Chapter Four
Colton
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
After convincing her to take the meds, I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. Then I grab extra blankets and a pillow for the futon since I didn’t have time earlier.
“I don’t have space in my office to keep extra clothes, but I’ll knock before enterin’ so I don’t startle you,” I say, grabbing a pair of flannel bottoms from my drawer.
“I sleep with the door open so I can hear if the kids wake up, so you don’t gotta worry about it. Just c’mon in whenever you need. It’s your bedroom.”
That’s an interesting open invitation, and although it’s not how she meant it, I like the idea of not having closed doors around here. Although technically, it’s safer in the event of a fire because it slows down the spread of it, but I know she’d run through the flames to save her kids anyway.
“Let me know if you need anythin’, okay?” I walk to the door, then glance over my shoulder at her sitting on my bed. “G’night, Amelia.”
“Night, Colt.”
The sound of her saying my name does something to me, but I push it down and lock it away. Now’s not the time to think about her like that. She’s in a vulnerable state, so if all we can ever be are friends, that’s good enough for me.
For now, anyway.
The futon is uncomfortable as fuck, even expanded into a full-size, but I make do and eventually fall asleep. At some point, I hear footsteps creaking against the hardwood floor and jolt awake.
Sam stands in my doorway with his blanket and stuffed dinosaur clung to his chest.
“Hey, buddy. You okay?” I throw off my covers and walk toward him. “Need some water?”
He shakes his head and rubs his eye with one hand. “I had a nightmare.”
“Oh no. Do you wanna tell me ’bout it?” I ask softly, kneeling in front of him.
He shakes his head again.
“Sometimes when I have bad dreams, it helps to talk ’bout it, and then it doesn’t seem so scary.”
He’s silent for a moment. “It was ’bout a masked man who hides under my bed and eats my toes in my sleep.
“Oh.” I blink, not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t that.
“Yeah, and then…he um…turns into an alien and eats my fingers.”
“That would be scary, but you don’t gotta worry ’cause aliens don’t eat people.”
“They don’t?”
“No way. They prefer reptiles and slimy creatures from the deep ocean. And since you’re neither of those, you’re safe.” I wink, hoping it’ll ease him enough to go back to sleep.
“They don’t eat people ever?”
“Nope, they don’t like all the bones. They’d get stuck in their throats and choke to death, so that’s why they stick to smaller things.”
With narrowed eyes, his mouth purses, and I wait to see if he buys it or not.
Shrugging, he smiles. “That makes sense.”
I grin, getting to my feet. “Want me to tuck you back into bed?”
“Okay.” He catches me by surprise when he takes my hand, and my lips spread even wider when he squeezes it.
“Mornin’,” I greet Amelia when she walks into the kitchen, looking frazzled, but well-rested.
She looks from me to Sam and Lily, then back to me. “Is it really after nine?”
“Yep.” I look back at the pan and flip a few sausage links. “How’d you sleep?”
“Good. Great, actually.” She pulls her glasses off, then rubs her eyes. “I can’t believe I slept that long.”
“You needed it.”
“I’m even more surprised the kids didn’t wake me.” She puts her glasses back on, which are adorable as fuck on her. “How long have they been up?”
“A few hours,” I tell her, then point the spatula at the table. “Sit, I’ll bring you a plate.”
“Mom, look!” Sam exclaims when she takes a seat. “Mickey Mouse pancakes!”
Lily already ate hers, so I gave her some extra berries to hold her over since I wasn’t sure how much she could eat.
“You’ve been up with ’em this whole time? Got Lily dressed and fed ’em?” she asks as I set her food down in front of her.
When I nod, she directs her attention to Lily. “Did you potty?”
There’s hesitation in her voice as if she’s concerned I’m the one who helped her. I was worried at first since I don’t have one of those special toddler seats, but she seemed to manage without one. I kept my back to her while she went and waited until she flushed before spinning around.
The last thing I want to do is cross any boundaries Amelia would be uncomfortable with since the kids just met me, but her tone insinuates I already did.
“By myself,” Lily declares, although that isn’t one hundred percent true.
I had to bribe her with a cookie first, but we agreed that’s our little secret.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” she asks, frowning.
I pinch my brows as I go back into the kitchen. “What for?”
She follows me, speaking to my back. “Colt, you don’t have”—she clears her throat and lowers her voice—”you aren’t responsible for gettin’ up with ’em or makin’ ’em food. I know you said you don’t mind, but I do.”
When I turn, the movement brings us closer. My gaze lowers to her lips for a brief second, wondering how she’d react if I stole a taste. “And why’s that?”
“’Cause they hardly know you and we’re only here temporarily. I clearly need to work on the whole stranger danger with my kids, but for now, there’s no reason to muddy the roles.”
“The roles?” I lift a brow, more amused than annoyed, but still confused.
“We’re guests in your house, practically takin’ over your whole space, so you don’t need to go above and beyond more than you already have or take care of my kids. They’re confused enough as it is.”
I glance over her shoulder at the kids smiling and laughing as they eat. My shoulder lifts, meeting her glare. “They don’t seem confused.”
She crosses her arms, taking a small step back. “The last thing they need is to get used to a parent figure who ain’t stayin’ in their lives, so it’ll be an easier transition once we go back home if you don’t take over.”
“Makin’ breakfast is takin’ over?” I mimic her stance, folding my arms and matching her firm posture. “As I’ve said before, I’m not gonna eat in front of ’em. Plus, I’m happy to cook for y’all.”
“Of course not, but next time, wake me, and I’ll do it.”
“Amelia…” I drawl, letting my arms drop.
Stepping closer, I steal back the inch of space she put between us.
“You obviously have trust issues, and I understand why, but I’m offerin’ my help with zero expectations from you.
You wanna pretend we’ve never met before yesterday, then fine—I’ll let you live in your fantasy bubble for now—but that doesn’t change anythin’.
Y’all are in my house, I’m gonna help with the kids and whatever else y’all need ’cause I’m not an asshole.
I care about your well-being. So you can keep arguin’ about it or get on board and appreciate the break. ”
Her jaw ticks as her eyes bore into mine. I see the way her mind’s spiraling as if she doesn’t know which part of my words she wants to argue with first.
But I don’t give her the chance to decide.
“You might wanna eat and freshen up, darlin’. Your massage is in forty-five minutes.”
Gabby arrives right on time with her gear in tow. I direct her to the bedroom and introduce her to Amelia, who seems nervous, but I know she’ll enjoy herself.
She barely said a word to me since I told her about the appointment.
She played it cool when she sat and ate with the kids, but her tense body language gave her away.
If I accomplish anything while she’s here, I hope it’s earning her trust so she doesn’t put me in the same category as all the other men who’ve disappointed her.
Once she finished eating, she gave them a pep talk to behave for me and reassured them she’d be back in an hour to play with them.
Except, I might’ve neglected to tell her I also booked a facial, mani and pedi, and seaweed bath. She’ll be busy for at least the next four hours.
But she needs it, and the self-care will be good for her. I can handle the kids in the meantime.
Ninety minutes later, I realize I can’t.
Sam wants to play games on his iPad, and Lily keeps throwing toys at him. Even when I get on the floor and try to occupy her, she finds ways to annoy her brother.
Reminds me of Warren and Bellamy as kids. They have the biggest age gap among our siblings at eight years. But there were three other kids in the middle to intervene.
Since that’s not the case here and it’s two against one, I call in reinforcements as a single and childless man and ask my mom for backup.
“Hey, Ma. Thanks for comin’.”
“My pleasure, sweetheart.” She pats my cheek when I step out of the way to let her inside. “I brought supplies.”
“Thank goodness.”
Before I close the door, Bellamy approaches with a shit-eating grin and a large box in her arms.
“What’re you doin’ here?” I groan, already preparing for her smart mouth.
“Mom asked me to bring some stuff from the daycare. I’ve got board games, puzzles, books, blocks, Legos, some dolls…a little of everythin’. So ya gonna let me in or what?”
“Depends.” I narrow my eyes, leaning against the doorway. “You gonna be nice or tease me the whole time?”
“Whatever do you mean, big brother? Why would I, your favorite sister in the whole world, do such a thing?”
Her phony, sugary sweet tone is fooling no one.
When I deepen my glare, she rolls her eyes. “I’ll be good, okay? Now, can I come in? I wanna play with them.”
Remy rushes to my side, forcing the door wider.
“Thanks, Remy!” She pushes her way past me, and I reluctantly close the door behind her, almost regretting letting her in.
“It’s gonna be so cool gainin’ a niece and nephew when y’all get married.”
“What’s that, sweetie?” Mom asks, shuffling into the living room where I left the kids to play. Remy’s on the floor, guarding them with his life.
I shoot Bellamy a glare that only a big brother could, that says, “Repeat those words and find yourself buried in my backyard.”
She must get the hint, faking a genuine smile. “Nothin’, Ma. I brought everythin’ you asked for.”