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Beautiful Mess(111)

By:Jennifer Preston


“Me too. Whatever you need,” Bri promised.

The girls parted and Bri climbed into her Mazda. An idea popped into her head, and she pulled out her phone.

Are you home? Can I stop by? she texted Cole. A moment later he responded.

Yep, I’m home. And it would make my night if you stopped by!

She sent a quick text to her dad, letting him know she’d be a little late, and then tried not to speed as she drove to Cole’s. He let her in, and she said a quick hello to Jimmy, before Cole led her to his room. Closing his bedroom door, he pulled her to him and kissed her like he hadn’t seen her in years instead of hours. Finally needing to breath, Bri pulled back.

“Well, hello to you, too,” she grinned. She turned to go sit on the bed, but stopped when she noticed a new painting hanging above it. There were two canvases, hung side by side, and unlike the rest of the black and white artwork in the room, these were full of color. The left one was a painting of Bri smiling lovingly at something across from her. That something was a painting of Cole gazing intently and lovingly back at her. They were surprisingly intimate, and Bri was suddenly very conscious of the fact that they hung right above Cole’s bed. Her heart picked up, but it was more out of fear and panic.

“I’m in your room?” she asked quietly, her eyes not leaving the paintings.

Cole came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. “Does that bother you?”

“No, it just seems...”

“What?”

Like too much, too fast. She wasn’t sure exactly how deep her feelings for Cole ran, aside from the obvious physical attraction, but she wasn’t in love with him, and she was pretty sure he didn’t love her either. It would be crazy for them to allow that to happen. But, Cole’s paintings seemed to imply something deeper between them. It made Bri a little uncomfortable.

But, not wanting to hurt Cole’s feelings, and definitely not wanting to get into another let’s-define-our-relationship talk, she replied, “Nothing. They’re really good. But I think you may have exaggerated me a bit. I’m not really that pretty,” she smiled at him.

“I didn’t exaggerate anything, and you are beautiful. That’s the way I see you.” His lips grazed her ear. Wanting to shift the attention off her, she changed the subject.

“So, how did your dinner go? How was Duke?” She sat down on the bed and pulled him down with her.

“It was great,” he beamed. “More than great! They are interested in me. Duke is interested in me! Do you have any idea how big this is?”

“It’s huge,” Bri agreed, squeezing his hand. She could feel the tremors of excitement running through him.

“I mean, I’ve dreamed of playing for Duke my whole life. Never, never, did I think it might actually happen!” He shook his head in wonder. “The other schools are interested, too. I have meetings with both of them tomorrow. But, Duke!”

Bri smiled at him, but there was something like sadness beneath it.

“So, is Duke where you’d want to go then?”

“Ideally, yes,” he let out a breath. “I wouldn’t be starting, the scout made that clear. But he said that there’s a good chance I could earn a starting position next year.”

“I know you could. What does your dad think? Has he said anything?”

“Not really,” Cole looked a little sad. “I think he’d still like for me to play football. You know, follow in his footsteps. But, I don’t know.”

“That’s not what you want,” Bri stated knowingly.

“No.” His forehead creased in confusion, like this was the first time he’d been able to admit that, even to himself. “I need to hear out the other offers from the other schools who’ll be coming, but if Duke offers me a spot, I don’t think I can turn it down.”

“You’d be crazy not to take it. I’m really happy for you, Cole.” But she didn’t feel happy. She suddenly felt very empty.

“Oh, shoot, tomorrow! I’m going to miss your competition! I’ll reschedule my meetings. We can talk over the phone or something.”

“Coleston James Marra, you will do no such thing!” She looked him sternly in the eyes. “This is important. It’s your future! You are not going to give up possible scholarships for a dance competition.”

“But it’s important to you. I should be there. I want to be there.”

“Go to your meetings,” Bri smiled, touched. “The competition is an all-day thing, come after you’re done. It’s not a big deal.”

“Are you sure?” Cole looked doubtful still.