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T H I R T Y - S E V E N
Muffled voices rang through the stairwell, slurred words and stumbling footsteps. Colton’s eyes shot open. He’d been unable to sleep for the past four hours, his mind racing from Kate’s declaration of love while his body pulsated at the thought of that fucking piece of shit daring to lay a fucking finger on her. Watching Kate doze peacefully against his chest had calmed him, and he thought maybe sleep would come to him at some point during the night. But as he listened to Wade’s incoherent mumbling and laughter, Colton knew that the only way to overcome his fury was to pummel the shit out of Wade’s fucking stupid face.
Rolling Kate smoothly onto the pillow, he slipped silently from the bed, shrugging on a pair of sweats and trying to keep quiet as he raced to the front door. With his heart pounding in his throat, ready to pounce the minute he saw that prick, he turned the knob and widened the door. Wade’s drunken frame floundered up the stairs, a few of his equally drunk frien
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Rude Awakenings T H I R T Y - E I G H T
A cup of coffee rested on the laminate countertop, still slightly steaming, as Kate dawdled from the bedroom. The sun streamed through the curtains in full force and she wondered just how long she’d slept in for. Stifling a yawn, she sunk into the barstool, taking a long, appreciative sip of caffeine. Colton always made the best coffee. Her eyes trailed over the kitchen; washed dishes sat on the sink, the counters wiped down and a torn piece of paper resting by her mug. Kate smiled at Colton’s scrawl.Gone out for a bit. Shouldn’t be too long. Love you xCuriosity awakened her sleepy state. Taking another gulp of coffee, she sighed, flicking open her laptop and hoping to get stuck into some work emails. She would wait until Colton returned before bombarding him with questions.Her optimism for using her free time productively was shattered when a feeble knock rang through the apartment. Kate frowned, cradling her warm mug between her palms as she traipsed to the fr
Rude Awakenings T H I R T Y - N I N E
“Is the blindfold really necessary?” Kate whined, tightening her grip on Colton’s forearms as he led her into a darkened, musty room that she assumed was the garage. “Seriously, is this the part where you kill me?”“You’re a dick,” Colton snorted. Guiding her a few more steps, his hands fumbled to untie the makeshift blindfold before hovering beside her. His head bowed towards the grimy, concrete floor although obsidian eyes stayed on her, awaiting her reaction.Sitting before her was a very un-Colton-like car. Kate would’ve expected a sleek, black classic car or a powerful, bulky motorcycle, not the red SUV that nuzzled between the two white lines of his car-space.Clearing his throat, Colton rubbed the back of his neck nervously, “It’s for you… well us, but for you mainly. Do you… do you like it?” Kate’s mouth opened and closed, floundering for a response, and Colton’s wide palm brushed against the furrows of his brows, “You hate it. I knew I should’ve-”Th
Rude Awakenings F O R T Y
Tapping a button on the keys, the rear door of the SUV glided open, revealing a slightly-skewiff makeshift bead. A thick plaid quilt sprawled over the fuzzy carpet of the trunk while an abundance of cushions were layered against the back of the rear seats. Wedged in the corner, a basket was stacked with bottles of water and cans of soda, along with a variety of snacks.“When did you have the time to set this all up?” Kate gaped, stumbling slightly as Colton hoisted her into the car. Her eyes trickled over to his as he used the fender to jump in after her.Shrugging casually, he strained a smile, “When you were in the shower. I’ve never run those fucking stairs so fast in my life.”Kicking off his boots, Colton clambered beneath the quilt, resting his broad back against the cushions, outstretching his arms for Kate to follow. She obliged, tossing off her shoes and tucking herself under the nook of his arm. There was a slight dampness on the fabric beneath his arms.
Rude Awakenings F O R T Y - O N E
“You promise.” The rawness of his voice sent a soft shudder across Kate’s skin as he repeated her statement, carefully analyzing her serious features as he reiterated, “You’re not going to leave?”“God, no,” she whispered, cupping his cheeks as she kissed him. “I know you think you’re a terrible person, Colton, but you’re not. You’re so far from terrible.”Tugging away from her grasp, Colton stood, brusquely retreating to the back door. Kate watched him closely, her heart jumping to her throat at the prospect of having said the wrong thing. Instead, he closed the door with a forceful slam and flipped open the two quarter-panel windows of the rear seat before sinking down into the cushions once more. Kate gasped as he jerked her into his lap, trailing her gaze to his flaming eyes.Tangling his fingers into her hair, Colton brought her closer, his mouth crashing to hers with a fervent intensity. Salty tears stained his full lips and his heart pounded vociferously ben
Rude Awakenings F O R T Y - T W O
Pulling the car into Colton’s car-space, Kate glanced down at her vibrating phone, a smile immediately breaking through her weary features. Work had been tough, more emotionally draining than normal, and Kate had been feeling unwell for most of the day, so she had decided to leave early. Although, the sight of Colton’s name flashing across her screen managed to instantaneously perk her up;I miss your face. Hurry up and come home.He was heading out with Heath later that night to watch a UFC fight, and Kate could tell he wasn’t keen on going. Austin would be there. Heath was hoping they could bury the hatchet, reunite their splintered group of school friends, but Colton wasn’t prepared to extend the olive branch. Kate hoped that maybe after a few drinks, he’d be more willing, and surely surprising him with an early return would send him off in a good mood.Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Kate scooted from the car, locking the cherry-red doors and clipping up th
Rude Awakenings F O R T Y - T H R E E
The television sat atop Kate’s dresser, Paloma demanded Colton move it before he hesitantly left for the night. She’d made Kate a cup of lemon and ginger tea before sidling up to her in the bed, flicking aimlessly through the channels until she found a more recent comedy. A comfortable silence fell over the room, Kate scrunching her nose after every sip of the spicy drink while Paloma snorted in laughter at the lame jokes of the movie.Watching Kate give up on the tea, resting it on her nightstand, Paloma scowled. She let out a deep, whistling breath, tapping her palms against her thighs impatiently, “So… when are we gonna take a pregnancy test?”“Huh?” Chocolate eyes bulged as Kate swiveled violently towards her smirking best friend. “I’m not pregnant, you idiot. Don’t be ridiculous.”“Had your period?”“Not yet,” Kate retorted. “But I’ve been having cramps so it’s coming.”“I thought I was getting my period with Florence, but it was implantation cramp
Rude Awakenings F O R T Y - F O U R
The nausea hadn’t subsided by the time Kate awoke the next morning. She was lying on her stomach, the weight of Colton’s head and arms sprawled awkwardly across her back, trapping her beneath him. Monstrous snores erupted from his chest, the vibrations echoing against her side, and Kate let out a soft chuckle. Feebly lifting her torso, Colton slipped just enough for her to escape his heaviness.Entering the bathroom, she splashed her face with cold water. Her knuckles clenched the cool porcelain of the sink, her eyes closing as her stomach churned. There was no way she could keep the secret from Colton. The suspicion on his face yesterday was clear and she had no doubt he’d be asking a million questions if she was throwing up all day.He’d be asleep for a while, she reasoned; giving her enough time to plan out exactly what she would say, maybe cook some food to appease his hangover before burdening him with their irresponsibility. The notion of food made her queasy, her
Rude Awakenings F O R T Y - F I V E
The apartment was spotless. Kate had even emptied the kitchen cupboards, scrubbing and reorganizing through the haze of nausea that threatened to slow her down. Her nails bitten down to nothing, the inside of her cheek chewed so fervently she had given herself an ulcer, and yet Colton still hadn’t come home. The sun was beginning to sink, orange and pink streaks dancing across the sky. Kate sipped a glass of water, her head resting against her palm as she stared blankly out the window. The tears had run out hours ago, her tear ducts completely drained, but the sadness still enveloped her like a thick, warm blanket on a scorching hot day.A creak rang from behind her, the doorknob turning as if in slow motion, and Kate jumped from the stool, raking her gaze over Colton’s exhausted frame. His shoulders slumped forward dejectedly, tear-stained cheeks reddened, his hair still a complete mess. Hesitating for a moment, Kate realized she didn’t care if he pushed her away. She needed
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