Page 58 of One Little Kiss

Winnie has slowly gotten comfortable in our home over the last two weeks. She’s gone to work, having Beth come over every time to stay with Weston, but the circles under her eyes have finally disappeared, so I don’t push it. Weston is adjusting remarkably well to our living situation, and I’m pretty sure I’m one of his favorites. I rank right after that toy helicopter he carries around.

They say a parent’s love is unparalleled, and that scares the shit out of me, because I love this kid so much already. I can’t imagine not having him in my life. Since I’m on leave from The WB, I’ve had time to observe him. He definitely does better in his own environment, and I now understand why Winnie gets so upset when someone asks what’s wrong with him. There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s perfection in a tiny, train-obsessed package. I think he just takes in the world differently than most of us.

Knock. Knock.

“I got it.” Winnie and Wes sit on the family room floor with train tracks spread out all around them.

I make it to the foyer before Preston lets himself in. My oldest brother has always done whatever he wants.

I’ve banned my entire family from showing up unannounced. I want Weston to get comfortable here before we traumatize him with the Westbrooks’ chaos.

“Preston,” I say in warning. “What’s up?”

We haven’t spoken since I moved Winnie into my home. He left a bunch of messages about me hiding out at Ashton’s and that it’s in the best interest of the family to stay out of sight.

I ignored them all.

He walks toward me, tension still visible in his shoulders, but he wraps me in a hug anyway. It’s the Westbrook way.

“What’s up, Pres?” I repeat.

“Ash got the video feed from the bar. I’m sorry I was a jackass, but the girls are still moving forward with a civil suit. We need to talk.”

Fear grips my chest when I find Winnie watching us, but if I’ve learned anything from my brothers, it’s that nothing good comes from keeping secrets.

Rubbing a hand over my face, I open my arm to lead him into the family room.

“I have one rule,” I say, reality setting in when I see Wes staring at us with worried eyes.

Preston notices him, too, and he checks his inner asshole at the door. With a warm smile, he waves and turns to me. “What’s that?”

“Wes doesn’t like loud noises. If you can’t keep your temper in check, you’ll need to leave.”

Preston isn’t really an asshole. He took over as head of our family when our father passed away, and the strain of that responsibility must be massive, but he needs to learn I’m not the baby brother playing practical jokes to get noticed anymore.

Maybe it’s my fault for allowing these assumptions to carry on as long as I have, but staring at Winnie and Wes, it stops now.

“Uh,” Winnie interrupts, “I can take Wes to the library or something.” She’s already moving to his side, but I catch her arm.

“I’d like you to stay. I’m not keeping things from you. Not now, not ever.”

“Shit,” Preston curses under his breath, and I shoot him a glare.

“Watch it, Pres.” My tone is even, but my words cut through the air like a sword.

Winnie slips from my grasp and scoops up Wes. “It’s okay. I’ve been wanting to go. It’s a safe space for us.”

I nod as she carries him from the room, hating that they need a safe space.

“What are you doing, Colt?” Preston’s words are heavy. He doesn’t sound like a pissed off bear anymore, but concern is etched in every syllable.

“Securing my forever,” I admit without a hint of shame.

“And you’re so sure she’s it? Someone you knew for twelve hours. Did you at least get her to sign something? An NDA? Maybe a prenup if the time comes?”

My blood goes cold. “You have some nerve, Preston,” I hiss through clenched teeth. “How did the prenup work out with you and Ems? Oh, that’s right. You refused one. What about for East? Halton?”

“They were different. They’re not—” He stops when I step into his space.