Page 38 of Everything I Promise

Oliver comes running from the bedroom. “Mommy! Colton let me help him push down the wall!” He is beaming from ear to ear.

“Um, he did?” I look to Colton. I am not sure that is the safest thing for Oliver to be doing.

“Yes, he did, and he wore safety glasses and gloves. He also didn’t have a hammer. He was such a big help by helping me pull away the drywall at the bottom of the wall.” Colton knows exactly what I mean by my look. And he continues to hold up to the promise that he will be what I need.

I only hope I am doing the same for him. Sometimes I really feel like I pale in comparison.

I pull Oliver into the biggest hug, Michael’s text still lingering in my mind. “I’m so glad you had fun helping Colton. How about homework?” I ask.

“Ugh. Mommy. I already did my homework. Colton told me homework was more important than helping him.” Oliver runs off to his room to play instead of risking me asking him about homework again.

“You said that, did you?” I wiggle my arms between Colton’s arms and his side as he leans against the doorway with his hands in his pockets. I pull myself tight to Colton and look up at him.

“I sure did. I know exactly how to get on that good side of yours, Lace.” He leans down and places a kiss on my forehead.

“Well, I really appreciate the back up on homework. It seems to be a struggle lately with the holidays coming up. I’m going to start dinner. You hungry?”

“Always.” And by the way he looks at me, I get the feeling we were no longer talking about dinner.

Cooking with Colton adds time to the chore. I thought it would be helpful having someone else to cook with, but not when that someone can’t keep his hands to himself. Although I’m definitely not complaining about his hands. The way this man can make me feel like the sexiest woman in the world after a day of being a mom, and working, and while doing something so mundane as cooking, has me falling for Colton. And I’m falling fast. I can’t deny that anymore. Or resist it.

My phone dings again, indicating another text message. My heart drops because I know it is Michael.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Colton places his hands on my shoulders.

“It’s Michael again.”

“Again? When did he text you before?” he asks in a gentle tone.

“He texted me right before I came upstairs, but then I got distracted and forgot to tell you. I’m so sorry, Colton.” Shit. Now I’ve screwed up.

“Hey, stop it. I am not mad at all. At least not with you. You have nothing to be sorry about. What did he say this time?”

I turn my phone toward him so he can see this new text.

Michael:I mean it. You have until the weekend. Ignoring me won’t help you. Or stop me from seeing MY son.

“Screw him. He doesn’t have any rights to Oliver. He gave that up. Want me to call Brad?” Colton is fuming, pacing the kitchen with his fists clenched by his side. He stops only long enough to pull out his phone.

I place my hand on his arm. “No, no. Don’t bother Brad. He hasn’t done anything yet and he’s been threatening this since Halloween. I just don’t like how desperate he sounds. But Iwillcall my lawyer again tomorrow and just keep him updated. If he recommends looping the police in, then I will.” I kiss his cheek. “I promise.”

“Okay. I can do that with you tomorrow before you start work.” He doesn't ask, just informs me.

He pulls me in for a hug and I’m enveloped by him. All my senses have Colton front and center and my body instantly relaxes.

“Ok, let’s eat dinner now.” I pull back. “Can you grab Oliver and have him wash his hands while I set the table?” I start to get out dishes and put dinner on the table while he goes to find Oliver.

Colton is asking Oliver about his day and about his friend that he wants to have a playdate with over break. He is eating up all the attention from having two people who care about him at the dinner table, like a real family.

“Mommy, can we have a sleepover with Colton tonight? I really want to sleep in my new room,” he asks while he innocently puts another bite of dinner into his mouth, like he didn’t just drop a bomb on me.

“Um, well,” I stammer. I have no idea what to say. Colton and I haven’t discussed any of this yet.

Again, Colton comes to my rescue. “How about after dinner, your mom and I can talk about that? It is a school night.”

Oliver sighs dramatically, "Fine."

I mouth a thank you to Colton.

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