"I just don't think you should've pushed me into telling her."

I groaned as I stood, moving across the room to stand in front of the wide window situated in the center of the wall. Small floral arrangements and cards decorated the sill, signs of encouragement from the guys at the gym. I glanced at them, knowing that none of them are from me. 

But that was because I'm here everyday. And he told me a hundred times that he hated the attention. 

"What would you rather do, old man? Wait until you'd passed? Make me make a fucking phonecall and shock the hell out of her? You need her here."

I needed her here.

I swiveled around to find Charlie pushing his hands through his still thick head of hair. Somedays it was still hard to believe he was sick. He looked good. He was tired of course and since he refused treatment, he just continued to get weaker. But he wasn't sick from chemo. His strong body was failing him. It wasn't fair.

But what was there about cancer that was fucking fair?

I sunk back onto the chair in the corner of the room, hating the fact that we were arguing again. From the moment Charlie found out he had pancreatic cancer, he was determined not to let Corri know. We argued about everyday until he finally called to tell her. He didn't want to be a burden. He hated making her worry.

"I have to be strong for her, kid. And how in the fuck can I do that from this God forsaken bed? Huh?"

I scrubbed my hands over my face and sighed. I was totally exasperated with his stubbornness. I should be used to it by now, but I was so tired of arguing. Charlie needed Corri and Corri needed more time with her father. She hadn't been home in six years. 

And I hated thinking about why.

"Dad?"

I squeezed my eyes shut at the sound of her melodic voice. I was afraid to open my eyes and find that she wasn't really standing there.

"Oh, Dad," she sighed. Her voice broke and when I saw that mass of blonde hair collapsing into her father's arms, my chest constricted. I hadn't seen her face yet but I didn't need to. I knew she was crying. 

Before I realized what I was doing, I was moving toward her. Her face was buried in her father's chest and she resembled a younger version of herself. Charlie was stroking her hair, shushing her quietly as they clung to each other. 

"And how are we today?" boomed the voice of the nurse barreling into Charlie's room. 

Corri's head snapped up, still gripping his shoulders as she sniffled. The nurse gasped when she noticed Corri perched on the edge of her father's bed. "You must be the lovely daughter I've heard so much about," Donna announced excitedly.

In all the weeks I had been visiting Charlie, I had spoken to Donna many times. She had even managed to get a smile from Charlie even during his surliest moods.

Corri stood and nodded, her back to mine as Donna introduced herself. If Corri was aware of my presence, she didn't make it known. She was just out of arm's reach and all I wanted was for her to smile up at me like she used to. 

Yeah. That's all I needed.

"Well I hate to do this, but i need some time with Charlie. Can I ask you two to step out please?" Donna asked sweetly as she clutched a small basin and supplies for a sponge bath.

"Oh," Corri breathed, shifting her body around to face me...finally.

My breath caught in my throat when she faced me fully. Even at 15, she was a striking beauty. And it seemed as though the last 10 years had only made her even more breathtaking. Her lips parted slightly and the way her hazel eyes widened, she was shocked by my presence. 

"Corri," I grinned, unable to contain my excitement over seeing her after so much time had passed. 

"Give us thirty minutes," Donna's voice broke through the tension, reminding us we needed to step out. 

Corri swung around to face her father again, leaning down for another quick squeeze and promising him she would return soon. I nodded at Charlie, struggling to keep my expression neutral as I strolled out the door.

"Corri!" I called out, jogging to catch up to her as she rushed away.

I gripped her elbow and guided her toward the automatic sliding glass doors. "Where...where are you taking me?" she huffed adorably.

I glanced both ways before crossing the street, reaching for her hand and pulling her with me, despite her arguing that she didn't want to go anywhere with me.

I pulled open the door to a small café that I had become acquainted with in the weeks I'd been visiting. Using my hand on her lower back, I guided Corri to the counter and smiled down at her when she gazed up at me.

"Why are we here?"

"You need to eat."

"Says who?"

"Me," I sighed, rolling my eyes at the way we fell right back into old banter. I shifted my body around to face her, gripping her shoulders and lowering my face to catch her gaze. "Let me guess. You just got back into town. You haven't had breakfast or even stopped by your dad's to unpack. Am I close?"

Corri twisted her mouth, obviously hating the idea of admitting I was right. "I guess I could stand a bite."

"That's what I thought," I smirked, releasing her from my grasp. I considered taking the hug she denied me earlier, but first things first. Food.

"I don't know what I want," she pouted, even sticking out her lip a little.

I rubbed my hand over my chin, trying to stifle the grin threatening to spread across my face. It was a well known fact that a tired and hungry Corri was a grouchy Corri. And if she thought I was teasing her, then look out. 

I glanced at the menu board as I slid behind her, pointing at the choices. I felt her body tense as I closed in tighter, boldly resting a few fingers on her hip. "I'll bet you want," I paused to turn my face towards her profile, my breath fanning her cheek. "You want a turkey club, toasted, with extra bacon and mayo, with the crusts cut off. And you want a side of cottage cheese instead of fries. Iced tea to drink...am I right?"

Corri turned to face me, her hazel eyes bright as I stood to my full height above her. "You don't know me anymore," she breathed as her eyes darted back and forth between mine.

"So that's not what you want?" I challenged, reaching for a blonde wave falling over her left eye. 

She sucked in a quick breath when the back of my finger dragged down the side of her face. Her head swiveled around when someone behind her reached around for some napkins, his body brushing against hers. "Sorry," he blurted, stopping to take in the sight of her, all soft curves and feminine features. 

Corri nodded and shrugged, indicating it was no big deal. But it was a big deal to me. I didn't like the way he touched her lower back or the way his eyes lingered on her chest as he walked away backwards. Most of all, I sure as fuck didn't like the way he disregarded me. 

It reminded me too much of that first day at the gym when I confronted Beau.

I stomped out of that locker room completely irritated with the way Beau spoke down to me. I mean, it wasn't like I wasn't used to it. Some kids at school would give me shit for my out of style clothes or the worn out sneakers on my feet. High school was easier. People had their own style and it was okay not to look the same as everyone else. 

But there would always be one smartass who knew I lived in a foster home and would tease me for not having my own parents. I kept my walls up, knowing that not everyone was a friend. But I never felt that way about Corri. 

She was the first person who ever cared so much or showed me that I was worth something. Fuck, I loved that. It made me so protective of her.

A few weeks after I moved in, just before school started, I had challenged Beau in the ring. He had been talking smack to me for weeks, itching to get under my skin and break me. Charlie kept telling me not to let him get into my head and I knew it was because I wasn't ready to face him.

But Charlie had left early that day and the gym was nearly deserted. So when Beau started in with his bullshit, I decided to shut him up. I had been training everyday, bulking up my muscles and putting on some much needed weight. My jabs were fast and my footwork was getting better everyday. But I wasn't ready for Beau.

He was wired when I stepped into the ring, bouncing on the balls of his feet while he swung his arms wide. "Oh you are gonna be so sorry you asked for this, pretty boy."

I didn't respond or try to give him any indication that I cared about his taunts. I had heard them all. I began circling him, looking for a weak spot, a way in. His stance was near perfect and his feet moved fast. But I was faster. I got the first swing in, a nice shot to his ribs. Then I made sure to bob back before he could reach me. Most of his jabs weren't landing. "Quit running from me, you pussy!" he spat. I was getting to him. Good.

We circled each other, each getting in more shots but nothing strong enough to knock the other down. I wanted to wear him out and then punish him. I hated the way he looked at Corri. I felt sick every time I saw her touch him. He was always smirking at me when I caught him staring. He knew she was my weakness.

When Beau reared back to give me his next shot, I saw my opening and swung hard, connecting with the side of his head sharply. He stumbled back a little and I couldn't help but cheer on the inside. 

"Colt! What the hell?" Corri shouted across the empty gym.

I tried to ignore her, focusing on my opponent as he geared up for his next swing, but my eye caught sight of her rushing toward the ring in a panic. Beau seized his opportunity, landing a huge hook to my mouth that sent flying back against the ropes, only to bounce forward and set me up perfectly for his next agonizing blow.

I groaned when he made contact with my stomach, the loss of air forcing my body to fold in on itself and crumple to the ring floor. Corri scrambled into the ring so fast, positioning herself between me and Beau. "I can't believe you did that!" she shouted, shoving him back by his shoulders as he towered over her.

"What the fuck did he think would happen, huh? This ain't daycare, Corri. I won't baby his ass in the ring!" Beau grumbled as his eyes darted back and forth from me to her.

I slowly hoisted myself up and although I was still a little hunched over from the blow to my stomach, but at least I was upright. "I'm okay," I sighed, pulling on Corri's arm so she would back off a little. 

"You're such a dick," she huffed, her eyes still focused on Beau as he stood there still blazing mad. 

"New guy brought it on himself when he challenged me. He had to know what he was getting himself into."

"He wasn't ready and you could have said no!"

I reached around Corri's waist and pulled her close. "Just let it go, honey. I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself."

Corri spun around in my arms, her eyes going immediately to my lip that I could already feel was swelling. She brought a towel to my mouth and shook her head in what I was sure was disappointment. I gave her a puppy dog face and then a smile when I tickled her. She tried so hard to stay mad at me.

When I glanced over her shoulder and saw Beau fuming...I felt like I really won.

I followed Corri to the locker room after Beau stalked out the front door. She was all business as she urged me to lie back on the table and checked over my injuries. I saw the worry in her eyes when she suggested I go to the hospital for an x-ray. 

"I'm totally fine," I reassured her.

She fussed over the cut on my lip, holding pressure on it until it finally stopped bleeding. I took the ice pack she offered and pressed it to my lip gingerly. 

"Thank you, butterfly."

With her cheeks tinging pink, Corri dropped her gaze and shook her head. "It's not a big deal."

"It is to me."

I hopped down from the table and stood close to her, tamping down my need to touch her. "You're so crazy," she laughed. "You really thought you could beat him?"

I curled an arm around her neck and pulled her close to me. "I will beat him, don't you worry." I paused as she peered up at me, for the first time ever seeing someone who truly believed in me, made me feel invincible, and made me think I could be more than what I was.

There was a tightness in my chest as her lips parted and a stuttered breath was forced out. I cupped her cheek and leaned in close, forcing myself to back away at the last moment. "Let's go, pretty girl. I'm starving."

I caught the disappointed glimmer in her eyes as I took her hand and led her to the front. I was being stupid. I was feeling like she was mine. The thought that I could have someone like her, that she could be my girl had my head spinning. 

I promised not to touch her. And I was failing.

"Is your food good?" I smiled across the table at Corri as she tucked into her sandwich. Her gaze kept falling across the street and I knew she's thinking of her father. 

"It is. What did you get?"

"Just a muffin."

"It's huge," she laughed and I couldn't help the warm feeling in my gut from the sound. It had been so long since I heard it.

"It's apple cinnamon," I told her, breaking off a piece for her to taste.

She cocked her head slowly and I could feel her hesitation. "It's really good," I added, bringing the sweet treat closer to her plump, pink lips.

When her fingers curled around my wrist and guided the bite toward her mouth, I froze. Her lips parted and her tongue peeked out and my mind went back to a time when I would've done anything to have that mouth on me, to see her eyes glitter with amusement at how dazed I was by the sight of her. 

Watching her take that bite from my fingers was the single hottest thing I'd seen in years. My fingers gripped hers as her tongue darted out to catch an errant crumb from her bee-stung lower lip. Then she pulled that lip into her mouth and hummed sweetly at the taste of the muffin. '"Yummy," she murmured. 

"Yeah," I sighed when she pulled her hand from mine and continued to eat her lunch like I wasn't sitting here panting over her, wanting her like I always had. Fuck! She always did this to me. And she drove me crazy.

I could see the worry in her eyes, the questions she was too afraid to ask. "He's not in much pain," I half lied. "He's on a morphine drip but he barely uses it because he likes to know what's going on."

"He didn't want me to know," she stated softly, defeated...sadly. I couldn't lie again. She already knew the answer.

"I wanted you here."

Her head snapped up and her hazel eyes grew wide. "You did?"

"For him," I added quickly. "You need each other to get through this. That's all I meant."

Corri nodded and I couldn't help but notice the blonde lock of hair tumbling over her bare shoulder as she did. Her baby blue shirt, the same shade as those soft flannel sheets, had a wide neckline and it kept slipping over the slope of her shoulder and exposing her creamy skin. The look on her face was almost one of disappointment.  Did she think I was ready to admit I wanted her here… needed her back in my life? I wasn't ready. Probably wouldn't ever be. She wasn't mine. And the things I had done in the past insured she never could be.

"I hate this," she sighed. "I hate to see him this way. All my life, he's been so big and powerful...larger than life even. I don't want him to…"

Her voice broke and I found myself moving to sit beside her. Her eyes filled with tears threatening to spill and she held her hand up when I reached for her. Corri turned her back on me, but I saw the way her shoulders shook and heard the soft sobs.

"Butterfly," I breathed as I reached for her, wrapping one arm around her waist gently and urging her to face me. "I'm here."

Relief flooded my chest when she spun around and threw her arms around my neck. She still smelled like citrus and cinnamon. I buried my face in her hair and wondered why she smelled more like home to me than my own home did. I smoothed a hand down those silky waves while tucking her face into my neck.

I knew there was nothing I could say, nothing that could make the pain go away. Too much time had been lost and now all that was left was to make her father comfortable in his last days.

She was here to say goodbye.

Begrudgingly I let her pull away from me when her tears subsided. It was time to head back. She hadn't come all this way to cry on my shoulder. Every moment she had needed to be spent with her dad. 

This wasn't about me and what I wanted.

Corri raised her gaze and I was struck by how fucking gorgeous she was. It didn't matter that her eyes were red and her cheeks splotchy. Those hazel eyes were looking for something, searching for something in me and fuck if I didn't hope to hell she found what she needed.

I'd kill to be what she needed.

"Let me get you a refill on your tea and we can be on our way."

Corri nodded and glanced back out the large window. She met me at the door and as we began to cross the street, she tugged on my bicep. "Thank you for the food...and the talk. I think I should go see my dad alone now. Do you mind?"

She nibbled the corner of her mouth and I was struck by how innocent she looked. "Of course," I shrugged. "Anything you need, honey. Just ask."

She gripped my forearms and held my gaze. "Thanks for taking care of my dad. But I'm here now. I'll take it from here."

I furrowed my brow at her speech, wondering if that was her blowing me off. What the hell? She didn't need me?

We'll see about that. 
....

A/N: did you like Colt's POV? Thanks so much to everyone who read Taking Chances and took a chance with this one. I appreciate you!