“True. But… bro code.”
“Which brings me to my second reason as to why I’m on her side,” Colton says, kicking back and leaning against the wall, his legs extended in front of him and crossed at the ankles.
“Which is?”
“She’s way hotter than you are.”
Chase growls at his brother and throws a balled-up napkin. “Whatever, dude. I mean, yes, she is totally hot. The hottest. Right, Milo? Auntie Gabrielle is a fucking knock-out and gets Uncle Chase’s pee-pee hard all the time,” Chase says as he crouches down and swipes his nephew off the floor. Milo kicks happily and nestles into Chase’s arm, his little eyes hanging on his uncle’s every word.
“Don’t talk about your pee-pee in front of my son, Teeny.”
Chase, ignoring the comment from his brother, looks down at the baby and says, “Daddy knows it’s not teeny. In fact, it’s pretty big. Right, Aunt Gabby?”
“You two are too much. Hollis, you want to join me in the kitchen and get away from all this testosterone? We can discuss the website a little more,” Gabby says, standing up and heading to the kitchen space. The moment we’re away from the guys, she turns and says, “Sorry about that. They get a little silly sometimes. Colton was in the military for a long time, and I think they’ve missed each other. Now they’re back together, it’s like they have to catch up on all their brotherly jabs and tormenting. It’s comical, but I don’t want to encourage them,” she says with a smile.
Tossing my plate in the trash, I ask, “So, he was in the military?”
“Like twelve years. He only recently took an honorable discharge because he found out about Milo.”
I yawn and glance at the clock. It’s still fairly early, but I’ve been driving most of the day. My body is starting to scream for a shower and a soft place to crash. Though, thinking about the blankets on the floor, I might have to ease up on what constitutes as soft. “He didn’t know about him before he was born?” I ask, yawning a second time.
Gabby shakes her head. “Nope. It’s a big dramatic mess. One-night stand shows up at Chase’s doorstep and leaves a baby, assuming Chase is the one she slept with. Turns out, a paternity test proves he’s not Chase’s, but Colton’s. Colt happened to be home for a visit after we found out, so Chase told him the truth. Colt didn’t reenlist. The moment he found out Milo was his son, he quit the Army to take care of him.”
“Wow, that’s good. And the mom?”
Gabby rolls her eyes. “She was young. I might not understand her position, but I appreciate her doing the right thing. She signed over her rights and gave Colt full custody.”
“That’s crazy,” I reply through another yawn. “I’m so sorry. It’s been a long day for me.”
“Why don’t you go get some sleep? It’s about time for Milo’s bedtime anyway, so we should head out. I’ll let you get settled and give you a call mid-week if that’s okay with you? I really want to redo our website, and I think you’re just the girl to get the job done.”
I preen a little at the compliment. “Thank you. I’d love to work with you.”
“Good, because I’m sure we’re going to be seeing each other a lot,” she adds with a smile. “I’ll get your number from Colton, okay? Nice to meet you, Hollis.”
“Nice to meet you too. Thank you for the pizza.”
“You’re very welcome. I look forward to getting to know you,” she says as she heads back to the living room.
I’m not really sure if I should go back in and say goodnight or just head back to my room. I guess I could pop my head in the doorway and wave. Then, I’m still being friendly and considerate while not completely engaging in their conversation.
Before I make it to the doorway, Colton comes around the corner and almost runs into me. “Oh, shit. Sorry,” he says, reaching out and steadying me.
The moment his fingers graze my skin, electrical current soars through my body. “It’s okay,” I mumble, taking a step back and out of his grasp. His eyes seem almost… disappointed when I break our connection. “I was just going to bed.”
He nods, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Okay. I’ll install that lock on the door tomorrow. It’s not that I don’t trust you with my house,” he starts, but I cut him off.
“It’s fine. You don’t know me,” I reiterate. “I’d do the same if I were in your shoes. I mean, you have a son to think about.”
He nods. “Yeah. I was going to put a lock on this side of the laundry room door. This way, it gives me privacy when I’m in here. I checked out the lock on the inside of the in-law suite before you got here. It’s a good lock, so you’ll be able to keep your privacy there when I’m in the laundry room.”
“It creates boundaries. I get it.”
“Okay,” he says, staring down at me. At five three, I’ve always been on the shorter side of average, but when I’m standing in front of Colton, I feel tiny. He’s easily six one or six two, with big broad shoulders and a tattoo on his left arm that peeks out beneath his shirt sleeve. I can’t tell what it is, and I have to keep my hands to myself, so I don’t grab the shirt and take a look. “Well, goodnight.”
“Night, Colton,” I say, heading to my door. “Oh, and thank you again for renting this place to me. I know you were expecting a man, but I appreciate you giving me a chance.”
His blue eyes follow my movement. “You’re welcome. Everything happens for a reason, right?”
I nod, throw him a quick wave, and disappear into my new mini apartment, locking the door behind me. I know I’m not exactly in the big city anymore, but it’s a habit to lock the doors the moment you securely close them. I can’t imagine there’s much crime here, not after the Mayberry-like stories my grandma used to share, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
I quickly find my box with bedding and throw two blankets and my comforter onto the floor. In the bathroom, I’m able to locate the box with toiletries, and quickly wash my face and take out my contacts. After I brush my teeth, I turn off the light and head back to the living area. After finding a change of clothes, I take in my new place. It’s definitely small, but I think it’ll work just fine. It’s homey and cozy, just what I’ve been looking for.
I toss my pillow into the pile of blankets and lie under the comforter. Even in the heat of summer, I always have to have my comforter. I sleep cold, so the more blankets, the better. I snuggle into my makeshift bed, the familiar scent of laundry detergent filling my senses. The light is still on in the kitchenette, and I make no move to shut it off. Maybe someday, I’ll be able to sleep in the dark again. Today isn’t that day, however.
And tomorrow probably won’t be either.
As I lie here, I hear Chase and Gabby leave. It’s not super loud, but I can hear their movements on the opposite side of the walls. I’m hoping when both places have furniture, maybe it won’t be so echoey. Colton moves around in Milo’s bedroom. His back wall butts up against one of my walls, so it’s just a little noisier than before. I close my eyes and listen to the low hum of Colton’s voice as he talks to his son. No, I can’t make out what he’s saying, thankfully, but I can tell when his talking turns to something more.