Page 30 of One Little Kiss

Besides Ash, I’m the only one without a family, so we built mine last. I don’t need my own space like Ash does.

“Whatever,” I mutter. I don’t tell him I haven’t been able to pick out the furnishings because it feels like something is missing.Or someone,my conscience whispers darkly. I also don’t admit the spicy scent of dinner cooking in the crockpot kicked me in the chest when I walked into his home.

“Rylan told me you were pissy because she couldn’t go out for drinks with you tonight.”

Guilt slaps me across the face. I was a little short with her earlier. “I’ll apologize.”

“You’re right.”

I roll my eyes. The last thing I need is a caveman lecture right now. “I was having a bad day. Everyone’s busy every damn night.”

“We’re growing up, Colt. It might—”

“I don’t need a lecture, Halt. I said I’d apologize.”

He nods and turns on the TV. “Wanna talk about the Fenway deal?”

Fuck me.

“Nope.”

“That’s the third client to leave in as many months.”

“Yeah, well, why don’t you get on Ash and find out why the fuck Macomb is still free to mess with our shit? If he put him in jail where he belongs, we wouldn’t be having this problem.”

“You’ve been in Page Six a lot lately, too. You’re making it too easy for him to get to you.”

I stand abruptly, setting my now empty beer down with enough force to shake the table. “I know you all want to label me the fuck up, but I’m doing my damn job just as you’re doing yours. I can’t help it if Macomb is out to get us. Ash needs to fix this shit.”

“Colt, all I’m saying is you’re making yourself an easy target for him. Maybe just lay low for a while.”

That’s easy for him to say when he has Rylan at home. It’s not that I begrudge my brothers’ happiness, but once they got married, it’s like they forgot all about me. I know, poor little rich boy. That’s why I keep my complaints to myself.

“Yup.”

Halton scowls. Thanks to being sickeningly happy with my best friend, he’s less grumpy than he used to be, but he still has the attitude. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to stay with Ash tonight.” I hadn’t planned to, but dealing with his pissy ass suddenly feels like the safer bet.

“You don’t have to leave.” Resting his forearms on his thighs, Halt sighs heavily. His hair is darker than mine, and his glasses give him a nerdy look, but our mannerisms are pretty similar.

“I know. Thanks. And I am moving on the house. But I, uh, was wondering if you’d make something for me.”

This gets his attention, and he mutes the game. “What did you have in mind?”

Halton, grumpy as he is, is an amazing artist who has truly found himself with Rylan by his side. Pulling a folded piece of paper from my pocket, I hand it to him. I’d printed out the picture of Winnie months ago and finally know what I want to do with it.

“Can you do something with this?” I ask, handing it over.

The scowl lines deepen as he stares at the picture of Winnie I’d sent Loch so many months ago. “This is the girl?”

“Winnie.” I nod.

“She left that much of an impression on you, huh?”

I don’t tell him that I feel like a piece of me is missing because that’s fucking ridiculous. You don’t get feelings like that after twelve hours.Liar. Can you throat punch your own conscience?

“Yeah,” I mutter. “She did.”And she left a fucking hole in my heart the size of Texas, I want to yell.