Page 30 of Free to Breathe
Just as I’m about to drop a glop of caramel into my cup, she advises. “Colby is inbound. He just called Keene to tell him he wasn’t coming in until the two of you talked. Keene was calling me to let me know so I could give you a heads-up, assuming you were here. We both know Colby’s going to do a drive-by, not see your car here, and head to your house.”
I bypass the cup and aim the spoon toward my mouth. With the sweet goo coating my tongue, I warble, “Are you shitting me?”
“No. Do you need me to warn him off?”
I close my eyes, weary over his persistent intrusion in my life. I don’t understand why he just won’t leave me alone like he did for so long. My emotions need to settle. It’s time to deal with Colby Hunt once and for all. “Let him come. I have nothing to hold back with him anymore.” And suddenly, I don’t. I want this toxicity drawn from my soul before it’s too late. I want to rest my head in peace. I’m tired of wondering…why? Why was our friendship expendable? Why was my pain his pleasure?
Why was my heart a joke?
I’ve tried to live every day of my life since that night where Colby crushed me like there was no shame or fear in the depth of my soul. I climbed into the skin of this man-eater so I don’t look in the mirror and see the broken woman my family created and Colby finished shattering. I hide my rejection behind the tits and ass so many men want to grab in random bars without caring about the woman beneath. It’s a coping mechanism, plain and simple.
Of course, my reputation now precedes me. Despite the few men who have actually scored, most would have sooner drunk arsenic than admit it. I was labeled as promiscuous. Funny, I never thought to the ability to count your partners on one hand was all that slutty.
I guess it’s all for the best. Knowing someone loved me beyond reason the way Jason loves Phil, Caleb loves Cassidy, or Keene loves Ali, would make things worse right now. I’m preparing for the hardest battle of my life. I can’t forget that.
I can never forget who I am and what I have deep inside of me.
“I’ll be fine. Let me go though. I want to be dressed when he gets here.”
“Call me after.” It’s not a question.
I smile faintly. It wasn’t long ago when I was demanding the same thing from her. “I will. I promise.” I’m already making my way back upstairs.
“Love you, Cori. And remember…”
“I know. You always have my hand in the dark.”
“I do, you know.”
Boy, do I know. “Gotta go.”
As Ali hangs up, I take the stairs two at a time. I’m pulling out clothes so fast from my closet, I don’t know, nor do I care, if they match. Walking into my bathroom, I throw my hair up in a loose knot and quickly freshen up before getting dressed. Just as I’m descending back into my kitchen, I see Colby’s Jeep through the transom over my front door. He’s passed Cassidy and Em’s, driving hell-bent for leather.
Pulling open one of the double doors, I lean against the other with one ankle crossed over the other. I try to keep my expression neutral as he slams his Jeep into park. Colby jumps out before he sees me. He comes to a complete stop when he realizes I’m there waiting.
“I’d ask what you’re doing here, but frankly, I don’t care that much about the answer,” I drawl.
His jaw clenches. I can’t see behind his reflective sunglasses. “I came to get some answers.”
“I really don’t care that much about that either, but seeing as how I want some as well, I’ll let you in long enough to get those. Then I want you gone.” Turning on my heel, I lead Colby into my house.
For the first time ever.
16
Colby
Iwant to spend my time prowling around, but I dutifully follow Corinna through the warm, eclectic space to a wall of windows and doors streaming the summer light into the far end of the room. Corinna throws one of the glass doors open with a flourish, gesturing me through without saying a word.
I step onto her patio and am immediately transported. Jesus. I never knew this was back here. And to think everyone thought Cassidy got the choice piece of property. There’s a riot of wildflowers that make up a secret haven masked by Ali’s tree line. It’s an artist’s dream come to life.
“How many times have you painted this view?” I murmur entranced.
“Is that why you invaded my solitude, Colby? To ask about my view?” Corinna’s voice is cool behind me. It seizes my heart knowing that if I look at her, I’ll see eyes the color of the earth versus the glory of the sun raining down on us. Her eyes deserve the sun streaming through them, with only the brilliance a star can display.
When I saw her laugh for the first time, I almost dropped to my knees. Her eyes were a pure golden color, framed by a fringe of thick lashes. Her smile caused my heart to clench. What I wouldn’t give for that smile right now. But the woman whose space I’ve invaded isn’t inclined to bestow one upon me.
“Why are you here, Colby?” Her frustration is palpable.
