19. Colt
Chapter 19
Colt
F or the first time in nearly two weeks, I got permission from Mrs. Daniels to leave the house by myself. Eli was out for the day with Mr. Daniels who needed help picking up a few new calves. I was a bit sad to see him leave that morning, but also a little thankful for the time alone. It had been quite a while without a moment to myself.
So, naturally, I pulled my sorry ass up into my truck and headed back to the Baker Ranch. There was someone I needed to talk to, to try to explain myself. Although I wasn’t sure what I was going to say just yet.
When I pulled up onto the Baker Ranch, I didn’t see anyone around. I drove the truck back to my apartment, intent on cleaning it up a little after my all-night fuck session with Eli. It had been a couple of days since then and if I wasn’t mistaken, I think I still had very old, stale pizza in the mini-fridge. I still planned on going back to the Daniel’s place even though I really didn’t need to. My ribs were healing up well, but being close to him and his family felt almost like home. I didn’t want to give that up just yet.
Stepping out of my truck, the Texas heat hit me like a wave. I tipped my hat down, blocking out the sun as I stepped inside the apartment. The place was a mess, just like we’d left it, so I figured it would probably be best to clean up a bit. The last thing I wanted was the Baker’s thinking I was a terrible guest.
My mind wandered back to Eli as I worked. I thought about the way his lips felt against mine, soft yet demanding. The memory of his hands roaming my body sent a shiver down my spine, even in the sweltering heat. And his cock… my God his gorgeous, perfect, pierced cock. I shook my head, trying to focus on the task at hand. I had to reach down and adjust myself, my jeans getting far too tight.
As I was tossing out the old pizza and wiping down the counters, I heard the crunch of gravel outside. My heart leapt, wondering if it was Eli, but then I remembered he was out with his father. Curious, I peeked out the window to see Caroline Baker climbing out of her beat-up pickup truck.
She spotted me and waved, her long braid swinging as she walked towards the apartment. I stepped outside to meet her, squinting in the bright sunlight.
“Well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence,” Caroline sneered, but there was no venom in her voice.
“Hey Caroline,” I said, tipping my hat to her and trying to remain calm. “Figured it was about time I showed my face around here again.”
She looked me up and down, her brown eyes narrowing. She knew damn well she’d caught me and Eli out in the pasture the other night. “You look better. Guess that Daniels boy’s been takin' good care of ya.”
I felt my cheeks flush, remembering exactly how Eli had been taking care of me. “They've all been real hospitable,” I managed to say.
Caroline snorted. “I bet.” She glanced past me into the apartment. “Place looks like a damn tornado hit it. You cleanin' up or makin' more of a mess?”
“Cleaning,” I said, gesturing to the trash bag in my hand. “Figured I should at least make it look presentable before I head back to the Daniels'.”
She raised an eyebrow. “So, you're goin' back?” She nodded knowingly. “I guess he has been takin’ real good care of you. From the looks of ya the other night, in more ways than one.”
I felt my face grow even hotter, but I couldn't deny it. There was no point in trying to hide anything from Caroline - she had a knack for seeing right through people. Of course, she knew who I really was, but that didn’t mean I’d ever let her see it before.
“Look, Caroline,” I started, rubbing the back of my neck nervously. “About the other night...”
She held up a hand, cutting me off. “Save it, cowboy. What you and Eli get up to ain't none of my business.” She paused, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Though I gotta say, it's about damn time someone lit a fire under your ass. You’ve been sulkin’ around here like a rooster with his tail feathers plucked ever since you got back from the circuit.”
I couldn't help but chuckle at her colorful description. “Yeah, well, he's... something else.”
Caroline's expression softened a bit. “I’m glad you found someone to be yourself with,” she said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I know things have been tough for you and talkin’ with me ain’t the same as havin’ the real thing.”
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. Caroline had always been able to see right through me, even when I was trying my damnedest to hide it. She knew everything about me. Out of everyone in my life, I knew she’d understand that most. “Thanks,” I managed to croak out.
She squeezed my shoulder before letting go. “Just don't you go breakin' his heart, you hear? Eli may be a city slicker now, but he's still one of us.”
“I won't,” I promised, meaning it with every fiber of my being.
“And don’t you let him break yours either,” she added. “I don’t need you even more broken than you already are.”
Caroline's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. I nodded, unable to find the right words to respond. She was right, of course. I was broken in more ways than one, and letting Eli in meant risking even more pain. But somehow, the thought of not being with him hurt even worse.
“I'll be careful,” I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Caroline studied me for a moment, her eyes softening. “You really like him, don't you?”
I felt my cheeks flush again, but I held her gaze. “Yeah, I do.”
She let out a low whistle. “Well, I'll be damned. Never thought I'd see the day when Colt Dawson fell for someone, let alone Eli Daniels.”
I couldn't help but chuckle. “Trust me, I'm just as surprised as you are.”
“Well, I’m proud of you for puttin’ yourself out there.”
We stood there for a moment, both of us trying to figure out what to say.
“Caroline… there was somethin’ I wanted to tell you.”
She looked up. “Yeah?”
“I…” I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak. “I’m gay.”
Her eyebrow lifted, because of course, she already knew. But the weight of the situation seemed to settle in after a moment and I could see the realization dawn on her face.
“I’ve never heard you say that out loud before,” she replied, smiling. “I’m mighty proud of you Colt.”
I felt a weight lift off my chest as Caroline's words sank in. She'd known for years, of course, but saying it out loud to her felt like a milestone. I let out a shaky breath, relief washing over me.
“Thanks, Caroline,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “I... I've been wantin' to tell you for a long time. Just never had the guts.”
She punched my arm playfully. “Well, better late than never, you big dummy. Now, you gonna invite me in for a cold one or what? It's hotter than a billy goat's ass in a pepper patch out here.”
I laughed, grateful for her ability to lighten the mood. “Sure thing. Just don't mind the mess. I'm still cleanin' up.”
We headed inside, and I grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge. Caroline plopped down on the new couch, kicking her boots up on the coffee table like she’d lived there all along. I handed her a beer and sat down next to her, taking a long swig of my own.
“So,” she said, eyeing me over the rim of her bottle. “You and Eli, huh? How'd that happen?”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Honestly? I'm still tryin' to figure that out myself. One minute we're arguin' like we always do, and the next...” I trailed off, remembering the intensity of that first kiss.
Caroline smirked. “The next you're rollin' around in the hay like a couple of horny teenagers?”
“Something like that,” I admitted, feeling my face flush. “It's... different with him though. I've never felt this way before about anyone. Or at least I didn’t let myself feel anything.”
She nodded, her expression growing serious. “Just be careful, Colt. Eli's been through a lot lately with that mess in Dallas. And you...” She paused, taking a swig of her beer. “Well, you ain't exactly been in the best place yourself.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I know. Believe me, I know. But being with him... it feels right, Caroline. For the first time in a long time, I feel like maybe I can be myself.”
She studied me for a moment. “Alright then,” she said finally. “Just promise me you'll take it slow. And if you need anything - and I mean anything - you come to me, you hear?”
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Thanks, Caroline. I mean it.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Caroline sat up, nearly spilling her beer. “I forgot to give you this,” she said, pulling a letter out of her back pocket. “It came for you yesterday. Looks like it’s from the rodeo circuit down in Houston.”
I felt my stomach drop as I took the letter from Caroline. The rodeo circuit. I hadn't heard from them since my last accident, when the doctors had warned me that one more bad fall could end my career - or worse. Had they found out? Was I being forced to retire?
With shaking hands, I tore open the envelope. Caroline watched me intently as I unfolded the letter and began to read.
“Well?” she prompted after a moment. “What's it say?”
I let out a long breath. “They want me back,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “There's a big event coming up in Houston in two weeks. They're offering me a spot as a featured rider.”
Caroline's eyes widened. “Colt, that's amazing! This could be your chance to get back in the game, show everyone you've still got it.”
I nodded, but I couldn't shake the knot of anxiety forming in my gut. My ribs were still busted, and two weeks wasn’t enough for them to fully heal.
I stared at the letter, my mind racing. The opportunity was incredible - a chance to prove myself again, to show everyone I wasn't washed up. But the risks...
“Colt?” Caroline's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost.”
I swallowed hard, trying to find the words. “It's just... the doctors, after my last accident. They said one more bad fall could...” I trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Caroline's expression softened. “Could end it all,” she finished for me. “I remember.”
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Two weeks ain't enough time for my ribs to heal proper. If I go out there now...”
“You'd be takin' a hell of a risk,” Caroline said, her voice low and serious.
We sat in silence for a long moment, my mind racing. A part of me wanted to ride again, to show the world that Colt Dawson was invincible. But at the same time, now that I had Eli, I didn’t want to lose him. And I knew he’d never forgive me for getting back on a bull after all the warnings I’d been given. But was it enough to give up my dreams for? I recalled what he said and turned to Caroline.
“Do you need a full-time teacher here?” I asked, furrowing my brows.
“I could use one,” she nodded, a sly smile spreading over her face as she caught on. “One that would help me expand my business into the riding side of things.”
I folded the letter up neatly, tucked it back into its envelope, and then tore it in half, tossing it onto the coffee table. Leaning back, I kicked my feet up and took a long swig of my beer.
“Well, looks like your business just got a little bigger,” I said.
Caroline just smiled, clinking her bottle against mine. “I guess it did. Happy to have you here.”
“Me too.”