No, she’s more like a prized trophy you want proudly on display. Not because of her looks, although she is beautiful, but because of the person she is. She’s kind, loving, and fun to be around. I’m honored to have her in our lives for those reasons alone.
Knowing that Milo is in good hands, I place my phone on the nightstand and close my eyes.
A few hours later, I wake feeling a lot less exhausted. Glancing at the clock, I see it’s just after noon. I need to get up and get moving. Grabbing some clothes, I hit the shower, which does wonders to wake me up. Once I’m showered and dressed, I go in search of my son and my girl. She doesn’t know it yet, but that’s a title I hope she keeps.
I find Hollis sitting at the kitchen table with her laptop. The house smells like she’s cooking something amazing. Peeking in the living room, I see Milo asleep in his Pack ’n Play. My eyes dart back to Hollis, who doesn’t see me standing here. No, her eyes are glued to the screen of her phone, and she looks… worried.
“Hollis.”
She jumps, knocking over the bottle of water that thankfully has a lid on it. It rolls to the floor, and she rushes to pick it up. “Sorry, you scared me.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I was just lost in thought.” She sets the bottle on the table, and her hands are trembling. She sits back down in her seat, her eyes darting around, looking everywhere but at me.
Bracing one hand on the table and the other on the back of her chair, I lean down and kiss her. At first, she’s resistant, but her shoulders fall, and she begins to kiss me back. That’s when my hand that’s on the table moves until I find her phone. Once I have it in my hand, I pull away from the kiss. Standing at my full height, I hold the phone in front of my face. It unlocks, and I look at what’s on the screen.
Contact: iwillfindyou@gmail.com
Message: I’m coming for you.
What. The. Fuck. “Hollis.” My voice is hard. “Who is this?”
“I-I don’t know. It’s nothing.” She reaches for her phone, but I lift my hand in the air, evading her. “Hollis.”
Those beautiful green eyes fill with tears and have me dropping to my knees. I toss her phone back on the table, and I cup her face in my hands. “You can talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”
“I can’t.”
“Yes. You can,” I say firmly.
She shakes her head. “I don’t know. I just… I can’t talk about it.”
“Hollis. You are living in my home. With my son. Sleeping in my bed. I’m about to leave this house, and you will be in charge of making sure my son is safe. I need something more than I can’t talk about it.”
“I’m sorry,” she cries. “I don’t even know where to start. And Milo, I would never let anything happen to him. Never. Colton, you have to believe me.”
“I don’t know what to believe. You’re obviously hiding something from me. I have a child to think about, Hollis.”
“I know.” Her cries grow louder. “I know that. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry for what, Hollis. You have got to give me something.” She shakes her head again as tears flood her cheeks. As much as I want to trust her, I just can’t put my son in danger like that. I can’t leave him alone with her until I know what’s going on. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I call my sister-in-law. “Hey, Gabs. Can you do me a huge favor? Can you watch Milo this afternoon? My last class is at five, so I should be there a little after six to pick him up.”
“Yeah, I’ll just bring him with me. He’s been fussy and is teething.” I listen to her ask about Gwen. “I canceled on her. Hollis was going to watch him, but something came up.” Again, I listen. “Thanks, Gabs. I owe you one.” I end the call and stand.
“Colton.” Sad green eyes peer up at me. They’re pleading, and although I want to comfort her, I can’t. Not until she opens up to me.
“Get ready. We’re leaving in thirty minutes.”
“What?” She wipes at her eyes. “Where are we going?”
“I’m going to work, and I can’t leave you alone.” I point at her phone. “Not after reading that. You can come with me or go home with