Page 15 of Somewhere We Belong

6

atlas

Sterling Ridge never changed,it was like it was stuck in time and no matter how many times I came back, it was always the same. The last few years had been so hard; being away from Theo and Colt felt like a struggle that grew worse each time I was away. There was a time or two I almost said, ‘fuck it’, and came back home to them. Fuck being a doctor.

I was finally home with MD at the end of my name and all my hard work had paid off. As I drove down Main Ave, panic hit me head-on, leaving me on the brink of a nervous breakdown. It had been too long since I had lived with Colt and Theo. We had spent the last three years of my residency only seeing each other a few times a year and before that, we only spent breaks and summers together.

A nightmare plagued me last night, that they would leave me because I had been gone for so long and or they had moved on. I knew it was my mind playing tricks on me, but I was still scared they wouldn't want me anymore. My abandonment issue reared its ugly head as I stopped at a light. I opened our text thread to ease my nerves.

Colt: Please make sure your tire pressure is good, and your wipers are working. I need you safe.

Theo: Also stop if you get tired. We can go get you too. Drive safely.

Colt: Did you leave yet?

Me: I’m just about to leave.

Theo: Hurry up, but be careful, don’t speed.

Colt: And don’t get a ticket. We can’t wait for you to get here.

My breathing slowed. I was being irrational. Everything was going to be ok. I loved them and they loved me. We had been together for a while, and we weren’t going to be giving up on each other.

I turned onto the road that would take me to the ranch, passing the fork in the road which made me think of Nova and her daughter. I hadn’t seen them the last two times I had come into town. Before that, we had only seen each other in passing, except a few times when I helped her out or the guys and I helped her with watching Sol or doing small things for her. After that winter storm, she had been busy with motherhood. While I felt this pull to her, I never pursued it because she had a family, I had two loving boyfriends, and I wasn’t here all the time.

The small cabin that Colt and Theo had been living in came into view. Emotion clogged my throat as the reality sunk in that this was it. I was finally home with them, all of their patience and hard work was finally going to pay off. Parking next to Colt’s muscle car, I appreciated the new paint. It was much better than the pictures and I couldn’t wait till I could ride around with Colt.

I looked around as I got out of the car, hoping to see them in their work gear. There was nothing sexier than a dirty Colt and Theodore in boots, jeans, with a hat on looking gruff. They both wore the cowboy look so well especially on the horses, in the heat, sweating up a storm.

I needed to get laid right now.

It was only four in the afternoon, and while I was hopeful they would be home early, I knew that they might not be homeyet especially if the heifers were finally giving birth. I took a deep breath to fully smell the crisp air. Things were so much different here than in the city, and while I knew I would miss the convenience of a big city, I was over the traffic and bad air.

I grabbed some of my bags out of my car as I went to the front door, finding it open. It still shocked me that they were so comfortable leaving things unlocked, but the city had made me wary of everyone.

The smell of something sweet hit me as soon as I swung the door open. Two burly bodies came towards me, the need to cry hit me as they enveloped me into their arms. I buried my face into Colt’s chest as Thedore held us.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you babe.” Colt’s deep timber was soothing.

“I don’t know whether to cry or laugh,” Theo said.

“Both?” I laughed, as a tear slid down my cheek.

Theo hugged us tighter, leaning his head against mine. No one moved and I was grateful they let me soak them up. Theo adjusted his feet a couple of times before he pulled away.

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

“It’s ok,” I said, turning around, wrapping my arms around his middle. “I've missed you, Theo.”

“You sure?” he said, his voice small and wavering. “I know I'm not the easiest to live with and I’m worried you’ll get sick of me. Small doses?—”

I pulled him down kissing him with all the love I had. He opened my mouth with his tongue brushing softly against mine, exploring me like it was the first time we had kissed. I groaned as he scooped down to pick me up and I immediately wrapped my legs around him.

“Take me to bed,” I demanded, as he kissed down my neck walking through the living room.

Colt chuckled, “I’ll put dinner on pause.”

“Don’t take too long,” I shouted, as we went down the hallway to the bedrooms.

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