Can't Fight It - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,65
and not knowing anyone.” Gabby shrugs. “All I’m saying is if you want to talk, I’ll listen. And I promise not to tell Chase. Whatever you say stays between us.”
Again with the damn tears.
Movement catches out of the corner of my eye, and we both turn to find Colton and Chase in the hallway. They’re standing in front of the window, chatting and watching us. Colton’s eyes drop to his son and then back to my face, the softest smile on his full lips.
I glance over at Gabby, who’s smiling like the cat that ate the canary. “Thank you for the offer,” I tell her, “but I’d never expect you to keep anything from Chase. I wouldn’t want to put you in any position that you can’t talk to him.”
“Well, if it involves Colt or his family and it’s alarming, I’d probably have to tell Chase, but if it’s good, you know… like he gave you four Os last night and you’re still not walking right, well, that would totally be between us girls.” Then she giggles.
I giggle.
And feel lighter than I have since that notification appeared on my phone.
I have a friend. Yes, I have Tina, but she’s a call or a text away. Gabby is standing in front of me, offering me something I’ve been desperate to find since my life was turned upside down. Yes, I found something similar with Colton, yet that’s completely different. With Colton, I found solace and passion with his friendship. Gabby is offering comradery and a sense of belonging. Girlfriends.
“Thank you,” I whisper, trying not to wake the baby, but also because it’s the only word I can choke out over the lump in my throat. She wraps her arms around me and hugs tightly just as the door opens.
“Everything okay?” Chase asks, instantly alarmed.
“Everything is just fine, Mr. Callahan,” she barks as she releases me with a wink.
Chase instantly pulls his wife into his arms, hugging her close and rubbing a hand over the belly. “Ready to go home?”
“Yep. I’m starving,” she says, heading over to pick up the few things I got out for Milo.
“I can grab that stuff,” I insist, swaying with Milo against my chest.
Gabby waves me off. “There’s like two things.”
Chase helps bag up the garbage, which only consisted of a diaper and a few wipes, and takes it to the door. I can feel Colton’s presence beside me, but I don’t look his way. I keep my eyes trained on the sleeping baby in my arms. I catch a whiff of sweat and detergent as he bends down and kisses his son’s forehead, rubbing a big hand over the fuzzy top of his head. Our eyes meet for only a second, but a thousand words pass in that time. He places his hand on my lower back and bends down to kiss me on the forehead too. My heart dances in my chest with elation, knowing he still feels the same as before.
At least for now.
Until I tell him what’s going on.
And then he may ask me to leave.
Chase and Gabby seem oblivious to the war raging inside me. They both kiss Milo’s sleeping head before heading to the door, hand-in-hand. “See you tomorrow,” Chase says to his older brother before exiting the room, leaving us alone with our thoughts.
“You ready?” he asks, clearing his throat and glancing around.
“Yes,” I whisper as he heads over to retrieve the diaper bag and gather up the few things left. I move to the car seat and crouch in front of it. I move his snowsuit to the floor, but before I set him down to get him ready to go, I run my nose against his soft forehead, letting the peach fuzz on his head tickle my nose. He smells like baby shampoo and his daddy.
God, I’m going to miss this if I’m asked to leave.
I push that thought away, not wanting to start crying again, and work on getting Milo in his suit. He wakes up and hollers his disapproval, but his pacifier does wonders to calm him down. I get him situated in the car seat, buckled in tight, and ready to go. When I stand and glance to the right, I find Colton there, watching us. A look in his eyes that resembles love. Love for his son, sure, but maybe even love for me.
I slip on my coat as Colton does the same, takes the car seat, and throws the diaper bag over his