My stomach churned as I rationalized one more question. “So Colby didn’t even kiss one of them?” I had no right to that information, but I just had to know.
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. I mean, I wasn’t watching him every second before he passed out. But I’m pretty sure he didn’t.”
I felt terrible about giving Colby shit. Still, if he hung out with Holden enough, it was only a matter of time before the old gigolo ways came out to play. I activated my needle and got to work on Holden’s ribbon. Speaking over the noise, I asked, “Why do guys like threesomes—or foursomes—anyway? Isn’t it a lot to juggle?”
“It can be, yeah. But I’m always up for a challenge.” He winked. “It reminds me of a one-man band. You have your mouth on one instrument, your hand on another, and all the while someone else is…blowing your horn, for lack of a better word.”
I rolled my eyes. “I hope you’re being safe with all of your instrumental maneuvering in the orchestra.”
“Always,” he said matter-of-factly. “If I’ve learned anything from my boy Colby, it’s that it only takes one time to change your life.”
I cleared my throat. “So, did Colby not want to participate, or did he not do it because he was too drunk to be up for the challenge?” I was a runaway train at this point.
“I don’t think he would’ve been into it, even if he were more sober. I had to force him to come with me in the first place to be my wingman. He didn’t want to go.”
“Well, he has free will. On some level, he must have wanted to. He probably just chickened out. I would imagine having a kid makes you think twice about your decisions.”
“Maybe. He is more responsible than he used to be.” He looked over at me. “Any reason you’re particularly vested in Colby’s intentions the other night, Billie?”
I hesitated. “No. I’m just curious about it all.”
“Come on. I’m not dumb. I know there’s some shit going on between you two. He hasn’t talked to me about it, though—probably because he knows I come here, and he doesn’t trust my big mouth.”
“Can you blame him?” I asked.
“Not at all.”
“Anyway… There’s nothing going on between Colby and me.”
“Really? Because you’ve been grilling me about him since the second I walked in, and you’re turning all red right now.”
I was sweating. “Shut up and let me finish this in peace.”
He chuckled. “You’re the one asking me questions.”
“Seriously. I have another client soon. No more talking.”
He rested his head back. “Alright.”
Holden dropped the subject and stayed quiet as I continued working. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead.
After forty-five minutes, I finally finished. “You’re all set. It looks good. The orange color really pops.”
I’d been so preoccupied with digging for information earlier, I hadn’t thought to ask about the meaning of the ribbon. That was very unlike me. I’d tattooed dozens of pink ribbons for breast cancer, but this was the first orange one I’d done.
“What’s the orange ribbon stand for?”
“Leukemia awareness.”
I should’ve known. Their friend who died and left the inheritance. “Ryan…” I said.
“Yup.” He nodded. “You know about him, right?”
“Yeah. Colby’s told me the story. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. I miss him every day.” He sighed as he got up from the chair. “If there’s one thing Ryan’s death has taught me, it’s that life is too short. I think everyone reacted to losing him differently. Me? I’ve continued to live it up the only way I know how, which is to have fun anytime I can. But the four of us didn’t all change for the better.”
“How so?”
“Owen buries himself in his work. Brayden seems mad at life sometimes. I think he lost faith when even God couldn’t save Ryan. Like I said, I party and focus even more on my music. And Colby…” He paused. “Well, Colby’s life changed with Saylor soon after Ryan’s death, so it’s hard to know what he’d be up to if she hadn’t come along. Who knows… Maybe she saved him. But he’s often said one of the reasons he tries so hard to be a good dad is because he knows it’s an opportunity he shouldn’t take for granted. I think out of all of us, Ryan was the only one who knew he wanted kids. He always used to say he couldn’t wait to grow up and start a family. That was probably because he knew he might not have the chance.”
My stomach tightened. “That’s heartbreaking.”
“Want to hear something freaky?” he said.
“I’ve never been one to shy from freaky info. Shoot.”
“Ryan’s mom went to one of those mediums after he died. And Ryan supposedly came through and said he’s already back here with us.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What does that mean?”