Beautiful Mess(25)

“Oh, Bri,” he pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry. I wish life wasn’t such a pile of crap all the time.”

She laughed humorlessly. She didn’t want to admit it, but it felt wonderful being wrapped in Cole’s arms. He radiated strength and security, like he would shelter and protect her from whatever life tried to throw at her. Bri let herself linger in his embrace a little longer, before pulling back.

“So, did your dad ever remarry after your mom left?” She was ready to deflect the attention from herself.

“No, thank goodness. He’s had a couple of serious girlfriends over the years, but nothing that lasted more than a few months. It is nice to know that no matter how rude, or annoying, or just plain awful his girlfriends are, they won’t last long. It’s the only thing that makes it bearable. My dad says he enjoys the single life too much to settle down. But I think the truth is that my mom took his heart with her when she left, and he’s never really gotten over her.”

“That’s so sad. It’s just another reason why it’s amazing any of us give away our hearts at all. Sometimes I think love is overrated,” Bri sighed.

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Cole returned sadly.

“Alright, enough of this sob story crap. I’m supposed to be helping you feel better, and all I’m doing is depressing us both. I suck!” She smiled sheepishly. “So, new topic. Something light and happy...” she trailed off, trying to think of something.

“How about you tell me about your tattoo?” Cole brushed Bri’s hair back from the side of her neck, revealing the white lily. He gently stroked it with his thumb. His touch caused goose bumps to break out on Bri’s skin, and her breath to catch.

“Nope,” she stepped away. “No more sad stories, remember? Oh, I know! We should plan something special to do before school starts! We could celebrate you surviving your crappy football Hell Week, and enjoy the last day of summer vacation. What do you think?”

“I think that sounds like a great idea,” he grinned.

They continued to walk a while, planning their summer celebration, before Bri decided that she’d better get home.

“Thanks for coming out with me tonight, Bri,” Cole said as he pulled up in front of her house.

“You’re welcome. I hope I didn’t end up making you feel worse,” she joked.

“No. I always feel better when I’m around you,” he smiled sincerely. He continued to gaze at her, some unidentifiable emotion rising in his eyes.

“Well, goodnight,” Bri opened the truck door. Cole’s gaze was doing weird things to her insides. She moved to get out of the truck, but paused.

“Cole?” She turned back to him. “Being around you makes me feel better, too.” She smiled at him before exiting the truck and walking inside.





It was the middle of what the football team called Hell Week. Thanks to two-a-day practices, and sometimes three-a-day if the first practice went badly, Bri hadn’t seen Cole since that night on the beach. A night Bri had been thinking about, a lot. In fact, she’d been thinking about Cole a lot. And worst of all, she had been missing him, a lot.

He had texted her a few times, but it wasn’t the same. He’d been too exhausted, he’d said, to do anything other than crash after practice. Bri had tried to deny it, but not seeing him was killing her.

So on Wednesday night, she picked up a few things she thought Cole might like: a huge can of Mountain Dew, some snacks, and some Icy Hot, and drove over to his house. She was surprised to find his driveway full of cars.

Sitting in her parked car, she sent him a text.

Hey! What’s up?

Not much. What are you up to?

Not much. Just sitting outside your house.

Really???

Come find out!

Two seconds later, Cole was out his front door. He spotted her in her car and sauntered over. Bri noticed how stiffly he moved, as if every muscle hurt. She rolled down her window and he leaned in.

“So, it’s your turn to stalk me now, huh?”

“Just thought I’d return the favor! You look sore. Getting your butt kicked at practice I see.”

“Yeah, let’s just say Coach is not too happy with us.” He gave her a cocky, knowing smile. “So, Bri, what are you doing here?” He gazed at her intently.

Uncomfortable with his penetrating eyes, she evaded the true reason she was there by giving him the lesser reason.

“I brought you something.” Bri held up the gift bag containing the goodies she’d gotten for him,

“You brought me a present?” His eyes lit up.

She shrugged. “Not anything big, just some things I thought might make you feel better.”