8. Leslie

Chapter 8

Leslie

I ring the bell and drop my gaze to my hands. I don't want to be here right now, but Ollie's right, as much as it pains me to say that. If I stop living, I'm letting Jimmy win and I refuse to do that.

I just need to figure out what to do from here. I'll talk it over with Skylar and get her opinion. Maybe I'll even ask Tucker what he thinks.

The door swings open and I slowly lift my gaze. My eyes widen as I stare at the man in front of me. I definitely wasn't expecting to see him on the other side of this door.

He's shirtless, showing off a more impressive body than I expected from the town sheriff. He has well defined pecs and abs, narrowing into that V women are obsessed with. His jeans hang low on his hips, showing off the waistband of his boxers .

I've never seen him without a shirt on and I swear this image is going to live rent free in my head for the rest of my life. I've never seen someone so handsome.

His brown hair is wavy and all over the place. I wonder if Duke has been tugging on the strands. Or rubbing his hands over the thick stubble on his jaw. Something I dream of doing every night.

I take a step back and glance around, making sure I'm at the right house. Nope, this is definitely Skylar's place.

"Hey, Les," Colt says softly, his easy smile falling from his lips.

"Hey," I whisper.

"What's going on, sweetheart?" He steps out onto the porch and closes the door behind him.

"Skylar invited me over for dinner." I keep my chin held high, hoping he won't ask questions.

"I already figured that out, but that's not what I was talking about." He closes the distance between us and cups my cheek, brushing his fingers beneath my eye. "Why were you crying, Les?"

"It's nothing. I just… I was having an emotional moment." I wave off his concern .

As much as I love how Colton sees me now, I don't like him seeing everything. He picks up on the smallest things and doesn't let them go.

"Sit down and tell me about it." He motions to the swing on Tucker's porch and I shake my head.

"It's cold out here and you're shirtless. Plus, you have Duke. He's going to get sick outside."

"Stay here, I'll be right back."

Colt disappears inside the house and comes back a minute later with a big blanket and no baby. He drapes the blanket over the swing and motions again for me to take a seat.

I roll my eyes, but drop onto the swing. Clearly, I'm not going to win this fight.

Colton settles onto the spot next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders. He brings the blanket with him, making sure to keep both of us warm in this little cocoon.

"Why are you shirtless anyway?" I peer up at him.

"Spit up happens, Leslie. I'm not afraid of it, but I don't enjoy wearing it. So, I'm making Tucker wash my shirt."

"Why didn't you ask him for one of his shirts to wear?"

"Because I don't care about being shirtless. I like this body and I work hard to make it look like this. Plus, I don't get to show it off nearly as much as I'd like to." He smirks .

"Doesn't Tucker care?"

"Are you asking if he's jealous?" His smirk widens even more.

"No, but I'm sure he doesn't want Skylar seeing you half naked."

"Eh, he doesn't care. Skylar's seen me completely naked so many times over the years. This isn't even going to phase her." He rubs his chest and I happily follow the movement.

I settle back into the swing and try to relax while Colt gently glides us back and forth. His arm is still draped over my shoulder, hugging me against his side, but I don't try to get away from him.

I feel safe right now. I know he'll protect me from whatever danger might come my way. This is probably the most relaxed I've been since I met Jimmy.

"Talk to me, Les. What's going on?" He strokes his fingers up and down my arm, relaxing me even more.

"Can you drop it? For tonight at least? I just want to pretend none of this is happening. Ok?" I peer up at him.

"For tonight. But we both know I'm not letting it go. Correct?"

"Yeah, I know." I sigh, staring out at the bright stars filling the black sky .

"I'm always available to talk to, just so you know." He pulls me even closer until my head is resting against his chest and he kisses the top of my head.

I've never felt so loved and protected as I do right now, but this won't last. Some other woman is going to snag his attention and I'll be left all alone again.

"Are you falling asleep on me, sweetheart?" Colt peers down at me.

"No, but this is the most relaxed I've been in a long time," I say softly.

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, my cheeks heat with embarrassment. I sound so desperate. So clingy.

"Good. I have to admit, I'm enjoying this too." He chuckles quietly.

The door swings open a few minutes later and Skylar steps out onto the porch. She smiles when she sees me and her face lights up with amusement.

"I was wondering where you went, Colt. Why are you guys out here?"

"Eh, I wanted a little alone time with this beautiful woman." Colt winks at me, letting me know he isn't going to tell Sky what's going on.

"Ok, well, dinner is ready."

"Awesome. We'll be right in." Colt nods his head, holding me in place until Skylar disappears inside.

We both stand and Colt tugs me into his arms, wrapping the blanket around both of us. He watches me carefully for a few moments.

"You can trust me, Les. I'm a good friend and a great listener. You just need to let me in."

My mind drifts to what it would be like to let someone completely in. Sure, Ollie knows my past and has helped me work through that, but I haven't told him everything that's happened over the years. He doesn't know how it still plagues me today.

Skylar knows I was abused by my ex, but that's it. She knows I moved to get away from him, but nothing else.

"I don't know if I can do that," I whisper.

"I understand." His tone is full of sadness and that kills me. I don't want him to think it has anything to do with him, but what am I supposed to say?

Colton releases me from his arms and takes two steps back. He watches me for a moment before spinning around and reaching for the door handle.

"Colt, wait." I grab his forearm and spin him to face me. I take a deep breath and try to collect my thoughts .

"You're not even living. You don't let anyone in and you're not building any relationships. You might not realize it, but he's still controlling your life so much. He's still able to keep you withdrawn from others and stuck in a house all alone. Stop giving him this control over your life, Zoey. Start living. Make friends. Date. Do something that would piss the fucker off and start living your damn life."

Ollie's words from earlier play over and over again in my head. He's right. I can't keep everyone at a distance or I'll never live life the way I want to. I want a supportive group of friends like what Skylar has. People who will love me and will be there for me no matter what.

"Please… don't give up on me. I just need time. I'm not used to letting people in."

"Why?" He searches my eyes, looking for something he won't find. I'm so used to hiding behind a mask, even if I didn't want to, I'm not sure I could turn it off.

I drop my gaze to his chest. I don't know how to be this vulnerable with another person. "Because for a very long time, I couldn't trust anyone enough to let them in."

He grips my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting until I'm forced to meet his gorgeous green eyes .

"Do you trust me, sweetheart?" He slides his hand until he's cupping my cheek again and softly grazes the pad of his thumb over my skin.

"Sadly," I whisper.

"Why is that sad?" He tilts his head to the side and examines me.

"Because I'm not sure I should. I barely know you." I lift one shoulder into a pathetic shrug.

"Well, that sounds like we need to become best friends." The grin that spreads across his face is so adorable. "C'mon, sweetheart, let's go in for dinner before Riley comes to find us and starts yelling at me." He rolls his eyes and holds his hand out to me. I take it without a second thought and follow him inside.