Chapter One Hundred Fourteen

It wasn’t a surprise to see a black sedan waiting in his driveway when Colton got home. Thorne got out of the driver’s seat and followed him inside without a word.

Pudge flopped over on his side under the front window. He hadn’t even begged their visitor to pet him. It was a testament to how sad he was.

How sad they both were.

“What’s wrong with him?” Thorne asked.

“He’s trying to get attention. Just ignore him.” He didn’t want to explain that he and his dog were heartbroken over the same woman.

Thorne laughed, then sobered as he looked around the living room and the stacks of moving boxes. “You’re packing.”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t remember planning a move for you.”

“I have to get out of this house.”

Every time he came home, he expected to see her sitting on the sofa. He couldn’t sleep because he was still hoping she would sneak into his house. Into his bed. Every time he let the dog in, he prayed she’d be waiting on his porch.

He needed to find his own place. Without ghosts. Somewhere she wouldn’t be able to hack the address and show up just as he was trying to make a new life. He needed to cut the remaining thread between them.

Thorne nodded. “What does this mean for your position with the team? The doctor’s about to clear you for active duty.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve done some more thinking, and I’ve changed my mind about that. There’s something else I want more.”

Thorne just nodded, and didn’t push for details, which was a good thing because Colton didn’t have any. All he knew was it was time to start over.

Completely over.

After a few more minutes, Thorne stood and let out a breath. “Let me know where you want to go and what you want to do. I’ll do my best to set it up.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.” He opened his mouth to ask about Angel, but then closed it. He didn’t want to know.

He walked the man out and waved goodbye.

Thorne was just pulling out of the driveway when another visitor showed up.

Kenny practically bounced into the house carrying a piece of paper with him. Pudge came closer and flopped over on the boy’s feet looking up with sad puppy dog eyes.

“Don’t fall for it. He’s taking advantage of the situation.”

“Are you sure? He looks legit miserable.”

“And you look legit excited about something. What’s up?”

“I’m top of my class.” Kenny held out the paper with a wide grin. It was good to see him excited about his future.

“Good for you.” Colton smiled, genuinely happy that something good was happening for someone. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks.” The kid’s cheeks flushed and he glanced away. There was something else.

“And?”

“And Morgan is my girlfriend. Like official. She even changed her relationship status on Facebook.”

Colton really wasn’t sure what that last part meant, but if Kenny was happy, Colton was happy. “Wow. That’s big. Congratulations.”

Kenny took in the state of the living room, and looked back at Colton in surprise. “You’re moving? Did you get back with The Mantis? I hear she got cleared and everything.”

“Yeah, I’m moving. I’ll miss you, kid.”

“Have you talked to her?” Kenny asked eagerly.

“Nope.”

Kenny’s expression turned puzzled. “Are you going to tell her you want her back?”

“No. I’m not.”

“Come on man. I am 99.753 percent sure she will be happy if you reach out to her.”

Colton couldn’t help chuckling at the exaggerated prediction. “Too bad. I might have been willing if it was 99.8 percent.”

“Don’t you know about rounding?” Kenny wagged his finger at him, making them both laugh.

Kenny pulled out his wallet and handed Colton two twenty-dollar bills.

Oh shit.

It was never good when people used your own advice against you. Especially smart-ass kids.

“Find her and ask her out to dinner,” Kenny ordered, as though he were the adult. “If she says no, you can use this to buy yourself a steak dinner. If she says yes, you can take her”—he looked at the twenties and made a face—“for a burger.”

If only it were so simple.

Colton shook his head and admitted, “I don’t know if I’ll ever see her again.”

Kenny looked genuinely disappointed by that. “Promise me, if you do, you’ll try your best.”

What the hell. It wasn’t like he would see her.

He ruffled the kid’s hair. “Yeah, okay. I promise.”

“Thank you for helping me,” Kenny said after Colton reluctantly took the money. “I wouldn’t have figured out what I wanted to be if it weren’t for you. And I wouldn’t have known how to start if you hadn’t helped me fill out the application. You’re the best teacher ever, Mr. Willis.”

Colton swallowed down a lump of emotion at the unexpected praise. The best teacher ever, who’d held a gun on him, and intentionally sabotaged his ability to construct a bookcase.

But… Despite his questionable tactics, Colton had managed to help this kid. He’d guided him to a path where he could excel and succeed.

He smiled, and slapped Kenny on the back.

And knew they’d both found their purpose.