Page 78 of Colt

I was ready.

I’d lived in darkness for so long her light was almost blinding. Freya had already given me more than I deserved, and when the time was right, I’d tell her I loved her because I did with all my heart and soul.

I always had.

Two Days Later

I banged the side of the truck and watched quietly as it pulled away.

This was it; Freya’s stuff was on its way back to Hambleton, and we were about to follow. Our time here, getting to know each other, was over.

Deep in thought, I turned and froze on the spot when I saw Freya and Abigail hugging each other so tightly I was surprised they could breathe. My girl’s body shook with tears as she said goodbye to her best friend.

Leaning back against Freya’s car, I folded my arms across my chest and watched, heart-in-mouth, as Freya let out a little sob.

She’d never had an Abi before. At school, the other girls avoided her because she was so smart. They wanted to talk about boys and make-up, whereas Freya loved to talk about literature and history. I used to feel bad because she didn’t have typical teenage experiences, but selfishly, a part of me loved that it was me she turned to instead. Soulmates wasn’t a term I’d ever really thought about—my beliefs were more scientific. But if there was ever one for me, hands down, it would be Freya Stone.

I liked that Abigail had adopted her, though. Freya had always been confident in herself, but Abi brought a more relaxed side out that she’d never shown before. Abi made Freya more social and gave her confidence in her femininity, not just her mental ability.

Finally, the girls broke apart. Holding hands, they started to walk toward me.

I noted how different Freya’s dark, edgy beauty was when juxtaposed with Abi’s blonde, pretty feminine style. They were so different in so many ways, but they connected on a level where their differences complemented each other.

Freya would miss her.

“Hey,” I murmured, pulling her into me and sliding my arms around her. “It’s only goodbye for now. You’ll see each other soon.”

“That’s what I said,” Abigail replied ruefully. “She’s gonna put in a good word for me at whatever hospital she ends up working at. We’ll never be torn apart again.”

Freya laughed, turning until her back was plastered against my front. “Take care. I’ll call you when I get home.”

Abi reached out to squeeze Freya’s hand before patting my arm, turning, and strutting away. I could tell she was doing her best to hold her shit together.

“I’m gonna miss her,” my princess said, sighing as she watched Abigail’s ass sway through the door to her apartment block.

“I know.” I moved forward so I could reach behind and open her door. “But you heard her. It won’t be forever. You two are partners in crime.”

She looked up at me. “I can’t believe this is it. Like I said before, it’s the end of an era.”

I framed her face with my hands, leaned down, and dropped a gentle kiss on her mouth. “Time to get back to reality.”

“It’s weird,” she murmured. “I’m ready to move on, but at the same time, I’m scared everything’s changing.”

“It’s unsettling for me too,” I agreed. “But if we keep our eyes on the prize, it won’t seem so daunting. The sooner we get back and sort out our next move, the sooner we can be together.”

Freya touched my hand. “Yeah.”

I took her hand, guided her around the car, and helped her into the driver’s seat. “Wait for me, I’ll follow. Remember where we’re stopping off?” Reaching up, I pulled the seat belt across her lap and fastened it securely. “Don’t drive too fast.”

Our eyes locked. “It’s gonna be okay, right? Please promise me we’ll get through this.”

Reaching up, I cupped her cheek. “We’ve gotta go through the hard stuff to get to the easy. We just gotta have faith everything will work out how it’s meant to. How could it not when you were made for me?”

We smiled at each other like lovestruck teens.

It had taken years for me to get my head out of my ass and claim my woman. We still had a long road ahead, but I was confident in us.

Freya was mine now, and in a couple of months, we could leave the club and start our lives together.

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