Page 81 of One Little Kiss

On a heavy sigh, I sink into the chair opposite him. “What’s going on, Pres? If that’s some bullshit prenup or something equally offensive, you’d better leave now before I’m forced to knock you out.”

His laugh is unexpected. The rich, deep sound reminds me of our father. “Let’s clear one thing up. I’m an asshole sometimes.”

My brow rises skeptically, but I let him continue.

“I think because I had to take over The WB at such a young age after Dad died, I forget that there are all these rights of passage that most people go through. I missed out on a lot of that, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. What I’m saying is, I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions with those girls, and for not having your back at first.”

All the fight leaves my body. Preston gave up so much when our father died. He’s had the pressure of being the head of our family since he was just a kid himself. He took over so the rest of us could have the normalcy of growing up, making mistakes, and learning from them.

“You’ve had a lot of pressure on you, Pres. You were never allowed to make mistakes like we were. There was too much riding on it, I get that. I do. I’m sorry I never thanked you for that.”

“I’m not looking for thanks, Colt. I’m just explaining why I acted like an ass.” He smirks, and I know that was painful for him to admit.

Leaning forward, I place my forearms on my thighs. I lift my head with clasped hands, eyes pleading with my brother. I realize at this moment that I need his help. I need his guidance, and I want his respect more than anything.

“I think I’ve loved her since the moment I saw her in the airport, Pres. This lawsuit? Her father trying to get custody of Wes? It scares the shit out of me. I need …” My head drops while I collect my thoughts. When I lift it again, I see all the compassion of an older brother, a father figure, and a friend all rolled into one. “I need your help. I don’t want to screw this up. They mean too much to me.”

A heartfelt smile spreads across his face and it’s like staring at an older version of myself. Preston drops his gaze to the folder in his lap, and without speaking, opens it up and lays it on my desk.

I glance at it, then back at him. “You’re forgiven.” I chuckle. Pulling the folder closer, I flip through the pages. He’s already pulled a preliminary report on Winnie’s father. The last page shows an order for Envision Securities to start a full-on investigation into the man.

I’m suddenly overcome with emotion. “Thanks, Pres. Honestly.”

“No thanks necessary. It’s what we do, right?”

“Take care of our own,” we say in unison.

“Yeah, but—”

Preston cuts me off. “You’re going to need all the help you can get. Something tells me getting Winnie to marry you will be harder than anything her father throws at you.”

I laugh because he’s right. Glancing over my shoulder at the door, I shake my head. “She doesn’t trust easily. She’s used to everyone leaving her.”

“Then I guess it’s time you showed her she’s worth sticking around for.”

Standing, he watches me closely as he rounds the desk, and I stand, too. When he draws me in for a hug, I accept the embrace.

“For what it’s worth,” he says, pulling away and clapping me on the back, “I think you’re good for each other. You’ll balance each other out. She needs some fun in her life, and you … well, I think you were just waiting for the one who could ground you. I see her doing that already. As for her father? We’ve got this.”

“Thanks, Pres.”

We walk together through the quiet house, and I can feel him glancing around as we go, so I’m not surprised when he says, “This place is really starting to feel like a home.”

He’s right. It is. It’s my family home, and no one will mess with my family, not if I have anything to say about it.

Closing the door behind Preston, I go in search of Winnie. It’s time to make them my family for real.

* * *

Family Chat

Preston: Colton, why the fuck are there 4000 plastic donkeys holding sticks in my front yard?

Dexter: Priceless.

Halton: Pictures or it didn’t happen.

Preston: What the hell are people going to say?