by Kaylee Ryan
“I can take care of myself,” she counters, standing and placing her hands on her hips.
“That’s great, Hollis. Truly, and if I knew what you were taking care of, I might be inclined to believe you.”
“It’s a long story.”
“Then you can tell me tonight. Get ready.” I turn and walk back down the hall to Milo’s room and begin packing the diaper bag. I make sure there are plenty of diapers, a binky, some toys, and bibs. In the kitchen, I toss in a can of formula, some bottles, and the bottle of Tylenol and the teething gel the doctor gave me samples of. Carrying the overstuffed diaper bag into the living room, I shove in his favorite blanket and zip it up.
“Colton,” her soft, sad voice says from behind me. I turn to look at her over my shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re not leaving my sight unless you’re with my brother. Do you hear me? Not until I know you’re safe.” My voice is gruff as the reality of the situation lies heavy on my chest. I care about her. Not just “hey, she’s a good friend, a nice neighbor,” no, I’m falling for her. Hell, I’m already half in love with her, and she’s in danger. Someone is coming for her, and I don’t know why. She won’t tell me why. It’s fucking eating me up inside.
“I think it’s best if I go,” she says as more tears flood her cheeks.
“No.” My voice is hard and stern. “You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to make me want you. You don’t get to come in here and wrap your fucking hands around my heart and then just walk out the door taking it with you. You don’t get to do that,” I say again.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice cracks.
Pulling her into my arms, I hug her tight to my chest, burying my face in her neck. “Talk to me, Hollis. Let me help you. I don’t know what we’re up against, but I promise you, baby, you are not in this alone. I can protect you, but I need to know what I’m protecting you from.”
Her tear-filled eyes peer up at me. “I can’t ask you to do that, Colt.”
“You didn’t ask me.” I move her hair out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ears. “You didn’t ask, and you don’t need to. I’m in this with you, Hollis. I want you in my life. I want you in Milo’s life, but we need to handle whatever this is. Whoever sent that message, are they fucking with you? Is this a real threat? I need to know.”
“It’s real.”
Fuck. That’s what I was afraid of. “Okay. Tonight, after we get home, we’re going to have dinner, spend time with Milo, give him his bath, and put him to bed. Then, you are going to tell me everything. I want to know it all. I can’t protect you if I don’t know.”
“I can stay?”
“Damn right, you’re staying. I never want you to leave. Fuck me, but I never want to let you go. Let me help you, Hollis. Let me get you through this so that we can move forward.”
“Forward?”
“Me, you, and Milo.” I want the three of us to be a family. I know enough to realize that I want her in my life. There is nothing she can tell me that will change that. I just need to know, so I’m aware of what we’re up against. I have to keep them both safe. That’s my main priority. To keep them both safe.
“Okay. Tonight,” she agrees. “I made dinner. It’s in the Crock-Pot.”
“Thank you. Go get ready. I’m going to start the truck and get Milo suited up.”
“I can stay here,” she tries.
“No. You come with me to the gym. If you don’t want to be there, you go to Chase’s with Milo. Those are your choices. At least until I know what we’re dealing with.”
She looks behind her, where Milo is still sleeping peacefully, unaware of the turmoil going on around him. “I want to be with both of you.”
That right there. That’s why I know this woman is worth fighting for. “I guess we can keep him with us at the gym. We have a ton of baby stuff there from Sophia. How was he before he went down? Still fussy?”
“No, he was fine. I think the Tylenol helps and the teething gel.”
“Okay. As long as he’s in a good mood, the two of you can stay at the gym with me. You can hang out in the office that’s set up for the kids.”
“You have an office for the kids?”
“Harrison knows no bounds when it comes to his wife and kids. Chase is going to be the same with Gabby. So, yeah. We have an office for the kids. There’s a bed, changing table, and rocking chair. A TV for cartoons and lots of toys.”
“Okay. I want to do that.”
Leaning in, I kiss her softly. I don’t know what I’m up against. I don’t know who is sending her those messages or why. What I do know is I’ll do everything in my power to make it go away.
Chapter 12
Hollis
There’s a weird tension in the truck that wasn’t there the last time I rode shotgun. Hell, it wasn’t present an hour ago. Damn that website notification. Damn the asshole who has been sending them to me.
A cold shudder of dread runs through my veins.
I should leave. Just the thought of endangering Colton and Milo makes me want to vomit. I thought the creep was just trying to scare me. I never believed he’d actually find me, but now, the messages are getting more and more frequent, and I can’t help but feel like maybe he’s actually getting closer.
Closer to me, means closer to Colton.
And Milo.
My eyes fill with tears again. I try to wipe them away without drawing any attention. Milo has been snoozing since he was bundled up and put in his car seat, the medicine doing wonders for his discomfort. If only a little Tylenol would help my own discomfort right now, but I know that won’t help. Nothing will help.
Except the warmth of Colton’s hand. He reaches over and takes mine, seeming to understand and offering a little bit of comfort. He doesn’t speak, yet holds my hand on top of the console, his coarse thumb gently stroking over my knuckles in a way that brings both solace and an unspoken reminder of the mess I’ve made and the problems I’m causing.
We pull into the lot easily, the piled remnants of last week’s big snowfall turned an ugly shade of brown. It’s a bit reminiscent of my mood. What once was white and bright is now dull and drab. A little sludge mixed in too.
Colton parks his truck in the back and only lets go of my hand when he has to turn off the ignition. We sit in the quiet, the only sound Milo’s even breathing and a thousand thoughts and unsaid words. I can feel his eyes on me, and while I’d much rather hide my head in the sand, it’s what got me into this mess in the first place.
Slowly, I turn and face the man I find myself falling for a little more every day. There’s a mix of emotions swept up in those blue eyes. Hurt. Fear. Resolve. And maybe even a little of that love I find myself experiencing. It’s the same look he gave me last night when he was sinking inside me, the muscles in his neck tight with tension and the lines around his eyes soft. It’s the same look he probably sees in my own eyes after he kisses me goodnight.
Something he may never do again after we talk.
It’s like he knows I’m on the verge of losing it. Colton leans over and takes my cheek in his big hand. He leans forward and places his lips gently against mine. The kiss is soft, yet full of meaning. He’s letting me know he’s beside me, ready to figure this out. That he’s not letting me go.
At least not yet.
“Come on, I have a few things to set up for the class,” he says, sliding his full lips along mine one final time before he slips out of the driver’s seat. His first stop is to release the latch on Milo’s car seat. He throws the blanket over the top of the handle to protect him from the elements, and before I can even shut the passenger door, he’s there, taking my hand in his and leading me to the gym.
Inside, the music is pumping, and the echo of weights clanking fills the hallway. We used the back entrance so we can slip inside the room Harrison designated for the kids. It’s warm and bright, the lights already turned on in a welcome fashion. Colton sets the car seat down and pulls off the blanket. We’re gre
eted with a smiley, toothless Milo, who seems to have enjoyed his catnap. He instantly starts to babble, and even grins ear to ear the moment his dad unhooks the buckles and picks him up.
“Hey, little buddy, I’m going to work for a couple hours. You’re going to play in here with Hollis.” Milo’s eyes instantly turn to me as if he knew exactly what his dad was saying. In fact, he reaches for me at that moment, and I swear my heart is going to leap from my chest. It’s a mixture of elation and love for the little guy, and as I snuggle his little body into my chest, more tears fill my eyes.
Colton pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead. “We’ll figure this out, Hollis. I promise,” he whispers. He kisses my lips once more before bending down and kissing Milo’s forehead. “I’ll be in the large matted room if you need me, or Gabby and Chase are floating around here, okay?”
I nod, unable to form words. Colton hesitates, but it doesn’t really seem like it’s because he’s leaving me with his son. It has more of a protective way about it, as if he doesn’t want to leave me, period.
When the door closes, I glance around and take in the room. It’s exactly as Colton said, and exactly as I’d expect from a man like Harrison Drake. I can’t imagine too many guys have an office set up for the owner’s kids, but this one does, and it says a lot about the guy who runs this place. A lot about Chase and Colton too.
I pull an activity mat from the shelf and set it out on the floor. The moment I lay Milo down, he starts kicking and reaching for the animals that dangle. Each one makes a noise, which seems to keep him entertained, at least for now. I take a seat on the floor next to him. Sure, I could sit on the couch, but I’d rather be close to him. I’m not exactly sure how this talk is going to go tonight, so I’d rather soak up as much of his sweet smiles and scents while I can.
Just in case.
I spend the afternoon playing with the baby. We have a quick snack and diaper change, and he goes right back to playing. He’s currently sitting in a Bumpo seat, trying to eat a cold teether, his little gums gnawing on the plastic as if it were his job. It seems to bring him a little relief, though, so I don’t care. Even if his shirt is completely soaked with slobber. I’d gladly change his outfit four more times if it meant he was happy and content.
The door behind me opens. I expect to see Colton there but am pleasantly surprised to find Gabby at the entrance. “Hey,” she whispers, instantly smiling when she sees her nephew sitting on the floor. “He’s sitting up,” she observes.
“I hope it’s okay. I saw the Bumpo seat along the wall and thought he might like to try it. I’m right here and watching him closely to make sure nothing happens to him,” I tell her, my heart starting to pound in my chest. I guess I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be sitting up or not in this thing, but I’ve seen him sit on the couch with Colton before, so I thought it wouldn’t hurt anything.
Gabby waves her hand. “Oh, it’s fine. He’s the perfect age for it,” she observes, that smile still on her pretty face. Her belly is getting bigger every time I see her, but that doesn’t stop her from coming over and squatting beside Milo. “Hey, little man. How are you?”
Milo grins at his aunt, waving his teether in her direction.
“Aww, I heard those nasty toothies are being mean to you,” she coos in a voice meant for babies. Gabby takes a seat on the opposite side of him and helps hold the teething toy. The baby continues to chomp on it, big wads of drool hanging from his chin.
I reach for the cloth and wipe his face, which irritates him a little, but he keeps moving that toy against his gums. “He’s having a tough time with that first tooth, aren’t you, buddy?” I say, the smile instantaneous on my lips.
“He seems to be doing better today,” she notices.
“He had a dose of Tylenol before we left, so he’s feeling better right now.” When I glance up, she’s staring at me, the hint of a smile on her face. “What?” I ask.
Gabby smiles even wider now. “Nothing. Well, it’s just you look… different.”
Feeling a little uncomfortable under the sister-in-law microscope, I chuckle awkwardly and ask, “Different how?”
“Not bad,” she quickly replies. “It’s kinda hard to put into words, but I guess I’d say you look… happy.” She takes a long pause before she adds, “Colt too.”
Those stupid tears that seem to never want to stop today prickle my eyeballs and make me blink unnaturally. “I don’t know about that.” I avoid eye contact and fuss over Milo’s bib, making sure it’s absorbing as much of his drool as possible.
“I do,” she says, drawing my attention back to her. “Colt, when he came home, he was sort of lost. He was thrust into this new life he didn’t expect, and it was really hard on him. He hid it well, but we could see it. He was a career military man, and all of a sudden, he was a single dad and working a nine-to-five. Now, don’t get me wrong, he’s amazing with Milo, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a hard adjustment for him.”
“I couldn’t imagine,” I tell her, knowing he had a tough transition. I am so thankful he had his family to help him. It makes my own chest fill with longing for my own family. My dad passed away when I was a young girl, and my mom moved to Florida a few years back. She works for the Hilton Hotels and Resorts and was offered a job overseeing a region in sunny Florida. It was a great opportunity for her, and you can’t beat the weather.
“My point is, he’s different recently. He smiles more and seems to be eager to leave the gym and head home. I think it has a lot to do with you,” she says, that knowing look in her eyes.
I’m saved from having to reply just yet when Milo decides he’s had enough sitting. He hollers his displeasure and brings on the waterworks.
“Oh, Milo,” Gabby sings, glancing over at me. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not. He’s your nephew. I’m just the sitter,” I tell her, swallowing over the thickness in my throat. Just saying that, making light of what Colt and I share as if I’m nothing more than someone who watches the baby, doesn’t sit well with me, because we’ve become so much more than that.
At least it feels like we have.
“Come to Auntie Gabs,” she coos, picking up the squirmy baby. Milo gazes up at her, but the tears continue to fall. He rubs his eyes, letting us know he’s getting sleepy again. She takes him over to the changing table, grabbing a diaper on her way, and sets out to change his pants. I grab a bottle of water and the formula from the bag and mix up his next meal.
When she heads my way, Milo is still not happy, even with clean britches. She heads over to the rocking chair and takes a seat. I hand her the bottle right away, which she places in his mouth. He drinks for a few seconds, but then spits it out and cries. Gabby rocks gently, trying to get Milo to settle down, but he’s just not having it.
I’m on the other side of the room, trying to keep quiet so he can fall asleep, but the whole time, my heart is screaming at me to go to him. To hold him. To comfort him.
“He’s not a happy little boy,” she says, her eyes holding just the slightest hint of worry.
“No, those teeth are really bothering him,” I say.
The moment Milo hears my voice, he turns and looks for me. He’s fussing more, his hands reaching out blindly. He’s reaching… for me. Gabby seems to realize it at the same time I do and offers me a smile. She carefully sits up, holding Milo to her chest as she does, and meets me in the middle of the room. He turns, his hands extended for me. The moment he’s against my chest, he snuggles in, his cheek resting just over my heart.
“Awww, he just wanted you,” she whispers as I rub his back.
“We uh, we snuggle a lot at home.”
Gabby smiles. “I think that’s great,” she adds, popping his pacifier in his mouth and rubbing his arm.
The silence extends for several long minutes as Milo’s eyes finally start to droop. I bounce lightly, swaying back and forth as he drifts off to sleep. Ignoring the burn in my arms, I hold him against my chest and hum a song.
I can’t sing the way his dad can, but I can at least hum a little tune to give him a sense of normalcy.
“Look at you. He’s out,” she says.
“He’s had a long day,” I tell her, my heart soaring with happiness as I hold him in my arms.
“He’s not the only one.” Her observation strikes a little too close to home as I gaze down at the wonder in my arms.
“It was a long night, but Colton was able to catch a catnap today. Tonight should be better,” I whisper.
I can feel her eyes on me. “That’s not exactly what I meant.”
My heart pounds fast and furious in my chest.
“I’m not sure what’s going on, but I can tell something is bothering you. You don’t have to tell me, but if you ever need a friend, I’m here. I’m sure it’s not easy moving to a new town and not knowing anyone.” Gabby shrugs. “All I’m saying is if you want to talk, I’ll listen. And I promise not to tell Chase. Whatever you say stays between us.”
Again with the damn tears.
Movement catches out of the corner of my eye, and we both turn to find Colton and Chase in the hallway. They’re standing in front of the window, chatting and watching us. Colton’s eyes drop to his son and then back to my face, the softest smile on his full lips.
I glance over at Gabby, who’s smiling like the cat that ate the canary. “Thank you for the offer,” I tell her, “but I’d never expect you to keep anything from Chase. I wouldn’t want to put you in any position that you can’t talk to him.”
“Well, if it involves Colt or his family and it’s alarming, I’d probably have to tell Chase, but if it’s good, you know… like he gave you four Os last night and you’re still not walking right, well, that would totally be between us girls.” Then she giggles.
I giggle.
And feel lighter than I have since that notification appeared on my phone.
I have a friend. Yes, I have Tina, but she’s a call or a text away. Gabby is standing in front of me, offering me something I’ve been desperate to find since my life was turned upside down. Yes, I found something similar with Colton, yet that’s completely different. With Colton, I found solace and passion with his friendship. Gabby is offering comradery and a sense of belonging. Girlfriends.