Chapter 2 Liam #2
Pulling into the front spot, I jumped out of the truck and rounded it to help Mila unbuckle. She was still in her little booster seat, so she could do it herself, but the truck was tall and I wanted to be sure she didn’t get bold enough to try to open the door on her own and jump down.
“Uncle Cole is already here!” Mila yelled excitedly as I pulled her into my arms. My best friend’s silver truck was indeed parked two spots down and he was exiting the vehicle, his expensive sunglasses making him look like an extra in Top Gun.
“Did you bring donuts?” Seraphina ran up to him, trying to peek into the white carryout box. He tugged her to his side as he walked toward the door. Maddy trailed us, carrying her backpack and pulling her headphones on.
The sounds of fists slamming into heavy bags and loud music greeted us as we pulled open the door and strolled in. I had one guy who helped me open up shop on the weekends so I could sleep in and spend time with the kids, but since they were still on winter break, he was handling things for a bit.
“Here.” Colson handed the box over to Maddy and ruffled Seraphina’s hair. I walked to the office and set Mila on the couch, where she snuggled under a blanket and waited to be served a donut.
Once I set them up with their show, I walked back out and met Colson behind the counter.
“So are you ready for the meeting tomorrow?” Colson asked, leaning back while he sipped his coffee. Now that his sunglasses were gone I could see the bags under his eyes and how exhausted he looked.
“Nora still gone?” The woman he’d been pining over for nearly a year had finally agreed to date him, but because of some mix up, they came back from their trip to California in separate cars.
Then Nora took off to the mountain and didn’t have a return date.
I guess they were technically broken up right now, but like hell was I going to use that term in front of my friend.
He was hurting, and it felt like shit watching him go through losing her.
I was married at one point in my life…happy, in love.
Still, the way Cole looked when he checked to see if his girl had called or texted? Honestly, I had never felt that before.
He looked like he’d lost a piece of himself.
When I lost Lacey, it felt like I had finally gotten a piece of myself back.
Maybe it was because of what she put us through.
What she did to the girls. Maybe I just slowly fell out of love with her.
Either way, every now and then I selfishly wondered what it would be like to feel that way about someone.
“Yeah…” he finally answered, clenching his jaw tight, “Haley keeps me updated when she calls and texts. Says she’s doing okay. I guess she’s healing, doing a lot of meditating up in some cabin.”
I nodded my head, unsure of exactly what to say. I figured moving away from the topic of Nora would be safest.
“So having Haley around…how’s that going?”
Colson had opened up to me over the years about his family. He hadn’t mentioned Haley much, just that she had ruined his life by being born––which was a little dramatic––although his history and what happened to his mother was dramatic, so I kind of understood.
Colson sipped more of his coffee, shifting around, until he was perched on a stool.
“It’s actually been really nice. I really fucked up with her for so many years. I owe her a lot. Plus she’s always cooking and baking…and, even though I haven’t had much of an appetite, it’s nice to have the company.”
That was different, but I was thankful he had his little sister during this time.
“The meeting… You never told me how you were feeling about it.” Colson lifted his cup in my direction, as if he wanted to change the subject and put it back on me.
I chose that moment to move around the small space, so I could organize all the forms and binders.
“I feel ready. I made sure the locker rooms were clean and looked presentable. All the gear has been organized, mended, and replaced. I did what I could so when they do their walk through it doesn’t look like a total shithole. ”
Cole clicked his tongue. “It’s not a shithole; you’re just behind a bit on payments and need a backer. It’s completely normal for businesses to ask for investors.”
I tried not to let his comment burn, but Colson didn’t really understand because he was born into money. The kind of money that could buy an entire construction company from his boss. He had a trust fund—and the Hanes name––that opened doors most people didn’t even know existed.
He was a good friend, though, and I knew he’d help me prep for this meeting better than anyone else.
“You looked over the numbers? Are they going to bring anything up that I missed?”
Colson shook his head. “It all looked good, you didn’t miss anything. Just walk them through the gym and tell them how good of an investment this place is.”
Right.
My face felt warm. I wasn’t behind on gym payments yet, but I wasn’t going to be able to pay on time next month if I didn’t get some help.
Talking about it was humbling. Especially with someone as wealthy as Colson.
Not that he acted like he had money or cared about that shit.
Still, there was only so much pride I could sacrifice without feeling it.
The stress was getting to me on a level I hadn’t experienced since the divorce.
I had to change the subject.
“The girls keep asking about your sister–something about makeup, I guess?”
The timer went off from one of the guy’s training.
Mila and Seraphina were arguing in the office, I could hear them from here, but I was still waiting to see if they could work it out before I stepped in.
Colson’s head turned in that direction, likely wondering the same thing.
He had probably broken up just as many arguments as I had, given how much time he’d spent with them.
I would never know why he decided to stick to us like glue after he’d moved here from California, but I never stopped being grateful for him.
This shit was lonely, and having him in my corner—in my kids’ corner—meant everything to me.
“She’s actually bringing over dinner tonight. Why don’t you guys come by? She always makes enough to feed ten people anyway.”
I nodded then grabbed a rag and started dusting off the computer monitors. Dinner would be nice––it would save me from having to make something tonight.
“You sure?”
He waved me off. “Of course. Bring the girls, I know Haley would like to see them too. She’s bored. I can tell.”
“She staying?”
His sister had literally just showed up out of nowhere after his trip to California.
Her entire car was packed full of all her belongings and apparently, she was rooming with Nora, Colson’s girlfriend…
or staying in her house while Nora was gone.
Either way, it was weird. Who just picked up and left their entire life to move to a small, nothing town in the middle of nowhere?
It made no sense to me, unless she was hiding from someone or had a secret of some kind.
Maybe she was in some trouble. She seemed young.
Maybe she met the wrong guy and was laying low because of it.
But yesterday when I saw her, she seemed happy. Not like she was worried or in fear. She seemed a little aimless, but happy just the same.
“I’m not sure yet. I think I want her to. We have some shit to clear up…” He looked off to the side, his jaw clenching tight. “Time to make up for. I haven’t treated her well, so if she is looking for a place to start over, then I wouldn’t mind.”
I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was wiping as I considered his words. Colson having family was good. I knew he didn’t get along well with his dad or stepmom and didn’t see his brothers often. Haley, as far as I knew, wasn’t even considered family, but I guess things can change.
“That’s good, man, I’m happy for you.”
I could see the pain etched into his face as his head hung, likely reflecting on the fact that Nora was still gone. I still wasn’t sure how to help him through that. I had lost my wife. Rehab couldn’t keep her with me and didn’t keep her connected to our kids, either. That shit hurt.
He let out a sigh and pushed off the counter. “Can I take them off your hands today? I’ll take them to the farm store, they like picking out the eggs and Mrs. Pruitt lets them walk around out back to see the goats.”
The girls loved going to the farm store with Colson.
I don’t know what he said to charm the owner—she didn’t let anyone wander around her farm that was attached to the store—but when Cole showed up with my girls, she melted on the spot.
She hated me, but I had no reason to go there, so it didn’t really matter.
I couldn’t afford eight dollars for a dozen eggs.
“Yeah, go ahead, I still have some work to do. I’ll see you tonight for dinner.”
My best friend slapped my back on his way out, and I tried to get my mind back on the meeting that would make or break my livelihood.