Page 55 of The Pieces We've Lost

We were silent for a moment, but then Colter cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Did you ever end up going out with Isabelle?”

“Yeah, we did for a little while. Nothing exciting happened, though,” I admitted.

“No? Didn’t meet another charming cowboy?” He smirked, the corners of his eyes crinkling and dimples deepening.

“Well, actually, there was a saddle bronc rider that—” I started to make up a lie, but immediately Colter’s face fell, as much as he was trying to mask it. “No, Sparky. No one could replace you.”

“You’re not wrong there. Iamtruly one of a kind.” He pretended to flip his hair like Isa sometimes did.

I was starting to realize one thing: Colter might have been twenty-six, but he was a kid at heart. Not in an immature way, but in a fun way, a way that made everyone want to be his friend. His charm was magnetic, and his pull reached me even from states away. He always found some way to make me laugh or smile.

“Don’t let your ego get too inflated now, you might float away.”

“You see, Blaze, my ego already is inflated. Past the point of no return even. You keep me grounded, though.” He winked.

Oh, and another thing about Colter? He was cheesier than Kraft mac and cheese.

Ace

Heading over to Vegas today. Will let you know when we stop driving again.

Drive safe Sparks

It was late afternoon the next day when I got the text from Colter letting me know he was back on the road. Isa had come over to my house, and we were getting ready to watch trashy reality TV shows for the rest of the day.

“Is that your boyfriend?” She giggled, drawing out the word boyfriend.

“He’s not my boyfriend, but yes.” I punched her on the arm as I settled into the couch next to her.

“Oh, please, you talk literally all day every day. I’m surprised you two haven’t tried to do it over the phone yet. He may as well be your boyfriend, Ells.” She grabbed the TV remote. “So, what are we thinking?Love Islandor an old season ofThe Bachelor?”

“Depends on what seasons ofThe Bachelorare on Hulu,” I responded as she flipped to the streaming app.

“We could watch season sixteen with Ben or season twenty-three with Colton.Personally, I wouldn’t mind watching Colton hop the fence again.” She smirked. “Do you think Colter could jump a fence?”

“Oh my God, Isa!”

Leave it to her to bring Colter into every conversation we had.

I’d bet money that Coltercouldjump a fence, though. And he’d probably look hot doing it.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

colter

We got to Vegas super late last night. Didn’t want to wake you.

Isent off the text to Ellison letting her know we had made it to Las Vegas. We didn’t get here until about one o’clock last night because Mikey wanted to make so many stops. Combine that with leaving Arizona in the late afternoon and it made for a long, late drive.

My phone chirped with a message.

Blaze

All good. Glad you made it

I was happy that she wasn’t upset about me not letting her know I made itthe moment I made it. Sophie would have had a full-fledged meltdown and started calling everyone I knew trying to figure out where I was. Or she’d rag on me for not having my location turned on. It wasn’t that I was trying to hide anything from her, I just never had it on.

We were staying on the Strip and we usually gave ourselves a day before and after all of the events to enjoyVegas and have fun. Although my idea of fun was a lot different than Mikey’s, especially with his birthday being this week.

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