The Rules of Dating(65)

Chills ran through my body. I love you, too, Colby. I never realized how much until this shit happened.

He returned to the table to draw animals with his daughter. They had about five minutes before I would make them clear the crayons and paper so we could prepare for dinner.

After Colby helped me set the table, we all took our seats for a nice, peaceful pasta supper. Colby and I stared at Saylor a little more than usual as she slurped her noodles—as if that simple act was the most fascinating thing we’d ever seen. Soon her face was covered in tomato sauce. I caught his eyes glistening, and it broke my heart. Nothing could lessen the weight of my heart tonight.

Dinner was interrupted by a knock on the door.

My stomach sank. “Who’s that?”

“I don’t know. But I’m damn well checking the peephole this time,” Colby said as he stood up.

Relief washed over me at the sight of the guys standing there. Jesus, it was like I had PTSD from last night. Would I ever hear a knock on his door and not be reminded of it?

“Holden told us,” Owen said as he stepped inside.

He held a bag of chicken wings. I laughed a little—as if chicken wings could make this mess disappear.

“We can’t talk about it right now,” Colby said, nodding toward Saylor. “If you know what I mean.”

“We’ll talk in code,” Holden said.

“How are you doing, Billie?” Brayden asked.

Shrugging, I sighed. “You know…”

“Yeah, I know,” he muttered with a sympathetic look.

“I brought you some of your favorite beer,” Holden said as he handed it to Colby.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” Colby took the beer to the fridge before returning to the table.

“And donuts for Saylor!” Brayden lifted a box that he’d been holding.

She jumped in her seat. “Yay! Donuts!”

Despite their best efforts to cheer us up, the mood still felt somber.

Holden pulled up a chair and cleared his throat. “So anyway, we really have to do something about the trash problem around here lately.”

Brayden crossed his arms. “Yeah, we need to take out the trash.”

I guessed the talking in code had commenced.

“We’ve decided not to talk tonight about whether we’re taking the trash in or throwing it out,” Colby said. “We’re trying to let the dust settle a bit first.”

Owen, who was still dressed in his work clothes per usual, chimed in. “Okay. But I just want to say this. Sometimes when you let the trash in, it really starts to stink. My opinion is not to let the trash in at all. To light a match to the garbage and fight it with everything you have. Let it burn. We also have some money left over for sanitation emergencies such as this.”

“I hear you,” Colby said. “And I appreciate that. I really do. But there’s also risk in fighting garbage with fire.” He took a long breath. “It can explode.”

“That’s very true.” Holden nodded. “And I just want to put this out there. If you need any help seducing and manipulating said garbage, just say the word.”

Brayden cackled. “You think you can solve every situation with your—”

“Smile!” Colby interrupted before glaring at him. “Brayden, careful with your language.”

Brayden chuckled. “I was gonna say trash compactor.”

Colby actually laughed, which was nice to see. He was lucky to have these guys in his life. As difficult as this was, it would be far worse if Colby had no support system.

“I love garbage trucks!” Saylor announced, clearly trying to figure out what her crazy uncles were talking about.

Holden poked her side. “You do?”

She twisted her fork around the last of her pasta and nodded. “Yup.”

Colby looked over at her adoringly. “Saylor likes to watch the garbage trucks come and take the garbage away, don’t you, sweetie?”

She nodded. “We can see it out the window!”

Owen feigned excitement. “That’s so cool, Saylor. I remember liking to watch that too when I was your age.”

Holden smacked the table. “Okay, no more trash talking. Let’s pop open the beers.”

The guys stuck around for a half hour before leaving together at the same time. I insisted on cleaning up while Colby took Saylor in for a bath. I could hear the sounds of splashing and giggling in the distance. Ah, the blissful ignorance of having no idea that your so-called mother was trying to destroy your father’s life. I hoped Saylor never had to find out what was going on.

After they came out, I watched as Colby joined her on the floor with her Barbie dolls. He had the Ken in his hand and, per Saylor’s request, was pretending to be Barbie’s boss at the zoo. Her Barbie was a zookeeper from Mars.

At one point, Colby suddenly put the Ken doll down and pulled Saylor into a tight hug. This little girl had no idea how many different emotions must have been swirling around in her dad tonight. Frightening thoughts flooded my own mind. There were so many unanswered questions. Would Maya be able to take Saylor out of the country? That would absolutely kill him.

Colby closed his eyes, and I somehow knew he was saying a silent prayer. I said one of my own. It was more like a vow. Billie, you’re going to do whatever it takes to make sure this man never loses his daughter. Whatever it takes.