Page 108 of Worth the Fall
He raised an eyebrow as if to say, “I have to apologize.”
“It’s over and done with, and I’m ready to have fun with you again,” I said, pushing myself to sit up more.
“Your mother has been stealin’ from you, Ally. The things she said…” he responded, almost sternly. “I can’t just move on from that.”
Jo’s words echoed in my head,“He’s always been as stubborn as a mule, but sweetie, he would do anythin’ you ask.”
I took Colton’s head in my hands and rubbed his cheek, feeling a hint of stubble on my fingertips. “Ineedyou to move on, for me.”
That did it. He put his hand on my arm and nodded sternly, as if he was convincing himself that’s what was right.
I knew he was probably drained after the trailer house and a physically exhausting, terrible ride. “Will you lie with me? Just for a little while?”
Colton seemed to light up at the idea. “Let me get out of my dusty pants really quick, and I’ll be right back.” He bounded out and closed the curtain behind him.
I pulled back the covers, ready for his warm presence beside me.
Colton was back in less than two minutes, wearing gym shorts and a vintage Wrangler shirt.
I frowned at his shirt.
He looked down at it, confused.
“I was just hoping to see your abs again,” I blurted out. I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to stop anything else from escaping my lips.
Colton actually laughed out loud. “Is that right?”
I just stared back at him, my traitor of a mouth still covered.
“Whatever helps you feel better,” he said with a cocky shrug. He peeled his shirt off and tossed it to the ground, now naked from the waist up. “Your turn.”
My eyes widened in surprise.
“I am just kiddin’!” Colton said as quickly as he could. “Gosh, that was a horrible joke. My bad, I’m really sorry.”
I laughed back at him, and suddenly it was like we were in his bathroom back in Oklahoma all over again. Staring at each other, not able to stop laughing. Soon, I was wiping tears from my eyes and gasping for breath. Colton was bending over, his hands on his knees, as we dissolved into hysterics.
It was an absolute explosion of emotions after all that happened today, and it felt so good.
There was a bang on the wall, and then Jimmy hollered, “Some of us are tryin’ to sleep here, ya wild hyenas!”
Of course, that was not helpful to the situation and made Colton and me make eye contact again and laugh even harder.
After a few minutes, when my ribs were sore and my cheeks physically hurt, we finally caught our breath and started to calm down.
Colton peeled back the covers and climbed in, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me against his bare chest.
It felt like heaven, his heartbeat echoing in my ears and his strong arms keeping me close.
The image of his ride, how close his head had gotten to hitting the metal pole, was replaying over and over again in myhead.
I was nauseous all over again.
I didn’t know how much more of this I could take.
Two more rides.
Stephenville, Texas, The Cowboy Capital of the World.
