like an accusation.
He chuckles. “It wasn't me that wanted that, Madelyn.”
Maddie cringes at the use of her full name, but he has a point. That threesome was something Mads brought up one night when we were all drunk. Granted, Colby seemed completely on board with the idea and it had to be stopped by me, but it wasn't his idea originally.
And like all those years ago, it's never going to happen.
A FEW DAYS LATER, I'm searching through different apartment listings on my computer when Colby comes in. He plops himself down next to me and looks over at my screen.
“Uh, what is that?”
I glance at him and then back at the screen. “Apartments. What does it look like?”
He shakes his head. “I get that, but why are you looking at them?”
“Let's see,” I put a finger to my chin. “Because my ex-fiancé is a psychotic asshole. Because you won't let me go back home. Because you won't let me stay with Maddie, because you think I'll go back to aforementioned psychotic asshole. Because—”
Stopping me with his hand over my mouth, he exhales. “My God, I thought you'd never shut up.”
“You asked why.”
“I meant why in the sense of there's no point,” he explains. “You already have somewhere to live.”
His words make me look at him like he's lost his mind. “What—here? I can't live here.”
“Why not?” He almost looks offended, but I think he genuinely doesn't understand why.
“For one, this is your house, not mine.”
He shrugs and grabs the remote like we're not talking about a serious topic right now. “So what? We share a daughter. Why not share a house, too?”
I open and close my mouth like a fish out of water as he scrolls through channels. For a minute, I almost consider it, but then I shake myself out of it. “Because that's not what co-parents do.”
“Says who?” he asks, finally bringing his attention back to me. “Look, Topher has been quiet, but that's not to say he won't try to come after you again. I don't want to scare you, but it's a possibility. Guys like him, they don't bow out gracefully, and I need to be able to protect you. And besides, you can't say it wouldn't make Brenna happy. She loves being here.”
He makes a good point, but being here is not like having a home. However, I've already put Brenna in danger by staying with Topher after the first time he hit me. I don't care about me, but if it means keeping her safe, I'll do whatever it takes.
Colby watches me patiently, waiting for an answer when I sigh.
“Fine,” I cave. “For now. But I'm paying you rent.”
A disbelieving look etches across his face. “You are aware I'm a multimillionaire, aren't you?”
“Brag much?” I quip. “Yes, douche. I'm aware. But that's my stipulation. Brenna and I will stay here, but I'm paying you rent.”
He snickers to himself as he sinks back into the couch and goes back to watching TV. “If you insist.”
My eyes scan around the room, and I notice for the first time that as beautiful as this place is, it hardly looks lived in. Actually, now that I think about it, the only room that has any kind of cozy feel to it is Brenna's room. Everywhere else looks like a giant hotel suite.
Well, at least now I know my first project. That should keep me busy and my mind off the awkwardness that is living with my ex.
14
COLBY
Saige's hand is clutched tightly in my own as we walk up to the door. I can tell by the way she's physically shaking that she's nervous, and honestly, so am I. All of this dating shit is new to me, but I couldn't resist when it came to her. This girl and her seven pens won my ass over like it was the easiest thing in the world.
“Relax,” I tell her. “It's going to be fine.”
She rolls her eyes and smiles. “Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?”
I chuckle. “All right, smart-ass. Let's go.”
Taking a deep breath, I unlock the door and step inside. My childhood home is just as it's always been. It provides that sense of comfort you miss while you're away. Saige looks around at all the pictures of me as a child.
“Mom, we're home.”
The bed bounces beneath me, pulling me from my dream and back into reality. I peek my eyes open to see Brenna, happily jumping up and down with her hair flying everywhere.