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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.
CHAPTERTHREE
Wool Socks
Stars
4 Wheel Drive
Background noise
Resilience
My Fake ID
McGrady’s
Black ink had gottenall over my hands from writing down the ingredients for tonight’s dinner. I was at the sink, scrubbing my hands as I tried to soak in the warmth. The sun was out, spilling in through the skylight above the kitchen, warming the floors.
It was a new day, with new things to be happy about.
