Page 24 of Hold 'Em Tight

“Hey, where ya going?” I shout after him, but he doesn't bother answering. “Rude.”

Teo nudges me with his shoulder, wincing a little. He's still banged up from his fight, but being here with his mama and Nando is the perfect medicine.

“Leave him be, he's probably checking on his mom.”

“As he should. That boy is a good one. Always looking after her,” Mama says, then sighs. “That poor woman. Losing her baby like that.” She shakes her head, then leaves Teo and I for a minute.

Rylee is laughing with her mom and Nando. She has a glow to her face, and you'd never know that she was just throwing up on the plane.

I seriously think she needs to see the doctor again, but she swears she's fine, that it was just the altitude.

I hope my Cherry is okay. It’s probably from all the stress, and I don’t blame her. We’re all pretty fucking stressed. Lennox leaving has screwed with all of our immune systems, but I can’t have her getting ill. We will just have to find ways to cheer her up while we are here.

“Does your mom know about Len and the baby?” I ask him, and he shakes his head.

“There’s no reason to tell her. He left us, Don. Time to move on.Ineed to move on… I can't let him drag me down again. I have you, Rylee, Colt, my family… even Trevor. He's kinda growing on me.”

I snort. “Yeah, me too. Though he's a Rylee hog.”

Teo laughs and smacks my shoulder. “She's not one of your blankets, Donny. She's a woman.Ourwoman.”

That she is. I lick my lips and my dick jumps again as I picture her mouth, curves, ass. Damn, I wonder if I can sneak into her bed later.

I don't care if Trev is there. We can make a Rylee sandwich.

“Teo!” Nando shouts. “Come onnnn. You're taking hours. I want to show you something.”

“He's awesome,” I mutter, nodding towards Mateo’s little brother.

Teo grins and nods. He starts walking toward him, then stops and looks back at me. “You coming?”

I glance back at where Colt disappeared to and shake my head. “I'll meet up with you in a few. There's something I need to do first.”

I know I should follow them, but something has me wanting to go after Colt. He's been quiet since Teo's fight, and I don't blame him. It was fucking terrifying to watch. I thought we'd lost him, but things are good now.

We aren't in Cali anymore. Robin was right, we needed a change of scenery, and Rylee’s family is here.

We have good memories at this hotel… Yeah, Lennox is in them too, but that doesn't matter.

We are going to eat good food, hang out on the beach, relax by the pool, and just enjoy being young and in love.

Life is too precious and short to waste a second of it. Things can change in an instant. I know that sentiment all too well.

“Donny, he's fine,” Teo says, knowing exactly where my thoughts lie. I wave him away.

“Yeah, but how many times have you told me that before? And we both know it's not true.”

He sighs but nods as I turn away and start walking towards where I last saw Colt.

The salty breeze hits my face when I enter through the beach entrance.

Bending down, I remove my sneakers and press my toes into the warm sand.Eww, it's all squishy.

I spot him standing in front of the water. He has his phone in his hand, and he's reading something.

“Hey,” I shout, making sure not to startle him. He's been a little on edge lately. Lack of sleep can do that to you. But he did nap a bit with Rylee on the flight. I even gave them one of my fuzzy travel blankets.

He turns and gives me a nod. He's frowning, so I don't hesitate to run to him and throw my arms around him, giving him a squeeze.