Page 63 of Out of the Shadows
“Oh.Oh.”I smacked my palm against my forehead. Had Colt really fucked my brains out last night?!
Ella snickered.
“You … like him? Girl, you haven’t even exchanged two sentences.” I tried my best not to sound as flabbergasted as I was.
“Eh, I just have a feeling.”
“A feeling?” My face probably couldn’t hide the incredulity any longer.
“Yup. When you know, you just know.” She shrugged one shoulder, mouth pulled to the side, head tilted slightly.
“When you know what exactly?” I asked, confused.
She stepped under the bar we’d abandoned earlier and lifted it off the rack with a huff. “I don’t know, I can’t really explain it to you. I like him, I think he’s interesting. And that’s it. That’s all I know. There’s just something there. I’ll figure it out eventually, I always do.”
“Gotcha.” I nodded, even though I most certainly didn’tknow where she was coming from. “Hey, I’m the last person who’s going to judge you for something like that. I’m just telling you honestly, I have no idea how you’re going to crack this nut, because he really doesn’t let anyone get close to him. But I’m here for it.”
“We’ll see. We’ve got a couple classes together actually. I just hadn’t recognized him right away.” Her voice was slightly pressed as she dropped her ass to the grass.
During the whole workout, I could feel we were being watched, and even though I was sure Colt was frequently peering over here, I was almost sure his workout buddy wasn’t taking his eyes off us either.Just a feeling.
Twenty Three
Hailey
We were putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher when Colt’s phone buzzed on the counter.
“Fuck, it’s my mom.” Colt groaned, dragging a hand down his face.
I glanced up, trying to keep my expression neutral, even as a knot tightened in my stomach. “Okay, so? Answer it. What’s the big deal?”
“She’s … gonna want to talk about us again,” he mumbled, his ears turning faintly red.
I grinned despite myself. “And?”
“And … I don’t know. It’s just … weird. She’s soexcitedall the time now, and it’s embarrassing.”
I chuckled. “She’s your mom, Colt. Take it as a win.”
He sighed, muttering something under his breath before swiping the screen and putting it on speaker.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, sweetheart! How’s everything going over there?”
“All good, same as always,” Colt said, his tone stiff but polite.
“Same as always, huh?” There was a teasing edge to her voice.
I raised an eyebrow at him, mouthing,She’s fishing.
He shot me a look before answering. “Yeah, same.”
“Really? Nothing new? Nothing exciting to share?” she pressed.
“Mom …” He groaned, glancing at me. “Youknowabout me and Hailey. What else do you want?”
“Well, excuse me for trying to get a cute update!” she said, laughing. “Hailey, dear, are you there?”
