Page 85 of Ride or Die
“I told Williams we’d stay longer so you can do it when you’re better, but he refused. He said he needed the jobs done now to free you of your contract. He said if I didn’t get him the cars…he...he’d kill you, and that means me too.” Colt blinks several times and looks away from me, swallowing hard.
“I have to do this, Colt. For you, for us. I can’t let him take you away from me. I can’t let him win.” Tears break free from my eyes and roll down my cheeks. “I’m sorry that it has to go down this way, but it does. You would do it for me.” My voice cracks and he shakes his head in disbelief.
“We should just take off in the middle of the night,” he suggests quietly.
I shake my head. “He said he would find us and kill us. Even said ‘ask Hawthorne what I’m capable of, my reach extends farther than you know, blah blah blah.’ If I can pull this off, we leave here with no loose ends. He will release you from your contract. We shook on it, and he gave me his word.” Colt sighs, reaching for my hand and taking it in his. He gives me a small squeeze, but sadness fills his eyes. I know the weight this puts on him. He promised to keep me out of this life and he feels like he let me down.
Did he fuck up? Abso-fucken-lutely. But can I forgive him? Of course. He’s an imperfect person, as am I. I knew what I was getting myself into, and none of it actually mattered when it came to him. I was in love with him before we even started dating.
All that matters now is that Colt and I get out of this place together. And we will get there no matter how many goddamn things keep getting in the way.
"I'm sorry for being an asshole, it's just...it's my job to protect you. I've been doing that for years, and when it really counts, I failed. And I can't do a fucking thing to fix it yet. It’s driving me crazy that you have to clean up my mess," he says while his thumb makes circles over the back of my hand.
"Colt, it's my job to protect you too. We're a team, when one of us is down the other is there to pick up the slack. Your protection of me, the strength you gave me, helped me become the badass woman I am, and now it's my turn to protect you." His face softens as he reaches up and cups my cheek.
“Thank you,” he whispers. “For everything, Layla. For trusting me, for loving me, for taking care of me, for getting us out of this mess. Thank you for making my life better. I’m going to make all of this up to you. I love you so damn much.” I kiss him and linger, enjoying the feel of his plump lips against mine.
I climb into bed beside him and we watch TV while we finish eating. After we’re done, I clear our plates and bring them down to the kitchen. When I return to the bedroom, Colt is sitting on the edge of the bed. I smile softly at him. Even all banged up and vulnerable, he is still so handsome.
“Let’s get you into the shower. I’ve got new garbage bags and elastics for your casts.” I shake them in my hands with an excited look on my face.
“Do I have to?” he whines.
“Yes. You stink, babe.” I smirk and help him out of bed. He hobbles on crutches to the bathroom, and I put the bags on his casts, hopping into the shower with him to take care of him.
The next morning, I head out to the mall to grab supplies for my role in the theft of this Bentley. I model my dress choices for Colt, and we select a classy black dress with spaghetti straps and a neckline that puts my goods on display but doesn’t go too far. Never in a hundred years did I ever think I’d be in this position.
Now that Colt has accepted that I have to do this, he helps me practice lifting the valet ticket off of him over and over again. He teaches me the tricks he used to steal wallets as a teen. We put together an act, giving me a whole persona. We even memorize some lines and actions I can use.
I had fun practicing with Colt. It made me feel connected to him in a way we haven’t been in awhile, and it boosted my confidence for the job Saturday. I think he also appreciated the distraction too. I know he misses his races and his car, but he will be better in no time, and soon, we will be out of The Shores for good.
CHAPTER
FORTY-TWO
FIRST JOB
LAYLA
Saturday came way too quickly. I'm standing in front of the mirror in my underwear as I release my hair from the curlers. Colt has been especially quiet today and is currently refusing to look at me.
“Colt, can you please talk to me? I’m nervous as fuck, and you’re not helping at all,” I say, turning around to glare at him.
“I’m just pissed that you’re doing this! Williams won't even take my fucking calls. It’s like this is what he’s wanted all along!” he shouts, rubbing his face with both hands in frustration.
“Please, would you stop?!” I yell at him. “This is where we are, deal with it and tone it the fuck down! Jesus, I don't want to go through this again. I just want some fucking moral support!" The stress of all of this has taken its toll on us, resulting in numerous littler arguments over the past week.
He sighs and sits on the edge of the bed.
“I’m sorry…you’re right. This is why I wasn't talking. I keep taking my shit out on you.” He gets up and uses his crutches to come over to me. His arms wrap around me from behind, and I instantly relax, letting out a sigh.
“You got this, Lay, you’re going to do great. We’ve rehearsed and you’re on point with this, so just go with it, okay? Get into the role. You’re hot as fuck. You’re not going to have any trouble with this guy. I mean, look how you just put me in my place. You can handle anyone or anything," he says genuinely as he rests his head on mine.
Now there's the supportive Colt I know and love.
"I just wish I could go with you. I feel so fucking useless," he says quietly. I turn and reach up, holding either side of his face to make him look at me.
“You are not useless, Colton Hawthorne. You helped me practice for this. You have given me the confidence to believe I can pull this off, and I will.” I pause, staring into his eyes. “You are brilliant, handsome, kind and caring. You are the man for me, and as soon as this shit is over with, we’re taking the fuck off and building a life together, right? This is simply a kink in the plan. Life is full of them, so it’s time we get used to it. When my man is down, it’s my job to pick up the slack, and vice versa.” I press my lips to his, kissing him slow and gentle, and when we separate, he gives me a small smile.
