Not My Hero - Michelle Heard Page 0,42

was an accident. Okay?”

I nod, and I try to swallow the tears, but it only makes my throat cramp up.

Colton keeps wiping the tears away until I finally manage to stop them, then he smiles at me. “Do you feel better?”

A lost sob drifts over my lips as I nod.

Then Mrs. Lawson says, “I think you should take a nice, long relaxing bubble bath.”

Instantly fear pours back through my veins, and I cower closer to Colton.

“I’ll take her,” Colton says, and holding my hand, he pulls me out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

When we’re in the bathroom, I watch as he turns on the faucets and squirts bubble bath into the water.

I watch the waterline rise, and then my eyes nervously dart to him.

When the tub is filled, and steam twirls into the air, I can only stare.

My mother would’ve drowned me if I dared use so much water.

“Soak for as long as you want, okay,” Colton says, his voice soft and kind.

I glance at the water before looking at him, then mumble, “Really? For as long as I want? Your mom won’t get upset?”

I don’t want to get in trouble.

“She won’t. If it turns cold before you’re done, just let some out and fill it up with warm water again.”

I press my lips together when tears threaten to overwhelm me again. My heart squeezes into a tiny lump to make space for the overwhelming appreciation I feel.

Colton comes to stand in front of me and tilts his head until he catches my eyes. “There’s no time limit to how long you’re allowed to bathe.”

I nod and swallow hard in an attempt to keep the tears back.

He presses a kiss to my forehead, and I close my eyes to soak in the warm feeling.

When Colton steps out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind him, I take a moment to just breathe through the panic, still whirling in my chest.

Once I feel calmer, I strip out of my school uniform and step into the balmy water. I lie back, and my eyes drift closed.

I feel guilty over how I reacted when Mrs. Lawson tried to hug me, but I couldn’t help it. I know she’s the opposite of my mother, and I’ll have to try harder to stay calm around her.

My thoughts turn to Colton, and the corners of my mouth lift slightly. He’s shown me more kindness over the past three days than I’ve experienced in my entire life.

It’s like he’s my own guardian angel.

All my dreams have always been focused years from now because that’s how long I thought it would take to get away from my mother.

But they’re coming true much sooner.

With the smile widening on my face, I gather some bubbles and blow them into the air.

Then new dreams begin to grow deep in my heart.

Hopefully, the awkwardness between Mrs. Lawson and me will fade. Maybe she can teach me how to cook and bake. She can show me all the things my mother never did.

And maybe… maybe Colton can be my first kiss.

I grin like an idiot while a blush reddens my face. I splash water onto my heated skin.

I quickly wash, but I’m careful when I massage shampoo into my hair. At least the scabs don’t burn anymore. When I’m done, I let the water out, and drying myself, I glance around for clean clothes, but then I remember I didn’t bring any.

Shoot.

I dry my hair thoroughly, then comb through it with my fingers. Wrapping a towel tightly around my body, I grip it with one hand so it won’t accidentally come loose.

Opening the door, I peek into the hallway, and not seeing anyone, I tip-toe out. I’m almost to my room when Colton comes out of his.

The moment his eyes land on me, we both freeze.

“Ahh…” I dart toward my room. “Sorry, I forgot to bring clothes to the bathroom.” I dash inside and slam the door shut, then lean back against it while my heart bounces around in my chest.

COLTON

Grinning, I watch Brie run into her room.

That’s the last thing I expected to see, but damn, the guy in me won’t deny it was one hell of a hot sight.

Up until a second ago, I was worried because of the panic attack Brie had in the kitchen, and now I’m practically wiping drool from my mouth.

Never a dull moment, that’s for sure.

I shoot back into my room, and grabbing clean clothes, I go shower quickly. When I’m clean and dressed