14. Colton

Someone who really loves you sees what a mess you can be, how moody you can get, how hard you are to handle, but still wants you. —Unknown

“Where the hell were you last night?”

I paused, half inside the back door where I was entering my house. From the other side of the kitchen, Noel arched an eyebrow as if he were pissed.

I frowned, confused. “I texted and told you. Didn’t you get my message?” He’d been uptight lately, yeah, but he’d never cared if I’d stayed out all night before, not as long as I always checked in.

“All you said was that you were helping a friend and might not make it home until morning.”

“Yeah, well…that’s all I did,” I answered slowly. “And I didn’t make it home until morning, so…” About as soon as I spoke, though, I noticed the strain around his mouth and eyes. He looked beat, physically and emotionally. “Did you need me?” I hedged.

“No,” he answered too quickly and glanced away, retreating a step before placing a protective hand on the counter next to a bed