Ride or Die (Rejects Paradise 4)

Colton presses his lips into a tight line, almost as though he’s trying to prepare himself for the worst. “I was the one who made sure your student loan applications didn’t go through.”

I gape at him, unsure that I heard him correctly. “What?” I breathe, pushing up until I'm sitting. “I swear that I just heard you say that you’re responsible for making my college dream that much harder.”

Colton sits up and takes my hand. “Trust me, Jade, I didn’t do it to make your life harder—”

“No,” I scoff. “You did it so that I’d have no choice but to come and ask you for help, so I’d have to rely on you instead of finally standing on my own two feet.”

“Babe, no. It’s not like that. They were going to deny you anyway. Your application wasn’t looking good, and it was going to put a black mark on your credit score. I didn’t want it to fuck things up for your future. I withdrew the applications and had them email you to say it was rejected so you wouldn’t think I had anything to do with it. But the more I fall in love with you, the harder it is to keep my fucking mouth shut.”

I stare at him, not sure what to say. “They were going to deny it anyway?” I ask, feeling the devastation wash over me.

“Yeah,” he sighs. “I’m sorry. I know how badly you wanted to do this on your own.”

My bottom lip pouts out and I fall back into Colton’s chest. “I guess it really doesn’t matter now anyway. It’s not like I’ll be going to college while I’m pregnant. I'm going to have to try again for the following year.”

Colton’s arms wrap around me, and he props his chin over my head. “Whatever you want to do, Ocean, I'm going to be right there, making it happen. I promise, this baby is just a temporary setback. Once you figure out what you want to do, we can make a plan. I promise you, Jade, whatever you want in life, you’re going to get it. You fucking deserve it, and I’ll do everything I can to give it to you.”

“You know when that time comes, I’m going to fight you on it.”

Colton laughs, and it rumbles through his chest, spreading warmth through me. “I’m fucking counting on it.”Chapter 18This whole waiting to hear about the Wolf and Widow gang war is really starting to drive me crazy, but the less I hear about it, the easier it is to pretend that everything is normal in the world. You know, except for the growing child in my womb and the fact that I haven’t seen or talked to Nic in weeks. I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without talking to him, and although it shouldn’t, it still hurts. I still miss him.

I must be crazy to miss the guy who murdered my father, but he’s been such a huge part of my life for so long. I should hate him, well maybe I do. The last time I saw him, I’d only just found out. All the facts hadn’t had a chance to settle, but now they have, and I’m curious to see if I’m going to regret making the decision to see Russo. I guess I won’t know until I see him.

Colton’s hand travels up my thigh, and I bite down on my lip, trying my best to keep my composure as it slides higher and higher.

We sit at the best restaurant that Bellevue Springs has to offer while Roman stands at the head of the table, gushing about how fortunate he was to have met my mom when he did. It's sweet, and I wish I could concentrate, but I'm really struggling.

That warm hand creeps even closer, teasing me, full of promise and desire. With Drix seated directly in front of me, I find it impossible to meet her eyes, knowing that with one look, she’ll know exactly what’s happening here. There's a massive, beaming smile on her face as she holds her glass up to her gushing father. They’re so cute. It’s as though being here with a woman at his side is already a huge accomplishment.

Colton’s hand squeezes my thigh, and I sink into the firmness. I love how he doesn’t hold back with me. He’s never afraid to push the boundaries, and it sends an electrifying pulse through my body.

“What else can I say?” Roman declares, glancing down at Mom as we wait for our meals to arrive. “I know it’s only been a few short weeks, but you’ve completely bewitched me. I’ve fallen so head over heels in love with you that I no longer see my life without you.”

Mom blushes, placing her hand against her heart as she looks up at the man who is quickly becoming her knight in shining armor. “And I you,” she tells him, reaching up and lacing her fingers through his.