Page 159 of Colt

Another thing about a tipsy John Stone was that he got over emotional and extremely loving, which usually I’d be all over, except I knew what the following day would bring. I couldn’t stop the ache from ravaging my chest when I realized that in a matter of hours, all that pride he felt toward me would disappear.

Over the next couple of hours, we stood at the bar with Dad, Cash, and Atlas, joking around, chatting, and laughing. Before we knew it, the countdown to the new year was about to begin.

It was Cash who had his eye on the clock. After beckoning Cara, Sophie, Kit, and Kennedy over, he put one hand on the bar and jumped up onto it before sticking two fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle.

The music lowered, and the crowd quietened down.

“Everybody settle,” my brother bellowed. “It’s time!”

Everyone cheered and roared their approval and then their feet began to stomp.

Cash threw his head back and howled loudly to the moon. “Mess with a Demon...” he yelled. Men who were previously sitting, got to their feet, and joined in as the entire room yelled the rest of the Demons’ club motto. “And we’ll raise hell!”

An earsplitting cheer almost raised the roof of the clubhouse. The atmosphere was electric, I could feel the charge in the air as everyone raised their glasses.

Colt flashed his phone up at Cash who eyed it and nodded. “Here we go!” he began. “Ten.” Voices hollered and hooted, all joining in with Cash as they counted down to see the new year in. Finally, they got to one and an almighty roar went up.

Dad tugged my hand and pulled me into him, his familiar scent of engine oil and Kouros cologne weaving around me as he leaned in close. “Happy New Year, sweetheart,” he muttered, his breath warm against my ear.

Before I could respond, Kit grabbed me, planted a kiss on my cheek then passed me onto Cash who did the same. Bowie appeared from nowhere with a tired looking Layla and bellowed “Happy New Year” to more shouts and cheers.

Atlas grabbed me and gave me a sloppy kiss, then another pair of arms wrapped around me, squeezing tight.

Cara, Kennedy, and Sophie suddenly huddled around me in a blur of perfume, wine, and giggles. They smothered me with kisses and hugs.

“Happy New Year!”

“This is gonna be our year. I can feel it.”

“Love you, Freya.”

Their love and enthusiasm was infectious, and warmth bloomed in my chest at all the emotions coursing through me. I’d always remember this moment. Whatever happened next, I knew I was lucky to have this and to be able to see the new year in with the people I loved.

Talking of which, my eyes automatically lifted, searching for Colt.

Somebody turned the music back up and the heavy bass thumped through the room as I extracted myself from the girls and scanned the room for my man.

I smiled when I saw him just a few feet away at the bar. His eyes locked on mine, and a smile spread across his handsome face. He looked relaxed, leaning one elbow casually on the bar with a beer in hand, but beneath his composure, his eyes burned with so much love as he studied me that it made my chest ache.

Our connection was palpable, even in a crowded room. I could feel the emotion emanating from him as he took a swig of his beer, his ocean-blues never leaving me. So much passed between us in that one look, that any lingering doubts melted away.

My heart was so full of love for him that it felt as if it would burst, because I knew that no matter what happened next, we’d face it together.

The party raged on until well after two A.M.

My very tipsy Dad threw in the towel around one o’clock and turned in. Bowie and Layla only made an appearance to see in the new year with us because Layla was exhausted, the twins took so much out of her.

Just after Dad left, Atlas said his goodnights and made Sophie turn in with him. She was six months pregnant and even though she was enjoying herself, she admitted defeat.

The rest of us sat at the bar and watched the party wind down, chatting and drinking together.

Colt took the stool next to me and threaded his fingers through mine, all sense of pretense gone. He was quiet and I knew his mind was probably going over what was about to happen. I wished I could take it off his shoulders, wished I could make everything better, but I couldn’t.

Tomorrow was our D-day. We were finally there.

Cash clapped Colt on the shoulder, pulling him away from his thoughts. “You okay?”

Colt glanced at me and grinned. “Yeah. Just thinkin’ about tomorrow.”

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