Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74469 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74469 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 372(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Colton lets out a sigh and shakes his head. “Sorry about that.” He lifts his eyes to where I am, and they look tired.
I don’t want to hurt him in any way, and it gives me the strength to say, “I don’t want to cause you any trouble. I’ll move out.”
A frown instantly forms on his face. “What?” He walks to where I’m still standing by the door. “Why would you say that?”
“I… overheard,” I mutter. “You asked your mom if it’s because of me. I didn’t hear the rest, but I… I don’t want to disrupt your lives.”
Colton lifts his hand and rubs the spot between his eyes. “It wasn’t about you.” He lets out another tired sigh. “My father called. He’s being a dick.”
Oh.
That changes things.
I’m relieved, and now that I don’t have to worry about moving out today, I see the ache in Colton’s eyes. “I’m sorry,” I whisper as I push the door fully open. Closing the distance between us, I wrap my arms around his waist, and I hug him as tightly as I can.
A heartbeat passes before Colton hugs me back. He lowers his head, burying his face in my neck. We stand like that for the longest time before I pull a little back. Catching Colton’s eyes, I ask, “Do you want to talk about it?”
I might not be able to help, but I can be there for him.
Colton turns away from me and walks to his closet. “It’s okay. I’ll just change quickly, then we can leave.”
I stare at his back, and not knowing what else to do, I let out a sigh and walk back to my room.
Minutes later, Colton taps on my door. “Let’s go.” There’s still a stormy look in his eyes, and again I wish I could make him feel better.
Feeling uncomfortable, I say, “We don’t have to go out.”
Colton forces a smile to his face, and it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Come on. Getting out will do us both a world of good.”
“Okay.” I follow him out of the house, a frustrated sigh drifting over my lips. Colton always manages to cheer me up, and I have an overwhelming need to do the same for him.
But I don’t know how to make him feel better.
We climb in the truck, and once we’re driving down the street, Colton asks, “What are you showing me first?”
I think of all the places I can take him to, and knowing all the kids from school will be at Devil’s Bluff, I shelf that idea. “Ah…” My mind races, and not able to come up with anything, I ask, “Do you want to walk around town? You can see all the stores?” Knowing I need to tell Colton about my looking for a job, I add, “I’ve been thinking about getting an after-school job. If we go to town, I’ll be able to see if there are any vacancies.”
A frown forms on Colton’s face as he steers us in the direction of the main road. “Why do you want to get a job? It will interfere with your study time.”
I shrug, and glancing out of the window at the houses passing by, I awkwardly mutter, “I need to get some form of income. I can’t just live off you and your mom.”
And what if something goes wrong and I have to leave?
COLTON
I know it’s only normal for Brie to think of finances, but it’s the last thing I want her worrying about.
I glance at Brie and see that she’s staring out of the window. She’s clutching her hands together, and it’s clear she’s tense.
I place my right hand over hers and give it a squeeze before putting it back on the wheel. “You trust me, right?”
Brie nods, turning her eyes to me. “Yeah.”
“It’s our senior year, Brie, and if you want to go to college, you’ll have to study hard. It will add a ton of pressure if you get a job on top of all the school work.”
Pressure she doesn’t need right now.
“I know,” she mutters. She lets out a sigh, then explains, “It’s just… what if we get in a fight or I do something to upset your mom? Where would I go then?”
There’s a public park on our left, and I pull the truck over to the curb. Turning off the engine, I push my door open as I say, “Let’s go to the park.”
Climbing out, I wait for Brie and then start to walk. I spot a bench under a tree and head in that direction. Reaching it, I ask, “Want to sit?”
“Sure.”
I take a seat, and leaning forward, I rest my forearms on my thighs before addressing Brie’s worry. “I understand your concern, Brie. I’d be worried as well if I were in your position. All I can say is we won’t kick you out on the street.”