Page 57 of Ride or Die (The Shores #1)

“Listen, if this is absolutely fucked, we leave, okay? We pick up and move again. I’m your partner, and I will do what you want.

I just want you to give them a chance before you completely shut down on the idea.

I’d kill to have a happy family. I can only imagine what’s happening to Simone right now, and it breaks my fucking heart.

If this works out, it’s family for both of us.

But like I said, I have your back, okay? ”

He looks down at me with so much love my heart could burst, cupping my cheek the way he always does that makes me feel so precious.

“As always, there you are, Layla, rescuing me from myself. I’d be fucking nothing without you,” he whispers as his thumb rubs my cheek. I reach up and wrap my hand around the back of his neck, bringing him to me for a tonsil-knocking kiss. The passion is always alive with us.

We make our way to their cute little one-bedroom rental, where his dad is making kebabs on the BBQ when we show up.

“Kids! You made it!” Dane says so proudly, wearing his apron and waving tongs in the air.

“Hey,” Colton grunts and sits down, crossing his arms grumpily. His mom automatically hits the back of his head and gives him a beer.

“Be nice,” she scolds, and I can’t help but chuckle at the confused scowl on his face. I walk up to Dane and give him a hug. His embrace is comforting, the way a dad’s should be.

“Thank you, Layla,” he says. He brings everything off the BBQ and presents it on the table in the lanai. We all dig into the kebabs, potatoes, and barbecued pineapple.

“This is delicious. Thank you so much,” I say with a mouthful. Colton has been relatively quiet so far, not even eating much, mostly pushing his food around his plate.

“You’re welcome. Man am I ever happy you kids chose here to settle down.

This is the life I want to live! Ya know, even when I left, it was always the plan.

Every year, your mom would write one letter that Williams would pass on.

She wrote about your good grades, how well you took care of her, your plan to get out, and I knew we would follow you.

You really did become the man of the house, Colton.

” His dad takes a sip of his drink and looks across the table, and Colt finally makes eye contact with him.

“You are more of a man than I could ever be. I am so fucking proud of you for being my badass kid and for getting out of there. For meeting this beautiful girl and cherishing her for what she is. For settling here, starting anew. I just hope one day you can forgive me.” It’s quiet around the table, and I notice Colton swallowing hard.

I guess Dane didn't quite abandon Jen. She knew he left with a purpose and never told Colt.

I'm not quite sure what's about to happen, but I’m preparing myself to stop Colt from flipping the fuck out.

“You’re proud of me?” Colt asks, and his dad gives him a genuine smile.

“So fucking proud, son. You handled Harvey fucking Williams. You were like his right-hand man, and that guy’s an asshole.” We all let out a laugh around the table. It's the first time I've heard his first name.

“Take your time forgiving me. I know I fucked up. I’m sorry, and one day you will see that I’ve proven I mean nothing but good by coming back into your life. I’ve missed my family terribly.” He reaches into a back pocket, pulls out a piece of paper, and slides it across the table.

Colton pulls the battered little piece of paper towards us and flips it. It’s a photo of the three of them when Colton was around ten. They look so happy, the photo reminiscent of what I left Simone in that locket. My heart squeezes, and tears fill my eyes.

“I looked at that picture every night. Knew my choices led to me not being able to hold you two in my arms and not being able to take care of my sick wife. The last twelve years were torture. I kissed that photo every damn night waiting for this day.” His face scrunches with hurt, and his head falls into his hands as he lets out a sob.

Jen reaches over and rubs Dane’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Colton gets up from his chair and walks over to his dad, who also gets up, and they hug. The floodgates open, and Colton cries in his dad’s arms. Twelve years of fighting to get here, for this moment, all coming to the surface.

Colton finally has a family again.

After a lovely dinner where I watched three family members connect after sharing fond memories together, Colt and I head home and go out on our own little lanai for a nightcap before we head to bed.

We lie on the lounge chair, and I position myself between his legs again as we look up at the stars. His arms wrap tightly around me, and he breathes in my scent as he burrows his face into my neck from behind.

“You are everything to me, Layla. Tonight…the past year. Like, I can’t wrap my head around this feeling. There are no other words than you are fucking everything to me. I don’t know how to thank you for the countless ways you have saved me, for loving me.” I squeeze his arm.

“The feeling is mutual, babe. You saved me too. We are soulmates. We worked so damn hard for all of this and will continue to do so for the rest of our lives.” I pull his hand to my mouth and kiss him.

He pushes me off him and helps turn me to straddle him on the lounge chair, using those goddamn muscles effortlessly again. His hands rub along my hips as he looks at me with pure love, and he reaches up to cup my cheek. I lean into his hand, a content sigh leaving my lips.

“I’ll always fight for us. I’ll never let you down. I promised you I’d spend the rest of my life taking care of you.” He pauses and gently kisses my lips.

“Marry me, Lay,” Colt whispers against my lips, and a smile stretches across mine. I lean back to look at him, and he pulls out a ring with a modest-sized diamond, presenting it to me.

“Yes, of course I’ll marry you, Colton Hawthorne. Fuck, I love you so much!” His smile widens as he puts the ring on my finger and kisses me deeply before resting his forehead on mine.

“I'll love you always and forever. You’re my Ride or Die , baby.”

THE END.