Page 6 of Somewhere We Belong

“What made you decide to cut your hair?” He squatted down to resume working on the bike.

“I know Atlas likes it short, and he wasn’t too fond of how I looked last time,” I said. “Even if he did say I was a lumbersnack, I still don’t understand what that is.”

“He was calling you hot, Theo,” Colt said, tightening a bolt.

“But he said he barely recognized me,” I said, putting my hands in my pocket.

“You don’t think the way he mauled you was evidence enough that he liked the way you looked,” he said with a raised brow.

“I guess?” I shrugged. “He was a little confusing the last time we saw him.”

“He was stressed, he also didn’t want to leave,” he said, standing up to walk to the other side of the bike. “This has been harder on him than on you and I.”

I knew things were rough for him, but I hated when he didn’t just tell me what was wrong. Colt always had to translate things and keep me in the loop emotionally. It hurt my feelings sometimes, but I also understood that not everyone had the patience to deal with me and my inept emotions.

“I know it’s been hard on him, but why doesn’t he talk to me?” I rubbed the back of my neck feeling uncomfortable.

Colt stood up, gazing at me with uncertainty, then walked over to me. His sculpted body and pierced nipples momentarily distracted me.

“He knew if he complained enough, you would have sold the ranch and moved out to the city for him,” Colt said, cupping my cheek.

“I—”

“Don’t say that you wouldn’t,” he said, resting his forehead against my own. “And once you decide, you don’t back down. It’s also so hard to get you to change your mind.”

“I love you guys, and I would do anything to make sure you are happy,” I said, feeling like I had to defend myself.

“I know, but sometimes you only think of us and not yourself, and while it’s cute, we don’t like to see you put yourself last.” He rubbed his nose against mine. “You’ve had to do that enough with your family. This is a compromise. Atlas knew what he wanted and that was to keep you here.”

“That doesn’t seem fair,” I said, pulling away. “Why does he have to suffer while I stay comfortable?”

“Because he loves you,” he said, matter-of-factly.

I nodded, wrapping my arms around him trying to process this.

“When he gets back, you need to have a nice long talk with him, that way, you get things off your chest and this doesn’t fester,” he said, kissing my temple.

“Are you almost done?!” A shout brought back that Colt scowl.

He glared over my shoulder. “I’m almost done.”

He rolled his eyes at me, I couldn’t help but love his grumpy self.

“I’ll see you at home,” I said, kissing his cheek quickly.

“I’ll bring home some burgers,” he said, turning around to go back to work.

“I can grill tonight,” I said. “We have steaks, broccoli and I can make some fries.”

It was about the only cooking I could do or in the crockpot.

“You sure you don’t want to save it for when Atlas arrives?” he asked, as he laid down. “I can get burgers today and we can cook for him when he gets back.”

“Ok,” I said. “I’ll see you at home.”

I walked out of the garage, heading to my car by the salon. The June air was humid, it felt like rain would be heading our way soon. Jumping into the truck, I noticed that Nova’s car was still in the employee parking lot. I glanced into the salon seeing her station empty. It was almost four and she usually had to go pick up Sol at this time.

Looking up and down the street, I saw her walking to the building that held summer camps for the kids. She was holding a few bags, her hair piled on top of her head, and I knew something was wrong.

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