We head into the living room and Reis stands watching me, Colt is tense beside me with his fingers laced in mine and their dad looks back and forth between his sons and me. Even with all of us filling the room, it feels empty and cold. I hate that they’ve lived like this – for nearly a decade now – without her. Still gripping Colt’s hand, I drag him forward toward Reis. I reach out for Reis’ hand and grip both of their hands.
Despite my earlier progress with Colt, now that we’re in their house, I can feel the tension thick in the air. I can see why Colt hates being here, why Reis moved to California for private school, and even why McAllister stays away on business so much.
There’s a picture of Elaina on the mantel, but no feminine touches, no warmth in the house. It’s clear her absence left a gaping hole that they’d never filled, and hadn’t yet learned how to even patch it together.
“Come on. We need to talk,” I explain, hauling them up the stairs.
McAllister narrows his eyes, wondering what I have in mind that involves both of his sons coming upstairs with me. His scrutiny only propels me forward, and my confidence grows with each step I take. It’s time for an intervention. Sometimes I woman’s touch is needed. And now is one of those times.
I don’t release their hands until we’re standing in Colt’s bedroom. Then I stuff them into the arm chairs and sit on the coffee table in front of them.
“We’re not leaving this room until we fix this,” I look between them.
Colt raises an eyebrow at my commanding tone.
“We’re fine, Taylor. I told you that. I fucked up by kissing you. Colt fixed it by punching my face in.” Reis waves his hands, signaling the air is cleared.
“Okay, that’s fine. But I’m not talking about the three of us. I’m talking about your family. Your dad. This house.”
Colt drops his head and draws a deep breath. I know he doesn’t like where this conversation is headed, but he doesn’t stop me.
They’re both eerily quiet, so I decide to press on. “Your mom would hate this. She loved all three of you, and would want to know that you’re happy and close and doing well.”
Reis looks at me and smiles. My stomach does a funny dip.
Colt’s crinkled brow and hard set mouth tell me he’s frustrated. I’m not going to force his hand at telling his brother about their dad, but I will nudge him in that direction. “Reis and I are cool.” He leans over and claps his brother on the back. “But McAllister has done some things that make it hard to trust him.”
“Call him Dad, you douche bag,” Reis says, rolling his eyes.
I nod. “I know McAll – your dad has done some stuff he shouldn’t have, but maybe if you take a step closer to him, he’ll do the same and you guys could start to rebuild things.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Reis scratches his head. “What happened last year? Why did Dad take off to Brazil for three months?”
Colt released a frustrated sigh. “Dad got Taylor tangled up in a hacking assignment that resulted in a crashed oil tanker and him making millions.”
Reis looks between us, trying to understand. Colt clenches his jaw, a vein throbbing in his neck. I take over the story, explaining in detail to Reis what happened, including how I discovered what happened, and then forced McAllister to donate the millions to clean up efforts and cancer research. When I finish, Reis blinks at me a few times, then launches himself at me and pulls me to him for a hug.
When Reis finally releases me, I can’t tell for certain, but his eyes look the tiniest bit watery. I break the heavy silence by saying admitting that their dad is far from perfect, but reminding them that he’s the only parent they have. If I could help them heal as a family, maybe they could be happy again.
Colt squeezes my knee. And Reis pats the top of my head. “Good talk, Shrimp.”
The atmosphere in the room has shifted slightly. The mood feels lighter, even the room is brighter, with sunlight streaming through the open blinds. It feels like anything could be possible. Colt and I having a chance at a real relationship with trust and honesty. Friendship with Reis, and both of them facing the loss of their mother and dealing with the imperfect, but loving father that they have.
I rise from the coffee table and stretch.
“Let’s go swimming,” Reis says.
Colt looks at me, and I nod.
We change into swimsuits. They happen to have a purple bikini on hand, and I don’t ask why. I just put it on. It’s a little too small, so I pull at the fabric making sure it’s covering all the important parts before stepping out of the bathroom. When Colt emerges from his room and sees me, he frowns.
“What?” I look down, looking myself over. I didn’t think I looked that bad.
“You can’t wear that.”
I nearly laugh. What? “And why not?”
He steps in closer, his eyes roaming my exposed body. “Because.” His voice is low and husky. He traces a fingertip over my collarbone. “This barely covers anything. I don’t want Reis looking at you.”
“Why not?” I challenge. My heart drums against my chest, wanting to hear him tell me he loves me again. He watches me quietly for a few seconds and then leans in and kisses my shoulder.
“Mine,” he says.
I release a deep breath and follow him.
Reis has gathered McAllister and they’re already out on the back patio. Reis is digging through a big tub, flinging out half inflated balls and old crumpled rafts. McAllister is in swim trunks and a T-shirt with bare feet, skimming the top of the pool with a long net. I’ve never seen him look so casual and at peace. I take a towel and spread it in a lounge chair, leaning back and closing my eyes.
Chapter 37
Colt
As soon as Taylor steps through the glass doors leading to the patio, Reis stops what he’s doing and turns to start at her, mouth open. Damn. I knew giving her that bikini was a bad idea. It’d been left here years ago from a pool party I had in tenth grade. Taylor definitely filled it out more than its previous owner. I should have suggested she throw on one of my T-shirts over the top to cover herself up. All those curves are damn distracting.
I clear my throat and Reis blinks, suddenly realizing he’s visually molesting her right in front of me, and dives back into searching for swim toys. I’m not above beating him again if necessary.
It’s only then that I notice Dad has come out and is cleaning out the pool. I can’t remember the last time we were all out here together. It’s been years. Maybe since before Mom died.
“Heads up!” Reis calls, chucking a volleyball at my head. I catch it in my palm and throw it into the water. It bounces and skims across the top, bobbing and floating in the blue water.
“Wanna play?” Reis holds up the adjustable net. I’m relieved to see with his stiches removed, they’ve left just a barely visible line that will fade over time.
“Sure.” I help him station the net across the center of the pool.
“You and Taylor against me and Dad.” Reis grins.
Taylor looks up from her chair at the mention of her name. She and Dad exchange nervous glances. Shit. Maybe this happy family thing was not in the cards for us. The tension between Taylor and my dad will always be there.
“I haven’t been in this pool since you guys were small,” Dad says, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.
Taylor sits up, and removes her sunglasses. “I suck, but I’ll play.”
“Come on, Dad,” Reis encourages.
He shifts his weight, considering it. Why does this moment feel like it’s so much more than just deciding to swim with us? It feels like whatever he chooses is deciding between building a relationship with us, or disappearing to the background as he’s always done.