Seemed there was a lot more to the story than what Colton was willing to talk about.
“I am. Where, I’m not exactly sure, but I’ve accepted an offer on my house. I’m ready for a new beginning. I’m ready for something positive in my life. As for the morning I bailed on you…I’m sorry. I freaked out when I woke up and realized I’d fallen asleep with you beside me, someone I’d had a crush on for years. Someone I’d picked on for so long because I didn’t have the guts to tell her the truth…that I thought she was pretty. Someone that I admired. Someone that worked her butt off to get where she is today.”
Blayze was stunned and didn’t know what to say. So much had come to light and she was having a problem letting it all sink in. Had Colton really said that he admired her?
By now, he’d pulled off on the side of the road. He turned to look at her then reached up to run his hand along the side of her cheek. “Colton, I’m…I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m sorry. So sorry I was mean to you. So sorry for the way I treated you and for the way my father treated you. Will you please forgive me?”
She nodded then looked out the window for a moment. “I hate that it came to all this. I guess, though, had I not come back today, we might not have run into each other and had this talk. And that everything wouldn’t be out in the open.”
“Please, don’t give my father any credit. Trust me, he doesn’t deserve it.”
They both agreed with that comment. Brent Burns didn’t deserve a single thing!
Chapter Thirteen
Colton backed the U-Haul up to her garage and began to unload his things. It was the least she could do. For a friend. There was no reason for him to pay for a storage unit when she had lots of space he could use.
They’d come to an agreement that he could stay in her spare bedroom, at least until he could get on his own feet and find a place of his own. With the money he made from selling his house, it made more sense to get his legal practice up and running first. Lucky for him, she had some connections in Gorman Valley, and he’d been able to lease an office right down from the courthouse.
They spent the last two days painting and doing some decorating inside his new office, getting it ready to open in a couple of days. It was small, but perfect until he could get himself established.
As soon as his new desk and chair was delivered and set up, she immediately sat down. “The smell of this paint is making me sick.”
“I didn’t think about wearing a mask. Hopefully this stuff is safe to breathe,” Colton added then looked down at the can of paint sitting on the floor.
“Too late now.” She got up and walked to the door. “Colton, I think I’m going to be sick.”
Colton rushed beside her and placed his hand on her back. “Can I get you anything?”
She shook her head then leaned over. “Just give me a minute.” It was embarrassing gagging in front of him, but the queasiness wouldn’t go away. Just when she thought the feelingmight subside, it hit her again. This time, she couldn’t help herself and everything she’d had to eat at lunch came back up.
“We need to get you home.” Colton said as he massaged her back. “Just give me a minute to get things cleaned up.”
He met her at the door with her purse a few minutes later then walked alongside her to his truck. She climbed inside and let the windows down while she waited for him to lock up.
“This isn’t like me to get sick. Not like me at all.” She told him when they were almost home. “I had a virus a few weeks ago, but this is no joke. I can’t go to work tomorrow feeling like this.”
“Maybe someone is trying to poison you,” he joked.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” she playfully swatted his arm. “Seriously, though, I lost like five pounds when I was sick last time. If I lose any more weight, someone’s going to have to carry the fire hose for me. It’s getting harder and harder to lift when we’re out testing hydrants.”
When they got home, she immediately crawled into bed. Colton brought her some crackers and she sipped on some ginger ale. After his shower, he got into bed with her and held her while they watched TV together. She felt some better, but she knew that something was off with her body. Then it hit her. Her period was late.
She pulled the bed sheet up tightly to her neck and squeezed her eyes tightly.Oh God, could I be?
As though Colton sensed something was wrong, he pulled her closer. When she’d first suggested doing the ‘room-mate’ thing, neither of them had considered what if something more happened. Colton had simply moved his things into her spare bedroom, and he’d been there ever since. Until now.
Sure, they’d fallen asleep together on the sofa while watching TV, but he’d always seen her to bed, kissed her goodnight on the cheek before turning in, then closed hisbedroom door. And what he was doing now, holding her while she was ill, was nothing more than a kind gesture on his part. Or was it?
Would she turn him away if he pursued more?
The guys at the station had teased her when she told them of their living arrangements, saying that they’d be sharing a bed before long. So far, she’d proven them wrong. Although she did like the feel of his arm draped over her and the warmth from his body.
When her alarm sounded at five, she pulled the covers back and slowly slid out of bed. She didn’t want to wake Colton…holy hell!Colton had slept with her through the night!
“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, sleep still evident in his voice. “How are you feeling?”
