Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 16~

~Colby~

The moonlight filtered in like some artsy Instagram filter, casting soft glows and long, dramatic shadows across the living room. Honestly, it looked like a Pinterest board in here. Raelyn was curled into my chest, one leg tossed over mine, her fingers lazily tracing the lines of my collarbone like she was sketching me from memory.

I should've moved, maybe tried to sneak out quietly. But come on—when a girl that beautiful is drooling slightly on your shirt? You stay put.

Her breathing was soft, steady, the kind of rhythm that makes you forget the world's an absolute disaster. I shifted slowly, trying not to wake her, and grabbed a blanket to throw over her. But, of course, fate had other plans. A soft rustle and boom—eyelashes fluttering open like she was in a damn movie.

Her eyes, bleary and half-lidded, locked on me. "Please stay," she whispered, all sleep-drunk and pouty, and yeah—I was toast.

"Not even fair," I muttered, wrapping my arms around her as she sat up and latched onto me like a koala. I rubbed gentle circles on her back, feeling her body tremble just a little.

"You good?" I asked softly, not ready for another emotional whiplash kind of night.

She nodded into my chest. "Just a bad dream."

Of course, it was. My protective instincts kicked in, and next thing I knew I was picking her up bridal style, carrying her back to her bed like some shirtless romance novel cliché. She felt so small in my arms, and I hated whatever haunted her enough to make her cling to me like that.

I tucked her in next to Blake, who stirred and blinked up with bleary little-kid confusion. "Mom? You didn't tuck me in."

Oof. The betrayal in that tiny voice? Brutal.

Raelyn kissed his forehead, guilt painted all over her face. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'll tuck you in like a blanket burrito tomorrow night. Pinky promise."

"Okay," Blake mumbled before curling into her side. His tiny hand reached for hers, and my heart just... yeah. Exploded.

"You can stay, Colby," she murmured, her voice barely a breath.

I hesitated—mostly because I could already hear Sam's sarcastic comments echoing in my head—but nodded. "I'll crash on the couch if you need me."

As I walked back to the living room, I took one last glance at them: her arm protectively curled around Blake, moonlight spilling over them like a spotlight on something sacred. That was it for me. I was done for.

~Raelyn~

Tuesday, September 16th

Waking up in my bed, with Blake tucked into my side like a human teddy bear, was... confusing. Wasn't I on the couch with Colby last night? Did I dream the whole thing?

Nope.

I padded out in yoga shorts and an oversized sweater and found a half-naked man-child sprawled across my couch. Colby, face down, limbs everywhere, buried in my throw pillows like he paid rent here. Just boxers. Just blissfully unaware of the chaos he was causing my blood pressure.

His hair was a messy masterpiece, tousled and flopped over his face. I knelt beside him, running a finger along his arm and tracing the crescent moon tattoo I loved way too much.

"Colby?" I whispered, dragging my hand across the 'X' inked on his back and into his hair.

His ocean eyes peeked open, all sleep-heavy and raspy. "Morning, Rae."

I melted. Not gonna lie.

"Hi, handsome," I murmured, sitting beside him and taking his hand. He brought my fingers to his lips and kissed them gently. I kissed his mouth, slow and sweet, brushing my hand over his cheek.

"You really stayed?" I asked, voice soft.

He smirked. "Of course. Someone had to make sure you didn't fight your nightmares in your sleep again. Plus... your couch is suspiciously comfy. I might sue for joint custody."

I giggled, rolling my eyes.

We wandered into the kitchen, me still blushing and him stretching his shirtless self with zero shame.

"I'm making breakfast. Hungry?" I asked.

"Starving. Need help, chef?"

He threw on his jeans while I snuck a long look at his tattoos and abs and basically everything. The way those ripped jeans hugged his hips? Illegal.

"You're gonna catch flies, angel," he teased, catching me mid-stare.

"Bugs are a small price to pay for this view," I shot back, pulling out a pan.

"How do you like your eggs?"

"Over easy—like your flirting."

"Oh, it's not flirting. It's just advanced appreciation."

He watched me crack eggs into the pan, peppering them like a pro.

"Where'd you learn to cook?" he asked, hopping up onto the counter like he lived here.

"My mom. British women take kitchen pride seriously," I said, flipping the eggs.

"Hot. Domestic goddess energy."

"Colby?"

"Yes, kitchen queen?"

"Stop staring at my ass."

He laughed, unapologetic.

Once breakfast was ready, we sat down, and he took a bite like it was a five-star dish.

"Be honest," I warned.

He dropped his fork dramatically. "This is the best damn breakfast I've had in my life. You should ditch college and go pro."

"Glad you approve," I said smugly, rinsing plates in the sink.

He came over and wrapped his arms around me. "We're hiring a live-in chef. Benefits include morning kisses and unlimited sass."

I looked up at him, arms looped around his neck. "Do you have to head back to the Trap House?"

He laughed. "Trap House? That's what we're calling it now?"

"Frat house doesn't have the same flair. Trap House fits."

"Well, I can stay for a bit." He suddenly picked me up by the thighs and set me on the counter. My breath hitched.

I gasped into his mouth as we kissed—hungry and desperate, and very much headed into uncharted territory.

"Don't your friends need you?" I asked between kisses.

"They'll survive."

His tongue traced my lips, and I opened for him, hearts racing, heat swirling. "Colby—"

His phone buzzed.

Of course.

He sighed like the universe personally hated him. "Hey, Sam... Yeah, I know...I'm at Raelyn's... No, I didn't die... Yeah, I'm coming... Okay, bye."

He hung up and looked sheepish. "Pack work. Gotta go."

I pouted. "Fine. Go save the world, Wolf Boy."

He laughed. "You'll be seeing plenty of me. Tomorrow. In class?"

"Absolutely," I said, biting my lip.

He kissed my forehead gently at the door. "Bye, beautiful."

I watched him leave, already missing him. I turned back toward the kitchen when the door creaked open again.

"Forget something?"

He walked straight up to me, grabbed my waist, and kissed me like we had all the time in the world.

"That," he whispered. "See you tomorrow, Rae."

I stood there, breathless, watching him walk away.

Yeah... I'm really starting to like you, Colby.