The Rules of Dating(21)

“When he discovered through the grapevine that she’d fucked a couple of guys, he decided he wanted to get back at her. He went balls-to-the-wall wild his sophomore year—screwed everyone in sight. It started out to spite Bethany, but I think he decided he liked it. Bethany and he never got together again after that. But I’m pretty sure he still cared about her and was holding out hope.”

“Well, that sucks. You saw all this firsthand? Did you go to the same college as Colby?”

His body shifted as he shook his head. “No. I went to a different school. But I’d visit him all the time because we were only an hour away from each other.” He sighed. “Anyway…there’s more to the story as far as Bethany goes.”

I finally looked up. “Why? What happened?”

“She moved to New York after grad school and went to find him at his parents’ house one Christmas. She told him she was still in love with him, after all those years apart, and wanted to know if he was interested in dating her again. She said they could have a fresh start.”

“What did he say?”

“Well, you see, this was like four years ago—right after he found out about Saylor.”

“Oh…” My heart sank a little for Colby, even if I didn’t like this Bethany. And I could see where this was headed. “What was her reaction?”

“She was totally shocked. Couldn’t handle it. That was the last thing she ever expected. Heck, it was the last thing any of us expected. She bolted after that. So he never got a second chance with her.”

For the first time since this conversation started, I stopped working on him altogether to concentrate. “Was he devastated?”

“At that time, his focus was solely on Saylor. Everything was still so new. So while Bethany coming back was a bit of a mind fuck, nothing really fazed him at that point. It wasn’t the same as if she’d come back a year earlier.” Holden stared off. “But you know…I can’t imagine what his life would be like if he’d settled down with Bethany and never had Saylor. I can’t picture him without that little girl now.”

“I totally agree.”

He sighed. “But yeah, Bethany is definitely the one who got away.”

I gulped. “Do you think he still loves her?”

“I can’t be sure he doesn’t still harbor feelings for her, but I do recall him saying she couldn’t have loved him that much if she wouldn’t even consider accepting his daughter. He understood her reaction to a point, but I think the fact that she left so fast really turned him off. I do think if she’d accepted it from the get-go they’d be married right now. Instead, she’s married to someone else.”

“Oh yeah?” I licked my lips. Bethany is married. Why does that make me incredibly relieved?

“Yup.”

The fact that Colby was in love with this girl who apparently didn’t even deserve him irked me and made me jealous at the same time. If she knew what a great father he’d turned out to be, I bet she’d regret her decision.

“Anyway…” Holden said, “I guess the point of me telling you all my boy’s business is that it was nice to see him riled up out there. He’s been so out of it the past few years—and with good reason—but he needs to get back in the game. I might have to fuck with him a bit more, light more fires under his ass. Maybe I’ll tell him I had a little fun with you today, see how he reacts. Then call him out when he freaks out on me again.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m a dick, and he and I love to mess with each other. I’m also pissed at him for not telling me sooner that he had it bad for you.”

“That’s your theory. He’s never said that to you, right?”

“Believe me, he doesn’t have to say it. Looks like the one he gave me out there this morning don’t lie. It was actually more of a warning. And it told me everything I need to know.”

I went back to work, my thoughts no clearer than when I’d arrived this morning, and a little while later Holden’s design was finished. I bandaged him up and sent him on his merry way. If only everything he’d told me had gone out the door with him. Instead, Colby, Bethany, and where things stood with him and me ran through my head all afternoon.

***

At the end of the day, I was closing up the shop when Colby surprised me with a visit on his way home from work. He looked just as hot as he had this morning, only now his tie was loosened and his hair a bit disheveled. The only thing sexier than put-together Colby Lennon in a suit was mussed-up Colby Lennon in a suit. Any version of him suited me just fine.

“Hey, Billie.” He smiled. “How’s it goin’?”

“Hey! How was your day?” I asked.

“Good.” He nodded. “How was yours? Did that ass Holden get what he wanted on his V?”

“He did. It came out awesome, actually.”

“I have to confess…I know it did. He sent me a text of it to fuck with me.”

“He seemed to think you were…” I cleared my throat. “Jealous.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” His eyes bore into mine.

“Because I don’t fraternize with my clients, so there’s nothing to be jealous about.”