Risking Fate(96)

Colt put his hand on my shoulder and leaned over to kiss me on the head. “Life’s too short.”

He was right and I knew it, but I think I had the right to take my time. I didn’t feel like I was being rude to Ty. I just wanted my space.

Colt got up and walked back toward Bella’s room, which left me sitting by myself. I wondered where my brother had gone again. He seemed to always go out somewhere, yet I still hadn’t met one of his friends. I hated when he was secretive, but he wasn’t drinking or using drugs. I just didn’t get it.





I knew that he and Ty had their moments, but I loved him living on the farm with us. I think it was easier for him to move because of me too. He hated that I moved away in the first place. Our mother was so far up her boyfriend’s ass that she kept herself busy. After raising us and never getting involved with anyone while we were younger, it was good for her to be living life to the fullest. I was really hoping that one day he would just pop the question and they could start a long life together.

Then I felt sad for my aunt. She’d lost her husband so early in life. They’d been so close and then one day he was just gone. It was so tragic. My mother was her rock, so her new relationship left her alone. At least she had Lucy, who we all knew would never leave. Both of those women would grow old in that house.

I looked around my living room and was taken aback by how perfect it was. Pictures of our family covered the walls. The whole house was full of happy memories for us and I knew it was where I wanted to grow old with Ty. I’d always said I could never forgive him if he cheated, but I was starting to realize that my marriage was more important than one mistake. If the roles were reversed, Ty would have been devastated, but he would forgive me, because living without me was harder than living with my mistake.

I would forgive him and one day it wouldn’t hurt so much, I just wanted the time to heal in my own way. Since Colt was with the kids, I grabbed the baby monitor and ventured outside. Heather’s visit may have damaged my marriage, but she also brought something to save my family. That day I walked out, I had taken the paternity papers she gave me with me. When the car was totaled, the salvage company boxed up everything in the car and Colt picked it up and brought it to the hospital.

I hadn’t thought much about them, until I realized they may have gotten lost. They were rolled up and wedged between the seat. It was possible they were overlooked. I walked to the shed, making sure nobody saw me outside, and started flipping through the box. After pulling out two of Bella’s coats, two separate shoes and a checkbook, I spotted the rolled up piece of paper.

Conner’s voice scared the crap out of me. “What are you doin’?”

I shoved the papers into the waist of my pants and turned around to face him. “I was lookin’ for my checkbook. I wanted to make sure those guys didn’t take it. That stuff happens you know.” I pushed him out of the way and started walking back to the house. “Where did you go?”

He caught up to me and opened the door for me. “I was around. Were you lookin’ for me?”

“Not really. You just keep disappearing. I’m starting to wonder if you have something to hide.”

He shook his head and looked upset. “I’m not doin’ what you’re thinkin’.”

I grabbed him by the arm and made him look at me. “I didn’t mean that. I meant that it seems like you’re bein’ sneaky. You’re probably seeing some married chick or stripping for fast cash.”

I was totally joking, but when my brother smiled and started to walk away, I darted in front of him. Well, as fast as my sore body would let me. He just kept smiling. “It’s not as bad as you’re thinkin’.”

“What are you doin’ Conner?”

He put his hands on my shoulders and looked me right in the eye. “It’s nothin’ for you to worry about, I swear.”

“You’re not very convincing.”

“Don’t worry your pretty little self over it. You just focus on your family.”

He was up to something and I was going to get to the bottom of it. I hated secrets and I felt like everyone had them. My brother knew how to be sneaky and it didn’t help that he was very cocky. Thinking you are God’s greatest gift to women was bad enough. He wasn’t going to tell me, so all I could do was hope that it wasn’t something dangerous. He was my brother and I wanted him to always be safe.





Chapter 27

Ty

I was so sick of reliving the same day over and over. I had myself to blame, but I was fucking sick of it all. Every single day I was forced to explain myself. We no sooner got home and I was being asked about something that I just wanted to forget.