Page 58 of Somewhere We Belong

“Dammit, Nova, just ask for fucking help,” I said under my breath.

“Hey, Nova!” Michelle yelled. “Colt is here to see you.”

She waggled her eyebrows at me. I rolled my eyes as I followed her out.

Colt had a bottle of shampoo in his hand as he read the label. He looked edible in a tight, black t-shirt, jeans, boots and a backwards cap. Michelle walked in front of me as I admired him uninterrupted, perused his tattoos on his arms and one going up his neck. He must have sensed my gaze when he looked up at me, giving me butterflies with his intense look.

“Hey,” I said, a little breathless.

“Hello, Nova.” He looked me up and down appreciatively.

God, I wanted to let go of what had happened between us now that he was acting nice, but I couldn't let it go. I had too many men walk all over me and I wasn’t going to let it happen again. He was the reason I was so nervous about moving forward with them. Atlas and Theo had been nothing but nice to me. Ialways knew there was something that tethered us together, but I thought it was just friendship.

I also saw how they looked at me with appreciation in their eyes, but I didn't think anything of it. Hell, I constantly gave an appreciative glance at them, but now their glances meant so much more.

“Is everything ok?” I asked.

“Since you've been dodging us, I figured I would cash in on my promise,” he said, cocking his eyebrow.

“I’m working late today,” I said immediately.

“What about Sol?” he asked. “Do you need someone to pick her up?”

I loved that he immediately thought of her.

“I was going to pick her up and bring her back here,” I lied.

“Nonsense, I’ll pick her up,” he scowled. “You can meet us at our house.”

He left without another word. I was shocked, grateful and wanted to cry. What made him change his demeanor so drastically? Why now? My phone's timer went off and I went to my client to see how she was processing.

After washing, toning and blow-drying her hair, I was dead on my feet. She pre- booked to come back in seven weeks, gave me a great tip and I rushed to grab my things to leave. A part of me wanted to hurry to the guys house so they didn’t have to watch her for too long, but another part of me wanted to sit in silence.

It felt like it had been so long since I had just sat and did nothing without worrying about rushing to Sol. My lip trembled as tears gathered in my eyes, and I couldn’t stop the rising emotions. I cried in my car for who knows how long, letting out all the stress of the last few months. Let's be real, the last six years.

After my good cry, I turned my car on, and drove to the guy's house in silence, a stray tear still fell down my cheek as I let myself enjoy the calm. When I got to the fork in the road, I wondered how mad they would be if I went home for another hour. It was five-thirty in the afternoon, a lot later than I usually got out, but mom guilt had me drive to their cabin.

I parked next to Colt’s muscle car hearing Sol laugh. It was one of the best sounds in the world and on my darkest days. It kept my head above water. I took a deep breath, wiped my face of any lingering tears, and left my car to follow the sounds of my daughter.

Rounding the corner of the house I stopped at the sight before me. Sol was running with Sadie and her pig, Hula Hoop, who had a sparkly tutu on. Ducks followed them and two chickens while Colt chased all of them. My heart threatened to burst as I saw Colt entertaining Sol with enthusiasm. Damn him for melting my heart and fuck him for actually being a good man.

Sol didn’t see one of the chickens as she turned around, falling down with her hands stretched out. I lurched forward to run to rescue her, but I caught myself wanting to see what Colt would do.

“Oh shit, Sundae,” he called out, rushing to her.

Her lip trembled as he helped her up by inspecting her hand. A tear slid down her cheek while he pulled a few rocks from her hand, saying something softly to her. Sol threw her arms around his neck as he picked her up, consoling her.

It was like he sensed me again, he looked around at me and I felt myself losing the last bit of anger I had held towards him. He was my excuse for holding back, but now, what excuse could I give them?

Colt’s lips moved and Sol turned around to see me.

“Momma!” she yelled, as Colt put her down and she ran towards me forgetting she was hurt in the first place.

“Hey, Munchkin,” I said, kneeling to hug her.

Picking her up was still off the table since my shoulder was still a little tender.

“How was school?” I kissed her cheek.

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