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Chapter Eleven
Colton
Pulling away from her dock was harder than I expected. The feelings I had around Sophie?her soft smile, cute comebacks and independent nature was appealing. Anytime I touched her it was not with lust but admiration. She made me feel strong but sensitive. Feelings I had in my past that I vowed to never feel again. How could I be so stupid to get caught up with her? This is just a temporary deal Colton, she just told you that. My mind couldn’t control my feelings when I was around her, it felt different. Everything came easy, even when she tried to make it difficult. As I pulled up next to my dock, I saw Maverick sitting next to the fire ring at the camp. He was by himself, which was unusual as Lucy and Maverick did everything together. Quickly arranging my stuff and pulling a shirt over me, I ambled towards him. His face always reflected his emotions, and I could tell he needed a friend to lift his spirits up. Finally, he broke the silence. “Why do you have that shit-eating grin on your face?”
“The money from the agreement was deposited in my bank account today. Feels good to be rich for two seconds.” I lied.
“Nah, that’s not the look of greed. I know that look.”
Trying to ignore him calling me out on my bluff, I changed the subject. “Are you and Lucy fighting?”
He snorted swigging his beer. “You’re good at changing the subject but not with me, bro. So, what was she like? Is she as stuck up as she looks, or did you help her take the stick out of her ass?”
“She’s incredible.” That was all I could summon up. He froze at my words and I was just as shocked.
“You know it’s only for the reporters.” he reminded me.
“That’s the odd thing. It’s how she acts when reporters aren’t around. She watched Zack have some of the best rides today and was super happy for him. She didn’t pull out her phone once. It’s like she forgot for the day that she was a billionaire and the owner of this big corporation.” Thinking about the words as I spoke them out loud, I could feel my chest getting tight.
“She’s got you wrapped,” he let out a guffaw.
I covered up, “nah, you’re probably right. She is just playing the part.”
We sat by the fire, and I noticed the house with the backlights on again. “You ever seen that house with someone in it?” Knowing that it was next door to Sophie’s I was interested to know who her new neighbor was.
Maverick looked over toward the large house. “Yeah, it’s the new CEO of Forever Fitness. Lucy said his name was Miles.”
“Lucy has met him?”
“Yeah, I guess he was at the old gas station down the street asking the clerk about you.”
“What do you mean asking about me?”
Lucy moved behind us and took the chair next to Maverick.
Maverick enquired, “Babe, what was the guy at the gas station asking about Colton?”
“Oh yeah, he wanted to get more information and asked how long you had been in the area? Niki, the cashier just gave him a short history but kept it limited. She didn’t tell him anything he couldn’t find on the internet,” Lucy explained.
Leaning forward I glared at that house. “Why was he asking?”
She shrugged her shoulders, “Maybe he heard you are a high-class Pimp and wanted in on it.” Maverick busted out laughing at Lucy’s humor.
I scoffed, “very funny, that asshole can’t afford me.”
“I think the bigger issue is that you would consider it.” Lucy pointed out.
I piped, “yeah, very funny, now you two go kiss and makeup. I need to feed Rex and let him out.”
Rambling toward my cabin, I noticed the SUV was gone, and my truck was parked in its spot. No way could Sophie have brought it back. She didn’t know how to drive a standard. Now when I thought about it, I wasn’t sure if she knew how to drive at all. It left an uneasy feeling knowing people were working in the background and asking around about me.
After letting Rex out, I came back into the cabin and dialed my brother Dalton. He was what Americans call Special Forces but for Australia.
His voice filled my ears from the other end, and it made me a bit homesick. “Hey, brother, how are you doing?”
“Doing well. I’m going to be coming home in the next couple of weeks. Do you think you will be there?”
“Man, my schedule is crazy, but if you send me the dates, I will try to make it.”
