The Rules of Dating(34)

“Maybe. He is more responsible than he used to be.” He looked over at me. “Any reason you’re particularly vested in Colby’s intentions the other night, Billie?”

I hesitated. “No. I’m just curious about it all.”

“Come on. I’m not dumb. I know there’s some shit going on between you two. He hasn’t talked to me about it, though—probably because he knows I come here, and he doesn’t trust my big mouth.”

“Can you blame him?” I asked.

“Not at all.”

“Anyway… There’s nothing going on between Colby and me.”

“Really? Because you’ve been grilling me about him since the second I walked in, and you’re turning all red right now.”

I was sweating. “Shut up and let me finish this in peace.”

He chuckled. “You’re the one asking me questions.”

“Seriously. I have another client soon. No more talking.”

He rested his head back. “Alright.”

Holden dropped the subject and stayed quiet as I continued working. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.

After forty-five minutes, I finally finished. “You’re all set. It looks good. The orange color really pops.”

I’d been so preoccupied with digging for information earlier, I hadn’t thought to ask about the meaning of the ribbon. That was very unlike me. I’d tattooed dozens of pink ribbons for breast cancer, but this was the first orange one I’d done.

“What’s the orange ribbon stand for?”

“Leukemia awareness.”

I should’ve known. Their friend who died and left the inheritance. “Ryan…” I said.

“Yup.” He nodded. “You know about him, right?”

“Yeah. Colby’s told me the story. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. I miss him every day.” He sighed as he got up from the chair. “If there’s one thing Ryan’s death has taught me, it’s that life is too short. I think everyone reacted to losing him differently. Me? I’ve continued to live it up the only way I know how, which is to have fun anytime I can. But the four of us didn’t all change for the better.”

“How so?”

“Owen buries himself in his work. Brayden seems mad at life sometimes. I think he lost faith when even God couldn’t save Ryan. Like I said, I party and focus even more on my music. And Colby…” He paused. “Well, Colby’s life changed with Saylor soon after Ryan’s death, so it’s hard to know what he’d be up to if she hadn’t come along. Who knows… Maybe she saved him. But he’s often said one of the reasons he tries so hard to be a good dad is because he knows it’s an opportunity he shouldn’t take for granted. I think out of all of us, Ryan was the only one who knew he wanted kids. He always used to say he couldn’t wait to grow up and start a family. That was probably because he knew he might not have the chance.”

My stomach tightened. “That’s heartbreaking.”

“Want to hear something freaky?” he said.

“I’ve never been one to shy from freaky info. Shoot.”

“Ryan’s mom went to one of those mediums after he died. And Ryan supposedly came through and said he’s already back here with us.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What does that mean?”

“Well, that’s what she asked the medium! And the medium dug for more info and said Ryan reincarnated and came back to Earth.” He paused. “As a little girl.” He moved his eyes from side to side. “Take from that what you will.”

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered.

“Right?” He laughed. “Anyway, not to leave you on a weird note, but I gotta run. Thanks again for adding this for me.”

“No charge, okay?”

His eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. This one’s on Ryan.” I smiled.

“Thanks.” He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “You’re the best.” He turned around again before he left. “You know what, Billie? Take Ryan’s story as a lesson to grab life by the balls—or in this case, Colby’s balls.” He winked. “If that’s what you want. Something tells me he’d love it if you did.”

I rolled my eyes as he disappeared out the door.

After Holden left, I remained with thoughts of Colby. I’d given him shit when he hadn’t actually messed around with anyone the other night. I should’ve been over the whole thing, yet I was still mad. But now? I was mad at myself. I also missed him and didn’t know what to do with that feeling. Things were better off the way they were now, weren’t they? I’d been weakening to his charms recently, and I’d already decided I wasn’t going to get serious with someone who had a kid. So now maybe with him mad at me, I needed to leave well enough alone, let him be pissed so we could stop this game we’d been playing. As my conversation with Holden proved, life was too short to waste anyone’s time.

I had to put my ruminations aside to deal with my next customer, a repeat client named Eddie Stark, AKA Eddie Muscle. Eddie was a good-looking dude, although not my type. He was a bit older, divorced, and massively built—a real musclehead and gym rat. I liked muscles on guys, but there was such a thing as too much, and Eddie fit that criteria. Every time he came in, he asked me out. And every single time, I shot him down. He’d always ask: “Is today going to be my lucky day?” And I’d usually respond with: “Afraid not.” I always used the excuse that I didn’t date clients. I’d planned for today to be no different.