I returned to my father's room, nervous and wringing my hands. It wasn't like we hadn't seen each other over the years. We spent holidays and vacations and summer breaks together, but I hadn't been home for any of them. He always came to me. I felt guilty for the distance I had created between us and I wondered if that had contributed to why my father hadn't told me the truth sooner.

I found his room dim with the curtains drawn. He was stretched out in the small bed, still looking every bit as strong as the boxer he once was. But upon further inspection, I noticed the tired bags under his eyes, the extra wrinkles in his forehead while he slept and the way his arms didn't look quite as muscular as they once had.

I lowered myself into the chair beside his bed and started to gently weep. My father called me home to say goodbye and I just couldn't imagine how the hell I could ever do that.

A few hours later, I sighed as I pulled into the driveway of my father's house. Six years was a long time to be gone. As I pulled my bags from the trunk and trudged to the front door, I glanced at the garage, at the little window of the loft and my heart was bursting, thinking about the amount of time I spent with Colt up there.

I remembered how excited I was on the first day of school after he had moved in. 

As I bounded out of the house, I thought about how this year was so different. Last year, I wasn't looking forward to being a freshman, starting a new school and finding my way. This year I was returning with a new outlook and excited that I was riding to school with Colt. 

I found him standing next to his truck, beaming as he polished the chrome around his side mirrors. His truck was a beater, loaded with rust and even a few holes, but it was his and I didn't dare say a bad thing about it. This would be so much better than hoofing it or taking the bus. 

Colt had begun working some afternoons for a junkyard and was able to buy the old truck for cheap. Colt and my dad had put some time into it, replacing what it needed and getting into good enough shape to run. It took some convincing to get dad to let me ride with Colt, but like always, Colt swore to keep me safe and keep his hands off me. Darn.

My little crush on him had only grown in the weeks since his arrival. We got along great and I loved being around him. I tried to find a bad quality in him, something that would quell my deep-seated feelings, but there was nothing. He was sweet, had the kindest eyes, always made me laugh, and was perfect...other than the fact he wouldn't ravage me.

Okay maybe ravage was taking things a bit far. I had obviously read too many romance novels this summer, but good Lord, I just couldn't stop thinking about what it would be like to kiss him.

"Morning."

Colt's head shot up as I approached him and I watched his expression change from happy to concerned in a matter of seconds. "Hey," he replied softly, letting his eyes drift down by body and then slowly back up again. 

I did a little spin for him, showing off my floral skirt with the scalloped hem that flipped up a little when I twirled. I thought it was flirty and I thought I looked nice in it, but Colt's face said otherwise. "You don't like it?"

Colt's mouth fell slack as he considered what to say. "It's...I like it...but...isn't it too short?" he sputtered nervously.

His eyes darted from my legs to my face as he awaited my response. "I don't think so," I mused, doing a little twirl just to check. He continued to stare so I shrugged and reached for the passenger door handle. "Well I doubt we'll have any classes together, so you won't have to look at me." The irritation in my voice was as clear as day. 

Colt flung his arm across the door to keep me from entering his truck. He lowered his head to catch my gaze and spoke when I finally made eye contact. "I like it, Corri. I think you look pretty."

"But?" I prompted.

He used his free hand to scrub down his face and I could see how he struggled to get the next words out. In a low voice, he muttered, "I don't wanna spend the whole day beating up guys for staring at you."

I blinked quickly as I stared into his mossy green eyes. "I can take care of myself."

"Oh I know you can," he chuckled. "But you know I feel compelled to look out for you."

I sighed deeply and nodded. "Yeah… because of my dad. I get it."

Colt shook his head and gently eased me aside so he could open the door for me. "If I beat anyone up, it's not for your dad."

His expression was serious, his eyes pinning me to this spot in the driveway. He offered me his hand and I took it, feeling his other hand slide around my waist as he assisted me up into my seat. Butterflies swarmed my stomach when he closed the door and rounded the front to join me. He could barely contain his smile as he started his loud beast of a vehicle. Colt stretched his arm across the back of my seat as he glanced in the rearview mirror and reversed onto our street. "Thanks," I whispered softly, hoping he knew what for.

He gave me a sideways glance and nodded. "Of course. You know we're friends."

The balloon that was formally my pounding heart, started to deflate at his words. I knew he meant no harm. We were friends. But dammit, I wanted more.

As we made our way down the tree-lined streets, I suddenly remembered something. "Can we pick someone up?"

Colt's eyebrows furrowed. "Who?"

"My friend, Ally. She's been at her grandparents' all summer and just got back last night, that's why you haven't met her yet. But she's my best friend."

Colt shrugged and finally agreed when I assured him it wouldn't be out of our way. I texted her and caught her just before she left. Ally was already waiting outside when we pulled up. I opened the door for her and began excitedly chatting before she could even sit down. Her eyes grew large as she glanced over at Colt, all bulging muscles and dark curls flopping over his forehead. He gave her a small grin when I introduced them and we were on our way.

I scooted over to make room for Ally and accidentally bumped against Colt. "Sorry," I gasped, leaning away and trying to give him more space. 

"No big deal," he sighed, keeping his gaze forward as he maneuvered down the street. I tried not to gasp when I felt his jean-clad thigh brush my bare knee. A shiver worked its way through my body when I glanced up at him, finding him gnawing the corner of his lip. I was affecting him and my young heart was doing backflips in response. 

If Ally noticed my preoccupation with Colt, she didn't comment on it. At least not in front of him. But when we split off from him to find our lockers, she gave me the third degree. 

"Oh my God, girl! You didn't tell me how gorgeous he was!"

"Yes I did!"

"No...not even close. He's…" Ally paused to glance around, making sure Colt wasn't within earshot. "Yummy."

I shoved her playfully as I began placing things into my new locker. "He's not...we aren't like that, Ally. I swear he just sees me as a friend."

"You sure?" she leaned in close. "Because he doesn't look at you like a friend."

I blew off her comments as we strolled down the hall, enthusiastic for the new year and all it would hold. We had already received our schedules in the mail over the summer, so we knew we had homeroom together. 

I raised my head to find Jason Young leaning against the lockers in front of us. Last year, I noticed him and wondered what it would be like to have his attention. He never had less than three girls surrounding him at all times. But this morning it was just two of his friends from the baseball team. They were joking around until Jason raised his head and found me approaching. He slapped the chests of his friends and pointed my way, completely throwing me off guard. 

"Jesus, these freshmen just keep getting hotter!" he howled as we passed by him. 

"We're sophomores," I sassed back, shocking Ally with my brazen courage. Jason Young was a God at our school. He played three sports, had tons of money and wss never lonely. But looking at him now, I realized he paled in comparison to Colt's big heart and genuine smile. 

Jason was a player.

"Oh excuse me," Jason chuckled as he darted out in front of me, walking backwards and holding his hands up in surrender. "I certainly didn't mean to offend you Miss…" he prompted me for my name.

I paused in front of my homeroom door, forcing Jason to stop with me. I rolled my eyes at him and shuffled toward the door to follow Ally before I felt his hand on my arm. "Come on, Blondie. Just tell me your name," he flirted.

I shook my head and held back a laugh until he eased me toward him and away from the busy hallway traffic. I glanced up at him as he caged me against the lockers with an overconfident smirk on his face. "Just a name, babe. That's all I want."

"I really gotta go," I urged, pressing a hand to his chest in frustration. 

Jason sighed dramatically, pushing his lower lip out in a pout I'm sure he thought was cute. He lowered his hand to graze the hem of my skirt, barely brushing just above my knee as he did. I opened my mouth to let him have it but I didn't have a chance because Jason was being ripped away. 

I blinked quickly, realizing Colt had a hold on Jason's collar and was hauling him away from me. "Leave her alone," Colt growled as he pinned Jason to the row of lockers on the other side of the hall. 

I rushed to Colt's side, gripped his bicep and begged him to back off. "Let's go," I urged desperately. Kids like Jason didn't get in trouble. Their daddy's money made them immune to punishment. 

Jason shrugged out of Colt's hold when his friends appeared at his side, informing him that the vice-principal was on his way. He stalked off, but not before shooting Colt a dirty look that made me wonder what the retribution would be later.

"You better go, Colt." I glanced down the hall, looking for Mr. Keach. "We're late for homeroom."

Colt finally looked at me, his eyes softening as he checked me over. "Are you okay?"

"I'm totally fine," I insisted.

I held my breath when he slid his hand around the nape of my neck and held me carefully. He opened his mouth to speak but shook his head instead. When brushed his lips across my forehead, the butterflies went into overdrive. "I'll catch you at lunch," he called as he dashed down the hall. All I could do was stare.

I knew I hurt his feelings when I sent him away after we ate at the cafè. But my heart wasn't ready. He still affected me like he did back then. 

But back then I still had hope we could be a couple. Now...I knew better.

I hauled myself through the front door and was immediately assaulted with more memories than I could handle. I found my room as I had left it and after unpacking and a relaxing soak in the tub, I was ready to make myself something to eat.

The house was dark except for the light pouring out of the kitchen. I froze when I heard pots clattering about and the water running in the sink. What the fuck?

I reached for a silver candlestick, gripping with both hands as I crept toward the curious noises. "Hello?" I called as I carefully peered around the corner, only to find Colt hovering over the stove.

"Hey." His bright grin fell away quickly when he noticed my weapon of choice. He raised both hands and approached me carefully. "Sorry if I scared you."

I glanced around and found the table set for two and chicken breasts grilling in a skillet. Lowering the candlestick, I furrowed my brow in confusion. "What is all this?"

"Dinner," he sighed. "Maybe I should've asked you first."

I crossed my arms over my chest and eyed him cautiously. He returned to the stove and removed a small casserole dish from the oven, placing it on the table along with the grilled meat. He turned to face me with a hopeful gaze. "Will you join me?"

I just stared as he strode to the fridge and produced a bottle of Pinot, holding it up for my approval. I nodded slightly, gliding around him to seat myself at the small table. "This looks really good," I finally conceded when I caught Colt's thoughtful glance.

He blushed slightly, serving me without words. I was nearly halfway done before I asked the obvious question. "Why are you here, Colt?"

His brows knitted together before he replied. "I just thought you'd like this and maybe…" he trailed off.

"No, I mean why are you here? In my dad's house."

Confusion clouded his face before he explained, "I still live upstairs, Corri. You didn't know that?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "No. I mean, I just assumed you moved out when…" My head was swirling with questions, but I wasn't sure I was prepared to hear the answers. "I didn't know," I finally added.

"This is my home, Corri. And it's yours too. It always has been. I just wish you hadn't stayed away so long."

His expression was wistful and now more than ever, I was feeling the weight of my decisions. We continued talking as we ate, sticking to easy topics like Colt's excellent cooking and how long I planned on staying.

I pushed my plate aside and gave Colt a hard stare. "You know, I came here with a sliver of hope, just praying that he wasn't as bad as he had said but...I know that's not true. He doesn't want treatment. He doesn't want to spend his last days sick when the chances of recovery are so small. And he won't come home and let me care for him." My voice was breaking, right along with my heart.

He reached across the table and let his fingers graze the tips of mine before pulling away. "I know, butterfly. I've tried to talk to him. I've tried so many times…"

I swallowed thickly, pushing down a huge lump in my throat when I saw the hurt in Colt's eyes. This was killing him too. "He told me," I began. "I know what I need to do, but how can I, Colt? How can I say goodbye?"

My shoulders fell when I said the words. It was more difficult than I could have imagined. When Colt stood and began approaching me, I grabbed up the dishes from the table and scurried to the sink. 

"You don't have to do that," he sighed, reaching around me to take the plate from my hand as I began to rinse it off.

We began tugging it between us until he spun me around and I lost control of sprayer, dousing his chest with water. He gasped as I glanced up at him, noticing the shocked look on his face. "Sorry," I laughed when he lifted the bottom of his wife beater and used it to wipe the water from his chin.

"You think that's funny?" Colt challenged me, reaching for the sprayer in my hand, but only managing to get himself wetter as I continued my fit of giggles. 

He yanked the sprayer free from my hands and caged me between the counter and his own massive body. I watched as he reached behind his back to yank the soaked garment from his damp skin and I stood in awe of sculpted shoulders and the pulsing veins in his neck. My eyes wandered over his toned chest and rippled abs, catching the tattoos scattered along his perfectly tanned skin. 

My fingers drifted up to the colorful butterfly covering his heart and he watched as I traced the outline of it. "Colt…"

He pressed his hand over mine and dipped his head to capture my gaze. "Let me clean this up. You must be tired. I'll get it."

My mind yearned to beg him to tell me about the butterfly tattoo. But I knew what it meant. It had to. Colt had always called me butterfly, ever since that first night. I shook those thoughts away and sidled up beside him so I could load the dishwasher as he rinsed. He didn't argue with me either.

We worked side by side and in the silence I could appreciate the tingles every time our fingers brushed against the other's skin. That connection was still there. He still made my breath catch and my heart skip a beat.

I wiped the table down as he scrubbed the last pot. I could feel his warmth behind me as I moved into the living room. "Should we watch a movie?"

I shook my head and then turned to smile up at him. "I should probably just get to bed. It's been a long day."

Colt slung his damp shirt over his shoulder and nodded. "Yeah, good idea."

I padded down the hallway and paused in my doorway. Colt stood there with his arms gripping the top of the doorframe, reminding me so much of that first night when I showed him around the garage apartment. His massive body now blocked the frame and my 25-year-old heart knew how rare it was to find someone who was as kind as they were beautiful. 

Deep down I wanted to pull him into my room and let him hold me until I fell asleep. I reached for him, pulling him close and burying my nose in the crook of his neck. His arms engulfed me and I smiled when I heard him sniff my hair. 

"You smell the same," he sighed. "Like cinnamon and citrus."

I laughed as I wriggled out of his arms. "And you smell like home to me." I brushed my fingers over his butterfly tattoo and gazed up at him. "Goodnight."

Colt stepped away slowly and I heard him disappear out the door leading to the garage. Somehow with my body weary and my eyes burning, my mind was still working overtime. I had so many questions for Colt, but most of all I had to figure out how to be around him without making a fool out of myself...again. 

 
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A/N: hello! So here's another chapter for you 😁 I'm trying to keep the updates coming for you. I hope the flashbacks aren't too confusing. Thanks so much for the love and sharing it on Instagram! You guys are great!