually big huggers. Growing up in a household with my father hugging was discouraged, but heartbreak is a different story. For all of Elizabeth’s faults, my brother did love her. He sees, or saw, a different version of Elizabeth than we all did.

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