"Are you okay?"

I sighed softly as I gazed out of the passenger side window and watched the lights go by. "Yeah, I'm okay."

I felt fingers on the back of my neck and I tensed. I reached for them, pulling them from my skin, only to find him holding my hand. He squeezed harder when I tried to let go. "You don't have to hide it from me. I can feel it, Corri. Colt made you mad."

I looked over a Beau with his tan skin, white teeth, dark blonde wavy hair and chest hiding behind a fitted dress shirt unbuttoned and showing his collarbone. "I'm not mad at Colt. Please don't start shit."

Beau sighed deeply when I lifted our joined hands from my lap and placed his hand on his own leg. "I wasn't starting shit. I can just tell how upset you are and I wanna help."

I narrowed my gaze at him, my mind immediately assuming the worst. He gasped when he saw the look on my face. "Not that! God, Corri...you have a dirty mind." Then he gave me a wink and fluttered his eyelashes at me suggestively. I laughed. I couldn't help it. Some of the tension in my shoulders melted away. I watched as he turned away from the direction of my house and drove toward the huge bluff overlooking Portland. 

"Where are we going?" I demanded.

"Just a quick detour. We won't be gone long."

I pouted a little but didn't protest. I wasn't afraid to be alone with Beau. I knew he had a tiny crush on me but that wouldn't allow him to take advantage of me when I was upset. I glanced over at him when he put his car in park and gazed out over the impressive scenery.

"Come on," he urged as he climbed out of his side and met me in front of his car. 

"I don't understand what we're…"

"Look around," Beau interrupted me. "What do you see?"

I shrugged and peered over the bluff to find the city covered by nightfall but lit up by streetlights and dotted with houses from my neighborhood. "I see our town. Some lights. The stars in the sky."

"Do you see any people? Anywhere?"

I looked around the area he had parked and so no one other than us. "No. It's just us."

I lowered myself to sit on the hood of his car and he stepped further out to the edge. He swung around with his muscled arms spread wide. "Don't you ever get tired of this shit?"

"What shit?"

"This shit. With Colt," he explained as he prowled toward me. "Don't you hate coming in second? I mean, Katrina shows up to your gym and throws a bitch fit and he just leaves you. What the hell, Corri, fuck. Why don't you come first? This was your big night."

I furrowed my brow and tried to push back a sob bubbling up in my throat. "He cares about me. I know he does. But his situation with Katrina is...tricky."

"It's bullshit," he spat, standing directly in front me with his stomach pressed to my knees as I sat with my feet on his bumper. "Don't get me wrong...I love having you to myself, but I can't stand knowing he hurt you...left you...again. And I think you should do something about it."

I shook my head and looked past him, the twinkling lights catching my attention. "Like what?"

Beau leaned closer and lowered his head until he caught my gaze with his hazel eyes. "Corri…" he began, his voice husky and warm. "I wanna hear you scream."

My eyes flew open wide in shock, my hands finding his chest and shoving hard. "Are you crazy?" I demanded as he stumbled back.

Beau shoved a hand through his hand and laughed. "That's the Corri I know. Take no shit from no one! God, I love it."

I was on my feet now, standing close and getting in his face. "When are you gonna realize that this will never happen, Bailey. I'm with Colt. I live with Colt. He's my boyfriend and whatever has happened in our past means nothing now. I'm not gonna screw you because I'm pissed at him."

Beau's eyes scanned my face carefully until his hand cupped my jaw and he smiled sadly. "I know why he loves you. This fierce loyalty of yours would make any man proud."  He pulled his hand away, only to tap my nose playfully. "But you have a dirty mind, because I didn't mean I would make you scream."

I stared at him as he tugged on my hand and brought me to the edge of the bluff. I gripped his arm when my shoe pushed the gravel over the edge and I could hear it tumbling down the side. "I'm scared of heights," I admitted breathlessly.

"I know. You told me that years ago when we went hiking with our dads and you wouldn't stand on the edge of the cliff."

"So why are you torturing me?"

"Not torture," he grinned. "Just a little therapy." I opened my mouth to ask what he meant, when he cut me off. "I know you gotta be frustrated with what happened tonight. Katrina showed up drunk like that, making a scene and demanding to get Kash. I saw your face, honey."

I pulled away from Beau, releasing my death grip on his bicep. I didn't need a replay of the evening. It was humiliating the way she carried on. She didn't stop her shouting and tossing around accusations until Colt agreed to drive her home, leaving me stranded. "I don't care. She's a mess and Colt was just trying to help her."

"You don't have to pretend with me. And all I'm offering you right now is a way to blow off some steam. So yell...scream your head off. There's no one here to stop you or tell you that you can't do it. Get it out and you'll feel better."

"I'd feel better at home, waiting for Colt."

"You'd feel better if you screamed."

I turned to face Beau, finding his expression hopeful and his eyes dancing in anticipation. He really wanted me to do this. I let my shoulders sag and I nodded. "If I do this, will you take me home?"

"Absolutely," Beau promised with a quick flick of his fingers over his heart. "Let me hear you."

I faced the edge once more, careful with my footing so I wouldn't slip over the side. "Ahhh," I called out weakly, earning me a scowl from Beau.

"You can do better than that," he challenged. 

I took a deep breath and let out a longer and louder wail, but still not my best effort. Beau nudged me, gesturing toward the sky and encouraging me to do more. With that I sucked in an even deeper breath, releasing a long scream that I felt all the way to my toes. My body shook as I held onto that sound until I was out of breath. I bent over with my hands on my knees and laughed. "That's all I got," I panted. 

Beau pulled me from the edge and guided me back to his car. I was stunned when he gathered me into his arms and held me tightly. "You did good, girl. I hope it helped."

I wrapped my arms around his waist and nodded into his chest. "Thank you."

We stood like that for a few minutes until Beau pulled away and stared down at me. "I guess I'll take you home now," he commented wistfully while curling a lock of my hair around his finger.

We both climbed into his car and made our way back to the paved streets of my neighborhood. The night air was cool as I lowered my window and smelled the wonderful scent of wood from a bonfire, no doubt burning in someone's backyard as they enjoyed the evening with friends. Beau smiled at me as I inhaled a deep breath of it and sighed. "I love that smell."

"Me too," he agreed as he turned into my driveway and turned off the engine. I saw his gaze drift toward the closed garage door. "Do you think he's home yet?"

"No," I sighed. "He never parks in the garage. He must not be back yet."

I noticed the way Beau's jaw tightened and how his mouth twisted when he stopped himself from speaking. I opened the door and started to dig through my purse in search of my house keys. When I looked up, I found Beau in front of me, his face painted with concern. "Come on," he urged, walking me to my door.

"Thank you," I grinned up at him when we stopped at the front door. "For...whatever that was. Scream therapy you said? I really think it helped."

"Oh yeah?" Beau cocked his head and let his gaze drift over my face. "Well I was happy to help. I know you always think I have bad intentions, but I swear, I'm a good guy."

"I'm starting to believe you," I laughed, leaning into his body and throwing my arms around his neck. "You're a good friend, Beau. I'm lucky to have you."

Beau squeezed me tightly and hummed in agreement. "Yeah...friends."

I could feel his lingering resentment, the one that cropped up sometimes between us because he wanted to be more than friends. And he could never understand why I would always choose Colt over him. But if that was how he was feeling tonight, he kept it to himself. With a quick kiss to my cheek and a little hesitation as I unlocked the door, he finally made his way back to his car just in time for Colt to pull up beside him. 

I stood in the doorway nervously as Colt left his vehicle and approached Beau. Their bodies were tense as they faced each other, jaws clenching and voices getting louder. I rushed down the stone path until I was standing between them. "What's going on?" I demanded, peering up at Colt with concern. 

"He's been here this whole time?" Colt scowled, his eyes darting between Beau and I.

"We just got back," I sighed. "So now you don't trust me?"

"I don't trust him."

Beau scoffed behind me, stepping closer until his chest was moulded to my back. "You got a lot of nerve, man. You run off with another girl and now you're gonna throw accusations at her? Corri didn't do anything wrong!"

"Well I'm sure it wasn't for your lack of trying," Colt challenged.

Beau just chuckled. "Yeah. You're right. I would try to be with her, because, fuck why not? Sweet as hell and gorgeous too. But she's loyal, man. And for some reason she wants you."

Colt blinked at me, his expression turning into one of guilt. I didn't have a chance to respond before Beau leaned down to press a kiss to my temple and climbed into his car. "Better get your priorities straight, Anderson," Beau called out before sinking into his seat. He lowered his passenger side window and added, "Because if you keep leaving your girl to be with Katrina, I'd be more than happy to take Corri off your hands."

I gave Beau a quick wave and watched him back out of the driveway. As soon as I was alone with Colt, I glared up at him and shook my head. "You have no right…"

Colt opened his mouth to respond, but I stomped around him, pounding back up the stone path until I reached the front door. "Corri…" Colt sighed deeply with his fingers softly brushing my back. "I was stupid. I'm sorry."

I rushed into the kitchen, digging into the back of the fridge for a chilled bottle of Moscato with my name on it. "Sorry for what exactly?" I shot back, struggling with the corkscrew. 

Colt stepped up closer to me, his hands covering mine as we opened the wine together. "Mostly I'm sorry for leaving you alone with that pervert."

I shook my head as I poured myself a glass of wine and took a big swig. "Wrong answer," I told him, tipping the glass in his direction.

I heard Colt's deep sigh as he followed me to our room. I entered the ensuite and began to draw myself a bubble bath. After adjusting the water to just the right temperature, I found Colt leaning on the doorframe. "I said I was sorry," he groused. 

I reached back to lower the zipper on my dress and watched his eyes when the flowy fabric pooled around my ankles. "You're sorry, but you have no idea what for. You push me into these situations where you go off with Katrina, ask Beau to drive me home or take me to lunch and then get pissed when he does it! How does that make sense? He's doing what you asked. And instead of thanking him, you hurl accusations at him...and me and then wonder why I'm pissed. Good lord. Get a clue."

Colt's mouth fell open when I stepped out of my panties and let my unhooked bra slide down my bare arms. I lifted my glass of wine from the edge of the sink and sunk into the almost-too-hot water. "Can I join you?" he asked timidly as his hands tightly gripped the doorframe.

"No," I sighed, leaning back into a reclined position as the bubbles surrounded me. "I'd rather be alone."

Colt's jaw tensed and I could see how he fought to tear himself away. I sunk deeper into the water before pointing my toes and watching them break through the bubbly surface. When my gaze drifted back to the doorway, Colt was gone.

For a moment, I felt bad, almost guilty for being so harsh with him. But this seemed to be a recurring theme with us. Katrina always found a way to come between us and I was just supposed to accept that. And Beau was continuing to be a good friend to me, despite his obvious feelings and yet Colt continued to be jealous.

I was tired of fighting. I was tired of being pushed aside when Katrina decided to go off the deep end. I wanted to come first, dammit.

But thinking that made me feel guilty because Kash would always come first. And Kash was the real reason Colt had to leave. When Kash saw his mom distraught and making a scene at the gym, he was embarrassed. Katrina wanted her son and as much as Kash didn't want to leave, it was the easiest way to calm her down.

I didn't like thinking about how erratic her behavior had been of late. Talking to Colt about it was a joke. He always made excuses for her and that made me spitting mad. And sadly I knew that Katrina didn't even appreciate all the Colt and I had done for her boy.

The whole situation just made my head hurt. I wanted to be a priority in my boyfriend's life and deep down I knew I was, but days like this made me wonder.

I spent a little more time in the bath until my muscles had finally relaxed and my mind had stopped racing. I found our room dark, illuminated by only a few candles. Colt was slumped at the end of the bed with his hands in his hair. I approached him slowly, stopping right in front of him and fighting the urge to run my own fingers through his curly dark locks.

Colt peered up at me and sighed. "I fucked up. I shouldn't have left you today. I promised you a perfect day and then ruined it by deserting you. I just felt bad for Kash…"

"I know…" I shushed him with a kiss to the top of his head. "You just wanted to calm her down and get them home safely. I get it. I really do."

Colt hesitated for only a moment before throwing his arms around my midsection and squeezing me tightly. "I don't deserve you. You're so understanding and I can be such an asshole."

"Just remember that however jealous you feel about Beau, I feel 10 times as strongly about Katrina," I informed him. 

Colt nodded and peered up at me as his hands smoothed over my towel. "I hate that I ruined tonight. Everything you said was completely true. I do keep running off and leaving you with Beau. And then I'm mad at myself because if you ever realized that my life with her is full of drama...God, you'd leave me. And there would be Beau waiting in the wings. That's why I get so pissed at him. Not because I think he'd try anything or you'd be with him. It's because deep down, I wonder if he could make you happier."

I sighed deeply before pulling Colt to his feet. "I'm trying to be understanding…" I began, mumbling into his bare chest. He had changed out of his dress clothes and into a pair of soft, knit shorts. Soothingly, I ran my hands up and down his back, pushing away all tension between us. Colt let his head fall to the crook of my neck, inhaling deeply as his huge hands tugged me impossibly closer.

He felt so good in my arms and when his lips started skimming up the side of my neck, I felt my body heat up. "Colt…" I murmured softly, torn over whether to let him make it up to me or not. There was an underlying current between us, one leftover from earlier in my office when we made those silent promises about what would happen in this room tonight. 

I still wanted him as much as I ever did and found myself peering up at him when I felt him start to tighten his grip on my towel. "I want you," he breathed into my ear, sending shivers down my back. "Fuck...so badly."

I stepped away from him, allowing him to pull the towel from my body and leave me naked before him. His gaze lowered, running over me like a warm breeze that started between my legs and spread quickly. Never in my life had a man looked at me like this. 

I could feel Colt's disappointment when I climbed onto the bed on my hands and knees, my ass swaying as I moved further away. "Where are you...what're you doing?"

I peeked over my shoulder and smirked. "I'm going to bed."

"But…"

"Are you coming or not?" I taunted him, my body buzzing with anticipation. 

Colt's face lit up when he realized what I was offering. Before I could turn around, he was shoving his shorts down and scrambling to get under me. I gasped with a nervous laugh when his head popped up between my thighs and I found myself hovering just above his hungry mouth. "Colt!" I gasped. "What is this?"

Colt looked between my legs and licked his lips. I didn't even have time to feel self-conscious before he groaned, "I'm hungry, Butterfly. I think it's time you let me taste you."

Well alright. 

......

A/N: sorry for the tease! Had to stop it somewhere 💕 more soon!