Page 64 of Ride or Die
“What ya got there?” he asks curiously, craning his neck to look at the package on the bed.
“It’s a gift.”
Colt watches me cautiously, taking a seat on the edge of the bed as I shove it towards him with a mischievous smirk. He peels back the paper, and as soon as he sees what's inside, he starts laughing.
He holds it up in front of him. “Grinch pyjamas?” He smiles, showcasing his perfect teeth.
I jump off the bed, stripping out of my joggers to reveal I am wearing the exact same thing. His head falls back, and he bursts out laughing as I do a little dance, grabbing two Santa hats from my coat and throwing one at him.
“Matching Christmas PJ’s!” I cheer. He stands up and does not hesitate to join me, stripping out of his clothes and changing into the outfit.
“You’re lucky you’re so fucking cute,” he says with a grin.
I giggle as I put on my Christmas socks with bells, making me jingle everywhere I walk. He gets dressed and does a model pose, flexing his muscles, testing the strength of the fabric.
“How do I look?” he asks, giving me a sexy grin as I move back onto the bed.
“Fucking incredible.” I grin, reclining onto my elbows on the mattress.
He stops his display and hops onto the bed beside me, laying back on his pillow. I tuck into him, immediately knowing where to find my nook with him. He literally feels like my missing piece. I fit perfectly into his puzzle.
“We need a selfie of this.” Colt takes out his phone and puts it in front of us, snapping a photo. We look fucking adorable. “We are going to make gorgeous babies one day.” My face flames as he kisses my forehead, blushing like a schoolgirl at the thought of having his babies.
We lay there for a while, watchingElfas part of our Christmas movie lineup. Eventually, the food we ordered shows up, and we dig in, resuming our cozy spots in bed after eating way too much.
“I have never enjoyed Christmas so much, Colt. I used to work the closing shift on Christmas Eve, then I’d be up early to work a double shift on Christmas Day. Same thing with New Year’s, just to make as much cash as possible. It was so sad being the only person on the bus those mornings. I’d always chat withthe driver because I felt bad for them too. Then, working in a quiet coffee shop as families shared the special holiday. Missing all of it just to give my parents money.” He traces circles on my arm as I speak.
“What a fucking waste that was,” I mumble. “This is the first year I deliberately took both days off, so I could spend them with you. No amount of money I could make today and tomorrow could ever replace the feeling I have in my little heart right now,” I whisper.
Colt says nothing, but his soft expression speaks volumes as he leans down to kiss me. It’s a gentle kiss. One that tells me he feels the same.
We snuggle in close, finishing the night falling asleep in each other’s arms to our third movie,The Grinch.
Christmas Day, we lay in bed until ten, make waffles with strawberries and bacon, and open our presents. I got Colt a new hoodie, a hat, and some new rags and cleaners for his car. He will get his lingerie gift after dinner. And he got me a new hoodie and joggers, slippers, and headphones.
He brings over the final present, and I open it to find a wooden box that has definitely seen better days. My fingers run across the scuffed surface of the wood, the old rusty hinges barely holding on.
Before I can open it, Colt’s hand clamps on top of mine, a serious expression on his face. “You’re probably going to see some fucked up shit—I mean, you already have, but being with me comes with a lot of catches. I do more for Williams thanjust steal cars. I move drugs, I kick the shit out of people for information…” He clears his throat, his eyes laced with shame.
“I’m not a good person on the outside, Lay. I hate it, but I’m doing what I have to do to succeed and survive here. I never want you to see that person, but the odds are high that one day you will. I’m giving you this because this is the real me, and when you see the fucked up shit I have to do, please don’t ever forget about this box and who I really am. Because you’re the only one who knows the real me, and when we get out of here, all this bad fucking shit I do will be done with. I promise.” He looks down at the box, then at me, nodding for me to open it.
The hinges squeak in protest as I lift the lid, and inside are photos, notes, folded pieces of paper, and cards. I pick some up, shuffling through each one. There are birthday cards from his parents, letters to them, and an angry one to his dad after he left them. Our geography project—he kept it just like he said. I pick up a folded Post-it note and open it, reading out loud.
Dear Layla, You looked really pretty today in your sundress. You look pretty every day. Can I walk you home?”
My eyes shoot up to Colt’s. “Go on,” he urges with a small smile
The next one is a note from his mom.
Colton, I'm so proud of you. Thank you for taking care of me. Love mom.
The next one I pick out is red, shaped like a little heart.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Will you be mine?
I really like you, Layla.
