“I never would’ve sent that before. Not because I didn’t want to—I did. But I didn’t know how. Didn’t know if I was even allowed to ask for time for myself. To get myself mentally together. Being open, being someone who communicates? That’s not how I was raised.”
He exhaled, thumb brushing the dog’s fur.
“Honestly, it scared the crap out of me. But you said it was the right thing to do. And I trusted you. And you were right—it helped. It made things better, not worse. That was new for me.”
He met my eyes.
“You’re the first person who’s actually tried to help me figure out what I want. Everyone else seems to try to help me do what they want me to do. You're... different. And I don’t want to mess it up.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, not right away.
The terrier snored softly against his chest. Colton gave a dry laugh. “At least he thinks I’m useful.”
I smiled. “He’s got good instincts.”
I looked at him sitting on a feed bag, cradling that dog. I couldn’t match him to the person who used to strut through aroom like he owned it. The two versions of him were messing with my head. And I didn’t know which one to trust.
“I need to say something,” I said quietly. “And I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
His brows rose a little, but he nodded. “Okay.”
“You confuse me, Colton.”
His head tilted, but he didn’t interrupt.
“I remember the Colton who sat with me for hours in the hospital waiting room. The one who brought coffee without asking and distracted my dad with stupid sports trivia when he was too scared to sleep.”
His jaw tightened.
“But then there’s this other version of you—the one who says things like the girl was ‘too much work’ to have on your arm.”
His shoulders stiffened instantly. “I said that?”
I nodded. "And I know it was a long time ago. But hearing that… it messed with the version of you I thought I knew.”
Colton ran a hand down his face. “Ouch. Wow. I really was a jerk.”
“Yeah. You were.”
We both laughed.
“But here’s the thing,” I said as I gently placed my hands on his knees. “I don’t think that’s you anymore. At least… I hope not.”
He looked up, something searching in his eyes. “Who do you think I am now?”
I pull my hands back, sit up a bit straighter, and I smiled, just a little. “A really good guy… who still acts like a jerk sometimes.”
He laughed. “I’ll take it.”
“Okay,” I said, pushing up off the crate. “Let’s get back to work. I promise I’ll let you help this time.”
He laughed. I offered him my hand, and he took it, as we rose together.
The terrier gave a soft grunt in protest as Colton gently set him down on the feed bag.
“Stay here, buddy,” he murmured, giving the dog one last pat.
We were standing close now—closer than before. I could feel the heat from his skin, the press of his fingers still loosely holding mine.
