FULL NOVELXO Chapter 31
It’s the bright sunlight filtering through the gauzy curtains of my bedroom that has me surfacing from a deep sleep. I turn my head and take in the man snoring softly beside me.
I lost track of how many times we had sex last night. Enough for me to promptly pass out afterward.
My gaze rakes over him with more care.
His blond hair is tousled, and his eyelids are feathered closed. His lashes are ridiculously thick as they rest against his skin. His nose is long with a little crook as if it had been broken at some point. It’s what stops him from being over-the-top beautiful. His cheekbones are sharp and his face angular.
The man is definitely gorgeous and a real pleasure to look at.
And the women of Western do enjoy staring at him.
All I can say is that Colby McNichols hasn’t turned out to be the man I assumed he was. There’s a surprising amount of depth and layers to him. Even more shocking than that, I’ve enjoyed our time together.
I release a long slow breath, knowing that I can’t delay the inevitable any longer. I need to come clean about my identity. After working up the courage to do it last night, he shut me down.
Throughout our relationship, he’s opened up about his past and been honest with me, divulging details he wouldn’t normally share.
And I’ve been resistant to do the same.
I worry my bottom lip.
I have no idea how he’ll react to what I have to say.
Instead of cuddling against him the way every impulse clamors for, I slide from the bed and tiptoe around the room, picking up my clothing as I go. Once dressed, I slip into the hallway.
The plan is to run to the coffee shop around the corner and pick up breakfast.
Then we can sit down and finally hash this out.
Every night that Colby has been at my place, he’s cooked dinner. It might not be fancy or elaborate, but it’s nice to come home to a prepared meal. Even when it’s just grilled cheese and tomato soup. There’s nothing better than sitting down and talking about our days. I can always count on him to share funny stories about his friends and teammates that make me laugh.
It only makes me realize how much I’ll miss the routine we’ve fallen into if this fledgling marriage doesn’t work out.
Most of all, I’ll miss Colby.
Instead of grabbing my jacket, I pull on his black Western Wildcats hockey sweatshirt. I can’t help but lift the soft material to my nose and inhale a giant breath. My eyelids feather closed, and my tummy flutters as his woodsy scent cocoons me in comfort and familiarity.
I love the way he smells.
I snag my purse and keys on the way out before leaving the apartment. Instead of waiting for the elevator, I push through the heavy metal door and into the stairwell. The only thing on my mind is picking up breakfast and returning as quickly as possible. It feels imperative that I get everything off my chest and into the open. Only then can we discuss what our future will look like and the possibility of moving forward. The realization that we could have one that’s intertwined is as exciting as it is terrifying.
But the idea of a life without him is even scarier.
Especially after last night and the way he made love to me.
It wasn’t just sex.
In a way, it felt as if he were trying to convey so much with his body that he wasn’t able to put into words.
And I felt the same.
There was so much I wanted to say.
And couldn’t.
If he’s willing to make a go of it, then everything will have to change. I’ll film the upcoming season, but then I’m done. I want off the show. I’ll finish college and work on my music.
My life has never felt farther away from LA and my family as it does at this moment.
And it’s freeing.
Almost like a thousand-pound weight has been lifted from my chest and I can finally draw fresh air into my lungs.
Just as I step into the lobby, my cell rings, breaking the silence that has settled around me. My father’s name flashes across the screen. That’s all it takes for a shiver of dread to scamper down my spine. It’s almost as if he can sense over the miles that everything is about to change.
It’s a little unsettling.
Instead of picking up the call, I send it to voicemail. As tempting as it is to tell him that I’m done, I need to discuss the matter with Colby first.
We can make decisions together.
Like a married couple should.
A flutter of excitement wings its way to life inside my belly.
I return the slim device to the pocket of Colby’s hoodie before pushing through the door and into the bright sunshine. The warmth feels good on my face as the cool air slaps at my cheeks. Lost in thought, I end up slamming into a hard body. Hands lock around my upper arms to hold me in place.
“I’m so—”
The apology dies a quick death on my lips as I glance up and find myself staring into a familiar face.
“Hello, Bebe.”