Page 53 of Colt

I thought about Shep and all the changes that were about to happen in my life.

It didn’t escape me that I still hadn’t told Freya. It was hard for me to open up though. I held my cards close to my chest because I’d always been alone in the world. Freya would be a part of my life, and I’d factor her into my future decisions, but it would take time to get used to it.

“I’m ready,” I assured her. “I love the club, but it was never meant to be a long-term plan for me. I told Prez I wouldn’t be there forever, but I got complacent. The time’s right to branch out, especially if it means we can be together.” I shot her a questioning look. “Have you thought about what’s next? There’s no way you’re fuckin’ enlisting. You need to look for a stateside internship.”

She nodded. “I’ve applied for six positions. They all start their intake next summer, so it’s just a matter of waiting to see where I’m accepted and then making my choice.”

I nodded along, ignoring the twisting inside my chest.

It would be a while before we could settle. I didn’t know where I’d be sent. It was dependent on what role appealed to me. It would be a couple of years before Freya finished her training, and even then, we weren’t guaranteed to be offered work in the same city.

I could compromise and find something as close to her as possible, but who knew where she’d end up? I didn’t want her to take a job she didn’t want just so she could be close to me. Freya deserved to go where she wanted, and to learn the surgeries she was passionate about.

I decided to keep my mouth shut for the time being. I didn’t want to influence Freya’s decisions. We’d make it—I had no doubt—but it would probably take a while. We could do long-distance until we had more control over our futures.

An empty feeling stabbed through my gut, and I could’ve kicked myself for wasting so much time. Now, the thought of being without Freya made me wanna punch a wall.

It was crazy how, just days ago, I been able to ignore my need for her and discount all the feelings that we’d built over the years. It was like a light switch had gone off in my head because I’d done a complete one-eighty.

Or had I? Mine and Freya’s relationship had been brewing since she was eighteen. Even before that, she’d fulfilled me more than women twice her age. There wasn’t another person on the planet who understood me like she did.

A dark feeling crept through my chest.

This wouldn’t be as cut-and-dried as I’d assumed. Obstacles were hitting us from all corners. Freya’s dad and brothers, the club. My work and hers.

I was already half in love with her, and I suspected she felt the same way, but I was conscious of the fact we were very new. All the bullshit we had to face hadn’t tested us yet, but it was looming on the horizon. Once we left our Colorado bubble and returned to Wyoming, everything would change.

I just hoped to God we could get over all the obstructions in one piece, because one thing was for sure: life was about to throw us some challenges, and we needed to be prepared.

Chapter Twelve

Freya

Grand Junction was a pretty town in Northwestern Colorado. It was surrounded by sweeping mountain ranges and lush countryside. It seemed the perfect place to position a Vet hospital. Waking up to such beauty every day would heal the most broken of souls.

My breath caught at the scenery as we approached the town.

“It’s pretty, right?” Colt said quietly.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “It reminds me of Wyoming.”

“Same terrain,” he said, glancing out of the windshield. “We’re not too far from Hambleton...” His voice trailed off like a thought interrupted what he was about to say.

The journey had started off great. Colt had been playful. We’d laughed and gone deep about his family and where things were going between us. Then, the atmosphere changed.

Are you okay?” I asked. “You seem distracted.”

He sighed. “It kinda hit me that we’ve got some tough times ahead, Princess.” I caught him grimacing slightly before he squared his shoulders and continued. “Think we’ve gotta be practical in our plans. We dunno where we’re gonna be in six months. We’ve gotta accept that fate might not be on our side.”

Uneasiness stirred in my stomach.

“I assumed you’d build a business,” I responded tightly. “Do freelance work.”

“I’ve no doubt I’ll find work, Freya,” he muttered. “But who knows where it’ll be. Maybe you shouldn’t assume shit about me.”

My eyes slashed toward him. “Don’t speak to me like that.” I turned to face the windshield and crossed my arms across my chest.

He heaved out a sigh.

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