Beautiful Mess(118)

Bri squeezed Layla’s arm reassuringly.

“There’s nothing wrong with waiting until you’re ready. I mean, we’re only in high school. We have plenty of time.”

“Yeah,” Layla smiled. “Plus, my dad promised me if I waited until I was married, he’d pay for my whole wedding. Whatever I want, no questions or restrictions, and he’d pay for my honeymoon. That kind of deal is hard to pass up. Especially when I’m planning on getting Chris Carrabba to sing at my wedding.”

“I better be getting an invitation to that!” Bri laughed. “But, if you find you can’t wait any longer, the back seat of the Maserati is very roomy!” she teased, handing the keys back to Layla. Linking arms, the girls were still laughing as they walked back into the gym.

The rest of the danced passed quickly. There was still an underlying thread of desire and tension between Bri and Cole, but they didn’t allow themselves to be alone again. Bri enjoyed being close to Cole in any way she could, and aside from the death glares she got from Serena, it was a perfect night.

“I wish you didn’t have to go,” Cole whispered as they stood on his dark porch, saying goodnight. “I wish you could stay, that I never had to let you go.” He gazed right into her eyes, and Bri was moved by the honesty and emotion in his words.

“I wish I could stay, too,” she smiled softly. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to follow Cole inside, and never leave his side. She kissed him softly, almost sadly, wishing it could always be like this between them. That their relationship didn’t have to end, that they didn’t have to say goodbye. That nothing, not college or life, would ever come between them. But as she walked back to Layla’s waiting car, she knew that it couldn’t be. The inevitable was coming, no matter how much she wished otherwise. The only thing she could do was make sure she was ready. Because the end would come far sooner than she was prepared for.





Chapter 25




Monday morning, Cole had a huge smile for Bri as she arrived at her locker.

“What’s got you in such a good mood this morning?” she asked, wishing she felt that vivacious. State was less than two weeks away and Belinda was working the team over to get ready. It was third period and Bri was already exhausted.

“You,” Cole leaned in for a quick kiss.

Bri’s body hummed. There was still a palpable tension between them, but they were both doing their best to ignore it.

“So, have any plans for this Friday?” he asked as he pulled back.

“Other than watching you cremate Santa Rosa? Nope, no plans at all. Why, have something in mind?”

“Alex Thompson is having a party at his house after the game. I thought we could go.” He tried to sound casual, but by the way his eyes were dancing, Bri could tell he really wanted to go. Alex was the forward on the basketball team, and a good friend of Cole’s.

“Umm,” she pretended to deliberate. “Okay!”

“Great! I’ll stop by and pick you up after the game. Maybe we can get some dinner first.”

“Sounds perfect!” she smiled, excited for their date. The warning bell rang. “I gotta run. See you later.” She gave him a quick peck and hurried off to class.

Later that day, as she stepped out of her seventh period class to go meet Cole at her locker, Bri was accosted by Natalie.

“Hey Bri, can I talk to you for a second?”

Bri sighed. “What could you possibly want to talk to me about?”

“I can’t tell you here,” Natalie glanced around and stepped closer. “But it’s really important.”

“Natalie...”

“Just come on.” Natalie grabbed her arm and pulled her into the girl’s restroom.

“Okay, what is it you need to talk to me about so badly?” Bri huffed. It took her a second to realize the bathroom was empty. Her stomach twisted. Something was wrong.

“Actually, I’m the one who wants to talk to you,” a malicious voice sneered.

Bri’s eyes were immediately drawn to Serena as she stepped out of one of the stalls, flanked by two of her cheerleader minions. Natalie moved to block the door.

“Sorry about my little trick, but I didn’t think you’d come if you knew it was me who wanted to see you.” Serena’s falsely sweet voice steeled Bri’s spine, and she prepared herself for whatever it was Serena was up to.

“You could’ve just asked me yourself, Serena.” Bri mimicked Serena’s tone. “You see, unlike most of the people around here, I’m not afraid of you.” She added a saccharine smile for effect.

Serena’s eyes narrowed.