Page 14 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

Colton sighed, looking around the store before settling on her eyes. “You… You could borrow mine. I could show you how to use it.”

Her body buzzed as she imagined Colton coming over and helping her with the ceiling panels. One full day of being in the relatively small space with her ex? Ruby chewed her lower lip. She sighed. He did have a point, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

“Fine. But it’s only because you may or may not be right about the potential injuries, and I really don’t want to be held up for something stupid.”

Colton smirked. She rolled her eyes — it was the smile he gave anytime he won.

Cocky bastard.

14

Colton looked down at Ruby. Arms crossed, shooting lasers at him. She’d backed him into a corner, but he still won the argument. And she knew it.

He hadn’t wanted to offer and almost didn’t. But picturing the spitfire before him craning her neck while hammering her ass off on metal studs had involuntarily filled him with concern.

He couldn’t let her do that, not when he had easier means.

“When should I bring it by?”

She started down the aisle toward the registers, buttoning her black wool coat as she went. “Well, I’m dealing with the seat removal this weekend, so maybe Monday? I don’t know if I’ll get to it until next weekend though, so that’s fine, too.”

“Wait, you’re removing the seats? By yourself?” Colton stopped in his tracks.

“Well, I’m going to angle grind - angle grinder? - the bolt heads first. Then I’ll need to actually take the seats out of the bus.” Ruby kept walking, exiting the store. Colton jogged to catch up, his knee twinging when he stopped short to keep from bowling her over on the sidewalk.

“Those things can’t be light.” He looked her over, unable to decide between being awed or frustrated at her recklessness. He knew she was a hard worker and few things could stop her, but this conversion she’d gotten herself into — from all the tools to the heavy objects — couldn’t normally be a one-person job.

She shrugged. Colton fingered the anchors in his jacket pocket, thankfully bought before he saw her. He didn’t know how long they stood there, only that Ruby wouldn’t look at him. The cold bit into his skin, even through his jacket. She’d broken his resolve, but at least he knew she wasn’t going to ice him out all the way.

“Okay, well I gotta go. Dragan’s waiting for me. But I’ll see you Monday.”

“Okay, thanks.” She threw him a half-smile before taking off.

Colton watched her leave, curls bouncing in her ponytail. She glanced at him before getting in her car, no hint of a smile. She pulled out, not looking back.

He shook his head and walked down Main Street to the The Little Prince Bookstore, keeping his head down to avoid the stares from passersby. He grew up in this town, and nothing had changed. All the shops, all the people, all the expectations.

Stay. Good job. Get married. Family.

He’d had a taste of more, and he couldn’t forget it.

“Oof!”

The sound came from a middle-aged woman he smacked right into, and Colton managed to grab her elbow before her body hit the ground. He started apologizing profusely before she held up a hand, bundle of loose flyers in the other.

“No, it’s okay, I wasn’t looking where I was going,” she said, brushing her suit off. “You’re Bryce Taylor’s boy, the football player, aren’t you?”

Great.

“I’m Carla Lopez, I took over Robertson Realty a few years ago.” Her dark eyes looked around. “I—I heard through the grapevine you like to be in the kitchen?”

Colton started to grumble a non-committal response but she brushed him off. “Look, it’s no secret in this town you’ve got talent — and not just in the field. Forgive me for overstepping, but since you’re no longer playing, have you considered what’s next?”

He took a step back, taking in her neatly pressed suit and severe bun. Her arms crossed over her chest, eyes piercing his. Who was this woman, digging into his life? Irritation started moving swiftly through him.

“Look, lady, I don’t know what this is about but I’m in the middle of something.” He pushed past her, not hard enough to knock her but hard enough to send a message.

The last thing he needed was some rando in his business.

---