Page 83 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

“Mia…”

“Do you mind if I ask Colt to drive me to work?” she whispers.

My expression falls, and I pull her into a hug, ignoring her straight spine and the way she refuses to accept my embrace. Because her walls are up again, and she won’t take them down until she’s ready.

“Yeah, Mia,” I murmur, forcing myself to let her go. “Give Colt a call. I’m sure he’ll be happy to help.”

With a weak smile, she mutters, “Thanks.”

36

COLT

Theo and Depp are laughing as everyone puts on their gear while Graves makes some dumbass comment about his date tonight. It’s good to be back here. In the locker room. Hearing the team shoot the shit.

It’s easy.

Comfortable.

I’ve missed it.

Theo asks how Graves convinced a girl to go out with him, and everyone laughs again as Logan sits down on the bench near my locker.

I glance his way, adjusting my elbow pads and tugging my practice jersey over my head. We haven’t talked much since the night of the storm. Pretty sure he’s been too busy getting laid.

“Good to have you back, Colt,” he starts.

I lift my chin. “Thanks.”

“Like the good ol’ days, right?”

Chuckling, I mutter, “Not exactly.”

“You gonna play in Saturday's game?”

I shake my head. “Nah.”

With a knowing nod, he mutters, “I get it.”

“Yeah.”

“Theo and I are gonna grab drinks after practice. You should come.”

Shrugging one shoulder, I lie, “Uh, yeah. Maybe. Mia and I might be hanging out, but––”

He laughs. “That’s one thing I don’t miss. Having to check in with Ashlyn anytime I––”

My phone rings, interrupting him.

“One sec,” I mutter.

As I dig it out of my bag, Logan stands up and says, “We’ll catch up later,” as he walks back to the bench by his locker, grabs his helmet, glove, and stick, and disappears through the exit toward the rink.

As I watch him go, I answer the call and keep my voice low. “Hello?”

“Hey,” Ash murmurs. Her voice is quiet but rushed. Like she’s nervous. Scared.

I sit up straighter, my senses on full alert. “Hey. What’s up?”

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