Blinding Trust (Mitchell Family, #7)(19)

Take some time and think about what I said, Colt. I would hate for you to be involved in something that could become a media spectacle. We can’t always agree with our family, but at the end of the day, that’s exactly what they are. I know what you went through when Noah came into your life. Try to put yourself in his shoes. He has an uncle that he didn’t know about. Maybe letting them get to know each other won’t be such a bad thing. Maybe he will figure out that his uncle isn’t someone he likes to be around.

Or maybe he will want to be a rockstar too.

All children have aspirations. That doesn’t mean they follow through with them.

Thanks for the advice, Mike. I get what you’re sayin’. If you really think it’s a good idea, I will try to contact Zeke and see if we can work something out. I don’t want to do it, but I also don’t want my son resenting me or his mother.

Let me know how it goes and you know I am up for it if you do need me to represent you.

After we hung up I felt angry. I thought my lawyer would tell me something completely different. Instead, he told me to allow Zeke to get to know my son. The way he explained things made it seem like I didn’t have a chance in Hell at keeping Noah away from his uncle. Could money really buy verdicts like that? Were judges that careless to allow children to be around irresponsible people? It made me even more mad.

So, by the time I came in for the day, I would say that I was not a guy that Savanna wanted to be around. I knew I was being rude to her. I felt bad, but I just wanted to be alone. I had decisions to make and she wasn’t going to even want to hear what I was considering.

When she finally retreated to our bedroom and had fallen asleep, I did go upstairs to check on her. She was still so beautiful and I appreciated her more than she could know. I got that I had a horrible way of showing it. Sometimes, I just needed to deal with things in my own way, even if it meant shutting her out for a short period.

I picked the kids up from the bus stop and watched my son walk right upstairs to his room, without saying a single word. I wondered how long the silent treatment was going to last.

The girls were telling me all about their day and as much as I loved hearing about it, my mind was in other places. Since their mother was still asleep, I got a movie on for them and headed up to check on her. When I knew she was still out like a light, I pulled out my phone and called Zeke.

Hello?

Zeke, it’s Colt. We need to talk.

Now you want to talk?

You’re damn right I do.

I assume you heard from my lawyer?

And mine.

Colt, I really don’t want this to get ugly. If we could just…

We need to work somethin’ out, Zeke. I realize you have a right to know your blood nephew. You need to understand the predicament it puts me in knowin’ that he’s never been around your kind of lifestyle. I don’t approve of him being a part of it either. That is no place for a child.

I can assure you that what you think goes on, doesn’t. Piper and I live a very normal life when I’m not on tour. We have a big house with a nice size pool and rarely even entertain people. Noah would be our guest at our home, not out on the road like you’re thinking.

It still doesn’t change the fact that he doesn’t know you. I don’t know you anymore, Zeke. What kind of parent would I be if I just let him hop on a plane and go see you?

I understand your concern. What do you have in mind for a compromise?

I want to come with him to visit you. I need to see where you live and how you live, before I can let my son be involved in your life. I don’t mean to offend you, but I am looking out for his best interest.

I think that would be a great start. I don’t have hard feelings against you Colt. You’ve always been a stand up guy.

We can’t come until school is out. Will that be a problem?

Not at all. My tour is wrapping up and when it does, I will get in touch with you and schedule something.

So, you’re callin’ off the lawyers?

Of course. Look, I just wanted to get to know the kid. I didn’t want to cause drama. You know how close I was to my sister, Colt. I know it’s taken me a long time, but I’m trying to change my life around. Getting to know my nephew is one of those steps in making things right. I’m not trying to take him away from you. I just want the opportunity to spend time with the only family I have left.

I get it. I don’t like how you went about it. Did you have to call your lawyer the second you left out of my house?

I guess I jumped the gun and for that I’m sorry. I’m used to having to cross my t’s and dot my i’s. It’s just habit, man.

Just get in touch with me when your home. I will make sure I can take some time off.

Thanks, Colt. This means a lot. I know I’m around people everyday, but it gets so lonely. I don’t have kids, or anyone that I can call family, except for Noah. I just want the chance.

I’ll talk to you in a month or so, Zeke.

I didn’t wait for him to reply before I hung up.

I covered my face in my hands and thought about my wife. She wasn’t going to like this one bit.

Later that night, after Savanna had made dinner and we’d gotten the kids to bed, I climbed into bed next to her. She was reading, like she did every night. I kissed her on the shoulder and laid my head against her smooth skin. “I’m sorry for bein’ a jerk.”