by Violet Paige
“I’ll just keep stirring the potato salad. We have about two hours before we need to leave for the base. Ryan is in the air now. Go on, tell me what’s happening.”
“Mom, please stop worrying about the potato salad and look at us.”
My dad folded his arms.
Cole slipped a strong arm around me and I watched my mom’s mouth drop.
“We came here together. Cole and me,” I started my explanation. “We’re together.”
My parents were speechless.
Cole cleared his throat. “We realize it could make everyone uncomfortable to start.”
My dad peered at Cole. “You’re like a second son to us. There’s a big age difference between you two. And you have a son. With a woman you didn’t marry.”
“Dad,” I hushed. I didn’t need Grayson to hear any of this. I looked at Cole. “Why don’t you see if he’ll go down in the guest room.”
He nodded and walked out of the kitchen.
My mom dropped the spoon. “I love Cole,” she whispered. “But what are you doing, Kaitlyn? He’s way too old for you. And his life is complicated. He’s a father. A father.”
“I know exactly how complicated it is. And I just want you to support us. You’ll get used to it. And Grayson is adorable. I already love him too.”
My dad shook his head. “You’re too young to raise a child. And it’s Cole. He’s practically a brother.”
Cole walked back in the room. “I left the door cracked, but he’s out. The airplane was too exciting.” He cracked a smile.
Did my parents see what I did? Couldn’t they see what I loved about him? I knew there was a toddler in the picture. I knew Cole was a man whore before. I knew everything about his life. And I loved him.
“I’d like to talk to Ryan myself,” Cole explained. “It’s best if I break it to him.”
My mom sighed. “This? This is what we’re dealing with today?”
“Mom, come on. It’s going to be ok.”
She threw her hands in the air. “All right. I have to work on this dinner.”
I looked at Cole. That was our cue to get out of the kitchen. But we had made it over the first hurdle. Only one more and we could coast home.
33
Cole
He’d been home four hours. I had ridden with the Sinclaires to the base. It was an eerie feeling being in the hanger, watching the guys unload from the jet.
Part of me wanted to run over and grab gear and toss it on the flatbed truck. I wanted one of those uniforms instead of the T-shirt I was wearing.
But holding Grayson’s hand I knew I had done the right thing. And with legal papers waiting to be signed when I got back to Texas, it was the best fucking decision I’d made. My son needed me.
I thanked God there were still men like Ryan who would fight the fight while I raised my son.
Ryan was outside on the patio. Kaitlyn and her mom were washing dishes in the kitchen. Mr. Sinclaire had pulled out some of Ryan’s toys from the attic and was racing Matchbox cars with Grayson.
This was my chance.
I poured two glasses of bourbon and walked outside, handing one to my best friend.
“Thanks, brother.” He grinned. “You know how good this tastes?”
I nodded. “Sure do. There’s no good liquor in the desert.”
We stood in silence for a minute.
“How’s Texas? The motel?”
It was a good place to start. “Actually turning around for the first time in two years. I think I’m going to be able to make it work.”
“And you seriously don’t want to sell it to one of those beach developers?”
I laughed. “Can you imagine what Pop would do?”
Ryan chuckled. “I see your point.” He sipped the bourbon. “I’m glad it’s working out for you. And I’m glad you’re here. Can’t believe you brought the kid too.”
“After this week I’m going to have full custody. Amber leaves for London at the end of the summer. I didn’t want to start full-time parenting by leaving him behind. And he loved the plane.”
“Maybe he’ll be a pilot. Please don’t let him join the Air Force.”
“Corps all the way.” I grinned, slapping him on the back.
“Good.”
The big homecoming party was tomorrow. We decided Ryan needed to know ahead of time. We couldn’t ask Kaitlyn’s parents to keep our secret.
“Listen, man. I’ve got to tell you something.”
Ryan turned to face me. His skin was unusually tan. “Don’t tell me you knocked up another girl.”
I grimaced. “No, but there’s a girl.”
He raised his eyebrows. “A serious girl? Does she know about Grayson?”
I nodded. “She does. And Amber. And the Dunes. She knows everything.”
He tilted his head. “She knows all your baggage and she’s still around?”
“I don’t think there’s anyone else like her. She’s amazing. And gorgeous. She accepts all of it.”
“Don’t tell me she gives you blow jobs every day too. Because I haven’t fucked a girl in a year.”
I wasn’t going there. “I was going to say, and she still loves me.”
He blinked. “Love? Shit. I have missed a lot. Never thought Cole Thomas would say that.”
“You might want to finish your drink to hear the rest of this.”
Ryan looked at me. “What is it?”
“The girl is Kaitlyn.”
I should have known it was coming. I should have braced myself or even ducked. But the punch was fast and furious.
Ryan slugged me, knocking me on my ass.
He stood over me. “Mother fucker. You did not just tell me you’re fucking my sister.”
I rubbed my jaw.
“I love your sister, asshole.”
“Ryan!” Kaitlyn ran outside. She leaned down to help me, but I shrugged her off and stood on my own.
“Are you ok, Cole?”
“I’m fine.” I turned to Ryan who looked like he could throw a second punch. “Man, it’s not like the past. This is different.”
He stared at Kaitlyn. “Him? You want to be with him?”
She nodded. “Please don’t be mad. And please stop punching him.”
“I can’t fucking believe this.” He spun in a circle on the patio.
I looked through the glass as the Sinclaires ushered Grayson into another room.
“I love your sister. And I know how it sounds. I’m a dick. But I love her. And this is what we want. You know I’ll take care of her. I’ll keep her safe. I swear to you. I swear on my life I won’t let her get hurt.
“We hope you can accept it eventually. Not tonight, but one day. You’ll stop hating my guts and wanting to beat the hell out of me.”
Kaitlyn looked at him. “Please, Ryan.”
He sighed. “Damn it.”
He extended his hand toward me.
I took it.
And I knew from then on we were going to be ok.
34
Kaitlyn
Grayson slept on my lap as we flew home. Home. I couldn’t believe Texas was going to be my new home. Cole wore earbuds and watched a movie. No surprise it was a military one.
I ran my hands through Grayson’s hair. It was starting to get long on the ends. But it was cute and shaggy.
I’d be lying if I said Ryan was completely happy with our news, but after a full weekend together and chance for him to finally get some sleep, he seemed to accept it.
My parents were so enamored with being potential step-grandparents, they glossed over the entire relationship. I could only imagine what it would be like when I had a baby of my own.
Looking at the child sleeping in my lap, I knew I loved him as if he were my own. I didn’t know that kind of love existed. But it did. I could feel it.
I didn’t want to replace Amber or erase her. Cole had told me enough to expect her return. She’d always been in Grayson’s life, which didn’t know how she�
��d appear. And maybe once she traveled and grew the hell up, she’d be ready to be a mother.
I already was.
I smiled. Cole folded his strong hand over mine.
We were headed home to our cute beach house. Where Cole and I would spend nights with the sliding door open, drowning out the sounds of sex. Our passion had only just begun. We’d work together during the day, and we’d raise Grayson. Making sure he had all the love and happiness this world could give him.
The flight attendant walked by. “Miss, you need to return your seat to the upright position.”
I nodded. “No problem.”
Who knew when I flew to Texas on my own that I’d end up with everything I ever wanted.
Keep reading for a sneak peek of Don’t Lie, Book Two in Cole and Kaitlyn’s story.
Excerpt from Don’t Lie
Kaitlyn
I kicked the back tire twice. It was already deflated. Seriously, how could I have a flat tire? I stared at the rubber as it formed a pancake on the shoulder of the road.
I pulled out my phone to call roadside assistance. There was no way I was driving another inch on that thing.
“Hi. Yes, this is Kaitlyn Sinclair. The trailer I rented from your company has a flat tire. Can you send someone to change it?”
“Where are you, ma’am? And I need your rental ID number.”
“There was a detour and I was rerouted.” I sighed “Let me check my phone. It looks like I’m on state road 101.” There were no mile markers or exits. Only swamps and sugar cane. I unfolded the rental slip from my pocket and read the numbers in the right-hand corner to her.
“Ok, I see your reservation in our system. It will be at least an hour before we can dispatch someone in your direction.” Her voice was crisp, not at all the comforting tone I needed right now.
I cringed. “An hour? Isn’t there someone closer than that?”
“No, ma’am.” The operator was losing her patience with me. “He’ll be there as soon as he can.”
Before I could ask anything else, she hung up.
My entire life was in the back of this truck. The bedroom set I bought when Mary Ellen and I moved into our first apartment. Boxes of books that I couldn’t seem to part with and their bookcase. Suitcases of clothes.
I flipped on the radio. Who does this? Who packs up her entire life and drives halfway across the country by herself?
I did.
Because I felt as if I needed to prove something. I don’t know if I was trying to prove to my brother or to myself, that my life with Cole was something I could handle. I wanted it. Needed it. I could do this.
Despite the age difference. Despite his two-year old son. I was completely committed to us.
Moving to Texas proved that to everyone.
I thought about calling Cole to tell him about the flat tire, but if I told him where I was, he would get in his truck and start driving. No matter how many times I tried to convince him I had help on the way, he would drive straight to me. That’s what Cole does. That’s why I fell in love with him.
I jumped when I heard my phone ring.
I picked it up. “Hey, Sasha.”
“When are you getting here?”
I laughed. She might be as excited as Cole and I were, possibly more. “I’m getting there.”
“I still don’t know why you didn’t let Cole drive with you. He was dying to make the trip with you.”
“I know. I know. But we couldn’t put Grayson in a car seat for four days. This made more sense.” I wasn’t going to feel guilty about it. “It’s just something I needed to do. I’ll be there tonight.” Although, at the rate this roadside assistance was going, I’d be lucky if the guy showed up by nightfall.
“I can’t wait for you to get here. I still can’t believe you are actually moving.”
I shook my head. “Me either.” I looked at the trailer behind me. “There’s no turning back now. The truck is loaded and I’m in Louisiana. I’m almost there.”
My shoulders were starting to cramp from the driving and my left foot kept falling asleep. Cole was my grand prize at the end of this journey, but it would be so amazing if he came along with a hot shower.
“Call when you get to the bridge, ok?”
“I will.”
I’d give just about anything to be there now. I had at least nine hours of driving ahead of me. I might never make it to Cole.
“Thanks for calling. I’ll check in with you later.” I smiled as I saw the yellow caution lights flash in my mirror. I had to get this show on the road.
I hung up the phone, tucked it into my back pocket, and hopped out of the truck.
“You run into trouble?” A lanky man with grease-stained jeans and a wad of tobacco in his jaw strolled toward the tire.
“I did. Do you think you can get the tire changed for me?”
He lifted a ball cap from his head and scratched what little bit of hair he had. “Nobody told me nothin’ about a tire. I got a call you needed a tow.”
“That’s not possible. I specifically told the woman on the phone the trailer tire was flat.” I wanted to call her back and lay into her, but I had bigger problems. This was the help they sent, and now that he was standing four feet away, I wasn’t sure he would be able to do much of anything.
He spat from the side of his mouth, sending brown bits of tobacco into the grass and gravel. I tried not to stare, but this couldn’t be happening. I had to get to South Padre. I had to start my life with Cole. This man was one more thing standing in my way.
“Don’t know what to tell ya. I don’t got a tire. I’ll roll back up to town, pick you up one, and I’ll be back.” He looked at his watch. “Gimme an hour.”
“An hour? You’re going to leave me here for another hour? I’ve been sitting here two hours already.”
“You can ride with me.” He pointed to the cab. “Sally there’ll move over for ya.” In the front seat was a long-haired golden retriever. I liked dogs, but I wasn’t about to let one I didn’t know sit in my lap.
I weighed my options. I could stay with the truck, keep an eye on my life’s possessions, and get harassed by every man who drove past; or I could ride with Frank the tow truck driver with Sally on my lap into a town I’d never heard of, and leave everything I own in this world on the side of a Louisiana back road.
Frank stepped toward his truck. “You comin’?”
“No. I think I’ll stay with the truck.”
“Suit yourself.” He opened the door. “Be back real soon.”
“Ok. Thank you.” I tried to smile, but knew I didn’t have much faith in Frank. He didn’t seem like a take-charge kind of guy.
I climbed into the truck, locked the doors, and turned on the radio. I don’t know how much time passed before I saw Frank’s truck pull up again. He waved as he pulled behind the trailer.
“Got you a tire.” He beamed as he stepped out of the truck.
“Good. I was starting to worry about you, Frank.”
He walked to the back of his truck and retrieved a tire, slung it to the ground, and began rolling it toward me.
“This was the only one we had left in that trailer size.” He pointed to the flat. “Why don’t you scoot, and let me git this on here?”
I hopped from the ledge and watched as he began the process. Sally must have seen this a hundred times. She pulled her head in from the window and folded herself in the front seat.
After twenty minutes, Frank had finished and stepped back to admire his work. “That oughtta do ya.” He smiled widely, and I noticed he had several teeth missing.
“Thank you. I really appreciate the help.”
“Sure thing.” He tipped his hat and walked to the truck. “Be careful out there.”
“I will.” I almost jogged to the driver side. I was ready to get the last part of the trip underway. Nine hours and I would be in Cole’s arms.
Cole
I never liked the plan.
There was no way i
n hell I would have agreed to it if I had an option for Grayson. But Amber had just left Texas. I couldn’t leave my son when his mother had left him behind. How was I supposed to explain to him she was studying poetry and not tucking him in at night? That I had custody because she was more like a gypsy and less like a mother? And Kaitlyn was right—it was too much driving and sitting for him.
He would be restless and go through all the snacks before I even crossed over the Texas state line.
It didn’t mean I liked it her idea. I hated it. It didn’t feel right.
Kaitlyn shouldn’t be moving herself here. Alone.
I pressed my palms into the wooden railing. The waves beat the shore.
I knew what Ryan would think before he said it—I was failing her. How could I keep her safe when she was on the road without me? I promised him she’d always be taken care of. And look what she had talked me into doing. Fuck.
I shook my head and walked back inside. Grayson was curled on the couch. His favorite blanket was tucked in his fist. I scooped him in my arms and walked to his room. The toddler bed was close to the floor. I lowered him to the mattress and pulled his favorite train quilt to his shoulders.
It didn’t seem real that I had full custody now. But he was mine. No more back and forth on the weekends. No more two-hour playdates. Grayson had a room in our house.
There were books and crayons scattered on the floor. I had tried to convince him we had to clean up before Kaitlyn arrived, but he didn’t understand. It was a battle just to get him in the bathtub tonight. I choose to wrestle him in pajamas and worry about the floor tomorrow.
I turned off the light and closed the door.
The only thing I could do now was wait for her.
Wait for the girl I loved to come home.
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