Blinding Trust (16 page)

Chapter 21

Savanna

Getting drunk with Ty was never a good idea, especially when there wasn’t any other adults around us. I never thought that it would become romantic. We were best friends and he was being my shoulder to cry to on.

We’d had a couple of shots and both of us were starting to feel giddy. Ty was determined to keep my mind off of the procedure that I was having done the next morning. He told dirty jokes and made fun of everyone that we knew.

As the night progressed, my mind never venture far from my husband and son. As angry as I was at Colt, I still wished that I was there with them. Maybe the decisions would have ended up the same. I just wanted the opportunity to have a say.

Ty got this bright idea that he wanted to Ding Dong Ditch my parents. I went up and checked on the girls. Unless they got sick, they wouldn’t wake up until the next morning. Just to be safe, I called over to the main house and asked Lucy if she could sit with them for ten minutes.

Ten
minutes later, her and Colt’s mom came walking through the door. They were both in their pajamas. “What’s wrong?”

I walked up to my mother-in-law, but couldn’t stop giggling. “Nothing is wrong. We want to play a joke on my parents.”

She put her hands on her hips. “What kind of joke?”

“I want to Ding Dong Ditch them. You want to come?” I couldn’t
believe that Ty asked her.

A huge smile formed across her face. “It’s been a long time since I had a good laugh.”

Just like that, we left Lucy to listen for the kids and headed out on the golf cart. It was so dark on the ranch, especially when you drove to areas that were off the beaten path. It just so happened that my parents were way off it.

We turned off our headlights when we got close enough to see their house. The bedroom light was on and we could see the television flashing. Suddenly, I became the quiet one, while I listen
ed to Ty and his aunt discussing their strategy.

Colt wouldn’t have believed me if I told him that this was happening.

Since the golf cart was extremely quiet, we were able to pull up on the side of their house without making a sound.

“Okay, this is what’s going to happen. You two are going to drop me here. Go park in the front yard, facing the house. I’m going to knock and run out to you. When they open the door, we will all three yell it. Are you ready?”

We both nodded and watched Ty jump off the cart. While I drove and parked where he told me to, he was running up to the door. Not only did he beat on it, but he was screaming and making crazy sounds. Then, just as fast as he’d knocked, he came running back to the cart.

We were laughing so hard that we almost didn’t see my father opening the door. He had a fireplace poker in his hand. I flipped on the lights, blinding him so he couldn’t see us.

“DING DONG DITCH!”

I spun us around in the grass and we flew down the lane as fast as the little golf cart could go. The whole while we were laughing so hard at what we’d done.

She and Lucy ended up staying for anther hour before they went back to their place. Colt’s mom was always surprising me. One day she could be the most sophisticated women I’d ever met. Another day, she was just as comical as Ty. It was pretty cool.

Before they left, she asked me again if there was something wrong. It brought me back to reality when I had to think of my procedure and how I was hiding it from everyone that cared about me.

I think Ty read my mind. He handed me another shot before I could ask for one. “Last one and then we need to get some sleep.”

“I won’t be able to sleep tonight. I’m too scared. My life is riding on this test, Ty.”

“Van, you can’t think of it like that. Even if it is cancer, that doesn’t mean your life is over. Medicine has come a hell of a long way. They have treatment facilities and state of the art equipment to do it with. No matter what the outcome is, you’ll be in good hands.”

I started to cry and with the alcohol that I’d consumed, I was a mess. “I’m afraid of dying. What if I’m one of the ones that can’t be treated? What if my babies grow up without a mother? How can I look at them and know that my days are limited? I can’t do it, Ty. Some things I just don’t want to know.”

Ty pulled the shot glass out of my hand and sat it down on the table next to his. He grabbed both of my hands with his. “No matter what happens, you’re a fighter. You won’t give up, because I won’t let you. Do you remember when we were kids and you came out to the hole for the first time? Remember how scared you were to go on the rope swing? Colt was making fun of you and calling you a sissy little boy and it was making you cry.”

“I remember,” I whined.

“What happened that day, Van?”

I remembered that day vividly, probably because it was the day that I fell in love with Tyler Mitchell. He was my hero that day. “You took my hands and kissed them, and then you told me that I could do anything that I wanted to. You showed me how to hold the rope to get the most air, so that when I finally did it, I went the farthest.”

He smiled, hearing me tell the story. “I knew you could do it. I will never forget the look on their faces when you almost made it clear across that water. It was badass.”

“You were so sweet to me back then.” I think I was blushing thinking about it.

“I had to make you my girl, so I didn’t have to act that way around anyone else. Besides, I knew you’d turn out to be beautiful. Even an ugly duck can be a beautiful swan.”

He was showing me that side again, which meant that he was concerned about me. I squeezed his hand. “Aside from the cheating, you always took care of me. You may have been a terrible boyfriend, but you were an amazing best friend. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.” I reached over and kissed him on the cheek. “ I know I said I was mad, but I’m glad you’re here, Ty. I don’t think anyone could get me through this the way that you can.”

Ty smiled. He leaned his head back on the couch. “You’re going to be okay, Van. No matter what, I just know you are.”

I leaned my head against Ty’s side and closed my eyes. Sure, I wished Colt was here to comfort me, but it felt good to not be alone. Besides, if Colt were around, Ty wouldn’t have come. The last couple days with him had really helped me. Maybe it was just supposed to happen the way it was.

I woke up to someone poking me in the leg. When I opened my eyes I saw Christian standing in front of me. I shot off the couch and realized that I was sleeping against Ty’s arm. His head was even leaning on mine. I was appalled to think of what my daughter had running through her mind. “Mommy, why are you sleeping down here with Uncle Ty?”

“I must have fallen asleep when we were watching television.”

She handed me my cell phone. “Daddy’s on the phone for you. I told him you and uncle Ty were asleep, but he said that I needed to wake you up, right now.”

“Thanks, honey.”

Ty yawned and stretched, paying what happened no mind. I frantically took the phone out on the front porch.

Hello

What the hell is goin’ on Savanna. Is this your way of gettin’ back at me for the photo?

What? No! I just…

Save it. When I get home in Saturday, we are sitting down and having a talk.

Fine by me. I have a lot I want to say to you.

I bet you do. I’m goin’ to tell you one thing, Savanna. Ty better be gone when I get there.

Why is that?

Don’t you play stupid with me. I know what’s goin’ on. I’m surprised it took you this long. I just can’t believe you did it with our girls in the house. How could you disrespect me like that?

Colt, you really have the wrong idea. There is nothing going on between me and Ty. I swear. We stayed up late talking and both fell asleep sitting up on the couch. That’s all there is to tell.
Honestly, I can’t believe you don’t trust me.

Trust you? Darlin’ I can’t even talk to you right now. I’ll see you Saturday.

I couldn’t believe this was happening. How had things gotten so bad between us? Before I could get upset, I noticed that I had a half hour to be at my appointment and I still had to take the girls to my mother’s.

Ty must have noticed the time as well, he was carrying both girls down the stairs. They were still in their pajamas, but he had clothes in his hand. “Did you see
what time it is?”

“Yes.” I started running up the stairs.

“I’ll run them over to your parents.” I heard the door shutting as I made it to my bedroom and started looking for clothes to wear.

By the time I was dressed and had brushed my hair and teeth, Ty had my SUV parked out front with the motor running. We got halfway down the road when it hit me where we were actually headed.
Driving somewhere that could determine my fate wasn’t exactly exciting. I was petrified. I stared out the window, trying not to lose it. I felt a hand reaching out and holding mine. He squeezed it and smiled when I looked his way. “Deep breaths, Van. I got your back, I promise. If you need me to hold your hand the whole time. If you need me to watch the doctor and make sure he isn’t copping a feel, I can be that man.”

I took our hands and slapped him. “You just want to see my tits.”

We both started laughing.

“I just wanted to protect the goods.”

“My husband wants to kick your ass and you’re joking about seeing my tits. You really know how to push his buttons. He says you have better be gone before he gets home.”

Ty turned to look at me with his eyebrow cocked. “Is that so? Van, be honest, do you still say my name in your sleep? Is that why he’s so uptight?”

“Would you stop it.” I laughed again. “I don’t dream about you that way and you know it. I honestly don’t get why he’s freaking out. Maybe he feels guilty about something he’s done. It isn’t like we just became friends again. You’ve been my best friend since we were kids.”

“Are we back to the picture again?”

I shook my head. “No! when I called the other day, a female answered. He’s been weird when we talk and I feel like he isn’t including me in important decisions. God, how did things get so messed up?”

We pulled up to the doctor
’s office and Ty turned off the ignition. “You’re going to go in here and rip open your shirt and tell them be gentle.”

I climbed out of the vehicle. “I’m going to go in there and put on a gown and wait for the doctor to stick a giant needle in my tit.” When Ty kept following me, I turned around. “What are you doing?”

“I’m coming with you.” He looked away for a second and went from joking to serious. “Look Van, this doesn’t have to be weird. All fun aside, this is important and I want to do this for you. I owe you so much for always being my friend and I love you. I can’t imagine my life without you. Whatever it takes, Van, I’m going to be here.”

I wrapped my arms around Ty and just hugged him so hard. “Thank you.
”

When we finally pulled away, he held out his arm and I put mine inside. He led me into the doctor’s office and even though I felt like everything was going wrong, I knew I had my best friend by my side. When Colt got home everything would work itself out and he would
be glad I wasn’t alone.

I hoped.

Chapter 22

Colt

Noah woke me up bright and early, due to his excitement about starring in the music video. After having a heart to heart with Piper, being around Zeke was the last thing I wanted to do. We only had one more day until we could go home, and I couldn’t wait, because things were worse than when I had left.

Once he knew I was awake, Noah went downstairs to eat breakfast. I looked over on the nightstand and saw my phone. There was nothing that I wanted more than to be able to figure out what was going on with my wife. It wasn’t that I thought she was having an affair, but there was something going on. I couldn’t see Ty just going to the ranch to be there for the alarm company. They’d been gone for days and he was still there.

As much as I told Piper that I didn’t like meddling in other people’s business, I found myself calling my cousin.

I was wondering when you were going to call.

Just tell me what’s goin’ on, Ty. I know you’re keepin’ somethin’ from me.

It’s not what you’re thinking, Colt. You have it all wrong.

So, you’re tellin’ me that you aren’t there, in my house, comforting my wife?

You need to talk to her. I’m not comfortable talking about something that’s between the two of you.

If you’re fuckin’ my wife, I will kill you.

Just talk to your wife, dude.

I’m askin’ you.

Do you know how hurt she is? Have you even considered what all of this is doing to her? She needed to be included. She needed to feel like she’d always be Noah’s mother. Why do you keep shutting her out? Stop being such a stubborn ass
.

Stay away from my wife, Ty. I’m not kidding.

I’m sorry, Colt, but I can’t do that. I made a promise to her and I won’t break it. You can be pissed at me all you want. She’s my best friend.

She’s MY
best friend. Go home to your own wife.

My own wife is who sent me here, you jackass!

We’ll see about that!

I hung up the phone and started
looking for Miranda’s number. I didn’t call her much and I wasn’t sure how I had programmed it. Before I could finish hitting send, my phone rang. Miranda was calling me.

I was just callin’ y…

Colt, you need to stop it.

Stop what?

Look, I don’t know what’s goin’ on with Savanna, but Ty is there because I can’t be. Stop bein’ such a dick and get over yourself.

How can you just sit there and be okay with them bein’ alone?

Honestly, Colt, I trust them. For the past nine years, Ty has been completely devoted to me and our family. That man would die before he let anything break us apart.

Things happen, Miranda.

Do you even hear yourself. You’re talking about our family. We are in this together, all of us. For years, we’ve all been the best of friends. The only problem that I’m seein’ in this family is you. Leave Ty out of it, Colt. He’s doin’ you a favor.

Then she hung up on me.

I was so damn confused. What the hell was going on?

Noah came up to tell me that we had twenty minutes before we had to leave, so instead of trying to call Savanna, I hurried up and got changed.

On the way to the shoot, I sent Savanna a message.

I love you – C

Figuring that I would get a reply right back, I held on to my phone while I sat there watching them get Noah ready. After about twenty minutes, I still had no reply back from Savan
na. Something was just off and I couldn’t stand being so far away that I wasn’t able to fix things.

She’s always been so organized and fixed to her daily routine. Something had to be wrong for her to change it all of the sudden.

I heard commotion coming from inside of the house, so I put my phone in my pocket and headed inside. Zeke was arguing with his manager, Ramona.

“I told you that this was what had to be done. One more day and we can send the kid back to Kentucky. Why is this so hard for you to understand, Zeke?”

“I just want to play music. I don’t give a shit what everyone thinks about me.”

“When you stop selling albums, your ass is going to care! Now get in there and act like you love the kid. Your future depends on this video.”

“Do you really think this is going to work?”

“Yes, of course it will. They want to see emotions. Get your ass in there and pretend to have a relationship with the kid for one more day. We’ll get some pictures and sell them to the papers. Once the world sees you bonding with the kid, all of the bad shit will just go away.”

I saw Noah coming around the corner. He’d finally finished getting his hair and makeup done. I could see the excitement in his eyes, but all of that vanished when he heard his uncle’s next words.

“The sooner this little brat gets out of my life the better. God, I can’t stand kids. Why I let you talk me into this, I will never know!”

Noah’s face turned white and I saw that little lost kid that was once standing on my porch looking for a home. Tears fell down his cheeks as he approached me. “Dad, can you please take me home?”

“It’s goin’ to be alright, son.” I hugged him.

“I just want my mom,” he cried.

I kissed him on the top of the head. “Yeah, I want to see her, too. Just give me a minute and we can get the hell out of here.”

I walked right up to Zeke, grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. “What are you doing, Colt?” He backed away from me.

I got right up in his face. “This thing with my son is done! I heard everything. Did you think you could just use him and toss him out like he wasn’t blood? So help me God, you are so lucky that my son is standin’ here, because I would like nothin’ more than to tear you
r ass apart. Find another kid to play the part, because my son is done with you! If you come near me or my family again, you’ll be sorry!”

“He’s under contract!” Ramona got between us.

I realized that I would have to lie to get us out of it. “I just recorded your entire conversation, lady. There is no more contract. The way I see it, that thing is null and void! Take that piece of paper and shove it up your ass! We’re done here!”

Noah and I had been walking for about ten minutes before a car pulled over and offered us a ride. It took me a second to realize that it was Pete, Zeke’s bodyguard.

“Get in. I can take you to get your bags and drive you to the airport.”

“Did Zeke send you?” I didn’t want his handouts.

“No! I just quit. His wife is carrying my baby and I let him know it. Between what happened with you guys and my news, I’m sure his manager will be doing damage control for the next year.” He laughed, like he’d accomplished a goal.

“I hope you get to raise your child.” I put my arm around my son. “
Nothing beats having a family.”

Noah and I got our things together, while Pete helped Piper pack up
some things. I wasn’t sure what they were going to do and I really didn’t care. I just wanted to never have to come back to the place again.

We said our
goodbyes at the airport and waved at the expectant couple as they drove away. Then I had to go inside and try to change our flight to an earlier time.

After three hours we were boarding a plane and heading home.

Noah hadn’t said much ever since we’d left the shoot location. He had his ear buds in his ears and once in a while I would catch him crying. I felt so bad for the little guy. For a short time, he truly believed that he had the coolest uncle in the world. I felt so bad for him and blamed myself for letting it all happen. If I’d just put my foot down, maybe I could have avoided it all.

Now, our family was strained. Savanna and I were struggling and I’d never felt so separated from her before. How was I supposed to make things right again, when I couldn’t even begin to understand how they’d gotten to be so bad?

Not only was my wife upset with me, but I’d managed to piss off my cousins.

Instead of calling Savanna to come pick me up, I took a cab.
It wasn’t because I was trying to be sneaky. Noah was tired and it was right around the time that Savanna would be making dinner. I didn’t want to have to wait for her to get finished to come and get us. He was too upset and I could tell that he just wanted to be home.

When I walked into the house and didn’t see anyone, I looked out back and noticed that our
SUV was missing. If Savanna were anywhere on the ranch, she would have driven the golf cart.

Noah seemed so relieved to be home
that I sent him up to his room to get some, much needed, rest. I walked upstairs and looked around. The futon in the playroom had been pulled out and Ty’s stuff was still in it.

I pulled out my phone and tried to call Savanna again but it continued to go right to voicemail, like it wasn’t even turned on.

I didn’t get it.

I was also starting to think that maybe something was wrong. With a quick call to my mother-in-law, things got even more confusing.

Hello?

Mom, it’s me, Colt. Have you heard from Savanna? Noah and I just got home early and she’s not here.

I have the girls. Tyler dropped them off this morning and said that Van was running late for a doctor’s appointment. I don’t know what doctor, but that’s where she is.

So, Ty went with her?

I really don’t know. He just said she overslept and he was doing her a favor by bringing the girls.

Alright. Thanks.

Did you have a good trip?

No! It was terrible and I should have just listened to Savanna when she told me it was a bad idea. I’m goin’ to come get the girls now.

Addy is taking a nap. How about I bring them when she wakes up?

Sounds good. Thanks, Mom.

I was stumped. Ty wasn’t anywhere on the ranch, so clearly he was with my wife, who was supposedly at the doctors. Why would he have to go with her?

Again, nothing made sense.

When I heard a vehicle pulling down the driveway, I instinctively looked outside. Our SUV was pulling up out front, instead of out back where we normally parked.

Instead of walking outside, I stood at the window, watching.

Ty jumped out of the driver’s seat and ran around to the passenger side of the vehicle. He opened the door for Savanna and wrapped his arm around her as they walked up the porch steps.

That was enough for me to become irate. I rushed through the front door. When they saw me, they both just stood there, amazed that I was home already.

“I caught you, you lyin’ son of a bitch!” I threw myself at Ty, causing us to tumble to the ground. I got one punch in before I felt Savanna trying to rip me off of him.

“Colt! Please stop! Oh my God! You have the wrong idea!” She pulled and pulled, while screaming at me at the top of her lungs.

I sat up straight and just stared at Ty, who covered his face with is hands. “Dude, it’s not what you think. Get the fuck off of me and let your wife explain.”

I climbed off of Ty, but pointed right at him. “Get your shit out of my house and go the hell home. You make me sick.”

Ty rolled over and got into a standing position. He was brushing off clothes, before he walked into the house. As he passed by Savanna, he grabbed her arm. “I’m sorry, Van.”

She was crying. “Me, too.”

Once he was out of my sight, I looked over at my wife. With tears running down her face, she said nothing.

“Are you goin’ to start explainin’ what’s goin’ on?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk to you right now, Colt.” She ran inside after Ty. I sat down on my front porch, trying really hard to keep from going in there and killing him. Was she really choosing him over me?

In a matter of minutes, they both came out of the house. I stood up and turned to look at them. Savanna moved her body in front of my cousin. “Don’t you touch him, Colt!”

I shook my head. It was more than just feeling disgusted, I wanted to put my fist to his face again. “What is this? Are you choosin’ him over me?”

My heart was being ripped apart with jealousy. I clenched my fists and waited for that little bastard to say something smart.

Savanna put her hands on her hips. “There’s something you need to know.” She started sobbing and I watched Ty touch her shoulder. It made me so mad and when he saw the look on my face, he removed it.

“You better start talkin’ fast, darlin.”

“Or what, Colt?” She was challenging me. “What is it that you think is going on here? You really think that we waited all these years to have a week alone so that we could be together again? Is that what you think?”

“Maybe it is!” I was standing my ground. If this was how I was going to lose her, I wasn’t just going to let her go without a fight. “He probably did this shit just to spite me for takin’ you away from him. That little prick probably…”

“Shut up, Colt! Just shut up! I can’t take this anymore. How could you think that about us?”