Healed by Evan Grace
Chapter Eight
Colton
My feet slap against the track at the high school. I’ve come to practice with the varsity team, and now we’re finishing up, running laps. Some of these kids have the talent and are already set to attend Big 10 schools.
These guys definitely give me a run for my money as we race around the track. I’m honestly in the best shape of my life, and these kids are pushing me to go faster and faster.
We slow to a jog, me pounding the players’ fists as they run past me toward the locker room.
They shout as they run past, “Great playing with you, Colton.”
“Thanks for the shirts.”
I grab my water and take a generous a drink and then grab my towel, wiping my face off. Coach Morrison, who was my coach, comes walking toward me. “Son, I believe you’re in even better shape than I remember. Have you been approached by the NFL?”
I shake my head. “Nah, I missed my shot, but I appreciate it.” I change the subject. “It sounds like you guys are already raising lots of money for the fundraiser.”
“Yeah, I still can’t thank you and the Fire for everything you guys have done.” We stop outside the doors to the locker room. “Anytime you want to come workout, talk, or whatever with the team, the door is always open to you.”
I take his offered hand. “I appreciate it, and always happy to help. You made me the player I am today.” I pull him toward me into the half handshake, half hug.
“Thank you, Colton.” He slaps me on my shoulder.
I grab my bag and trek across the field to the parking lot.
“Colton.” I hear my name being yelled and turn to see Leesa jogging across the field toward me. “Hey, I’m glad I caught you. Blake wanted me to ask you if you want to meet us and some of our friends for drinks tonight.”
Blake is her boyfriend. He’s a cool guy, and they’re very much together. She has no interest in anything other than friendship with me. I’ve been trying to branch out, meet new people.
“Yeah, that sounds like fun. Text me the place and time.”
We say our goodbyes, and I climb in my SUV and make my way to my place. I’m in desperate need of a shower and something to eat—maybe even a nap.
***
I step into Blackjack’s Bar and Grill spotting Leesa and Blake with several other people. She sees me and waves me over. Blake and I exchange handshakes, and Leesa smiles up at me. “We’re so glad you came. Come meet everyone.” By everyone she means her sister, and that’s when I realize this was a set up.
“Layla, come meet Colton.” A girl with auburn hair comes over, smiling nervously. “Colton, this is my sister Layla.”
I hold my hand out. “Nice meeting you.” I don’t want to be rude, but I really want to walk out of here and go home.
Leesa looks between the two of us and smiles. “I’ll just be over here.” She signals to another couple who just walked up.
I turn back to Layla, and she shakes her head. “Sorry about this. I just ended a five-year relationship, and she thinks I need to get back on the horse.” She sighs. “I’m not ready to date.”
I can’t help but let out a sigh of relief. “Honestly, that is great because I’m in love with someone and not ready to give up on her yet.”
I’ve had a lot of time to think about everything, and I know it’s selfish, but I want her. I’ll always want her. I’m giving her space right now, but not for long. There will never be anyone else for me, and I know she feels the same way. Heidi is hurt and scared, but if she lets me, I’ll prove to her that she can trust her heart with me again.
“Cool, how about I buy you a drink and pretend to flirt, and then later I’ll tell my sister you weren’t my type.”
I laugh. “That sounds good.” With a hand on the small of her back, I lead her to the bar, and she buys me a beer.
“So, tell me about this girl,” Layla says before taking a drink of her beer.
She listens as I tell her anything. I know I don’t know her, but maybe that’s why it’s so much easier to tell her. When I finish, which is up to the night at the tattoo studio, I drink the last of my beer down. “And that’s, that.”
“Wow, I mean, I get why she’d be hurt, I do, but I also get why you did it.” She signals to the bartender to grab her another drink. Layla then turns back to me and looks over my shoulder. “Umm… Does Heidi have pink hair?”
“Yeah, why?”
She leans in. “She’s here and she’s looking your way.”
I set my beer down and look behind me; sure enough, there she is. She’s with her brother and her sister Greta.
Heidi gets up from the table and moves through the bar, heading toward the front door. I chase after her and stop her in the middle of the parking lot. “Don’t touch me.” She hisses, wrenching her arm out of my grip.
“That was nothing in there. Just a friend trying to fix me up, but that’s not what I want.” I lean down so I’m in her face. “I want you—I want you, and I know I hurt you, but I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“Everything okay?” I know it’s Miles who just walked out. “Heidi?”
She’s staring at me when she answers him. “I-I’m fine, Miles. You can go.” I want to do a fist pump, but she’d probably kick me in the balls.
“Okay, I’m a phone call away, and I don’t mind getting arrested for assault.” I feel his eyes on me, and I don’t blame him for threatening me—he’s always looked out for his sisters. He leans in and says, “Remember—I know how to bury a body and not get caught.” Miles chuckles as he walks away.
“Please come home with me. Let’s talk. If you want things to be over, then I’ll respect your wishes.”
I feel like it takes forever before she finally gives me a nod, but for the first time ever, I feel hopeful. I hold my hand out to her, and when she slides hers into mine, I lead her over to my SUV and open the passenger door for her.
The moment she’s inside, I shut the door. I feel her eyes on me as I make my way around the front and then climb in. Her floral scent surrounds me, and all I want to do is pull her into my arms and kiss her until she’s breathless.
Instead, I start my car and then pull out of the parking lot. The radio plays quietly, filling the awkward silence. I hate it. We used to be able to talk about anything, but now it’s weird. It’s only temporary, I hope.
We pull into my driveway, and I park. “Wait for me,” I tell her as I hop out. As I round the front, she’s hopping out.
“You’re not the boss of me.” She huffs and stomps around me, heading up the walkway to the front door.
I cough to cover the laugh that threatens to bubble up. She would get sassy with me when we were younger, and I’d spank her ass. Heidi loved getting spanked, and I loved doing it. She’s the only one I’ve ever played with like that and the only one I ever will.
Not like there has been a ton of women since her, seeing how for two years I was fighting cancer.
I pull my keys out of my pocket and step past her to unlock the front door. I hold it open as Heidi walks in. I shut the door behind her. “Do you want something to drink?”
She nods. “Yeah, thanks.”
Heidi follows me into the kitchen and sits at the breakfast bar. I grab two beers out of the fridge and hand her one. She pops the tab and takes a drink before setting it down.
“I’m sorry about what I said the night you came to see me at the studio.” She picks up the can again, tipping it back, and slugging it down. “I saw you with a girl at the sandwich shop. I hid behind a plant because I didn’t want you to see me. My heart felt like it was breaking all over again.”
“She’s just my friend—Leesa has a serious boyfriend and is not interested. I’m doing some charity work for the high school football team, and she’s helping. Tonight, she wanted to hook me up with her sister, but neither of us were looking for that; at least, with each other.” I step toward her, stopping an arm’s length away. “Thank you for saying sorry.”
“Where do we go from here?” Heidi stares up at me, and before I can stop myself, I reach out and stroke her cheek.
“I don’t know, baby.” I try to hide the hope I feel, but it’s useless. “What if we start over? Maybe we could date? Maybe we get to know each other again.”
Heidi bites her lower lip. “What if things aren’t the same anymore between us?” she asks, softly.
“Then at least we can say we tried.”
She doesn’t answer right away, and I start to get nervous, but thankfully when she answers it makes me smile. “Okay, let’s date, but promise me we’ll take it slow.”
I lean down so we’re eye to eye. “Baby, I promise we’ll take it as fast or as slow as you want to take it.”
She surprises me by wrapping her arms around me and hugging me tight. I return it and place my lips against her temple.
“Will you stay with me tonight? I swear, no funny business. I just want to hold you.”