Page 53 of Things Left Unsaid

I can’t say that after our marriage Colton will be that.

This is a transaction.

And yet, my loyalty will never stand with Clyde so Colt needs to be my first port of call.

Something that’s backed up when I see he sent me a message earlier.

Colton: Tell me when you land? Safe flight.

He hasn’t changed.

Even as a teenager, he was a nurturer. That was part of the reason I kept on coming around. I always felt safe with him. Which is why it killed something in me, something fragile, when he cut me loose like I meant dick to him.

Me: I’m through security. Will be boarding soon. But when I get there and have a chance, we need to talk.

I start to tuck my phone into my pocket but before I can, I get an alert.

Colton: Everything okay?

Me: Sure. Just need to tell you something.

Colton: You’re a cereal killer.

Despite the anxiety that still has me in a chokehold, my lips quirk. The joke, considering our past, could fall flat, but I know he’s trying to lighten the situation.

I can’t fault him for that.

Nurturer.

Protector.

I always wanted him to shield me from the boogeyman…

Who knew we’d end up sharing the same one?

Me: If I am, it’s the low-carb option. No one would kill for muesli.

Colton: The Germans might.

Colton: Let me know you arrived safely.

There it is again.

Me: Sure.

This time, I tuck my phone away for real.

Trying not to feel something for the man who cares about whether I land or not when my grandmother or brothers didn’t ask me to keep them informed…

Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

Zee

It’s eleven PM before I get the chance to call him. Hardly late for the city that never sleeps but hella late at ten PM for a rancher.

Me: You okay for me to call?

Colton: Sure.

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