New Beginnings (Marie) by Mel Steele novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“It’s a long story, but Becca broke up with him and brought him back to my place and he drank almost an entire bottle of whisky.”

“Shit. Do you want me to come get him?”

“No…He is fine and I can bring him home tomorrow

“Marie, why have you been ignoring my calls and text messages?”

“Colton, I need to worry about myself and I already have trust issue. If your dates were no big deal, why didn’t you say anything to me?”

“We aren’t dating Marie. I didn’t think it was your business.”

Pain seemed to fill my chest. “Your right, we aren’t dating. It was none of my business.”

“Marie…I’m sorry I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Don’t worry about it, Colton. I’m going to bed. Have a good night.”

I ended the call before he could respond.

I lay in bed and I felt empty. Was I over reacting? He was right. We weren’t dating. We had barely been talking. I was letting my emotions take over.

Why did I have such strong feelings for Colton and was it clouding my judgement?

I’m not sure when I fell asleep, but it didn’t feel like actually slept before I heard banging on my

door.

I grabbed my tiny robe and made my way to the door. Hunter was still passed out and didn’t even budge to the banging on the door.

I flung the door open to find a smiling Colton.

“I brought breakfast.” He said, holding up a bag with a smile.

I stepped aside as I made my way to make coffee.

“Do you like sausage biscuits and gravy?”

“It’s fine.” I grumbled.

“I thought you were a morning person.”

“Not on my day off and I had a hard time sleeping last night.”

“Because of Hunter?”

“No, Colton, not because of Hunter”

I leaned my back against the counter and looked at Colton as he unpacked itaalias Izred o

but only for a moment and noticed Colton was staring at me.

“What?”

He swallowed and ran his tongue over his bottom p

“Your robe, uh.”

I looked down and realized it was open and the tank top left nothing to imagination

I smiled and closed my robe and turned and poured two cups of coffee.

I sat down and sipped my coffee.

“Can I take you on a date, Marie?”

I almost spit my coffee out. “What?”

“Let me take you on a date. Like I should have the first time.”

“I don’t know if that is a good idea.”

“Why?”

“I just….I feel like I am an after thought to you and, to be honest, you have already hurt me. More than once and I am done being hurt.”

“I know I have messed up, Marie. You just make me so freaking nervous. I do stupid stuff and I just don’t think straight.”

“Ghosting me and taking another woman out has nothing to do with thinking straight. But like you said, we weren’t dating, so I guess I have no right to be upset, but I am and I don’t want to be hurt anymore.”

“I can’t promise not to hurt you, but I will try my hardest not to hurt you.”

“Colton, how would you feel if I went to a movie and lunch with another man after we made ou and had been messaging?”

“Can you two keep it down? My head is pounding.” Hunter said, breaking our conversation.

“Do you want something to eat?” I asked as I stood to pour him a cup of coffee.

“Only if it’s really greasy.”

I wrinkled my nose as I handed him a cup of coffee.

“Colton, did you bring me clean clothes?”

“No, didn’t think about it

“I can wash your clothes if you don’t mind sitting in your boxers?

“Do you mind me sitting in my bovers?”

“I sort of like it.” I said, winking at him and watching his face turn red.

He emptied his pockets and handed me his clothes

I went to put his clothes in the wash and heard Colton and him whispering.

“Do you want to take a shower? It will make you feel better”

“Yeah, that would be a good idea.”

Hunter stood and made his way to the bathroom as I started cleaning the kitchen. Next thing I knew, Colton wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him.

Spinning me around to face him.

“I would be pissed.”

“You would be pissed?”

“You asked how I would feel if another man took you out.”

I nodded, “Yeah, so I guess you understand why I’m hurt and I don’t think we are a good idea.”

“Please just one date and if you decide that you don’t like me the way I like you I will stop.”

“Colton… What if I’m not ready for a relationship?”

“I will take my time and be patient.”

“You say that now but….look, I have been hurt by the last two guys I trusted and we didn’t start off

the best.”

“I know but understand if you were mine I would never…I mean never hurt you.”

“But you already have.”

“I know I have and the only way I can think is to show you how I feel.”

“What if I am too weak…”

“I will be strong for both of us.”

I know I said a new year, a new me, but looking in his eyes I couldn’t bring myself to say no.

“One date?” He asked

“Ok one date.”

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He gave the Colton smile that I couldn’t resist. He pressed his lips to mine and I responded without thinking

“How long was I in the shower? Hunter asked, breaking our moment.

Colton pulled away. “Not long enough brother.”

We turned to see Hunter in nothing but a towel.

“Where are you boxers?” I finally asked.

“I threw them in the washer. I’m not a fan of commando or wearing the same underwear after a

shower.”

Hunter told Colton what happened at the diner and how things ended with Becca.

I put on a movie and before we knew it, Hunter was able to get dressed again and I was fixing

lunch.

“What are your plans for the evening?” Hunter asked.

“Nothing. I plan to watch the Rambo movies in order and I had planned on eating left over chicken

but I guess I will have to order a pizza instead.”

“We should get some wings too,” Hunter added.

“What?”

“I don’t want to go home just yet…Becca almost lived with us.”

“Do you like the Rambo movies?” I asked.

Hunter smiled at me and really looked happy for the first time since I rescued him from the diner.

“We love them.” He said, looking over at Colton.

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