Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

My dad shook his head. “You’re too young to raise a child. And it’s Cole. He’s practically a brother.”

Cole walked back in the room. “I left the door cracked, but he’s out. The airplane was too exciting.” He cracked a smile.

Did my parents see what I did? Couldn’t they see what I loved about him? I knew there was a toddler in the picture. I knew Cole was a man whore before. I knew everything about his life. And I loved him.

“I’d like to talk to Ryan myself,” Cole explained. “It’s best if I break it to him.”

My mom sighed. “This? This is what we’re dealing with today?”

“Mom, come on. It’s going to be ok.”

She threw her hands in the air. “All right. I have to work on this dinner.”

I looked at Cole. That was our cue to get out of the kitchen. But we had made it over the first hurdle. Only one more and we could coast home.

33

Cole

He’d been home four hours. I had ridden with the Sinclaires to the base. It was an eerie feeling being in the hanger, watching the guys unload from the jet.

Part of me wanted to run over and grab gear and toss it on the flatbed truck. I wanted one of those uniforms instead of the T-shirt I was wearing.

But holding Grayson’s hand I knew I had done the right thing. And with legal papers waiting to be signed when I got back to Texas, it was the best fucking decision I’d made. My son needed me.

I thanked God there were still men like Ryan who would fight the fight while I raised my son.

Ryan was outside on the patio. Kaitlyn and her mom were washing dishes in the kitchen. Mr. Sinclaire had pulled out some of Ryan’s toys from the attic and was racing Matchbox cars with Grayson.

This was my chance.

I poured two glasses of bourbon and walked outside, handing one to my best friend.

“Thanks, brother.” He grinned. “You know how good this tastes?”

I nodded. “Sure do. There’s no good liquor in the desert.”

We stood in silence for a minute.

“How’s Texas? The motel?”

It was a good place to start. “Actually turning around for the first time in two years. I think I’m going to be able to make it work.”

“And you seriously don’t want to sell it to one of those beach developers?”

I laughed. “Can you imagine what Pop would do?”

Ryan chuckled. “I see your point.” He sipped the bourbon. “I’m glad it’s working out for you. And I’m glad you’re here. Can’t believe you brought the kid too.”

“After this week I’m going to have full custody. Amber leaves for London at the end of the summer. I didn’t want to start full-time parenting by leaving him behind. And he loved the plane.”

“Maybe he’ll be a pilot. Please don’t let him join the Air Force.”

“Corps all the way.” I grinned, slapping him on the back.

“Good.”

The big homecoming party was tomorrow. We decided Ryan needed to know ahead of time. We couldn’t ask Kaitlyn’s parents to keep our secret.