“I was just there last week,” I roll my eyes as I grab the few things I need and shove them into my bag. “Those boys just like to cause trouble.” I shake my head remembering my time at The House.
I had no official training as a counselor, but Kellan and Rylee let me come by and help with anything I could, whether it be playing games with the boys or helping out with chores.
“Whatever they have to do to get you to come see them, they will do it. Besides, Kellan is a built-in babysitter. We can chat while the boys get some energy out.”
“Now there is the real reason you want me to come with you.” I shake my head and give her a knowing smile. “Nothing has happened between Tyler and I other than the occasional work email.”
“I just want to spend time with my friend, is that a crime?” Rylee raises her eyebrow at me before pushing her bottom lip out in a pout. I giggle as I thread my arm through hers and head for the exit.
“Okay, okay. I’ve just been busy with the fundraiser and organizing the auction.” I place a wet kiss on her cheek with a smack. “I’m so sorry you’re feeling neglected.”
Rylee gives me a bright smile. “I accept your apology, but I know how much work this fundraiser is. I used to be in your place, you know.”
“Yes and it led you to the man of your dreams,” I whisper. I don’t fault my friend for her happiness, but not having someone to call my own is hard too. I tried dating for a short period about a year ago, but nothing felt right. No one measures up to Tyler, not just because he is my son’s father. The love I have for Tyler can’t be measured and only rivals the love I feel for our son.
“It can help you get yours back if you let it.” She winks before hitting the call button for the elevator. “Let’s go get Colt and then you can fill me in on everything that’s been going on between you and Tyler. I’m sure you are overthinking everything instead of going with the flow.”
As the elevator chimes, I step inside and respond, “It’s not just my heart on the line this time. I have Colt to worry about. Tyler is his father, but who is to say he won’t just up and disappear again. I can’t risk my little boy’s heart like that.”
Rylee places a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You haven’t given him a chance to prove you wrong. He may not know how to be a father, but he doesn’t even know he has a son. Tell him, he may surprise you.”
As the door closes, I think about what Rylee said. Can I take that chance or is it better to just let things happen? I have no idea.
I’ve spent the last two hours here at The House watching Colt play with the other boys. Rylee has been relentlessly asking me questions and dissecting each part of the conversations I’ve had with Tyler since he came back, neither one of us coming up with any idea of what his intentions are.
“I say just out right ask him,” Haddie chimes in from beside me on the couch. Haddie and I aren’t particularly close. I mean we get along, but she is more Rylee’s friend than mine. I think she just puts up with me because of Rylee.
“How do you suppose I should do that, Had? Just call him up and ask him why he left so suddenly four years ago without a word? Oh, by the way Colt is your son, dumbass.” I lean all the way back on the couch and close my eyes.
Rylee filled me in on the entire conversation between Colton and Tyler about Colt. Yeah, I guess Colt looks a little like Colton, but how could he think so little of me, not to mention of someone he calls his best friend.
“He can claim temporary insanity about a lot of things, but I can’t believe he hasn’t figured that out on his own,” Rylee chimes in as she plops down in the armchair across from us, shoving a mouthful of popcorn into her mouth.
“I thought that was for all of us?” I question, as I lean toward her swiping the bowl from her grasp and placing it between Haddie and me.
“It is, but there is no space over there.” I chuck a handful of popcorn at Rylee. “You know you are cleaning that up, right?”
We all have a good laugh before Rylee brings us back to reality.“What I can’t believe is how you skirted the issues for this long. Anyone with eyes knows that man wants you something fierce.”
“He has asked, plenty of times. I just give him vague answers.”
Haddie and Rylee both shoot to their feet. “What!”
I look back and forth between them. “He never came out and asked me if he was Colt’s dad or not. It’s not like I’m lying to him.”
“You are lying to that man,” Haddie says before grabbing a throw pillow off the couch and smacking me in the face with it. “I’m sure you tell Colt not telling the whole truth is still a lie.”
“You can’t let your fear turn you into a liar, Lucy. You’re better than that.” Rylee turns and heads back into the kitchen. Her disappointment in me is clear in her words.
“I get what you two are saying, but I need to protect Colt from being hurt. It would break his little heart to find out Tyler is his father and then he just takes off.”
“Are you sure this is for Colt and not you? He’s not the only one who would be heartbroken if Tyler ran away again, not
