Chapter Nine #2
“That’s great news,” Joseph beams. “Speaking of, have you seen how adorable Anna’s baby boy is?”
Colt stiffens beside me.
I frown instantly. “Wait! What do you mean, how adorable he is? She’s not due for another week or two?”
Joseph blinks. “Dee… she had him. Two days ago. We saw the pics on Entertainment Tonight. Little Aston, named after Bob Marley’s bassist.”
The words slam into me like a freight train.
My heart constricts.
My stomach twists.
Colt knew.
He knew, and he didn’t fucking tell me.
Colt rubs the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. “Dee, baby, I’m sorry. I just thought—”
“No. You didn’t think,” I snap, cutting him off as Joseph and Danny exchange confused looks.
My bottom lip quivers as I stare at him in disbelief.
“I didn’t know what the right move was,” Colt says softly. “I didn’t want to upset you.”
“So you h-hid it instead?” My voice cracks. “Just because I can’t have your children doesn’t mean I don’t care about my best friend having hers!”
Joseph frowns. “Dee… I thought you already knew. I’m sorry. Colt told us what happened with you, and I didn’t think when I told you about Ann—”
I whip my head toward Colt. “You told them?”
Colt hesitates. “I thought you’d want them to know. I thought—”
“You thought I wanted people to know I’m barren? That I’m defective?”
“Sweetie, no,” Joseph cuts in. “That’s not what this is. You’re not defective. You still have those three eggs. You and Colt will have your babies, I know it. Three little brats, probably, knowing you two.” His attempt at humor lands like a slap.
“So glad you’re all in on this together,” I snap. “Nice to know everyone’s been talking about me behind my back.”
“Dee—”
“I was fine until you came along,” I hiss at Colt.
His eyes go wide, and then his brows crease. Pain flashes across his face, raw and instant. He nods sharply and steps back. “Right,” he mutters and turns.
“Colt, wait—” I call, but he’s already gone, thudding down the stairs with heavy steps.
Silence.
“Fuck,” I whisper, burying my face in my hands.
Joseph gently pries my fingers from my face and holds them. “Dee… don’t do this. He loves you. You’re hurting, I get it. But don’t take it out on him. Everything he does is for you. Give him a break.”
“I’m such a bloody idiot,” I mutter.
“Yeah, but we love you anyway,” Danny says, pulling me into a side hug.
My heart aches.
As it should.
“I need to find him. I need to apologize.”
“You will,” Joseph says. “But give him time. That cut deep, Dee. And you’re not the kind of girl who lashes out at the people she loves. Don’t start being that person now.”
I nod, and the weight of his words sinks into my soul.
“He won’t put up with this much longer, with me much longer,” I whisper, a tear sliding down my cheek.
“Colt will never leave you,” Danny says. “He’d rather cut off his own arm.”
“Just show him you love him back,” Joseph adds gently.
“I do love him,” I say, more to myself than anyone.
“We know. Make sure he knows.”
Joseph brightens. “Now. While we wait, let’s have some proper girl time with sappy rom-coms and sugary tea.”
I half-smile as they turn on The Proposal, Joseph’s favorite. He worships Sandra Bullock’s bone structure and perves over Ryan Reynolds like it’s a sport.
They laugh when Sandra sings about sweaty balls in the woods, but I can’t concentrate.
All I can think about is Colt.
How long he’s been gone.
What he’s thinking.
If he’s packing his bags.
If I’ve finally pushed him too far.
My chest tightens with panic. I reach for my crutches.
Joseph lifts an eyebrow. “You think he’s had enough time?”
I nod. “I need to see him.”
“Then c’mon,” he says, rising. “Danny, let’s help our invalid downstairs. She’s got a man to win back.”
I’m dressed in a tank and panties, but I don’t care. Modesty has long since left the building. With Joseph and Danny flanking me, I make my way down the stairs. Princess dances at my feet, her little paws tapping against my cast, and I smile despite myself.
“Thanks for coming, guys. Sorry, I wasn’t exactly… delightful,” I say, holding out my finger to Joseph. “Pinky swear I’ll be better next time.”
He laughs, hooks my pinky, and wiggles our hands together. “Things will get easier. You two are built tough. You’ll get through this.”
Danny hugs me, then scoops up Princess. I pout as he kisses her tiny head.
“She’s been yours from day one,” Joseph says, gesturing to her bed and toys. “She’s always looking for you. We love her, but with the restaurant, it’s not fair. She belongs here… with you. If you want her.”
Emotion bubbles in my throat. “You don’t know what this means to me.”
“We do,” Danny says. “Spoil her like she deserves.”
“I will. I love you guys.”
“We love you right back,” Joseph says, opening the door. “Now go make up with your man.”
Danny places Princess down, and I hug them both tightly before they head out and I close the door after watching them go.
Princess jumps up, wagging her tail like she never left, and my heart squeezes again.
I blow her a kiss and take a breath.
Now it’s time to find Colt.
And make things right.