Page 10 of Somewhere We Belong

I grabbed the last few things, locking up and turning around to see Colt buckling Sol. My heart swelled at the sight before me. He spoke in hushed tones as she babbled incessantly about cows. Once she was buckled in, he gave her a small smile, and I just about passed out. Colt liked no one, well, except his boyfriends, but I don’t think I had ever seen that man smile before.

He shut the door, glancing at me over his shoulder before his scowl was firmly back in place like it had never left. I walked to the car as he opened the door for me, resisting the urge to ask what the hell was wrong with him. He took the bags from me, waiting until I was in the car, then closed the door.

I looked back at Sol, to make sure she was buckled in correctly, but also to see Colt walk around the car. He opened the back door, placing our bags next to Sol. My daughter was a fucking traitor as she smiled at me. I wasn’t quick enough to see his reaction to her before he closed the door, and then I slid into the front seat.

As he turned the car on, the rumble was soothing as I admired the car’s new interior. The car slowly backed up as he put his arm on the back of my seat to see behind us. There was no need because my house was the only thing out here, but his proximity gave me butterflies that clearly didn’t get the memo that this man did not like me.

Colt took off down the dirty road, shifting gears like it was second nature. His well-formed forearms flexed with each shift, and I tried not to get turned on by such a simple thing. I had become a nun at this point and my celibacy definitely wasn’t on purpose, but being a single mom and getting laid was like trying to get into outer space. It required a fuck ton of planning, a solid route and the rocket needed to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. I didn’t have time to find someone. Sometimes it was too much effort for a lackluster orgasm.

The rest of the drive was surprisingly quiet, and I let myself relax for a bit, enjoying the ride and soaking up the silence. Colt pulled into the parking lot behind the line of cars. It was a slow process, but when it was our turn, I hopped out of the car, unbuckled Sol, and handed her lunch and backpack.

“I love you, beautiful, have fun,” I said, kissing her nose.

“Bye, Momma,” she said, kissing my nose. “Bye, Colt!” she waved, peeking through the passenger’s seat. “Oh, and momma don’t forget to buy more batteries for your toys, mine and the remote.”

The blood drained from my face as I looked around to see if someone had heard her. Thankfully no one was around us, but the last person I wanted to know that little tidbit of information had definitely heard.

I got back into the car, my face feeling like it was hotter than the sun. Maybe if I just ignored him, he wouldn’t bring it up. The drive to the salon was quick and quiet. I was too afraid to look over at him and this was one time he needed to just ignore me. He pulled up to the salon that was still closed for another forty minutes.

“Thanks for the ride and sorry you got roped into this,” I said, finally looking at him. “I appreciate you helping us out.”

He had a bored expression as he nodded. “I need your car keys.

“You don’t have to take a look at it,” I said immediately.

He held out his hands, stoically looking at me.

“Really, Colt. I can talk to?—”

“Give me the damn keys, woman.” He scowled.

“Look, I don’t need you to have another reason to hate me,” I said, opening the door. “I’ll walk over to talk to Bill and ask him to take a look at her.”

“You are making this more difficult,” he snapped. “It’s going to be me looking at it, I’m scheduled to work with him today.”

I clenched my jaw in irritation.

“I don’t expect a handout, I can pay?—”

He snatched the keys out of my hand, uninterested in what I was saying.

“You don’t have to be such an asshole,” I said, slamming the door and walking around to get my bags from behind hisseat. “Theodore said he would give me a ride, but now when he offers, I’ll decline so I won’t bother you. It’s not like I wanted my damn car to break down, because I enjoy spending thousands of dollars at the most inopportune time.”

My lip trembled as I closed the door. I took a deep breath because I would not cry in front of him or anyone else. I knocked on his window as he stared straight ahead, sighing before rolling down the window.

“Keys,” I snapped, holding my hand out.

He looked even more pissed.

“I don’t have all fucking day, Colt,” I growled.

“No,” he snapped.

“Give me my damn keys or, so help me god, I will start screaming and I will make a fucking scene,” I said, looking around wishing there were more people to witness my tantrum.

“Quit being dramatic, I’m trying to help you,” he said through gritted teeth.

“If this is your way of helping, I don’t want it,” I said, snatching the keys out of his hand. “Just a piece of advice if you want to help someone don’t act or look like its fucking bothering you. I don’t need your help if all you’re going to do is make me feel bad about it.”

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