Page 121 of Somewhere We Belong

“I think it is because you are here, so is Colt and Atlas,” I said, reaching over for his hand. “We are exactly where we belong.”

35

theodore

They lookedat me with so much love I didn’t know what to do or say. I was trying to do the right thing: I was showing them a way out of this small town. They didn’t belong here. Nova deserved to spread her wings and do hair for big clients, not just gossipy old women. Colt wasn’t a cowboy; he preferred to work with his hands. He could find a shop to work at or maybe we could help him open his own shop.

Atlas definitely didn’t belong here. He was so damn smart that he could probably cure cancer or do something equally amazing. He had to take that job. If he didn’t then I would feel guilty.

“You don’t have to treat me like a kid and protect me, I know city life is different, but I know I could get used to it,” I stammered.

“No one is treating you like a kid,” Atlas said. “But you’re not listening, we don’t want to leave.”

I scowled. “Life in the city would give you everything you need.”

“No, it wouldn’t,” Colt said. “We all agreed on Sterling Ridge, why are you doubting it now?”

“Because you could do so much more without me.” I snapped.

The room was quiet as I paced. My insecurities got the best of me when all I wanted to do was hug them and hold them tightly.

“We can’t do more without you,” Nova said. “Who's gonna show Sol how to barrel race? If you think she doesn’t need you, let's go tell her that.”

Nova turned around to walk out of the room, but I stopped her. I shook my head, disappointing that the girl was not going to happen after what we had just gone through.

“We love you, Theo; why would we leave you or want to be away from you?” she asked, throwing her arms around me.

“We don’t make sense without you,” Colt said, pulling us to Atlas’ bed.

“This doesn’t work without you,” Atlas said as he hugged me, then Colt and Nova did too.

It was awkward, but I needed this. I needed them.

“I love you and I never thought I would find love.” My voice cracked. “Thank you for loving me and thank you for showing me love isn’t dependent on what I do for you, but that you love me no matter what. I… I might not always do things the right way, but I’ll always try and be the best for you.”

“You are the best, Theo,” Nova whispered. “I’ll make sure you believe it too.”

Four “I love you’s” were said at the same time and I basked in their love just a little bit more.

“Uh, excuse me?”

We all turned around to see Camila. “Sorry, but there's a man outside that is saying he’s Sol’s father.”

Nova tensed right next to me. “That motherfucker. I can’t believe he followed me here and thinks he can call Sol his fucking daughter.”

“Did I miss something?” I asked, as she walked away.

“Yeah, a lot, but go with her. I don’t trust him,” Atlas said, as Colt and I left with her.

Nova walked with purpose and I didn’t know what kind of situation we'd be walking into. I was under the assumption that Sol’s dad wasn’t in the picture, but it seemed I had missed something.

“Andrés, what are you doing here?” Nova stood in front of a man who had the same build as Atlas, maybe a little skinnier. He was dressed in slacks and a polo that said he came from money with his peacoat, expensive watch and shoes.

“Someone in town said our daughter got hurt, told me to come here,” he said, and I instantly wanted to hit him.

Colt stepped forward and I as much as I wanted to let him punch him, Nova needed to handle this.

“Oh, she’s our daughter now,” Nova snapped. “I clearly remember you driving me out to the middle of nowhere to get rid of our daughter, then leaving me here until I took care of the problem.”

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