Page 78 of Colt

“It’s ’cause I’m gonna grow up to be the boss, just like my dad.”

My chest squeezes. These two are obviously tight.

Obviously obsessed with each other.

My dad and I get along just fine. He’s gone to bat for me at some crucial moments, not only preparing me for college but paying for it too. I love him.

But were we ever close the way Dean and Colton are? Not really. I have no memory of Dad ever participating in an activity like this with me. Probably has something to do with the gender dynamics in our family. Mom was the one who got on the floor with the kids and played with us. Dad…well, when he wasn’t working, he was just kind of there.

Never mind showing the kind of patience Colton shows with his son.

At one point, Dean suddenly throws down his half-finished roof.

“I can’t do this.” He sounds like he’s on the verge of tears.

Colton drops what he’s doing to rub Dean’s back. “Calm down, bud. Don’t we always figure things out eventually?”

“But this one is too hard.”

“Good thing we can do hard things. Here.” Colton drops his fingertips to the directions. At the same time, he cups Dean’s shoulder in his hand and steers him toward the paper. “Let’s see what you might be missing.”

Dean pouts. “It doesn’t even matter. I’m not good at this.”

“You’re great at it. You already have half the roof done, and I only have, like, two inches of this wall figured out.” I hold up my hapless piece of LEGO siding and laugh. “See how much better you are at building things than me?”

Colton’s eyes flick to meet mine. I could be imagining it, but I think I glimpse a hint of gratitude in the soft set of his mouth.

“Look at me, Dean.” Colton tips up his son’s chin. “You always matter, yeah? You gotta be patient with yourself.”

What I’d give to hear those words from my parents.

Dean’s bottom lip trembles. “But it’s not perfect!”

“Doesn’t have to be perfect to be good,” Colton counters smoothly. “We’re building this thing together, and your contribution matters just as much as mine or Lainey’s. Give yourself another chance. I promise it will be worth it.”

I can only stare, a moon lodged in my throat while the blood inside my skin goes haywire. This is some masterful parenting right here.

The kind of parenting I wish I’d had.

The kind of parenting I hope to do one day.

I know I’m reading into things. But what I just witnessed—it was Colton encouraging his son not to abandon the project, sure, but Colton was also telling Dean not to abandon himself.

The man is reinforcing his son’s human value. Value that Dean possesses not because he’s being helpful or getting out of the way or being as close to perfect as possible.

Value Dean has just for, well, being Dean.

Value that I’ve never really felt I had unless I was perfect. Colton inadvertently tried to disabuse me of that notion that day in the barn. Now he’s doing the same thing with his son, and it is…Jesus, a beautiful sight to behold.

Go figure. The grumpiest, most asshole-y guy I’ve ever met is also the most affirming.

The most caring.

Warmth blooms deep in my core. I feel like I’m going to cry.

It’s getting really difficult to keep hating this man. Suddenly I’m struggling to resist the urge to reach across the table, grab Colton by the collar, and kiss the shit out of him.

Instead, I put down my wall and help Colton help Dean with the roof before he lets me return to my wall. The minutes begin to speed by, and I’m downright giddy as the house slowly comes together.