Page 80 of Hawk
Chapter 26
Stella
Dinner was more funthan I’d expected. Devlin, Elise, and DJ showed up just before the food was ready to come off the grill, and throughout the meal, everyone laughed and told jokes. For the first time in years, I felt myself truly relax. After we got through eating, Rose and Jackal—or was I supposed to call him Adam?—came up to Colton and me with their daughter, Iris, in tow.
“I want you to be good for Ms. Rose and Mr. Adam tonight,” Colton said to Anna and Matthew as I watched on, feeling like I was intruding on their family time. “And tomorrow, you can stay with Grandma Doris, or we can stay in our cabin here, whichever you choose.”
“Are you picking us up from school?” Matthew asked as he continued to pet Zeus.
The dog hadn’t left his side all evening, and I saw him and Anna offering Zeus small bites of food during dinner. I smiled when Matthew met my gaze, and he seemed relieved I wasn’t mad. I didn’t know the whole story about Colton’s ex, but she was a horrible woman for walking away from such wonderful kids.
“I’ll be there at noon to get you both,” Colton responded, and Matthew turned to look at me.
“Are you coming too, Ms. Stella?”
“I don’t have to if you don’t want me to,” I explained.
“I’d like for you to come. You make my dad happy.”
I felt the blush push up on my cheeks as I smiled at him. Squatting so I was eye-level with him, I responded, “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Anna approached, and suddenly, both children wrapped their arms around my neck, engulfing me in a hug that I was unprepared for. I pulled them both closer and caught Hailey’s eyes from across the room. She smiled, and I saw a tear fall before the kids released their hold on me. Feeling their tiny arms wrapped around me had me close to tears, but I held it together.
Standing, I watched as Colton hugged both kids before knocking fists with Adam and saying goodbye to Rose. Hand-in-hand, we watched the kids get into the SUV and pull out from the parking lot.
“I think you have a couple fans,” Colton joked, and I leaned my head against him as Zeus sat beside me and watched the kids leave.
His mannerisms told me he wanted to follow the kids, but he stayed by my side. He seemed to have attached himself to Matthew and that gave me joy in my heart. Colton had explained how Matthew’s anxiety grew after his ex left the family, and Zeus was the perfect solution to help the boy.
“How long has your ex been gone?” I inquired as we walked from the dining room into the main room of the clubhouse.
“She left a little over a year ago and the divorce was final about six months ago. Why?” he asked as we approached the bar.
“Just curious. You have really great kids, Colton. I’m sorry she’s missing out on watching them grow up.”
He wrapped his arms around me, and on instinct, I brought mine over his shoulders as he pecked me on the lips. “I’m not sorry. She was a terrible mother and wife, but she’s part of the past.”
“And the future?” I asked, suddenly needing reassurance.
“The future is wide open for us, darlin’. We can have whatever we want.”
“We?” I inquired, making sure I fully understood. Having missed a lot of teenage social milestones, I needed clarification.
“We, as in you and me. Us, as in the kids plus you and me. The world is open for whatever the possibilities are, and just so you know, there’s not a timeframe for anything. We take this at your pace and comfort level.”
The man behind the bar finished serving someone and turned to us, asking, “What can I get you two lovebirds?”
“What’s your drink of choice?” Colton asked as he held me close to his warm body.
“I’d love a margarita but don’t want to put anyone out,” I answered, and Colton turned his head to the man whose vest said ‘Basher’.
“Margarita for the lady and I’ll have a beer from the tap.”
“Coming up,” Basher said, then he turned to begin making my drink.
The music started to grow in volume, and I turned to see Devlin, along with Elise and DJ, walking toward us. Reluctantly, I released my hold on Colton and he linked our hands as my brother and his beautiful family approached.
