Page 80 of Colt

I’m not shocked when Lainey jumps up too and grabs his hands. Together they hoot and holler to the song, Lainey spinning Dean around the kitchen while she sways her hips.

Of course she’s a sexy fucking dancer.

Of course she’s playful, throwing her hands up over her head, rapping to the lyrics, popping her ass when the beat drops.

She’s real, unhinged and uninhibited, and I get half hard just watching her.

Even Elvis wags his tail, trotting faster than I’ve ever seen him move in an attempt to catch up to Lainey.

I don’t join in. I’m worried what will happen if I do. I start dancing with this girl—Lord, I did not make all this food just to set Dean in front of the TV with a yogurt pouch while I tear Lainey’s clothes off in the bedroom.

I assemble the rest of the haunted house while Dean and Lainey dance like lunatics around me.

Do I politely hint it’s time for dinner, bath, and bed? Thank Lainey for coming and walk her to the door?

But then that voice returns. Repeating what it just said.

Done making that mistake.

The song ends. I lower the volume and put my acoustic playlist back on.

“Guys, this is so fun.” Dean is panting, tugging on Lainey’s hands. “Can you come over every night, Miss Lainey?”

I do my best to dodge that particular bullet by holding up the LEGO house. “I finished, y’all.”

“Wow!” Lainey’s expression morphs into one of disbelieving joy as she lunges for the house, keeping Dean close. “See? We did it! All because you told me you liked LEGO sets.”

I extend my fist. “Proud of you, buddy. Spooky, right?”

Dean gives me the fist bump I’m looking for. “The spookiest.”

“How about you and Lainey do the ghosts and trees while I get plates ready for dinner?” My heart thumps. “Lainey, you’re staying for dinner, right? I reckon you worked up an appetite dancing like that.”

She presses her tongue against her bottom lip. “Like what?”

“Like you were being electrocuted.”

“The electric slide is a thing, Colton. Look it up.”

You gonna let me slide between your legs tonight?

“Yeah, Dad, look it up.” Dean bounces on his toes before turning back to me. “Please stay, Lainey. Dad’s short ribs are the best. Maybe you can stay for a sleepover too?” He turns to me. “Dad, can she stay for a sleepover?”

What’s that saying? No good deed goes unpunished?

I feel that in my soul right now.

Running a hand over my face, I push out a laugh that I hope sounds less nervous than I feel.

Fuck, why am I nervous?

I don’t get nervous. Probably because I make it a point to never get invested. I don’t care whether Lainey stays for dinner. Just like I don’t care that having her over is a lot of fucking fun.

The house just feels…lighter somehow. It’s clearing the dark cloud that’s been hanging over me ever since I found out my sister’s hooking up with Hartsville’s very own cowboy Casanova. Ryder’s a good man at his core, but in all the years I’ve known him, he’s never rested his head on the same pillow twice.

I’m scared he’ll hurt Billie. Angry the two of them went behind my back.

There’s something else lurking in the swirl of shit I feel about it all too. Something that makes my stomach hurt, that I can’t—won’t—name.