Page 11 of Big Tex

I swallow in a futile attempt to dislodge the painful ball stuck in my throat.

“Don’t…” I beg him, feeling my eyes brim with tears.

“I went crazy not being able to see you or talk to you for so long. Why didn’t you answer my calls and messages, Layla?”

He leans closer and presses a soft kiss to my cheek, where a single tear has fallen.

“I thought about you, every minute, every day.”

Another soft press of his full lips.

“I was tired, frustrated, and I messed up. I was so mad, angel… so fucking mad. I’m so very sorry, my love.”

My Love?!

I fight to blink away the tears, torn between believing him, forgiving him, giving us a chance, and staying guarded. My heart melts into a gooey puddle, as I wipe under my eyes. I remain silent, scared to believe it could be this easy. That all my pain, my worry, my heartbreak could be unfounded.

Colt pulls a sleek cellphone from his pocket, taps on the screen for a few seconds, then shows me the name and number flashing. He’s calling Zach!

I whisper-shout while the line rings on speaker, “what are you doing? Hang up!”

Then my brother’s voice answers.

“Hey, what’s up man? Everything okay?”

“Everything is perfect.” He turns to give me one of his sexy grins, paired with a wink. “Listen man, I need to talk to you about Layla and me.”

Zach’s voice is filled with anger when he growls, “what the fuck do you mean you and Layla?”

Oh Lord.

But Colt doesn’t back down by a single inch.

“We’re together, man. I love you, I respect you, but she’s mine. I’m done holding back.”

“So you’re saying you wanna fucking date my baby sister?”

This is not going well.

“No brother. We’re getting married and we’re started a family.”

“Tex, I swear if this is some kind of sick joke…”

I take the phone from Colt.

“Hey Zach.”

“Layla, thank God! What the fuck is Garcia talking about? Are you okay?”

My voice is filled with tears of joy and laughter when I respond.

“I’m gonna hang up so Colt can properly ask me to marry him.” I stare pointedly at the ass. “But I wanted to tell you, you’re gonna be an uncle.”

Then I disconnect the call with a huge grin on my lips, vaguely hearing my brother curse and threaten to end my man’s life.

Turning to Colt, I take all my time drinking him in, eating him up and resolve to let loose of my anger and pain.

I tell him, “you messed up.”

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