Page 18 of Going Home

"I gotta say, things were a bit boring around here until you came back, Colt," VP says with a laugh.

"Ky's in a lot of trouble."

"Do you know about it?"

He grimaces. "Yeah. Even Lex knows. She was in Arizona when she found out about it. How he kept the secret this long, I'll never know. That man cannot keep anything to himself to save his fucking life. Not on a personal level, anyway."

"I've never seen Felicity that pissed."

"I'm not really worried about her. That will figure itself out. What I'm worried about is Lex. Her reaction to Felicity wasn't like her. That's why I know this shit is a lot for her to deal with. Not that I helped with putting two more kids in the house."

"I'll admit that her reaction worried me a bit."

Running a hand over his face, he looks at the Chapel doors. "I just want to help her. Until she tells me and lets me know how I can relieve some of this for her, I'll just be sitting here. Waiting. I guess right now, all I can do is be here for her. The moment she tells me she needs me, though, I'm jumping in."

"I think knowing you're here when she does need you helps more than you think it does," VP says. "And not pushing her also makes it easier on her. You're doing good, kid."

Is he? Colt isn't so sure. If he was doing so well, why wouldn't Lex just tell him? Does she think he can't keep a secret? That he can't be trusted? Even though it hurts to think she doesn't trust him as much as he trusts her, he pushes it to the side because she needs him. And he knows he's the reason they aren't on the same level. He just needs to navigate a little better and be there in all the ways he can. For her, he'll do anything.

Chapter Seven

Griffin's Beach

Colt

SittingintheGriffin'sBeach clubhouse feels like coming home, especially with Lex settled on Colt's lap. For the past two days, Lex has been busy and unable to stop by, but tonight, he finally convinced her that it would be good for the both of them to get away from the house and without the kids. If they make it to his apartment, which hasn't been reassigned to anyone else, he wouldn't complain.

Lex hasn't slept more than a couple of hours, at most, since they returned to Griffin's Beach, and he feels guilty for adding to her plate. He tells himself that if he knew what was going on with her, he would have found other arrangements for Hailey and Lucas, but he knows as well as anyone that's nothing but a big fat lie. Lex melted Colt's once frigid heart and turned him into a bigger softie than she is. Not that he'll ever admit that aloud.

He digs his fingers into her tense shoulder, and he knows it probably hurts. But it's the good type of hurt. The type that brings relief afterwards.

"I talked to Lily this morning," Lex says, her head rolling as he works out a knot above her right shoulder blade. "She said she'll have Grayson take the guardianship papers to the house to have them signed tomorrow. It sounds like an easy process. As long as their parents sign them."

"I don't think we'll have any problems getting them signed. If Grayson runs into problems, I'll let him know to give me a call. Undertaker and Venom can accompany me to remind the man of what I said the last time I saw him. And it's pretty much a guarantee he won't make it through the visit without pissing himself."

Moaning quietly, he knows her eyes are closed, and he smiles to himself. Reading her mind isn't something he's too capable of yet, but he can read her body. He knows exactly how to relieve the tension she carries, and in a bit, he plans to help relieve more of her stress. Naked. In bed.

No matter how hectic life gets, they made the decision after they nearly divorced to prioritize their marriage. No matter how busy things get with the club or kids, they have to be on the top of the list. Always. He won't risk losing her because he knows he'll never survive if she walks away again. He also knows that if she does, she won't come back. There have been too many chances as it is, and he has nothing left to bank on.

"I can't believe Gavin and Kent are both prospects," Lex says. "God, we're getting old. When did that happen?"

Kent, Jace Conway's son, isn't much older than Gavin, and it feels like they went from ten to eighteen overnight. "I think it was somewhere around the time we had Calla," he murmurs in her ear.

"I suppose I shouldn't be too upset about growing old. Not everyone gets the luxury. Especially in this life."

She's not wrong. The number of men in Colt's past who never made it to see their kids graduate is higher than he'd like to admit. They all knew what they signed up for when they joined the club, but it doesn't make the reality of it any less painful.

"Your moans turn me on, baby," Colt whispers to change the subject. Too much thinking about the men they've lost reminds him of darker times he wishes he could erase.

"That's because you can only imagine me naked when I moan," she says, and the lightness in her voice that she had during their time in Summerville returns.

Kissing her neck, he continues to rub her muscles, loving the feeling of them relaxing beneath his touch. "How about we take this to the apartment? I'd love to give you a full body massage. Complete with at least two happy endings."

"Colt," Jennings calls as he steps out of the office.

"When the fuck did he get here?" he mumbles.

Lex giggles. "Well, it was a nice thought."

---