He heard the back door opening and stiffened. “Who’s that?”
Gina came to her feet. “You didn’t think I’d leave you here on your own while I went off to work, did you?”
Oh no.
“What’s up, loser?” Trent came into the room wearing a Yankees T-shirt and a wide grin, as if the sight of him in pain was just oh-so-amusing.
Trent came to stand beside Gina so the two of them were looking down at him with varying degrees of amusement and pity. He wasn’t exactly sure at what point Trent had become another member of this family, but the two of them had become as good as siblings at some point when he wasn’t looking.
Siblings who found it amusing to gang up on him.
“Has he been this pitiful all day?” Trent asked.
“Try two days,” Gina said.
Trent sighed and wrapped a brotherly arm around Gina’s shoulders. “I’m glad you called me.”
Colton frowned up at them. “What is this, some sort of intervention?”
Gina laughed. “Something like that. I can’t stand watching you mope around the house much longer, big bro.”
“And I can’t have you smelling like you do at work tomorrow,” Trent said. “You’ll freak out the criminals.”
“Ha ha,” Colton said without a hint of laughter. “You’re hilarious.”
Trent shoved his hands in his pockets. “I thought so.”
He scowled up at his friend, feeling decidedly at a disadvantage from this angle, yet still unwilling to move. “You’re supposed to be pissed at me, man.”
Trent’s brows hitched up. “Am I?”
He bit back a sigh of exasperation. “I lost the money we needed to start the business. If I’d just stuck to the plan and kept things strictly business—”
“Yeah, yeah,” Trent said, waving a hand as if wafting away his words. “Look, you can sit around feeling sorry for yourself on your own time. I’ve got a date tonight and I’d rather not cancel because I have to babysit my business partner.”
Gina snorted a laugh and Colton aimed his glare in her direction.
“Oh, come on, Colton,” she said. “You’re overreacting and you know it.”
He clamped his mouth shut and tried not to notice his best friend and sister exchanging a knowing glance.
“Okay, look,” Trent said. “You like this girl. We get that. Heck, I saw how you felt for her from a mile away. Why else do you think I told you to go for it when I knew our business was on the line?”
That got Colton sitting upright. “Trent, man, I’m so—”
“Forget it, loser.” Trent’s grin softened. “Seriously, I knew the risk and I didn’t care. I mean…I care, obviously, but your happiness is more important.” He arched his brows. “We’ll get the business started eventually, right. It’ll just take a little longer than we’d hoped.”
Colton nodded. “Right.”
Gina clapped her hands together. “Great. Now we’ve got that resolved. Let’s focus on how you’re going to get Addison back.”
Colton groaned and dropped his head into his hands. “Don’t you get it? I ruined everything. She already had trust issues and then I went and abused that trust.”
“Yeah, we get it,” Gina interrupted. “You did a bad thing. But guess what? You’re human, you make mistakes.”
“Seriously, bro,” Trent added. “You are definitely taking this wallowing thing too far.”
Colton clenched his fists, his jaw clamped down tight as he tried to rein in his irrational anger. It wasn’t their fault that he messed up, but they didn’t seem to understand that trying to give him hope that he could salvage this was just about the cruelest thing they could do.
He’d finally let a woman in—he finally understood what it meant to fall in love—and he’d blown it. He wasn’t wallowing, he was…
Okay, yeah, maybe he was wallowing.
“Look,” Gina said, coming to sit beside him again. “We get that you’re upset, but honestly, I think that’s a good thing.”
He turned his head slowly to meet her gaze with a glare. “So glad my misery makes you happy.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s not what I meant. What I meant was, if you’re this distraught over losing her, she obviously really means something to you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Of course she does.”
Gina shrugged, seemingly unmoved by his anger. “Well, forgive me, but you have something of a reputation, you know.”
He grunted in acknowledgement. He couldn’t argue that.
“She’s right,” Trent said, because apparently these two had decided that they were on the same team today and it was called Team Annoy Colton. “I’ve never seen you like this over anyone, man. That’s got to mean something.”
He arched a brow as he looked up at his friend. “And what exactly do you know about love?”
Trent shrugged, unrepentant. “Not much. But I know I’ve never gotten this messed up over a woman and I’ve also never been in love, so I’d say this is it.”
Love. Colton had suspected that was what this was but he hadn’t really wanted to admit it. It made a weird sort of sense, though. What perfectly fitting retribution after a lifetime of playing it fast and loose. Of course he’d go and blow it when he finally met someone he truly cared about.
Colton groaned. One whiff of love and his initial response was to destroy it. He was a walking love menace. He was cupid’s arch nemesis. He was—
“There he goes again,” Gina said to Trent.
“Seriously, dude, you’ve got to chill with the angst.”
“No one asked you guys to cheer me up,” Colton pointed out. Even as he said it, he felt a surge of guilt at taking out his misery on his sister and his best friend.
Man, he really had fallen into a bad place.
Trent crossed his arms and studied him, his easy grin fading into a serious glare. “I never took you to be such a wuss, man.”
Colton straightened, his muscles tensing automatically.
“I mean, a loser, sure,” Trent continued. “But a coward?”
Colton growled. “She’s better off without—”
“Oh please.” Gina sighed loudly. “Sorry, Colton, but the whole martyr vibe doesn’t look so good on you.”
“She’s right.” Of course Trent agreed with her.
Colton scratched at the stubble on his jaw, not sure whether to hate or love the hope that was starting to come to life inside him the more they talked.
See? This was exactly why he’d wanted to be left alone.
“Let me ask you this,” Gina said. “Do you think there’s someone else out there who would appreciate her as much as you do?”
“I don’t think that’s possible,” he muttered.
“Exactly,” she said, her voice triumphant.
“But there are guys out there who wouldn’t hurt her,” he said.
“Like who?” Trent demanded. “People hurt the ones they love all the time, sometimes unintentionally and sometimes on purpose. Getting hurt is part of life.”
He eyed his friend. “When did you get all philosophical?”
Trent ignored him. “I’m just saying, you made a mistake but your intentions weren’t bad. Just like her intentions weren’t bad when she gave you a false name.”
He stared at his friend.
“She lied to you, loser. Not to be mean, but to protect herself. And you lied to her before you got to know her. Before you knew how you felt.”
Gina nodded sagely. “I’m with Trent on this one. You know I’d be the first to smack you for hurting a woman, but in this scenario, I think you’re being too hard on yourself. You wanted to tell her the truth, right?”
Trent answered for him. “He threw away our startup money just so he could tell her the truth.”
Colton winced even though Trent didn’t say it in anger. It would be a while before he didn’t feel guilt about that one.
“See?” Gina said. “You were going to do the right thin
g, you just didn’t have the chance.”
“Yeah, man,” Trent said. “I know we always joke about how you’re such a bad guy, or whatever. But it’s been a long time since you were that kid playing hooky, and even then…you were just a kid.”
Gina nudged him with her elbow. “You’re not our dad, big bro. Beneath all that swagger and flirting, you’re actually a pretty decent guy.”
He looked at her in surprise…not so much at the words but at how much he’d needed to hear them.
You’re not our dad.
He didn’t really think he was, but… Maybe a little part of him worried that he’d end up like that. A loser and a lowlife. Someone totally unworthy of a woman like Addison.
“In my humble, not-at-all biased opinion,” Gina said. “I don’t think she could do better than you.”
He stared at her in wide-eyed shock. Sincerity was a rarity in their household, but she went and ruined the sweet moment by smacking him on the arm. Hard. “Now go! Get your girl.”
A rush of hope swept through him, so dizzying he had to suck in a long, deep inhale. Were they right? Could he be worthy of Addison?
More importantly, could he convince her that he was worth another shot?
He rubbed his hands on his sweats. “You guys really think I have a chance?”
“If you shower?” Trent said. “Then yes.”
He shot him a sidelong look. “You’re so funny.”
Trent grinned. “Well, what are you waiting for?”
“I, uh…” He got to his feet but then he hesitated. “I have no idea how to do this.”
He looked from his sister to his best friend and for a moment they looked just as perplexed as he did. None of them had ever been in a real relationship before—and no, he refused to believe that whatever his sister had going on with her boss would lead to a real anything.
Gina was the first to break the silence. “Easy,” she said, crossing her arms. “You just need a grand gesture.”
“Exactly,” Trent said. “We’ll stop by her apartment—”
“She’s not there,” he interrupted.
He was greeted with another shocked stare, this time one tinged with horror. “Ew, stalker much?” Gina said.
He let out a loud exhale. “It was my job to know her schedule, okay?”
And the fact that he just happened to know where she was supposed to be at that precise moment?
Yeah, okay, maybe that was a tad creepy.
“Where is she then?” Gina asked.
“At the hospital,” he said. “It’s one of the kids’ birthdays so they’re throwing her a party.” His mouth twitched with amusement. “She’s dressing up as a princess for the little girl.”
Man, she was too perfect for words.
Again with the stares. He shrugged. “What? She’d been joking that I should show up as Prince Charming.”
“It’s at the hospital?” Gina asked. “Then that’s where we’re going.”
Trent agreed by slapping him on the back. “Dude, this is the perfect opportunity for a grand gesture.”
Colton arched his brows. “A grand gesture…at a kid’s party? What do you want me to do, crash the little girl’s hospital celebration with a brass band and a dozen roses—”
Gina cut in. “You said she’s going dressed up as a princess?”
Colton nodded. “Yeah, like, Cinderella or something.” His sister’s lips curved up in a strange little smile. He didn’t even try to hide his wary suspicion. “Why?”
Her smile was wicked. “Because I just might have an amazing idea.”
He stared at her for a moment. “I’m scared.”
Trent leaned toward him and lowered his voice. “You probably should be.”
Gina clapped her hands together, ignoring their comments. “It’s seriously the best idea. I just need to swing by the theater first to pick up some things.”
“The theater?” Colton called out after her but she was already halfway to the door.
“Trent, you make sure he gets that shower.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She turned in the doorway and flashed him a grin. “See you at the hospital, Prince Charming.”
18
Addison hadn’t exactly been in the mood for a party, but once she got there she was grateful that she’d come. It was nearly impossible to feel too down while celebrating an eight-year-old’s birthday. Lily’s hospital bed was surrounded by her friends and family, and everyone studiously ignored the sights, sounds, and scents that made it clear they were in a hospital.
Addison stood between Thomas and one of the other boys from her arts class and she squeezed their hands with pride as she took in their decorations. Color splashed every inch of the walls, brightening the sterile room and making it infinitely more cheerful.
“Are you enjoying your party, sweetie?” Lily’s mom asked.
Lily nodded. “I got everything I wanted.” She turned her toothy smile to Addison. “I even got a princess.”
Happiness warmed her and for the first time in days she felt a genuine grin. For the first time in what felt like ages, she forgot to be sad.
Lily’s eyes lit up as she looked past Addison to the door to the room. “And Prince Charming!”
Addison turned and stopped.
She stared.
She gawked, actually.
Addison was pretty sure her mouth was hanging open as she took in the site before her.
“Oh my,” Lily’s mother murmured nearby.
Oh my was right. Colton Parker looked insanely handsome in that Prince Charming costume. Utterly ridiculous, but handsome, clad in a full knight’s costume, complete with shining armor.
His sharp blue eyes met hers and her mouth went dry. What was he doing here?
“What are you doing here?” She hadn’t actually meant to say it aloud, but the words slipped out unbidden.
His smile took her breath away; it was almost a relief when those piercing eyes left hers to focus on the birthday girl. “I came to wish Lily a happy birthday, of course.”
The small crowd parted for him as he strode across the room, dropping down onto one knee as he gently lifted her hand to his lips.
Lily beamed.
Addison’s heart threatened to explode.
All of her anger and hurt were temporarily forgotten as she watched this guy bring joy to a little girl…looking totally silly and not seeming to care.
Frustratingly enough, he wore it well. She had the irritating suspicion that this guy could make any costume look sexy. She had an insane urge to order a SpongeBob SquarePants costume just to test her theory.
Addison watched in awe as he charmed the little girl, and then her mother, and then the other children who were present, and then…her.
Oh, who was she kidding? He’d charmed her the moment he’d arrived in the doorway.
But what was he doing here…and why?
As the shock of his arrival faded, it was replaced by a jittery anticipation. Excitement and fear and nerves all came together until she had to clasp her hands together to keep from shaking.
Hope kept threatening to come alive, no matter how hard she kept trying to squash it.
He’s here for you.
Do not go there. Do not do it. She was still lecturing herself when Prince Charming—er, Colton—broke away from the children and headed in her direction.
He stopped just in front of her, so close she could smell his toothpaste and the warm, manly scent that was so thoroughly Colton.
His eyes were filled with emotions but she wouldn’t dare to name them.
“May I have a word out in the hallway?”
She nodded, unable to speak. The voices of the others followed them out into the hall before he shut the door behind them.
The hallway was quiet. Too quiet. It also seemed way too small, and not even the cartoon paintings that graced the walls could ease the heavy tension that fell between them.
“What are you doing here?” s
he asked again. “I mean…” She closed her eyes and let out a huff of air. “Aside from wanting to wish Lily a happy birthday.”
She opened her eyes again and steeled herself for that jolt that always came when their gazes met. Preparing herself did nothing to stop it and her heart picked up its pace as she waited for him to answer.
“I never got a chance to properly apologize,” he said.
She bit her lip, hating the sudden onset of tears. She would not cry. Not again. “You still haven’t.”
One side of his mouth hitched up and she cursed the slight dimple it revealed.
She wasn’t supposed to find him adorable right now…not even if he was dressed as Prince Charming.
“I’m sorry, Addie.” His voice was low, strong, and so sincere it made her heart clench painfully. “I’m truly sorry. I never meant to hurt you, and I didn’t—” He cleared his throat. “I never saw you coming.”
She frowned. “What does that mean? You sought me out. You’re the one who—”
“I know, I know,” he said. “But you were nothing like what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“Honestly?” He looked chagrined. “A spoiled brat.”
She flinched a bit. She’d tried her whole life to not live up that stereotype.
“But you’re not spoiled, and you’re definitely not a brat.”
“Gee, thanks,” she mumbled.
His smile was small and endearing. “I thought you’d said no to a bodyguard because you were being selfish or proud or something. I didn’t realize that you were making a claim for your independence, or that your father was trying to…”
He seemed to stumble as he searched for words and she grudgingly took pity. “He was trying to buy me a friend?”
Even she could hear her bitterness, and he cringed when she wrapped her arms around her waist. “It’s okay,” she said, her tone weary. “I talked to my father. I know he asked you to get close to me.”
She watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. “Yeah, well, I didn’t understand at first, and then, the more I got to know you—” He shook his head. “I wasn’t sure how to walk away.” He licked his lips and took a deep breath. “I didn’t want to walk away.”
She inhaled sharply, trying not to be affected by the intensity in his gaze and failing miserably.
Fake Dating the Unsuspecting Heiress Page 15