Page 17 of Free to Breathe
Her jaw clenches. “Before, these cupcakes were going to a bunch of drunk boys who didn’t give two flying fucks about anybody or anything, especially the person who was baking them.” My blood boils at that comment. Corinna’s rewriting our past to suit her. “Now, they’re going to clients who pay good money for them, or they’re going to kids who need them as a pick-me-up. And even this batch for my family’s lunch still doesn’t need hands in them first. Even Phil knows better than to touch anything in this kitchen without permission.”
“Maybe you do need time off tomorrow if this is your attitude right now,” I tell her pointedly.
The sharp inhale through her nostrils is the only indication she heard me. Her hands keep flying from cupcake to cupcake until all twenty-four are decorated. Pushing away from the counter, she shoves the remainder of the icing in my direction. I don’t know if she’s offering it to me or aiming. “I’m done.” Turning to Caleb, who has been leaning against the wall, she says, “I have to clean up before everyone comes down.”
He walks up to her, touches her shoulder, and asks oddly, “Did you drink the juice, or did you make frosting out of it?”
Barking out a harsh laugh, Corinna breaks away from Caleb before reaching for a mason jar filled mostly with orange juice from under the table where the bowl of icing still sits. “I drank what I told you I’d drink, Caleb. I got inspired, so I used the rest of the bottle.”
“As long as you’re fine, Cori.” His face is gentle, as something unspoken passes between them.
“I just need a shower and to clean up my kitchen from the crap that just got dropped in it before everyone comes down for lunch. I’ll be back in a few.” Walking past me without a glance, she leaves the immaculate kitchen, and my callous words, behind.
Rubbing my hand over my forehead, I catch Caleb’s thoughtful look. “What?” I demand.
“No issue between the two of you, huh?” he says blandly.
No, there’s no issue because I have no idea what happened to the beautiful girl I knew. What made her turn so hostile toward me from one moment to the next?
There’s a breach, a chasm, a canyon that I can’t get across to build a bridge back to what we were.
9
Colby
Iwander aimlessly around inside Amaryllis Events before storming out the front door. My dress shirt immediately begins to cling to my skin as I step into the summer warmth. Grateful I ditched my jacket and tie before driving here earlier, I walk to the end of the porch and wait for the all clear to head back into the kitchen.
Rolling up my sleeve, I see the keys I inked on my forearm after my heart was forever lost to me. The keys that purely represent my loss of Corinna also serve as a reminder for those who trusted their lives to me. To not let anyone else down in my life the way I was let down.
Cursing myself, I unroll the sleeve so my ink won’t show.
Resting my hips against the railing that runs around the porch, I lean back against the post and close my eyes, thinking about how much things have changed between us since we were in school together. Always an open book with me, Corinna needed someone she implicitly trusted to share the tsunami of emotion building up inside of her. Our bond was forged on late nights sitting around the kitchen table in the tiny apartment she once shared with Ali and Holly.
Corinna was always baking something mouthwateringly delicious, and I became her taste tester. And her friend.
My bond with Corinna was more profound than that. I coaxed her into sharing things with me she couldn’t or wouldn’t tell the others. About her grandmother, Clara, who she lived with until she was four. She had taught Corinna everything she loves about baking. How she was devastated when Clara died and she was turned back over to her parents. How she worried about her major of studio art wouldn’t translate to her true love of baking. How she was anxious about being able to find the money and the time to fit in summer cooking courses while working at the fledgling Amaryllis Events. She also told me why she feared the dark unless someone was holding her.
We became so close. There was no one I would have laid down my life for before Corinna. Even though we always started out talking about one of her fears, it would end up with me sharing one of my own. Was I ready to go into the Army? Was I going to be able to pull the trigger and take another human’s life when they were staring me right in the eye? Was I ready to leave my friends, or watch them die if I had to? More times than not, I’d see her eyes turn gold with fierce support and devotion. Corinna had set me straight in that perfect honeyed voice of hers all the while making me fall harder and harder for her.
And I knew I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
I was leaving. She was damaged. Nothing good could come from the two of us being together. At least, nothing good for her. For me, it would have been the closest thing to heaven before I went through my rotation and likely got myself shot for daydreaming of the woman I left behind.
I found somewhere else to take care of my needs. Random chicks I’d bang who meant nothing more than releasing an ache caused by dark hair and golden eyes. I’d lose myself in the sex while thinking of what it would be like to wrap Corinna’s silky locks around my fist as I pounded into her body. It didn’t matter what color eyes the body beneath me had; it was always Corinna staring back at me. Corinna’s smile. Something I haven’t seen directed at me in more years than I care to count.
“It might be easier if you just tell her why you hurt her so badly instead of constantly beating yourself up over it.” Ali’s voice penetrates my thoughts, causing my head to snap up toward the door. She closes it quietly before making her way over toward me in a dark blue dress that hugs every inch of her figure.
I wasn’t kidding when I told Keene and Caleb the other night you’d never know either of their women had given birth so recently. Ali looks spectacular—glowing. Pushing away from the railing, I ignore her statement. “Happy Birthday, Ali.” I wrap my arms around her as she reaches me. Giving her a quick squeeze, I ask, “Happy?”
“Delirious with it, Colby. I’d like the rest of my family to be half as happy as I am.” Her smile is still dazzling, which is why I don’t notice her doubled-up fist that lands in my gut.
“Oomph!” The sucker punch surprises me. “What was that for?”
“That was for whatever you did to hurt my sister, you ass. I’ve waited long enough to do that. Be glad I didn’t have a meat cleaver in my hand, or you might not be able to use certain body parts ever again.” Ali’s smile doesn’t waver. It just hardens.
“Damnit, Ali. Don’t you think I’ve been trying to figure it out for the last ten years?” I growl. I start pacing back and forth. “Every time I get near her, she gets aggressive. I can’t get close enough to ask her about anything.”
“Cori doesn’t hate, Colby, with very few exceptions.” Ali glares at me. “Anyway, it’s time to eat. I heard Genoa is on the menu.” Without adding anything further to her cryptic statement, she heads for the door. Pausing as she opens it, she asks, “Are you coming?”
