Page 53 of Eight Steps to Alpha

“Is that why you left?”

“Nah. I love Texas. It’s where I’ll settle down when I’m old. Just like my grandfather.”

“What about Elliot? You think he’ll ever go back?”

Colton’s face softened, and he took a deep breath. “I don’t know, darlin'. I could’ve asked you that same question.”

The meal continued. Though the conversation grew much less serious. They talked about his job, her job, and all that regular first date meanderings. It was nice. To get to know Colton away from Elliot. To see all the differences, and the similarities. Colton was cocky where Elliot humble. Colton a bad boy, where Elliot was more of a nerd. But they were both so much the same in many ways. At the end of the meal, Colton paid the server, then escorted Fe back out to the boardwalk. The air was crisp and cool, and she bundled her flannel around herself before heading back towards his bike.

“Thanks for coming out tonight, Fe. I really had a good time.”

She laughed, then glanced back over her shoulder. “I did too. Which surprised me.”

“And why’s that, miss Porto?”

“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I guess I always thought you were an asshole.”

“Sometimes I am.”

She laughed. “You’re not as bad as you try to be.”

“Maybe so.”

She took a deep breath, feeling a cool breeze whoosh in all around her.

“What’s step number seven?” Colton asked then.

“Pardon?” She froze. Because the question had caught her out of nowhere.

“I’ve been curious all night, what is it?”

Clenching her jaw, she shoved her hands in her pockets, and began walking more briskly, “If you’re going to make fun—“ But he grabbed her arm, spun her around, and held her in one place.

“I’m not making fun. I’m genuinely curious.”

“Why?” she almost spit, hyper aware of his hands on her wrists.

“Because I think it’s good for him.”

She took a deep breath, and calmed. “You do?”

He removed his hands, but didn’t move away. “Yeah, I do.”

She hitched her bag up on her shoulder at met his eyes. “Fight. Which now that I’m saying it out loud, sounds ridiculous. I’ve never seen Elliot lay a finger on anyone—except.” She tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. “Except you.”

Colton grinned. “Seems I have that affect on people.”

“I’m serious. I’ve never seen Elliot hurt a fly, let alone head butt someone in the middle of our living room.”

Colton laughed. “We’re brothers. It’s a different kind of relationship.”

“Oh, you don’t have to tell me about brothers, I have three of them.”

“I feel for you.”

Fe nodded, but glanced down to her feet. “Thanks.”

There was a long pause, like neither knew where to go from here, but then Colton’s voice broke the silence. “Maybe I could help you.”

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