Page 8 of Big Tex

“What’s wrong, baby?” I ask again, sitting on the bed with the sheets pulled over my body. Because being naked in front of this man doesn’t seem like such a great idea anymore.

Colt is off the bed, gathering his clothes and putting them back on.

He commands, “answer the question, Layla.”

And I give in, “my last name is Wilson. I’m here for my brother’s marriage vows renewal.”

He brings a large, powerful hand to his face and holds it over his eyes, letting out a litany of curses. I sit there, naked under the sheet, feeling more vulnerable than I ever have in my adult life, watching the beautiful tapestry of our connection horribly unravel.

“What is wrong Colt?”

“You don’t know? You seriously don’t know?”

He’s staring at me with furious eyes and my twisted brain can’t help but notice how fucking hot anger looks on him.

“I wouldn’t be asking, handsome.”

“Colt Garcia, Big Tex,” he spits in my face, pointing an enraged finger to his.

I can only shake my head.

“Are you fucking serious? You wanna tell me your brother plays for the best team in the league and you don’t know his teammates.”

Oh shit.

“I… I don’t follow football, Colt.”

“You must be fucking kidding me. Zach is going to skin me alive.”

“What happened between us has nothing to do with Zach, I…”

Even I don’t believe my own words.

“That’s what I thought. I’m sorry, I know I’m being a jerk but I really wasn’t expecting this.”

I swallow the huge lump in my throat.

“That’s okay. I guess I understand. No big deal.”

“This is a fucking big deal to me, Layla.”

He sighs loudly, running his hands in his hair and grabbing it at the roots.Ouch, that must hurt.

“I can’t do this now. I’m sorry, Layla. Can I have your number, please? I’ll call you so we can sort this clusterfuck out.”

I push away the tears.Clusterfuck. Wow.

“There’s really no need, Colt. I will talk to Zach, or we can forget all about…”

He interrupts me with a commanding, “number!”

And I give in, rattling off my digits, with no intention of ever picking up any communication from him.

Colt saves my number in his phone, stuffs his things in his jacket pockets and leans in to press a kiss to my forehead.

“Last night was everything, sweetheart. Please let me get my head straight, and we can figure out how to proceed. Yeah?”

I nod without any conviction.

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