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“What is this? Amateur hour? Of course, I recorded it.”

“Good ‘cause they might make it to the playoffs.”

Colt rounded on her with a playful grin. “I knew there was a reason you offered to drive me home. You wanted to watch the game on the big screen.”

“Yes. I’m here for the pizza and baseball,” Remi deadpanned.

Colt picked up his plate and tossed it in the trash. “Good because I haven’t watched it yet.”

Remi tossed her own empty plate and grabbed their drinks. “You mean to tell me that game has been recorded on your massive TV for four days, and you didn’t watch it?”

“Yep. It’s no fun watching it by myself. And Ridge has been busy lately.”

“Gee, it’s nice to know I’m your backup friend.”

Colt wrapped his good arm around her shoulders and herded her toward the living room. “Easy, princess. You know you’re my number one.”

Remi silently finished that sentence as they walked to the living room.

For now.

Chapter3

Remi

Remi lounged on the plush couch and stared up at the ridiculously high ceiling. “I still can’t believe you live here.”

Colt was kicked back in the recliner with his good arm resting behind his head. “I know. It’s a few steps up from the bunkhouse with Linc.”

“You’ll be spoiled.” Even as she said the words, she knew Colt wasn’t the one getting spoiled. She was.

Who wouldn’t? She’d lived in basic housing her entire life, and she’d never take a place like this for granted. Just getting to hang out with Colt here was a treat.

“I’m sure things will change soon.”

Remi frowned and tuned out the shouts and commentary of the game they were watching. “Why do you say that?”

Colt didn’t look away from the TV. “Ridge and Cheyenne are getting married, and I doubt they’ll decide to live in the cabin on the ranch.”

Remi froze, suddenly hit with the realization that Colt’s living situation might change soon. Would he leave Blackwater? He couldn’t leave Blackwater, right?

That was something she hadn’t thought of until now. While Colt hadn’t moved around a lot in his life, Remi was pretty accustomed to packing up on short notice. It was the story of her childhood. Mom got a new boyfriend, and they moved in with him. She got an even newer boyfriend, and they moved in with him. One long string of her mom’s boyfriends made up the first thirteen years of her life.

And so began her aversion to dating. She’d known a few people who were or had been in truly healthy relationships, but the statistics didn’t lie--those were rare. The alternative to happily ever after was her mom and the string of toxic relationships she’d dragged Remi through for years.

No, thank you. In fact, Remi had found her own ways to ruin her life starting at a young age. Petty crime, drugs, alcohol. You name it and she’d tried it. If her life was going to suck, she’d wanted to do the damage herself.

It all seemed stupid now. She’d hit rock bottom and decided to set up shop there when Kendra found her. The woman hadn’t given Remi much of a choice but to get off her sorry behind and get back on track.

Remi cleared her throat and prayed her words wouldn’t shake. “Where will you go?”

Colt seemed unfazed from his hyper-reclined lounger. “I don’t know yet. I might ask about one of the new cabins on the ranch. They have two rooms.”

“Why do you need two rooms? Are you getting used to the square footage around here?”

Colt waved his good hand in the air. “I know it’s not on your agenda, but I want a family at some point. I’m not getting any younger.”

There he went with the family talk again. Maybe if he kept bringing it up and reminding her, it wouldn’t be such a shock when he dropped the news of his engagement. Well, she’d know he was dating, then getting serious, then thinking about popping the big question, but it would still be a significant change in her life. Colt would have someone else to spend all his time with, and she’d have Jess.