“Nelson Hall wants the summer school teacher, Colbie.”
“Doesn’t that make it a perfect fit?”
Or the worst one. “That means I won’t be home to help you when we move. I don’t want to dump that responsibility on you.”
She laughed, although I had no clue why. “Eli, you’ve taken on the responsibility of procuring a new job, moving to another state, and soon, you’ll have to find a place to live. I think I can handle a few hours alone unpacking over the summer.” Her resilience and strength were two of the things I loved most about her.
It wasn’t that I didn’t think Colbie could handle doing it on her own. I didn’t want her to have to. “Maybe I want to do it with you.” I sounded like a pansy and was grateful no one other than Colbie had heard me hide my mancard.
“Okay. Then I’ll find stuff to entertain myself while you’re at work. Seriously, Eli. This is the job you want. It makes the most sense. It’s closest to Vanderbilt and Bright Horizons. The pay is good. The vacation and perks are decent. But the job itself was the one you raved about after the interview. I want you to be happy. We’ll figure out the rest. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”
“Nothing like having your words thrown back at you.”
“Nelson Hall, Eli. That’s the job.”
When we hung up, I emailed Nelson Hall and accepted the position to start in June. And then I walked down the hall to the Principal’s office to officially hand in my letter of resignation. I’d already declined the offer to teach at Brogdon High the following year; I just hadn’t made my last day this year official. The letter had been in my bag for a week. Now I just had to hand it in. It was bittersweet. I’d come here with so much hope and the idea that this would be my home. And while I hadn’t gotten any of that, I was taking away so much more.
* * *
Traveling back and forth to Tennessee on weekends was tough. The only thing that made it bearable was being able to see Colbie. I’d had to go twice to take care of hiring and contracts with Nelson Hall, and once I’d gotten that squared away, I had to deal with the housing situation.
I didn’t have the luxury of a best friend living there who told me where to rent or what neighborhood to buy in like I had in Brogdon. Thank God I hadn’t taken Caleb’s advice about buying in Georgia. Selling a home on top of finding a new one would be a nightmare with work and Colbie being out of state. I also wouldn’t have the funds to make a down payment on a property in Tennessee. Colbie was okay with renting, but I wanted a place that was ours. A place where she could paint the walls or plant flowers.
Nelson Hall had also included a small relocation package that included a realtor, Samantha. She was a parent of one of the students, so I was hesitant about what knowledge she gained about Colbie. But once she’d heard my girlfriend would be attending Vanderbilt in the fall, nothing else I said mattered. She was an alumnus, and her oldest daughter was a legacy.
Colbie wrangled a day pass out of Bright Horizons, and the rest felt like history. Samantha took to Colbie immediately—never once asking how we met, how long we’d been together, how old Colbie was, or what Colbie was doing in town—and I faded into the background. The three of us visited the four houses I’d picked, but I left the final decision to Colbie.
She pulled my hand into the master bedroom of the last place we’d gone to see and closed the door behind us.
I quirked my brow. “Miss Chapman, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Colbie rolled her eyes. “Down boy. As much as I’d love for you to take me on a stranger’s bed in a home that belongs to people we don’t know, I think we need to talk about the houses without Samantha’s input.”
When Colbie and I had met, I’d loved her sassy mouth. Her willingness to put me in my place had been a huge turn-on. The girl had spunk and maturity in spades, not to mention, she was flat-out gorgeous…although that might have taken me a while to fully appreciate. However, the four months she’d spent at Bright Horizons had brought out a side of her that I adored even more. Every minute I got with her was better than the last. All of those things I’d originally fallen for still existed, yet now, they came with a more fun-loving spirit, a person who wasn’t inhibited by fear of failure or rejection. She wasn’t immune to those things, but they no longer ruled her life.
“Not even a quickie?” It had been months since Colbie and I had done anything other than kiss. I wanted to adhere to Bright Horizons’s policies, but at the end of the day, I was still a man. And a man who had Colbie Chapman on his arm was a man who remained in a constant state of arousal. Mentally, physically, emotionally, or sexually—one of them was always at its peak.
Colbie settled her hands on my waist and licked her succulent lips when she stared up at me. Her crystal blue eyes pierced my heart, and when her pupils contracted, I didn’t care who stood on the other side of the door. My mouth took hers, and I didn’t bother to hold back on the kiss. Her knees went weak, and she broke away, breathless. Colbie’s cheeks were flushed, and it wasn’t embarrassment. I loved to see her affected by me. Her chest rose and fell quickly, and the vein in her neck pulsed rapidly. She wanted me as badly as I wanted her.
“Can we focus?” She took a step back and made sure she wasn’t within arm’s reach.
I laughed, but when I reached for her hand, she ducked out of my way with a smirk. “Fine. What do you want to focus on?”
Colbie stomped her foot and grunted. “Eli…” Even her whine couldn’t wipe the grin from my lips. “Come on.”
“Baby, I told you. I like them all. I’ve looked at seventeen houses to narrow it down to four. Which one do you like the best?”
She rubbed her hands together in front of her, twisting them with worry. She might not have wanted me to frisk her in this master bedroom, but I wouldn’t let her anxiety take over, either.
I stepped forward and took her hands to stop the fidgeting. Our fingers wound together, and I stroked the backs of her hands with my thumbs. “What’s wrong?”
Colbie did some little dance while standing still that reminded me of a child about to throw a tantrum. “They’re really expensive, Eli. It’s a lot of pressure. Could you not find something at a lower price point?”
For Nashville, they were lower-middle class homes. Albeit, the rest of the nation would consider them all upper-middle class. Yet when you had singers, songwriters, and celebrities all over the county, normal people didn’t amount to much in terms of dollars in real estate. “These are modest, Colbie. Plus, I don’t want to have to move in a few years.”
Colbie and I hadn’t really talked a lot about children. The one time it had come up in a therapy session, Colbie had shut it down rather quickly. Raine pointed out that Colbie wasn’t at a point in her therapy where she was ready to consider what children would do to her body. And I was quick to ensure Colbie that I wasn’t interested in starting a family until she’d finished school and started her practice. That meant at least eight years and probably longer. I wasn’t in a rush, although I didn’t want to take the option off the table. And whenever that time came, even if it were adoption, I didn’t want to have to move to accommodate a change. It might be overly optimistic to believe that we would move into our forever home before we ever got married, but I was a guy. We had simple minds and even simpler expectations.
She rolled her ankle and refused to look anywhere other than the floor. The hardwoods were nice, although I doubted they held her attention.
“Colbie?”
“Yeah?”
“There’s not a single house in the group that I can’t afford. I don’t have any debt, no student loans, no credit cards. I’ve saved more than I’ve spent. I promise, I only gave you options that are comfortable for us.”
She lifted her chin hesitantly. “We don’t have to offer what they’re asking, right?”
Interesting. My little brainiac was also a negotiator. “Nope. We can go in at whatever you want. But you have to tell me which one you want t
o make the offer on.”
“I love the porch on the third one we looked at. And the rounded front windows…” Colbie didn’t have to say what she was thinking. The room was perfect for a piano.
It also had a pool, which had made it my first choice as well. I had visions of Colbie in a swimsuit—or without—on a warm summer day and me next to her…or inside her. I wasn’t picky about how we spent our time in the backyard as long as it was together. And I’d envisioned her sitting at a piano in our living room more times than I could count. Maybe I had romanticized life with Colbie, but I’d do everything in my power to make that fantasy my reality.
“Let’s go tell Samantha.” I nudged Colbie in the side with my hip as I wrapped my arm around her. I planted a kiss on her temple for good measure. “I love you, Cole.”
She tilted her mouth to mine as we walked and pecked my lips. “Love you, too. Thank you for this.”
Before we left, Colbie and I had filled out a contract and made an offer on the house we both loved. And by the time Samantha had driven us back to her office, the owner’s agent had responded and accepted the deal with only minor changes. We were set to close the day after graduation, and then I’d start the following week at Nelson Hall.
* * *
I’d put this off as long as humanly possible. With Colbie coming home tomorrow, graduation in two days, and us moving in three, I was out of time. I’d sent Caleb a text and asked him to come to his parents’ tonight, but I never received a response. In all fairness, I had no idea if they’d even speak to me. I hadn’t tried to contact them for fear they might say no. And I hoped like hell they were home, because if not, I was pretty much screwed. I wanted to do this the right way, or as right as possible given the circumstances.
My own parents would likely have permanent hearing loss from listening to me role play with them about what I would say to the Chapmans. I was surprised they even answered the phone when I called anymore since that was all I ever talked about—that and Colbie. They loved learning about Colbie and the house and the move. I don’t think they were as eager to take in my bemoaning over having to be a man and ask for forgiveness. I just had such a hard time with the whole thing.
None of the Chapmans had visited Colbie since she’d left. And when I apologized, it wasn’t going to be for what I’d done or what we were about to do. It would be for the way I’d gone about falling for their daughter. I would apologize for not being more respectful of the relationships I’d had with each of them. But in no way, shape, or form would I apologize for loving Colbie.
To my knowledge, neither her parents nor Caleb had any idea the two of us were still together. Jess had remained tightlipped with Caden, but not to protect our relationship. She’d done it to protect her own with her boyfriend and her best friend’s family. Caden and Jess were still pretty hot and heavy from what I’d seen around campus, and that girl was smart to stay in the neutral lane.
The last time I’d stood on this stoop, I’d lost my best friend. I didn’t think I had anything left to lose here and hoped there was something to gain. I wanted nothing more than to facilitate an open door to Colbie and our home, but that would be by my rules. In my house, Colbie reigned, and anyone who did anything to take away from that, make her feel less than worthy or inhibit her health and happiness, would get a one-way escort out my front door.
I took a deep breath and rang the bell. I could hear the movement inside and Mrs. Chapman calling out that she was on her way, so I stepped back. I wasn’t interested in being within striking distance once the door opened, which it did seconds later.
Her smile was as wide and pretentious as the day was long until she saw who it was. Mrs. Chapman’s expression fell, and she braced herself to put forth the front of a lady. “Eli. I wasn’t expecting you.” She called over her shoulder to her husband and turned back to me.
“Yes, ma’am, I know. I was afraid if I called that you and Dr. Chapman might not be willing to speak with me. Please forgive me for intruding, but I hope I can have a few minutes of your time.” I looked behind her to see Dr. Chapman join us. “Both of you.”
Mrs. Chapman pursed her lips and shook her head of perfectly coiffed hair. “I don’t think that’s a good idea—”
“With all due respect, there are some things you need to know. Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.” I needed a hell of a lot more than five minutes if this turned into an actual discussion, but if they just listened to what I had to say, then I’d be back outside in less time.
“Elise, let the boy in. The neighbors don’t need any reason to gossip.” Dr. Chapman spoke, and his wife listened, opening the door to allow me inside.
“Eli, can I get you some tea?” Elise was ever the hostess. She escorted us to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair.
I wasn’t here for beverages or idle chitchat. Pleasantries need not be extended. “No. Thank you.” I took a seat across from Dr. Chapman and her.
Neither of Colbie’s parents said a word, and it dawned on me they wouldn’t. I’d come to their home, and I’d have to initiate the conversation.
I looked Elise and then Phillip in the eyes, and every practice run I’d had at this performance went out the window. “I’m sorry I haven’t come by sooner. At first, I thought it would be best to let things die down, then I was angry, and it wasn’t until recently that I believed there was any point.”
Her dad folded his arms over his chest, and her mom tucked her hands into her lap. And they waited. It was funny how they’d mirrored each other’s reactions in their own way.
“I can only imagine your frustration with my relationship with Colbie and that we hid it from you—”
“Son, I’m not really sure what kind of relationship you can have with a child. That is where my problem starts.”
“Colbie isn’t a child, sir. Just because she’s your kid doesn’t mean she’s not an adult.” I didn’t want to be disrespectful. “I admit, I was in the wrong to allow anything to happen and feelings to get involved before she graduated. But it happened. I tried like hell to keep it from turning into anything more than friendship…”
Dr. Chapman bared his teeth and then drew his bottom lip in, still showing his pearly whites. “You might want to stop there, Eli. Whatever happened between you and our daughter is over. She graduates the day after tomorrow, and then she’s going to Vanderbilt in the fall.”
There was the confirmation—not that I’d needed it—that Colbie’s parents had no idea what had gone on in their daughter’s life for the last five months. “Yes, sir. She is graduating in two days. And the following day, I will pick her up and take her to Nashville. To the house we bought. Together. She will continue treatment at Bright Horizons on an outpatient basis over the summer while I start a new job, and in the fall, you’re correct. She will start classes at Vanderbilt.”
Dr. Chapman stood so quickly that his chair tumbled to the floor behind him. Mrs. Chapman rose seconds later, grabbing her husband’s hand to calm his temper. “Who do you think you are, boy?”
There was no point in staying in my seat. I’d be escorted to the door shortly. “I’m the man who loves your daughter, and I hope and pray that at some point, you recognize that. Colbie desperately wants a relationship with you both, but she’s strong enough now to make you earn it.” I pushed the chair under the table and stepped toward the door. “Our home will always be open to you both once you’re ready to love Colbie the way she deserves. Until then, I hope you’ll let her go with little fanfare.”
“She’s not going anywhere with you.”
I reached for the knob to let myself out. “You’re going to be disappointed when she walks out that door, Dr. Chapman. I assure you, the day after tomorrow, you will lose your daughter if you don’t reconsider your position. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
I didn’t wait for a response. There was nothing to say. Colbie would have a fight on her hands when she got home, but she was expecting it. Raine and Colbie had been worki
ng on it for weeks. Oddly, I wasn’t the least bit concerned. Colbie had no reservations about what she wanted and how she’d go about getting it. She had begged her parents for years to see her shine, and they’d continuously turned on the lights to dull her glow. I’d pay her power bill for the rest of my life just to be in the warmth of her shadow.
The Chapmans would be without.
I would not.
22
Colbie
The ride home from Bright Horizons might have been worse than the ride there. Eli had called me last night after he left my parents’ house, so I anticipated…something, just not total silence. When they’d come into the facility, they’d acted like they were happy to see me. They talked to the counselors, found out what the aftercare plan was when I came back—next week—and they’d all wished each other well like they were long-lost friends. Ever the dutiful Southerners. My parents would never allow that painted-on perfection to slip in public.
Raine and I had spent a lot of time talking about reuniting with my parents, and we discussed it at length again last night after Eli had called. She was a parent and sympathetic to their concerns. However, she’d also gotten to know Eli. He—and Jess—had been the one to make the trips to see me, and he had been the one to invest time in my therapy, time in me. My parents hadn’t done any of that, not once. So while Raine wanted me to keep an open mind and recognize that wounds don’t heal overnight, she also warned me against allowing them to trigger a relapse.
Every mile I rode without so much as a whispered word, the urge to binge grew stronger. I talked myself down in my head. I did breathing exercises. I was limited by my surroundings and my company. Without a cell phone, I couldn’t even text Eli or Jess. So I finally gathered the courage to talk to my parents.
“How’s life in Brogdon?” I wanted to smack myself for not being able to come up with an opening line any better than that, but my parents and I had never really carried on casual conversations.
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