8. Colt
CHAPTER EIGHT
colt
I ticked through my mental checklist for the day as I pulled into the cafe parking lot. I wanted breakfast and some hot coffee, and I needed to drive out with Cam to a lumber yard to meet a builder.
Our new location was going to be pristine. It was also going to cost a lot of fucking money, but I’d have everything I needed to start making the best wine and ciders in the damn state. Losing the old barn had set us back, but it had also given us all some time to rest and figure out what we wanted for the future.
Cam and I hatched a plan to not only reopen the winery, but expand bottling and distribution. It was a little ambitious, but it would open up new avenues for us. And I liked the idea of our little business being in local stores and ending up on dinner tables.
I pulled my truck into the parking lot and frowned. Sarah’s car wasn’t here, which was weird for a Friday morning. In the most non-stalker way possible, I knew her schedule better than my own.
Sunshine burned through the gray clouds that gathered in the distance, the air crisp. We had a couple more possible cold fronts, and potentially a snow storm. Everyone was anxious this time of year, since the storm on Valentine’s Day four years ago. All the cedar and oak trees had frozen and many snapped, damaging the power lines, roofs, and more. We’d all been stuck at home because not a single Texan motherfucker knew how to drive on ice, myself included.
I stepped through the cafe door and inhaled the savory scent of bacon and potatoes. My mouth watered and I spotted Alice waving at me.
“Pick a seat, Colt.”
“Thanks, Alice,” I said.
All the locals were here this morning and I nodded at a few people as I slid into a booth by the windows. I frowned as I looked out at the street, spotting Sammy’s car backing into a parking spot.
He didn’t usually come here. At least, not often.
“Hey, Colt.”
I whipped my head around and my heart jumped in my chest as Sarah sat a mug of hot coffee down in front of me. She smiled, the sunlight haloing her dark hair and lashes.
Fuck, she was so pretty. I couldn’t speak.
She raised a brow. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I said, clearing my throat. “You look good, is all.”
Her gaze flickered, her cheeks flushing.
Then she looked up and smiled again.
But it wasn’t for me, that was for damn sure.
I turned and watched Sammy Harlow wave through the window and came inside.
“I’ll be back,” she said quickly.
She left before I could say anything else. I found myself gripping my coffee mug, the heat stinging my palm through the ceramic. Sarah went to meet him, and the two of them stepped to the side. I shuffled in my seat and strained my neck so I could still see them.
I could see the way he leaned against the wall.
The way she smiled up at him.
The way he looked at her.
What the fuck is happening?
Sarah pulled keys out of her apron pocket and reluctantly gave the set to him. He grinned at her as he took them, her laugh ringing through the cafe.
My heart was going to burst out of my chest. Jealousy was greasier than the breakfast burritos being cooked up in the kitchen.
His gaze lifted, landing on me.
Maybe he was just being friendly with her. Maybe…
She said something and started to turn, but he caught her hand and landed a kiss on her knuckles. Sarah blushed, her eyes going wide as she stepped away and rushed toward the back of the cafe.
What.
The.
Fuck.
Sammy Harlow was hitting on my girl.
Sammy, the guy I’d grown up with. The brother of my best friend. Someone I trusted.
He looked up at me again and pressed his lips together, weaving through the tables. He slid into the booth across from me.
“What the fuck?” I whispered.
He sighed. “Listen, Colt. I planned to talk to you.”
“You know I love her.”
Sammy scowled, his dark brows drawing together. His eyes weren’t bright blue, but dark and stormy. I saw an ember of anger there too. “I haven’t done anything wrong. If you love her, why haven’t you asked her out? Why haven’t you done anything?”
“Because she’s been recovering from an abusive relationship with an alcoholic who has a serial killer brother. Maybe that’s why, Sammy .”
His jaw ticked. A few people glanced at us and I sensed the gossip mill begin to turn. Fuck. I needed to keep my voice down.
“For the record, I’m here to get Sarah’s keys because her car broke down. I helped her out on my drive home last night. And also, for the record, tomorrow was never supposed to be a date. I invited the boys too.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I seethed.
Sammy leaned forward. “Sarah and I are going out tomorrow.”
“You’re a coward for telling me this in a room full of people and not in the parking lot where I can beat the shit out of you.”
Sammy rolled his eyes. “Last time we fought, I put you on your knees. Don’t you remember, Hayes?”
My mouth fell open, rage bubbling up. I was about to say something when a voice echoed nearby.
“That’s her. That’s the wife.”
“Yeah, what a fucking whore. She should be in jail. It’s all her fault, according to that article. She’s the one who wanted all those women dead.”
I immediately twisted in my seat and Sammy’s attention shifted to follow. A man and woman were seated at a table, both of them eyeing Sarah with disdain as she put food out for another group. The woman had short copper hair, a fake tan, and about ten thousand rings on her fingers. The man was tall and well-built, balding, and had a face that annoyed me.
“She should be in jail too,” the woman sneered. “I can’t believe they let her walk free. ”
Whatever shit had come up between Sammy and I vanished as I stood up and he flanked beside me.
Sarah passed by the table, and the man grabbed a hold of her wrist and yanked her. She spun around and slapped him, her eyes widening.
“You bitch!” the woman shouted. “How dare you slap my husband? You psychotic whore!”
Sammy and I moved faster than two rattlesnakes. Sarah yelped as I pulled her to the side and out of the way. Sammy snatched the man’s hand and twisted, pinning him down on the table. Coffee sloshed out of their mugs as the table rocked.
“You’re fucking crazy,” the woman snarled. “Let him go. He didn’t do anything!”
“Apologize to her right now,” Sammy said. “We both saw you grab her. We heard you talking.”
“Everyone in this town is fucking crazy,” the woman said.
The man Sammy had pinned down growled. “I’m not apologizing to that bitch. All those women are dead because of her. It’s all her damn fault. Haven’t you seen the news?”
Sarah grabbed onto my forearm. I could feel her shaking. I pulled her face against my chest. I slid my hand to the back of her head, keeping her safe.
The woman looked up at us, her eyes focusing on Sarah with a malice that scared the shit out of me.
“Get the fuck out.” Alice pushed past us. “Get out of my cafe or I’ll call the sheriff. No one harasses my waitress. Out. Now .”
Sammy yanked the guy to his feet and shoved him hard. He stumbled back and hit the floor with a sneer. The woman jumped up, scoffing.
“Why would you employ a murderer? She had to know what they were doing. She had to.”
“Get the fuck out,” Alice repeated .
“You heard her,” Sammy said. “Leave.”
Her eyes locked on Sarah again. “Stupid whore. She should be dead for what she did. Your boys should be locked up too. Whole family is cursed and goin’ to hell.”
Alice started to untie her apron. “I’m going to give you five seconds,” she said calmly.
The two of them stalked out, casting dark glances our way. Everyone else in the cafe looked around, eyes wide. Quiet murmurs began, but Alice waved her hands to calm them.
“Go back to eating, folks. All is well.” She spun around and lowered her voice. “Go get their license plate,” she hissed.
Sammy nodded and went to the window, looking out at the small gray Toyota they climbed into. He rattled the numbers off and Alice nodded, writing them down. “We need a few minutes with Sarah,” I said to Alice.
She pressed her lips in concern. “Are you okay, Sarah?”
“I will be,” Sarah said.
Alice nodded. “I’m here for whatever you need. There’s a break room in the back.”
Sarah trembled against me as I held onto her, guiding her away from everyone. We made our way down a short hallway and into the break room. Sammy stormed in after us and shut the door behind him.
“I’m okay,” she breathed out.
I held her tighter, looking up at Sammy over the top of her head. I’d never seen him like this before. His muscles were stiff, the vein in his forehead ticking. He rolled his shoulders and closed his eyes for a moment, visibly taking a deep breath.
“I’m sorry that happened,” he said, looking at her.
“I don’t know what article they were talking about,” she whispered. “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t know. I only found out this morning about David being out.”
“We know,” I said softly. “We know that. ”
“They were assholes,” Sammy said, stepping closer. “I’m sorry he grabbed you. I’m sorry she said those terrible things. Are you okay?”
“I just didn’t expect it.” She breathed out. “I slapped him.”
“Yeah, and he deserved it,” I said.
“He did,” Sammy agreed.
Sarah nodded, letting out another deliberately slow breath. She tucked a stray wave behind her ear. “I’m okay. They really caught me off guard.”
“Have you ever seen them before?” Sammy asked.
“No,” she said. “They aren’t locals. I haven’t seen them in the cafe before, that’s for sure. I think I’d recognize her again.”
I nodded. I made a mental note of what they both looked like.
“I’m okay.” Sarah was still shaking, but her voice sounded more steady now. Her eyes darted between us as she seemed to realize the same thing I did.
The room was small. Really small. Sammy and I were large, broad-shouldered guys. We were cramped close, her body pressed against mine and nearly against his too. She was still in my arms, with Sammy on the other side of her.
The tension between the three of us was hotter than a sweltering summer day.
“Colt, let me go,” she whispered.
I immediately released her as if I’d been stung by a wasp. I took a step back, sliding my hands in my pockets as she hugged herself.
Fuck, I hated seeing her upset. I hated seeing her shut down.
Sammy blew out a breath, raking his fingers through his hair. “Alright. Can I be honest?”
Sarah frowned, looking up at him. “Yeah.”
He looked at me.
“Yeah,” I muttered.
“This isn’t the right time to say this, but I’m going to anyway,” Sammy said. “I want to be able to see Sarah without worrying about what’s happening between the two of you. I care about you both. We haven’t even gone on a date or even really talked about if that’s what we’re doing, but I’m not risking friendships.”
Her mouth fell open and she turned to look at me. “Are you giving him trouble?”
I felt like the bad guy now. Every muscle tensed. “I…”
“Colt, you and I have been done for years . In fact, we were never even a thing.”
Sammy winced. “Okay, I might have misread. Maybe forget what I just said?”
“No,” she snapped, her eyes laser focused on me now. I felt like I could melt into the floor and never get back up. “I haven’t done anything like this in so long and you are the last person I’m going to let stand in the way.”
“I’m not trying to get in the way,” I said. “Sarah, I’ve wanted you for years.”
“Then ask me out!” she yelled, throwing her hands up. “Colton Hayes, you drive me fucking nuts. First, you show up on my wedding day and try to stop me. And now here you are again, getting in the way of something that might not even happen, and you’re embarrassing me.”
“I’m not trying to embarrass you,” I breathed out. “I just?—”
“Stop,” she said. “Just stop. I need to get out of here. I feel like I can’t breathe. I have to get back to work.”
She pushed past Sammy and fled the office, slamming the door shut. I stood there like an idiot.
I’d watched her walk away.
Again.
I’d fucked it up with her.
Again.
“Colt,” Sammy whispered. “I’m not trying to hurt you.”
“I wish you would. It would hurt less than watching her run from me again.”
“ Colt .”
I took him in for a moment, his presence and the worry I saw on his pretty face. I wanted to punch him. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to fight him or fuck him or something .
Without another word, I pushed past him and hurried out of the cafe. I didn’t know what I needed or what I was supposed to do.
Everything always unraveled when I was around her.