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S I X T Y - E I G H T
“Who knew you could be such a cutie?” Kate giggled at the dramatic eye-roll that Colton gave her, shoving a piece of pizza into her unsuspecting mouth. She gagged, giving him a teasing glare before snatching up a piece for herself.
A floral quilt was sprawled beneath them on the bare living room floor, tea-lights flickering from the low-line. He’d surprised her with her favorite bottle of wine and pizza, a reward for being on her own for longer than ten minutes. Unenthusiastically, he agreed to watch the new episodes of The Umbrella Academy. She took a long sip of wine, dreamy-eyed as she watched Diego dart across the screen. A cushion surprised her, smacking her in the face and sending wine dribbling down her chin.
“Stop it,” Colton growled as Kate gave him a faux-serious glare. Laughter broke through it quickly when he narrowed his eyes in warning.
“But he’s just so attract-”
The hurdling cushion hit her cheek once more. Kate snorted with laughter as Colton
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Rude Awakenings S I X T Y - N I N E
“And what do you do when Kate is struggling mentally, Colton?” Charlie pondered, eyeing the stiff body opposite him over thick-rimmed glasses.Colton picked at the fraying of his black jeans, twirling the denim between his fingers as he kept his gaze firmly fixed on the floor. The couch squeaked beneath Kate as she shifted uncomfortably and Colton forced himself to shrug. He felt like a petulant child at the principal’s office, bracing himself for the lecture and trying desperately to think of something he could say that would stop the conversation dead in its tracks. Nothing came to mind. He sighed, “I don’t know.”“He takes a steamin-” Kate began before being halted by Charlie’s stubby hand.Narrowing his eyes on the therapist, Colton felt a wave of irritation boil over him at the gall of the guy. Charlie turned back to him, and smiled, “You said you felt guilt during these… episodes. How do you manage the guilt within yourself?”“Not well,” he admitted. Hi
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y
Florence perched on Colton’s knee, happily singing the theme song to Mickey Mouse’s Clubhouse in adorable baby babble. Chubby hands clapped together, big, twinkling eyes watching the characters dance across the screen. Every so often, she’d glance back to Colton, checking to see if he was amazed by the cartoon mouse as she was. Kate giggled as Colton raised his brows, nodding enthusiastically, much to Florence’s delight.Wiping down the kitchen counters, Kate poured herself a glass of wine, leaning on her forearms to take in the scene before her. When Paloma had begged Kate to mind Florence overnight, she originally said no. Taking care of a toddler for a few hours was hard enough in itself, let alone an entire night, but with Paloma vomiting and Dylan working the night shift, she couldn’t leave her friend without an option. As she watched the sight before her though, she scolded herself for being so nervous. Colton was a natural and although she knew it, it still took her by
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - O N E
B O O K T W OThe bedroom door creaked open, Kate’s gaze lifting as she flicked over another page of the newspaper. Tendrils of steam escaped her mug, fogging up her reading glasses. Stubble brushed against her cheek, her head tilting toward Colton’s sleepy frame.“I thought you were going to yoga this morning?” His bare feet scuffed on the floorboards into the kitchen where he sluggishly poured a coffee, resting his bare back against the countertop as he took a deep gulp.Scooping up the last of cereal, Kate nodded. “I did. Paloma needed to leave early, so she dropped me home. That was…” she paused, swiping open her phone. “Over an hour ago. Not like you to sleep in.”Colton shrugged. “That fuckwit next door was boning the loudest fucking woman I’ve ever heard. Every time I thought I could drift off, she’d start up again.”&ldq
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - T W O
Flipping open the plastic container Kate had packed for him, Colton laughed. Veggie sticks and hummus, sandwiches, and a slightly-nibbled muffin were tucked neatly in the confines, along with a note telling him how much she loved him. The tight squeeze in his chest served as a constant reminder of how fucking deeply he loved this woman.Tugging his phone from his pocket, he typed out a message; You’re the best thing in my life. I love the fucking shit out of you. The image of Kate reading it - tinted cheeks and nipped in lower lip - had him involuntarily smiling like a fucking fool.“Cute lunch. Looks like something mom would pack me in third grade.”Snapping from his haze, Colton’s eyes narrowed on the brunette standing in front of him. Carissa, Clara, Cameron… fuck if he could remember. Her confidence faltered at his evident disdain, but she recuperated quickly, adjusting her top to reveal an inappropriate amount of clea
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - T H R E E
Roused by the gentle clink of the mug on her night stand, the aroma of coffee permeating the air, Kate sleepily rolled over, smiling up at the bare torso that greeted her. Stretching up, she traced the outline of his defined abdominals before hooking her fingers into the waistband of his pants, tugging him closer. He jerked forward, straddling her svelte frame, laughing as she pulled him down, desperate to kiss him.His kiss was gentle, void of the ferocity she craved. “I have to go to work, babe.” He smirked at her grumble. “You’re still okay to meet me for lunch, yeah?”“Yeah. I finish with Charlie at 11:30, so I’ll head straight to the gym afterwards.”Planting a kiss against her warm forehead, Colton’s raspy voice came out in a whisper. “I’m really proud of you, Kate.”His lips hit her skin once more, her eyes closing to revel in the tender moment. “I couldn’t do it wi
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - F O U R
Bruce Springsteen blasted from the jukebox, rainbow lights flashing around its perimeter in tempo, as the clatter of pool balls mingled with the chattering of guests. Colton pushed through the crowd, muttering incoherently about the number of people gathering near the entrance, while clasping Kate’s hand; his thumb brushing sweet lines against her knuckles. Scanning each crowded booth, he grumbled, finally locating Paloma and Heath at the furthest one from the door. It was easy to miss them; their faces attached together in a passionate embrace. Colton rolled his eyes, striking Heath’s arm before sliding into the faded, red booth. Draping his arm across Kate’s exposed shoulders, absentmindedly toying with the lacy hem of her off-the-shoulder sleeve, he cleared his throat. “Have some dignity. You’re in a public place.”Wiping the smear of red lipstick from Heath’s mouth, Paloma shook her head in amusement. “Did you guys fuck in a
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - F I V E
Heath’s fist clenched against the metal table, knuckles protruding so fiercely his skin appeared translucent, while Paloma’s features sunk in disappointment. Kate had half a mind to march to the bar, scold Colton for his shitty behavior and drag his ass back to the table, but she knew that, for the moment, the best thing she could do was attempt to redeem the happiness surrounding the announcement. Pointing toward the glass of lemonade, Kate raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “So, you weren’t drinking vodka sodas earlier?”Lifting her gaze from the torn skin of her nails, Paloma blew out a breath in amusement. A smile glimmered on her face, Heath’s stern features relaxing just a fraction. “It was water,” she laughed. “But I’m glad to know that if you see me drinking clear liquid, your first assumption is vodka.”Shrugging indifferently, Kate smiled, rapping her fingers against the cool steel. “So, tell
Rude Awakenings S E V E N T Y - S I X
Dropping her bag on the table by the front door, Kate kicked off her shoes, watching them fly in different directions; one landing beside the sofa, the other by the television. Colton slipped in through the opening behind her, stumbling onto the sofa and flicking on the TV. Rolling her eyes, Kate locked the door, averting his reaching grasp as she moved toward the bathroom.“It’s only 9:30,” he whined. “You’re not going to bed, are you?”Shutting herself in the tiled confines, Kate took in a deep breath, enjoying the fleeting silence. Colton’s loud, aggravated groan reverberated from the lounge-room, the heavy clomp of black boots testing their wooden floors. Kate pitied their downstairs neighbor; the boots exacerbating his usual stomp. Hurriedly stripping, she turned on the faucet, thankful for the near-instantaneous expulsion of warm water as she jumped in.The door flung open, Colton’s broad physique taking up m
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