Page 70 of Crashing Together

Chapter Twenty

“Wow. This place looks fantastic.” Brock whistles low under his breath.

“Yeah, bro. This is great.” Jay looks around with wide eyes.

Gramps and I high-five. Thanks to him, I was able to pull this entire thing off. Now let's just hope Addi likes it.

Another two weeks have passed since I visited Liz's family. Since then, I've done nothing but throw myself into the renovations. Gramps and I updated the place with some new furniture and décor. We also upgraded our equipment, including a new wax machine, a few new surfboards for the guys and me, and a new register setup to help manage the accounting piece in a more sophisticated way.

What really matters is what I did for Addi. I'm anxious she's not going to like it.

“When do you plan on showing this to her?”

“Soon. I'm still debating how I want to reveal it.”

We added an extension onto the back of the shop, and after a week of hell trying to pull permits and get it zoned, the construction company had the framework done within a couple of days. On the outside, it just looks like a big rectangle attached to the shop, but on the inside, I had it split into two big rooms.

One is a studio, the other a storefront.

Now she can paint and immerse herself in her art in her very own studio along with being able to sell it right there. She'll be able to bring her Etsy store to life if she wants. Gramps and I spent the most time in here, setting up the space for her. Leigh helped with the décor and paint supplies as I wasn't one hundred percent sure on everything she likes.

“You sure outdid yourself.” Brock claps me on my back.

“Things are looking up around here. Gramps and me, we’re an unstoppable duo.”

“You guys did damn well for yourselves.” Jay nods. “She's going to love it. Come on, the burgers are ready.”

The guys head out. “I'll be out in a second.”

I look around and take in everything about this past summer. It's crazy how one summer can change your entire life.

When it started, I didn’t know if I'd be able to hold onto this shop, hating myself about what happened with Liz and refusing to accept any sort of love.

Now the shop is mine, I've forgiven myself and healed with Liz's parents, and I've finally given my heart to another.

To the only one who deserves it. The only one who can make me feel like my heart is the only one in the entire world.

Gramps continues to prove he'll always be there for me, buying the shop outright and getting rid of the problem known as Finn. I doubt he'll never be around, but for now, it's enough.

I was stupid not to realize it sooner. It was right in front of my face all along. I didn't want to believe it, but I now know I've loved Addi since the night of the beach party. She captured me then, and she hasn't let go, nor do I ever want her to.

I ignored it, refusing to believe it until it slapped me hard, knocking me on my ass and making me realize I was pushing away what I needed.

I need her love.

I'm a better person with her. She makes me whole—completes me—and now I need to prove it to her.

Maybe I'll set up dinner for us to eat in here or something. Something romantic. I make a mental note to call Leigh. She'll have a good idea. I'm sure of it.

“Cole! You here?”

Leigh's voice rings through the air, a note of panic in her tone. My stomach twists.

“I'm in the studio,” I call, and Leigh comes rushing through the door, her hair wild, her face red. Something happened. I can feel it. “What's wrong? Don't tell me—”

She cuts me off. “Addi left.”

“What? What do you mean Addi left? Where'd she go?”

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