30. Colt
CHAPTER THIRTY
colt
The only grocery store in Citrus Cove was a tiny evergreen building on the corner of Main Street that had been here as long as I could remember. The paint on the asphalt was faded, barely marking the lines for parking spaces. They had at least changed out the lights recently, so even though it was gray and stormy and cold, the lights were bright enough to keep everything lit.
Last night was perfect. We all watched a silly movie, and enjoyed sheet masks, and I'd gotten to hang out with the boys more. Emma and Haley made cocktails while Cam and I enjoyed a beer. It was the perfect end to the day after the two of us were stuck in a seemingly never-ending meeting, and Sarah’s scare at the café.
But knowing Sammy had been with her the whole time calmed me down. Knowing she was safe and loved made me feel better.
It was going to storm all day today, and I worried about snow over the weekend. Or even worse, ice. I was gonna stock up on groceries in case things got bad .
It looked like everyone else in Citrus Cove had the same damn idea. It was Saturday so that added to the crowds.
I pulled out my phone and shot Sammy and Sarah a text to our group chat.
Me : Morning, sugar and princess. How was your date?
Princess Sammy : I’m going to get you back for calling me princess.
I smirked.
Me : You can try
My phone dinged and a photo came through. I damn near dropped my phone, all my blood rushing to my cock.
It was a selfie of Sarah in bed with Sammy, his hand around her throat. Their hair was mussed, his lips tugged into a smirk and her eyes glazed over with lust.
Me : I’m about to walk into the grocery store and now I can’t even remember my name
I could hear their giggles from here.
The One That Could Be Ours : Three-way date this Saturday?
Me : Yes, please. I’m picking up groceries in case Texas shuts down from the pending cold. Text me if y’all need anything
Princess Sammy : I placed an order I’m picking up later for us, but maybe grab necessities? TP, hot chocolate, firewood if there is any left
I grinned.
Me : Alright. Be good, see you in a bit
I slipped my phone in my pocket and got out of my truck. I beelined for the front doors and grabbed a basket, weaving around the people darting in and out. I headed straight for the firewood and found that it was disappearing into baskets as quickly as the stocker could put it out.
I grabbed a couple packs and headed for the hot chocolate aisle. Sammy was kind of bougie with his taste, so I considered getting the powder in a glass bottle.
I frowned, trying to decide between that and the regular packets.
“Colton?”
Ice froze every muscle in my body, panic clawing at my chest.
“Colton? Is that you?”
Don’t turn around. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck ? —
I felt my father’s gaze on me as he stepped closer. I finally looked up, my heart thumping wildly.
“What do you want?” I reached for the bottle of hot chocolate powder, holding onto it like it was some powerful stone or source of strength because, god, my knees felt fucking weak.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen my dad, but running into him in the grocery store was not how I pictured reconnecting.
His eyes filled with tears. “I just… I don’t know if Hunter Harlow told you, but?—”
“He told me. And I told him my father wants nothing to do with me.”
“That’s not true,” he breathed out.
Fuck, he looked old.
“I’ve changed,” he said. “I know what I did was wrong, and I’m sorry. I wasn’t good to you. I’m so sorry, Colton.”
My eyes pricked but I bit back the tears. “I’m not interested in what you have to say, John. I’ve lived my whole adult life without you. I don’t know why you’re trying now.”
I started to push past him, but he grabbed hold of my arm. I yanked myself free, fighting the way my vision dotted. The cold, clawing panic made me feel like a child again.
“Don’t ever fucking touch me again.” I met his teary gaze. “Ever. Do you fucking understand? ”
“Can we please talk?” he pleaded. “I just want to know you. I want to know my son. I’ve changed, Colt. I’ve changed.”
“If I want to talk to you, I’ll find you,” I said.
He took a step back with a dejected nod. This man used to scare the shit out of me. He used to raise his hand and I’d flinch. He used to look at me and I’d feel every muscle in my entire body tense up.
Now he just looked old and frail.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“Your words mean nothing to me.”
Before he could say anything else, I grabbed my basket and steered out of the aisle. I practically ran to the toilet paper, grabbed a big pack, and then fought my way to self checkout. Sweat rolled down my neck and every minute in line was a minute in hell. By the time I finally got out to my truck, I felt like I’d run a fucking marathon.
I slammed my door closed and every muscle collapsed. I leaned my forehead against the steering wheel, breathing in. Out. In. Out.
“Fuck.” My vision blurred with tears. Seeing him had been so unexpected, which was stupid. It was a small town, I was just really good about avoiding him.
I needed to get to the house and check the pipes. Then I needed to check over Sarah’s house, even though she didn’t ask.
Autopilot kicked in. I blinked and was pulling up behind Sammy’s car in Sarah’s driveway. The front door flew open and I was met with Sarah.
Her smile melted into concern. “What happened, baby?”
My breath hitched. “I saw my dad,” I whispered.
Sarah’s eyes widened. She reached for my hand, tugging me into the foyer and shutting the door behind us. Then, she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.
“Cam took the boys to school and Emma is upstairs working. Sammy is here too,” she whispered against my chest.
I nodded, inhaling her sweet scent. It had become a warm, comforting blanket to me. I heard footsteps and glanced up as Sammy came around the corner.
Sarah looked up at him. “He saw his dad.”
“Oh shit.”
Sammy tugged us into his all-encompassing arms and I somehow ended up in the middle of the two of them. I blinked back tears, taking a shuddering breath.
“I just didn’t expect it,” I said. “He looked so fucking old.”
“I’m sorry,” Sammy murmured, kissing the top of my head.
I sniffled. “I feel better with both of you.”
“Good,” Sarah whispered. “I work a late shift again today. Come cuddle on the couch.”
“I need to check your pipes.”
She flashed me a teasing grin and I snorted.
“Sarah Bently. Not like that .”
“Okay, but…”
I shook my head as the three of us took to the couch. I ended up in the middle again. I leaned against Sammy and Sarah leaned against me.
There was so much comfort in just being in their presence. I was finally coming down from the panic. “He said he was sorry and that he’d changed,” I said.
Sammy let out a soft hum. “Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know.” I sighed. “I need to think about it.”
“Well, whatever you decide, we support you,” Sarah said.
“Thank you.”
“What I don’t support is you surprise-buying me new shoes,” she said, poking my side.
I grinned. “Sugar, that’s not negotiable. Sorry.”
Sammy chuckled. “I agree with Colt. Not sorry. ”
“I can’t take being spoiled this way.”
“Tough.” I kissed the top of her head and the three of us relaxed. “Tell me about your date.”
“If I tell you, I’ll want to go upstairs, and Emma is here,” Sarah teased.
“Come on. Just whisper in my ear.”
“I’ll tell him,” Sammy said, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “First I ate her out, then I used her rose toy while I fisted her.”
My mouth fell open. I grabbed his hand and splayed out his fingers. “This big-ass hand?”
Sarah giggled, hiding her face as her cheeks turned pink.
“That has to be an Olympic record.” The two of them laughed harder and I shook my head, simply amazed. “I’d like to see this happen some time. For personal reasons.”
“I think we can do that.” Sarah slid her hand into mine.
“We definitely can,” Sammy agreed, flexing his hand. “When it warms up, the three of us should have a picnic at the Harlow tree.”
I smiled. The Harlow tree was famous in Citrus Cove. It was a mysterious place that was whispered about amongst locals.
It was literally just an old oak tree. But it had names and hearts carved in the bark from all of those who’d fallen in love in the Harlow family, stretching all the way back to when the farm was started.
Last year, when Haley and Cam got married, they added their initials to the tree.
“Do you think the tree has room for three initials?” I teased.
“Sure it does. I already know the spot.”
Sarah and I looked at him. “You already picked out a spot?” she asked .
His dimples flashed. “Yeah, angel. And there is enough space for the boys to add their initials too if they wanted one day.”
Her eyes filled with tears and so did mine.
“Such a fucking romantic,” I mumbled, breaking the tension. “When did you have time to pick out the spot?”
He hesitated. Now it was his turn for his cheeks to turn pink. “The night I picked up Sarah, I decided to swing by the farm. I didn’t tell anyone, but I walked the vineyard up to the tree. And picked out a spot, telling myself it was stupid because both of you were off-limits.”
“That was in the middle of the night,” Sarah said.
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep with two sexy, beautiful, amazing people on my mind. Ended up staying the night at my parents’ because Pops found me. I think they’ve been waiting to know who I was interested in.”
“Surely they know by now,” I said.
He shrugged. “Maybe? If Hunter or someone else told them.”
“Maybe we should tell them…” Sarah trailed off. “Unless you think it’s too soon. Which is fine if?—”
“I’ll tell him,” he said with a nod. “Does Honey know?”
“I think she does, but I’ll talk to her too.”
Sammy ran his fingers through my hair, rubbing my head. “Maybe you can come with me.”
“You want me to?” I asked.
“My parents love you. I think they’d like to know.”
“Okay.” I was suddenly nervous again, but for completely different reasons.
“We don’t need to do anything today,” Sarah said, squeezing my knee.
“I think I just need to relax today,” I said. “Seeing my dad fucked with me some. I’ve successfully avoided him for years, so running into him wasn’t expected. Also, I still need to check your pipes. It’s going to get super cold.”
“The cold may miss us,” Sarah said. “But I won’t argue with you about it. I need to start getting ready for work.”
“Maybe we can both go with you today,” Sammy said.
“You don’t need to,” Sarah sighed. “No one will attack me during the middle of a shift. Too many people.”
Sammy and I immediately shook our heads. “Sorry, sugar. You’re stuck with one of us until David is found. And Sammy, you still need to make some calls about your home insurance and apartment and all that...”
He sighed dramatically. “Yeah, I do.”
“So I’ll check the pipes, Sarah will get ready for work, and Sammy will do that.”
Both of them groaned dramatically. I grinned and grabbed ahold of Sarah’s face, planting a kiss on her lips. Then I turned and did the same to Sammy.
I’d take all the kisses and bits of normal routine with them I could get.