Page 76 of One Little Kiss

Colton. I’m going to have to have a discussion with him about spoiling Wes, but seeing his happy face, I can’t bring myself to be mad right now.

“It’s not worth the fight,” Rylan says beside me. “The Westbrooks love gifts, and Colton has finally found someone worthy of his love. Let him shower you with it. I have a feeling you both could use it.”

I don’t know what to say as I stare at Halton’s gift. It’s so thoughtful and beautiful.

“Thank you, Halton. For this. It’s … he’s never had so many people pay this much attention to him. It really means a lot.”

“You’re family now, Winnie.” He says it as if it’s a reality that I have to get used to, but before I can think about it too much, he pulls his phone from his pocket and curses under his breath.

“Shit.” His eyes go wild when we hear a knock at the door.

“Another family member?” I smirk, but the smile fades when I see Halton’s face.

“Stay here, okay? Let me handle whoever’s at the door.”

Panic fills my body, and Rylan takes me by the elbow and leads me to the floor beside Wes.

“Hattie?” Rylan’s tone carries all the warning bells going off inside of my head. I don’t even have room to process the nickname she’s using.

“Just stay here, okay? All of you.” With purposeful strides, he crosses the room.

Hushed, angry voices filter down the hall, but I can’t make out what’s being said or who is at the door. What feels like an eternity later, Halton returns with an envelope in his hand, his face a stony mask.

Rylan pats my arm and meets him in the center of the room. “What’s going on, Hattie?”

His gaze cuts to me, and a fear I’ve only ever felt once in my life freezes me to my spot.

“We’ll take care of this, Winnie. I promise you. Colton, none of us will let him get away with this.” His voice is lethal, but it does nothing to calm my nerves.

“Take care of what?” I whisper, terrified of what he’ll say.

“You’ve been served,” he bites out. “By your father.”

My world threatens to crumble beneath me, and my vision blurs.

“S-Served for wh-what? What d-does that m-mean?” I stammer.

“He’s suing you for custody of Weston.”

He could have stabbed me in the chest, and it would have hurt less. My head is shaking wildly as I try to comprehend his words.

“He … No, he can’t even take care of himself. How’s he going to care for a child with special needs? How?” My voice breaks, and Wes lays his head in my lap. My body shakes with fear. I can’t stop the trembling or the way my tears fall.

All I want right now is Colton. And he’s not here. He’s not here when I need him. I know that’s not fair, but it’s a stark reminder that I need to do this myself. Relying on others only leads to heartache.

Rylan and Halton sit beside me, offering comfort, but neither are sure what to do.

“Would a court really take him from me?” My whispered words relay my deepest fear. “He’s an alcoholic. He’s abusive. He—”

“Hey,” Halton wraps a strong arm around my shoulders, “I said we would figure this out. You’re not alone anymore, Winnie. You have the entire Westbrook family behind you now. Our name carries a lot of weight, and we’ll hire the best attorneys money can buy.”

“But he’s his father.” Words keep tumbling from my mouth. The effort of holding in my fears tearing me apart.

“And you’re his family. You give him stability, and you can give him something your father will never be able to.”

“Wh-What’s that?”

Halton waits until I lift my gaze to his. His waiting smirk makes my heart clench with the need for Colton. A need I don’t want, but is there trying to suffocate me, anyway.