Once he knew I was awake, Noah went downstairs to eat breakfast. I looked over on the nightstand and saw my phone. There was nothing that I wanted more than to be able to figure out what was going on with my wife. It wasn’t that I thought she was having an affair, but there was something going on. I couldn’t see Ty just going to the ranch to be there for the alarm company. They’d been gone for days and he was still there.
As much as I told Piper that I didn’t like meddling in other people’s business, I found myself calling my cousin.
I was wondering when you were going to call.
Just tell me what’s goin’ on, Ty. I know you’re keepin’ somethin’ from me.
It’s not what you’re thinking, Colt. You have it all wrong.
So, you’re tellin’ me that you aren’t there, in my house, comforting my wife?
You need to talk to her. I’m not comfortable talking about something that’s between the two of you.
If you’re fuckin’ my wife, I will kill you.
Just talk to your wife, dude.
I’m askin’ you.
Do you know how hurt she is? Have you even considered what all of this is doing to her? She needed to be included. She needed to feel like she’d always be Noah’s mother. Why do you keep shutting her out? Stop being such a stubborn ass.
Stay away from my wife, Ty. I’m not kidding.
I’m sorry, Colt, but I can’t do that. I made a promise to her and I won’t break it. You can be pissed at me all you want. She’s my best friend.
She’s MY best friend. Go home to your own wife.
My own wife is who sent me here, you jackass!
We’ll see about that!
I hung up the phone and started looking for Miranda’s number. I didn’t call her much and I wasn’t sure how I had programmed it. Before I could finish hitting send, my phone rang. Miranda was calling me.
I was just callin’ y…
Colt, you need to stop it.
Stop what?
Look, I don’t know what’s goin’ on with Savanna, but Ty is there because I can’t be. Stop bein’ such a dick and get over yourself.
How can you just sit there and be okay with them bein’ alone?
Honestly, Colt, I trust them. For the past nine years, Ty has been completely devoted to me and our family. That man would die before he let anything break us apart.
Things happen, Miranda.
Do you even hear yourself. You’re talking about our family. We are in this together, all of us. For years, we’ve all been the best of friends. The only problem that I’m seein’ in this family is you. Leave Ty out of it, Colt. He’s doin’ you a favor.
Then she hung up on me.
I was so damn confused. What the hell was going on?
Noah came up to tell me that we had twenty minutes before we had to leave, so instead of trying to call Savanna, I hurried up and got changed.
On the way to the shoot, I sent Savanna a message.
I love you – C
Figuring that I would get a reply right back, I held on to my phone while I sat there watching them get Noah ready. After about twenty minutes, I still had no reply back from Savanna. Something was just off and I couldn’t stand being so far away that I wasn’t able to fix things.
She’s always been so organized and fixed to her daily routine. Something had to be wrong for her to change it all of the sudden.
I heard commotion coming from inside of the house, so I put my phone in my pocket and headed inside. Zeke was arguing with his manager, Ramona.
“I told you that this was what had to be done. One more day and we can send the kid back to Kentucky. Why is this so hard for you to understand, Zeke?”
“I just want to play music. I don’t give a shit what everyone thinks about me.”
“When you stop selling albums, your ass is going to care! Now get in there and act like you love the kid. Your future depends on this video.”
“Do you really think this is going to work?”
“Yes, of course it will. They want to see emotions. Get your ass in there and pretend to have a relationship with the kid for one more day. We’ll get some pictures and sell them to the papers. Once the world sees you bonding with the kid, all of the bad shit will just go away.”
I saw Noah coming around the corner. He’d finally finished getting his hair and makeup done. I could see the excitement in his eyes, but all of that vanished when he heard his uncle’s next words.
“The sooner this little brat gets out of my life the better. God, I can’t stand kids. Why I let you talk me into this, I will never know!”
Noah’s face turned white and I saw that little lost kid that was once standing on my porch looking for a home. Tears fell down his cheeks as he approached me. “Dad, can you please take me home?”
“It’s goin’ to be alright, son.” I hugged him.
“I just want my mom,” he cried.
I kissed him on the top of the head. “Yeah, I want to see her, too. Just give me a minute and we can get the hell out of here.”
I walked right up to Zeke, grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. “What are you doing, Colt?” He backed away from me.
I got right up in his face. “This thing with my son is done! I heard everything. Did you think you could just use him and toss him out like he wasn’t blood? So help me God, you are so lucky that my son is standin’ here, because I would like nothin’ more than to tear your ass apart. Find another kid to play the part, because my son is done with you! If you come near me or my family again, you’ll be sorry!”
“He’s under contract!” Ramona got between us.
I realized that I would have to lie to get us out of it. “I just recorded your entire conversation, lady. There is no more contract. The way I see it, that thing is null and void! Take that piece of paper and shove it up your ass! We’re done here!”
Noah and I had been walking for about ten minutes before a car pulled over and offered us a ride. It took me a second to realize that it was Pete, Zeke’s bodyguard.
“Get in. I can take you to get your bags and drive you to the airport.”
“Did Zeke send you?” I didn’t want his handouts.
“No! I just quit. His wife is carrying my baby and I let him know it. Between what happened with you guys and my news, I’m sure his manager will be doing damage control for the next year.” He laughed, like he’d accomplished a goal.
“I hope you get to raise your child.” I put my arm around my son. “Nothing beats having a family.”
Noah and I got our things together, while Pete helped Piper pack up some things. I wasn’t sure what they were going to do and I really didn’t care. I just wanted to never have to come back to the place again.
We said our goodbyes at the airport and waved at the expectant couple as they drove away. Then I had to go inside and try to change our flight to an earlier time.
After three hours we were boarding a plane and heading home.
Noah hadn’t said much ever since we’d left the shoot location. He had his ear buds in his ears and once in a while I would catch him crying. I felt so bad for the little guy. For a short time, he truly believed that he had the coolest uncle in the world. I felt so bad for him and blamed myself for letting it all happen. If I’d just put my foot down, maybe I could have avoided it all.
Now, our family was strained. Savanna and I were struggling and I’d never felt so separated from her before. How was I supposed to make things right again, when I couldn’t even begin to understand how they’d gotten to be so bad?
Not only was my wife upset with me, but I’d managed to piss off my cousins.
Instead of calling Savanna to come pick me up, I took a cab. It wasn’t because I was trying to be sneaky. Noah was tired and it was right around the time that Savanna would be making dinner. I didn’t want to have to wait for her to get finished to come and get us. He was too upset and I could tell that he just wanted to be home.
> When I walked into the house and didn’t see anyone, I looked out back and noticed that our SUV was missing. If Savanna were anywhere on the ranch, she would have driven the golf cart.
Noah seemed so relieved to be home that I sent him up to his room to get some, much needed, rest. I walked upstairs and looked around. The futon in the playroom had been pulled out and Ty’s stuff was still in it.
I pulled out my phone and tried to call Savanna again but it continued to go right to voicemail, like it wasn’t even turned on.
I didn’t get it.
I was also starting to think that maybe something was wrong. With a quick call to my mother-in-law, things got even more confusing.
Hello?
Mom, it’s me, Colt. Have you heard from Savanna? Noah and I just got home early and she’s not here.
I have the girls. Tyler dropped them off this morning and said that Van was running late for a doctor’s appointment. I don’t know what doctor, but that’s where she is.
So, Ty went with her?
I really don’t know. He just said she overslept and he was doing her a favor by bringing the girls.
Alright. Thanks.
Did you have a good trip?
No! It was terrible and I should have just listened to Savanna when she told me it was a bad idea. I’m goin’ to come get the girls now.
Addy is taking a nap. How about I bring them when she wakes up?
Sounds good. Thanks, Mom.
I was stumped. Ty wasn’t anywhere on the ranch, so clearly he was with my wife, who was supposedly at the doctors. Why would he have to go with her?
Again, nothing made sense.
When I heard a vehicle pulling down the driveway, I instinctively looked outside. Our SUV was pulling up out front, instead of out back where we normally parked.
Instead of walking outside, I stood at the window, watching.
Ty jumped out of the driver’s seat and ran around to the passenger side of the vehicle. He opened the door for Savanna and wrapped his arm around her as they walked up the porch steps.
That was enough for me to become irate. I rushed through the front door. When they saw me, they both just stood there, amazed that I was home already.
“I caught you, you lyin’ son of a bitch!” I threw myself at Ty, causing us to tumble to the ground. I got one punch in before I felt Savanna trying to rip me off of him.
“Colt! Please stop! Oh my God! You have the wrong idea!” She pulled and pulled, while screaming at me at the top of her lungs.
I sat up straight and just stared at Ty, who covered his face with is hands. “Dude, it’s not what you think. Get the fuck off of me and let your wife explain.”
I climbed off of Ty, but pointed right at him. “Get your shit out of my house and go the hell home. You make me sick.”
Ty rolled over and got into a standing position. He was brushing off clothes, before he walked into the house. As he passed by Savanna, he grabbed her arm. “I’m sorry, Van.”
She was crying. “Me, too.”
Once he was out of my sight, I looked over at my wife. With tears running down her face, she said nothing.
“Are you goin’ to start explainin’ what’s goin’ on?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk to you right now, Colt.” She ran inside after Ty. I sat down on my front porch, trying really hard to keep from going in there and killing him. Was she really choosing him over me?
In a matter of minutes, they both came out of the house. I stood up and turned to look at them. Savanna moved her body in front of my cousin. “Don’t you touch him, Colt!”
I shook my head. It was more than just feeling disgusted, I wanted to put my fist to his face again. “What is this? Are you choosin’ him over me?”
My heart was being ripped apart with jealousy. I clenched my fists and waited for that little bastard to say something smart.
Savanna put her hands on her hips. “There’s something you need to know.” She started sobbing and I watched Ty touch her shoulder. It made me so mad and when he saw the look on my face, he removed it.
“You better start talkin’ fast, darlin.”
“Or what, Colt?” She was challenging me. “What is it that you think is going on here? You really think that we waited all these years to have a week alone so that we could be together again? Is that what you think?”
“Maybe it is!” I was standing my ground. If this was how I was going to lose her, I wasn’t just going to let her go without a fight. “He probably did this shit just to spite me for takin’ you away from him. That little prick probably…”
“Shut up, Colt! Just shut up! I can’t take this anymore. How could you think that about us?”
“Tell me you don’t love him, Savanna.” I needed to get away from them. She was protecting him and I couldn’t stand being around it. I felt like I was back under that tent hearing her accept his proposal, so long ago. It made me want to be sick.
“You know how I feel about, Ty and you know how I feel about you.”
“So we’re back to that? After all this time, we’re back to that?”
Ty moved to the front of Savanna and I was ready to battle. He put his hands up. “Before you go and ruin your marriage, I think you need to know something.” He looked back at Savanna. “He needs to know the truth, Van. Please don’t hate me.”
I prepared myself for the worst, but never expected what came out of his mouth.
“While you were out dealing with Noah, your wife got bad news. She called Miranda crying, but she left her phone home that day and I intercepted the call. I made her tell me what was wrong. Maybe it was wrong of me, but I knew she was alone and she’s my best friend. When I told Miranda, she made me come here to be with Van. I didn’t do shit with your wife except support her. Fuck you, Colt! Fuck you for thinking that after all this time, I would destroy our whole family like that.” He turned around and kissed Savanna on the cheek. “I’ll call you when my flight gets in. John’s picking me up from your parent’s house.”
He pushed past me, knocking his shoulder into mine. I was so worried about Savanna that I paid him no attention.
“What’s he talkin’ about?”
She sank down on the porch steps and cried harder. Instinctively, I sat down beside her and tried to put my arm around her. She moved her body when my hands touched her. It was clear that she was furious with me.
I sat there waiting for her to be able to tell me what was going on. I’d never considered that it could be something bad. I just assumed they were sneaking around behind my back.
“Savanna, please talk to me.”
She was still sobbing, but managed to get out one sentence. “The doctor found a lump in my breast.”
A knot formed in my throat and I could hear the severity in her voice. While I was away with our son, she had been going through hell. Every one of our phone calls had ended badly when she needed my support the most. How would I ever be able to make this up to her?
Chapter 23
Savanna
As angry as I was at Colt for what’ he’d done to Ty, a part of me was so relieved to have him sitting there next to me. I’d wanted his support since this had all begun. He should have been there for me instead of his cousin. Now, poor Ty was going home with a black eye and hard feelings.
Colt put his head down when I told him what the doctor had found. I think the shock of what I’d said had finally calmed him down and brought the man back to reality. God knows, he had been way off base.
As I continued to try to calm myself down, Colt tried once again to put his arm around me. Sometimes actions speak louder than words, and in this case, it was true. I leaned my head against him. “How bad is it darlin’? When are they goin’ to do a biopsy?”
“I had it done this morning. That’s why Ty was here. He took me to the doctors.”
“Oh, hell, Savanna. I didn’t know. I just thought he was tryin’ to take you from me.” I could tell he felt terrible and
there was a part of me that wanted him to. He should have just talked to me, instead of losing his temper. No matter how old he got, some things just didn’t change.
“He was being there for me because he knew you couldn’t be, but it wasn’t because he wanted me for himself. Colt, I’ve known him practically my whole life. He’s my best friend.”
“He was your first love, darlin’. It’s hard for me to not think about that. It’s hard for me to know you still love him.” Colt looked in another direction. “It kills me to know he was here for you. I should have been here. Why didn’t you call me, Savanna? I never would have gone if I’d known.”
“You were taking care of our son, Colt. Just because something bad was happening to me, doesn’t mean we can just give up on our kids. I knew it was important to Noah and with the wedge between us, I couldn’t be the person to ruin it for him.” I wiped my face and took a few deep breaths. “I was just going to go through the tests alone. If it was nothing, than I didn’t want anyone else to have to worry about me. When I left the office and called Miranda, I was just so scared. Ty sensed it right away and wouldn’t leave me alone until I told him what was going on. Colt, I swear to you that there is nothing going on between us, but I don’t know how I would have gotten through this week without him. That’s why I didn’t ask him to leave.”
Colt’s phone started vibrating in his pants. He pulled it out and hit the ignore button. “It’s Miranda. I know she’s going to tear me a new ass. I don’t have time for that, right now. I can’t believe this is happenin’. You know I would have been here for you, Savanna. I can’t understand why you thought it was necessary to keep it from me. I don’t even care what I had goin’ on. This was more important than anything.” He covered his face with his hands for a second and then looked over at me. Those beautiful green eyes were watered up. “I’m so sorry, Savanna. I’d fall apart without you, darlin’. Nothin’ makes sense in my life if you’re not in it.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it. “What’s the doctor sayin’? How long until we get the results?”
“My doctor said that he would call me as soon as he gets them.” I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted to call you and tell you every day. I was just so upset and I don’t want the kids to know. I don’t want anyone to know that there’s a possibility that I might not be around much longer.” I could barely get out the last words.
Blinding Trust Page 16