Not My Hero - Michelle Heard Page 0,30

it short like mine at the back, and at the front, the bangs are longer.

I stare at Brie’s face, and then the realization hits – she’s actually pretty with the long hair not hanging in her face. You can now see her eyes clearly.

Damn, she’s really pretty.

There’s a tightening feeling in my chest, and I swallow hard.

Holy shit, Brie’s beautiful.

My eyes meet hers in the mirror’s reflection, and then she asks, “Do you like it?”

“A lot,” I admit before I’m able to deal with the new emotions. “You look good.”

Her cheeks flush, and she quickly gets up. Turning to my mom, there’s a grateful smile on Brie’s face. “Thank you.”

“Maybe we can play around with some make-up next time,” Mom offers.

“O-okay.”

Brie’s obviously still cautious with my mother, but at least she doesn’t look downright terrified anymore. It makes me smile, but then it fades when I remember we still have to go by her house for her uniform.

“I’m just going to get dressed. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

I dart out of the room and rush through my morning routine. It’s the quickest I’ve ever taken to get ready for school.

“I’ll wash the clothes before I return them,” I hear Brie say as I come down the stairs.

“Don’t worry about it,” Mom replies.

I find them standing by the front door and stop to press a kiss to Mom’s cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

“Have a good day,” she calls after us.

Chapter 11

BRIE

During the short ride to my house, all the good feelings I experienced at Colton’s home fade, and in their place, familiar apprehension sets in.

I stop by the front door and suck in a deep breath. Before I reach for the knob, Colton’s fingers wrap around mine.

“If anything happens, let me handle it,” he says.

I turn my head and glance up at him. I remember the first time I saw him. I thought he would only be trouble.

Boy, was I wrong.

Colton walked right into my hell and started fighting for me, even though I never expected him to.

The front door suddenly swings open, and my mother glares at me. “Where the hell have you been?” Her eyes slant to Colton, and the sneer on her face deepens. “Seriously? You ran to him? I told you not to see him!”

My face warms with embarrassment because my mother’s so rude to Colton.

She lifts a hand to reach for my arm, but Colton steps between us, and his voice is a deep rumble of warning as he says, “We’re just here for her school uniform.” Colton pushes my mother to the side, and he pulls me inside.

“What the hell?” Mom snaps.

Colton lets go of my hand and points to the stairs. “Go get dressed, Brie.” Then he turns to face my mother and growls, “Back off. Your days of abusing Brie are over.”

My mouth drops open with surprise when she doesn’t lay into him, and I hurry to my room.

Wow, my mother’s actually cautious with Colton here.

I’ve never seen her like that, and it makes her look less like a threat.

I change into my school clothes as quickly as I can, and grabbing my phone and bag, I rush back to where Colton is still glaring at my mother.

Not knowing what else to say, I stammer, “B-bye.” And then I dart out of the door with Colton right behind me.

“I’ll see you later,” Mom says derisively, and her words promise nothing good for me.

Walking back to Colton’s truck, I keep glancing up at his face that looks like a dark thunder cloud. I’ve seen so many sides to Colton in the past twenty-four hours, and knowing he’s only been kind to me, I don’t feel scared like I would’ve in the past.

“Thank you,” I murmur. “For everything.”

The dark expression fades from his face, and then he smiles at me. “You’re welcome.”

Once he’s steering the truck down the street, I say, “It was really nice spending the night at your house.”

“The offer still stands,” he murmurs, his attention on the road ahead. “You can move in this afternoon. I’ll go with you to get the rest of your clothes.”

Last night I was hesitant, but after this morning, I think it would be nice.

But.

Won’t it be weird? I haven’t known them that long.

What will people think?

“Don’t worry about it now,” Colton says as if he can sense my worry.

When he stops the truck in the school’s parking area, my eyes go to the entrance of the main building, and I pat nervously over