Page 36 of In the Dust

Harper turns away, giving me a moment to scold Colton in peace.

A sharp, glistening knife slices its way into my heart, and I allow it to freeze up again, cementing the blade there forever.

I tap my fingertips against my arm that’s suddenly grown a chill. “Once a player, always a player.” I refrain from poking out my lip. I don't want to give him the satisfaction.

How much betrayal can one shattered heart handle in one week? I knew things were moving too fast. I should’ve given myself some time.

He reaches out for me, and I pull away. “Don’t touch me.”

“Peaches?” He sounds genuinely confused.

“You fucked her, didn't you?”

He crosses his arms, creating his own hard shell. “You really think of me that way?” he asks, his blue eyes darkening.

I nod. “I do.”

“You think after last night I would just go fuck some random girl in my truck?”

“That’s what it looks like. She said she was in there last night,” I sneer.

Before he has any more time to defend his bullshit, she returns with her tank top, tossing it over her shoulder. “Thanks, Colty!” She kisses his cheek, her bright pink lips signing away whatever was of him and I.

“Goodbye, Colty.” I grimace.

“Wait.” He reaches his hand toward me, but she’s standing between us so I'm able to maneuver away from him. I walk over to my grandpa, with stinging tears in my eyes. “I’m walkin’ home.” I try not to sound as furious as I feel, but it doesn't help.

“Walking?” He stands on shaky, old legs. “Let me take you.”

“I need to blow off some steam.”

He looks past me, to where Colton argues with Anabelle, and he shakes his head. “Sure you don’t want my keys?”

“Positive, just bring home my basket.” I gesture to it, and he nods.

As I slide past Colton, he pulls Anabelle into him with a look that screams, ‘What do you want from me, Dixie? You come back and I’m supposed to change who I am?’

All the flirting, the pull, the unspoken words … meant nothing.

I take off on foot, not bothered that I’m going to walk five miles home, two if I take the wood line, which is what I’ll do and what grandpa assumed so if I get eaten by a mountain lion they’ll know where to find me.

All I can see are her hands on him, the way he pulled her close, and how much it made me want to crawl in a deep, dark hole.

He was just holding me like that.

I should have known that Colton Payne didn't change.

He’s still the woman hungry guy from before, always choosing another over me.

A crack of thunder makes me jump.

I kick up dirt, making a trail of dust behind me as I stomp home with my empty, cold heart.

Not again, Colton, never again.

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