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“Well, I didn’t expect you would get tested for Paternity. Luke is waiting at the hospital.”
“I see.” He mumbles. I continue to twist my hands together as I chew on my inner lip watching the world pass me by in a blur out the truck window.
Colton parks the truck, turning the ignition off. He sits quietly staring out the window. “You don’t have to do this, Colton. I’ll understand if you ain’t ready.” I lie. I won’t understand, but I don’t want him to be pained any more than necessary. He removes the keys from the ignition before climbing out the truck. I open the door to climb out on my own, but he takes my hand in his, helping me down gently. When my feet touch the ground I expect him to pull his hand away, but he laces our fingers together and walks with me inside the hospital. We take the elevator up to the fourth floor. Luke is already seated in the lab waiting room piddlin’ on his phone. He smiles at me as I walk passed him, but when he sees Colton on my heels he sits up a little straighter and his smile fades. I sign us in at the receptionist desk then take a seat next to Luke. He gives me a one armed hug, glancing up at Colton who is leaning against the wall.
Within minutes, we are called back and the Phlebotomists explains the testing procedure and the results to us. I go first, so I can find my quick escape thereafter. Don’t need to see any blood-drawn, or shed…however it may be. Luke comes to the waiting room next, taking his seat next to me.
“How ya hangin’ in there, beauts?”
“I’m okay, Luke. Thanks for being here for me and the baby.”
He smiles that charming smile as his baby blues twinkle back at me in adoration, “Done told ya angel, I’ll be there through the storm. Call me when you know the results, ‘kay?” He says as he stands to leave. Wrapping my hands around his neck I hug him tight, giving him the appreciation that he deserves. “You have no idea how thankful I am to have you in my life, Luke.” I whisper.
“Oh, by the way,” He says quietly. “When you have time, we need to talk about Savannah, ‘kay?”
“Savannah? Why?
“Another time, beauts.” He says. Just as I pull away from Luke’s embrace, Colton walks out and his eyes fall as he catches Luke’s hand around my waist. Luke steps toward him offering his hand, to which Colton shakes it and words are mumbled quietly. Luke clamps his hand down on Colton’s shoulder with two swift pats and Colton nods with a small smirk dancing across his face. Luke walks past me and out of the lab, leaving me stunned at the sight that just played out before me.
“Darlin’?” Colton says, tipping my chin up to look at him. “You okay?” his voice a husky grumble. I nod as he takes my hand in his and leads me out to the truck.
Making our way out onto the main road, Colton laces his shaky fingers through mine. I trace small circles on the side of his index finger with my thumb mindlessly. “Do you have other appointments today, work or medical related?” He asks, keeping his eyes trained on the road.
“No, just your normal day at the office…if you can call any day at Simon Energy, normal.” I joke, trying to free the tension between us.
“Do you have time to grab some lunch so we can talk?” The shakiness in his voice causes my heart to race.
“Uhm, yeah. That sounds nice.” I smile weakly at him. Colton veers the truck onto the I-64 West exit, heading to Lexington. He turns the stereo on for the remainder of the trip and the awkward silence begins to fade slowly. Pulling onto Man-O-War Boulevard, we pull into Rafferty’s, one of his favorite restaurants. There ain’t much in Williamstown in terms of good food and entertainment besides the Village Diner and the small ratty movie theatre.
Finding our way into the restaurant, the hostess seats us in a small corner near the large picture glass window. Colton’s hands are a trembling mess and sweat is starting to bead at the top of his forehead. The distress flowing from him causes my heart to palpitate. I pick up the menu trying to distract my thoughts from his obvious panic attack. He excuses himself for the restroom then returns with a flush face, but more calm. When he takes his seat he grips my hand in his, looking up at me through tortured eyes. “I can’t keep doin’ this.” My breathing hitches in my throat and I fight to find air to inhale as my lungs feel tight.
“You don’t have to do anything, Colton. We’ll be okay.” I glance down at my stomach trying to look away from him. I beg the tears to stay at bay, standing strong as he rejects me and turns both of our hearts cold and black. He shakes his head in frustration then scoots his chair closer to mine, turning me towards him. He takes a deep breath as he lays his hand against my stomach, pinching his eyes shut.
“I can’t keep closin’ you out, pretendin’ that you don’t exist. I’ve died a thousand deaths these last few weeks. I’d pray each night that death would carry me away, drownin’ me of my misery only to wake up the next mornin’ alone, empty and cold. But every mornin’ when I wake up, I’m still lovin’ you.” He rubs my stomach carelessly as he speaks through ragged breaths.
“What are you trying to say, Colton?” I whimper out silently. He grips his hand around my neck crashing his lips down onto mine, kissing me with a heated fervor that causes my head to spin. When he pulls back, his lips are swollen and his eyes are pleading.
“I can’t live without you. I see now that you made the same mistake that I made; a mistake that you had forgiven me for. I don’t care if that baby you are carryin’ is Ashton’s. It’s still a part of you and I will love that baby as much as I love Heidi Jo.” He brings my hands to his lips as he feathers delicate kisses across the top of my knuckles. “And if by some amazin’ blessin’ this baby is mine,” he pauses, his thick lips curl half a smirk, “damn, there just are no words. I can’t waste another second of my life without breathin’ you in each mornin’, baby. I can’t take another second without you in my arms. I feel like I’ve lost my damn mind, but I see things clearly now and I just can’t risk losin’ you over a mistake. Please. My God, Carly Jo, please tell me that I still stand a chance.”
Chapter 17
I rush the words out as quickly I can before I lose the confidence to say ‘em. Carly Jo sits with her mouth hung open wide, ready for a fly to land. Her eyes well up with tears as she stares at me, my undyin’ words of love for her soakin’ in. I can’t believe I’d ever turned my back on her, but I was a stupid jack ass and did just that.
“Say somethin’, anything baby, please.”
“I don’t know what to say. Holy hell, Colton, I swear I never in a million years meant to hurt you. I love you so much. I thought you had left me for good.” She wails through her words as the tears fall freely down her face. And this is the very reason I brought her to a public place to talk to her, hopin’ she’d ward off the tears and stand strong through the rollercoaster of emotions I’d pull her through.
To be honest I didn’t know what to expect; whether she’d be pissed, scared or just hurt. I didn’t
know whether to expect open arms or a cold goodbye. I rub the pads of my thumbs under her eyes as I shush her tears, pepperin’ feather-lite kisses over her face. Restin’ my forehead against hers, I lay my hand against her waist, feelin’ the barely there bump that is shapin’. “I love you, Carly Jo. I can’t ever run from that, no matter how hard I fight it. We belong together.” Tears escape my eyes as I look deep into her beautiful sunflower irises, into the soul of the amazin’ woman I love to the ends of the earth.
When we both are able to stow our emotions, we order dinner and eat quietly, holdin’ hands. I can’t keep my hands from havin’ even the slightest contact with her.
The drive back to Williamstown the world feels right with her tucked to my side, right where she’s supposed to be; where she shoulda been all this time. I don’t even bother with takin’ her to the mines to get her car. I take her home, where she belongs.
When I pull up the drive way, I put the truck in park shuttin’ the engine off. The light sound of Carly Jo snorin’ filters about the truck and I swear to God my heart skips a damn beat, seein’ her snuggled up next to me asleep. I pop the latch on the door climbin’ down from the cab of the truck, before scoopin’ her up in my arms and carryin’ her inside. I lay her on the bed, pullin’ the covers back before removin’ her heavy winter boots. She rubs her eyes as she stretches her arms and a sly, sleepy smile splays across her face. She is content right where she is, right where she belongs. Sleep finds her faster than I’d like, but I undress then crawl in bed beside her. Tuckin’ her to my side, I cross my arm under my head and stare at the ceiling deep in thought. I thank God that I finally see the big picture, and am on the right path of rightin’ my wrongs.
Sadly, it took that bitch ass punk, Luke Ashton to open my eyes, makin’ everything so vividly clear. Okay, so I’m not bein’ entirely fair here. Over the last several weeks I got to know Luke for the man he truly is.
