Page 11 of Don't Look Back

“I can take him if you want. I don’t want him to spit up on you again.” Skylar holds out her hands, but I shake my head.

“I'm not afraid of baby puke, Sky Sky. I just don’t want to have that shirt sitting in my hamper for the next week. It’s gonna smell by the time I do my laundry.”

“Alright, but when you don’t want to hold him anymore, just let me know.”

I open my mouth to give her a smartass response, but the doorbell rings. I frown in the direction of the door. Who else is coming?

“Do you mind getting that? This is going to burn if I walk away and I doubt Tucker heard the bell.”

“Yeah.” I shift Duke to my other arm and head towards the door. When I swing it open, a slow smile spreads across my face.

I haven’t seen her in a few days and she’s looking mighty fine tonight. I’d love nothing more than to date her, but Skylar will have me by the balls if I hurt her. It’s not a chance I'm willing to take, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the beautiful woman in front of me.

Her long brown hair is pulled into a messy bun on the top of her head. She’s wearing a black sweater and buffalo plaid leggings that clings to every curve.

She lifts her gaze and my smile falls. Her eyes are red and her makeup is smeared the smallest amount. She’s definitely been crying.

What is going on with you, Leslie?

Chapter 8

Leslie

I ring the bell and drop my gaze to my hands. I don’t want to be here right now, but Ollie’s right, as much as it pains me to say that. If I stop living, I'm letting Jimmy win and I refuse to do that.

I just need to figure out what to do from here. I'll talk it over with Skylar and get her opinion. Maybe I’ll even ask Tucker what he thinks.

The door swings open and I slowly lift my gaze. My eyes widen as I stare at the man in front of me. I definitely wasn’t expecting to see him on the other side of this door.

He’s shirtless, showing off a more impressive body than I expected from the town sheriff. He has well defined pecs and abs, narrowing into that V women are obsessed with. His jeans hang low on his hips, showing off the waistband of his boxers.

I’ve never seen him without a shirt on and I swear this image is going to live rent free in my head for the rest of my life. I’ve never seen someone so handsome.

His brown hair is wavy and all over the place. I wonder if Duke has been tugging on the strands. Or rubbing his hands over the thick stubble on his jaw. Something I dream of doing every night.

I take a step back and glance around, making sure I'm at the right house. Nope, this is definitely Skylar’s place.

“Hey, Les,” Colt says softly, his easy smile falling from his lips.

“Hey,” I whisper.

“What’s going on, sweetheart?” He steps out onto the porch and closes the door behind him.

“Skylar invited me over for dinner.” I keep my chin held high, hoping he won't ask questions.

“I already figured that out, but that’s not what I was talking about.” He closes the distance between us and cups my cheek, brushing his fingers beneath my eye. “Why were you crying, Les?”

“It’s nothing. I just… I was having an emotional moment.” I wave off his concern.

As much as I love how Colton sees me now, I don’t like him seeing everything. He picks up on the smallest things and doesn’t let them go.

“Sit down and tell me about it.” He motions to the swing on Tucker’s porch and I shake my head.

“It’s cold out here and you’re shirtless. Plus, you have Duke. He’s going to get sick outside.”

“Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

Colt disappears inside the house and comes back a minute later with a big blanket and no baby. He drapes the blanket over the swing and motions again for me to take a seat.

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