Chapter 16
December arrived, and with it came the beginning of competition season for Bri and basketball season for Cole. Bri’s dance practices were grueling, and her night practices had been extended to four hours. Cole also had long practices every day after school, and games on Fridays. Between their hectic and conflicting schedules, it was hard for them to find a lot of time to spend together. Even their Tuesday night study sessions had been put on hold until things calmed down a little. They would talk every night, and sneak a few texts during the day, but it wasn’t enough. Life at school was painful, and if they didn’t find some time to be together soon, they were both going to go crazy.
Bri was in hell. Having to watch Cole being fawned all over by Serena was killing her. To his credit, though, Cole never returned any of Serena’s affections, and was actually pretty aloof with her. But still, having to watch them together at lunch and in the halls really sucked. Things were made even worse when Maddie started dating a guy Layla had set her up with, Corbin Albright, and Bri was now the very awkward seventh wheel in her circle of friends. It was hard being sandwiched in between all the happy couples at lunch, knowing that the other half of her happy couple was across the lunchroom with Serena, pretending he didn’t notice Bri at all. Things really sucked.
And finally, to top everything off, Layla, bolstered by her success with Maddie and Corbin, decided she needed to find a guy for Bri. She began trying to set Bri up with some of Devon’s friends, and didn’t understand why Bri so vehemently refused. Finally, to shut Layla up and give herself a reprieve, Bri gave in and agreed to go to the upcoming Winter Formal with one of Devon’s friends from the football team. She felt guilty about it, but she and Cole had already discussed the dance, and decided that going together wouldn’t be the best way to stay under Serena’s radar. So she figured Cole would understand, even if he wouldn’t be happy about it. Heck, Bri wasn’t happy about it, but she knew there wasn’t much to be done about the situation. Who knew, maybe her going with another boy would precipitate Cole’s let-her-down-easy plan, and force him to confront Serena, and tell her to back the hell off. Because it was obvious that Serena still claimed Cole as hers, even though he’d broken up with her. It was beginning to feel like a hopeless situation.
The only thing saving Bri’s sanity was Ceramics. Even though they couldn’t kiss, they could at least talk and be close to each other. And touch. A brush of a shoulder, the squeeze of a hand. Not anything overt, but it was better than nothing. Bri looked forward to it every day.
“I have a proposition for you,” Bri murmured to Cole on Friday. They were both working at the wheel, and surprisingly, had a little privacy.
“Mmm, what kind of proposition are we talking about here?” he grinned rakishly at her.
“Not that kind,” Bri laughed, blushing. “My dad and Summer are going out tomorrow night, and I told them I’d watch the boys. I was thinking that if you wanted to come help me babysit, we could put the twins to bed early and have the whole house to ourselves for a while. What do you think?”
“And your dad is okay with the two of us alone together all night?” Cole asked skeptically. “Or is this one of those I sneak in through the window after they’re gone kind of things?”
“Of course not! I told my dad I was inviting you over, and while he wasn’t exactly thrilled, he couldn’t get too upset because we are just friends as far as he knows. Who knew this whole secret relationship thing would come in handy! I told him it’d be just like Layla coming over to help me.” She grinned triumphantly.
“Whoa! You and Layla get together and make out now, too? Why didn’t you tell me, and more importantly, can I come next time?”
“No!” Bri smacked his arm, leaving a clay smudge on his exposed bicep. “Layla and I do not make out, you perv!” she laughed. “So, are you coming?”
“Hmm, some time alone with my beautiful girl, who I’ve been dying to hold and kiss all week? Hell yeah, I’ll be there! Angry, rabid wolves couldn’t keep me away!”
“Good! Bring your swimming suit. It’s supposed to be warm tomorrow, and nothing wears my brothers out like the pool.”
“Oooh, and a bikini! My weekend just got infinitely better!”
Cole rang the doorbell on Saturday night, and Bri’s dad answered the door.
“Cole,” Conner greeted him warily.
“Mr. Donnelly,” Cole nodded. “Nice to see you again.”
Connor eyed Cole as he let him in. “Summer?” he called. “We’d better get going. We’re going to miss our reservation.”
Bri came bouncing out of her room. “Cole! I’m glad you could come,” she said in her friendliest tone. She didn’t want to give her dad an excuse to change his mind about letting Cole stay.
“Hey, Bri! I hope you don’t mind, but was I hoping you could help me with some math homework tonight, since we didn’t get to study this week.” Cole winked at her, letting her know he could help keep up the charade, too.
“Of course. Come on in.” She led him to the den, where he was instantly assaulted by two three year olds.
“Cole!” the boys screamed in unison as they tackled him to the ground.
As the three boys wrestled, Bri walked back to her dad and stepmom in the entryway.
“Alright, Pumpkin, we’re taking off. Call us if you need anything.” Connor looked uncertainly into the den.
“We’ll be fine. You two have a good time!” She all but pushed her dad and Summer out the door.
“We’ll be home by eleven. Remember, the boys need a bath, and bedtime is eight-thirty. Oh, and don’t let them eat too much sugar or watch too much TV. There are some carrot sticks and string cheese in the fridge if they want a snack. Oh, and...”
“Summer,” Connor interrupted. “Bri knows how to do this, the boys will be fine. Now, can we go please, before we’ve no other options but fast food for dinner?” Summer nodded and walked out the door. “Love you, Sweetie.”
“Love you, Dad. See you later. And try not to let her worry. I can’t possibly ruin the boys in one night.”
She shut the door behind her dad and watched his car pull away, before heaving a sigh of relief and heading into the den. Cole had one boy attached to his leg, and the other on his back. Bri couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of them.
“Alright, Monkeys,” she got the twins’ attention. “Who’s ready to go swimming?”
Both boys screamed excitedly, and Bri hustled them off to their room to get their suits on. She sent Cole to the bathroom to change, and then went to put on her favorite black bikini. She smiled as she remembered how much Cole had liked it that summer. When she got outside, the boys were already in their water wings and chasing Cole around the pool. Cole caught sight of her standing by the pool watching them, and swam over.
“Damn, girl!” His eyes took her in head to toe. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep things on a “friendship only” level with you looking like that!” He smiled at her appreciatively.
Bri smirked and slid into the water next to him.
“Well, if you’re lucky, you won’t have to,” she whispered before dunking him under the water.
They spent the next hour playing with the boys in the pool. Then Bri pulled her brothers out, got them in the tub, and ready for bed. She made them a frozen pizza for dinner, which she knew Summer would disapprove of, and it was time to say goodnight.
“But, we don’t want to go to bed,” Logan whined.
“Yeah, we want to… play with Cole,” Liam managed to protest through a huge yawn.
“Tell you what,” Cole looked at the boys. “If you two go to bed for your sister, and stay in bed, I’ll get you tickets to my basketball game next Friday. Does that sound like a deal?”
“For reals?” Liam asked excitedly.
“You promise, promise?” Logan eyed Cole seriously.
“I promise promise. But only if you two squirts stay in bed and go right to sleep.”
“Okay!”
<
br /> “Goodnight, Cole!”
Liam and Logan gave Cole a hug, before running off to bed.
“I’ll go tuck them in, and then I’m going to change real fast. Why don’t you get changed and then find us a movie to watch or something. There’s a pizza in the oven for us, too, and feel free to grab you a drink.”
After putting the boys to bed, Bri changed out of her suit and into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. She walked out to find Cole waiting for her in the kitchen. He immediately crossed to her and pulled her into his arms.
“Mmm, I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
“I’ve missed you more,” she replied before finding his lips.
Breathless, she pulled back. “Ready for dinner?”
“If you are dinner, I am going to be the happiest man alive!” Cole grinned.
Bri just shook her head, and dished them both up some pizza. They ate in the den, snuggled up on the couch, while they watched TV. When they were done, Bri took the dishes back to the kitchen. When she returned, Cole was watching her intently, and her heart picked up. She switched off the main overhead light, and turned on a small side lamp, giving the room a dim glow. She sat back down next to Cole, and he turned off the TV.
They sat staring at each other for a moment, Bri’s pulse pounding.
Cole lifted his hand to stroke her hair, and then cupped her neck with his hand. “Ambria,” he breathed her name, before his lips descended on hers. He kissed her slowly, savoring her. His hands explored the curve of her neck, her shoulders, her arms, down her waist, and rested on her hips. With a slight lift, he pulled her onto his lap. Bri trailed her hands up his chest and into his hair as their kissing intensified. Cole let out a deep moan as he laid her back and trailed kisses down her neck. He laid over her, and it was Bri’s turn to moan as he kissed along the neck of her tank top, up the other side of her neck, to her ear.
“Ambria,” he whispered, and Bri loved the sound of her name on his lips. “Will you do something for me?”
“Mmm, depends on what it is,” she whispered back, threading her fingers into his dark hair.
“Will you tell me about your tattoo?” Cole sucked on the delicate skin right behind her ear. A shiver of pleasure raced through her.
“Um, right now?” Bri asked, not wanting him to stop.
“Right now.”
“Really?” She pulled back to look at him. “You’ve got me right where you want me, and this is what you ask?”
“Well, if I asked you to get naked, would you?”
“No!” She couldn’t help blushing.
“Then, yes, I want you to tell me about your tattoo.” He sat up, pulling her with him. “And just so you know, we’ll get back to the whole naked thing later,” he teased, before kissing her quickly. “Alright baby, whenever you’re ready.” He sat back and looked at her expectantly.
“You know, I never actually agreed to tell you anything,” Bri looked at him dubiously.
“Bri, I have waited for you to be ready to tell me for months. I have been as patient as I can. I know this is a big deal for you, but if you can’t let me in, I don’t see much hope for us.”
She sat silently for a moment. Cole was right. If she couldn’t be open and honest with him, what kind of relationship could they have. He had begun to open up to her, it was only fair that she do the same.
“I got it when I was fourteen,” she began quietly. “I guess you could call it the final act of my juvenile delinquent phase.”
Cole looked at her disbelievingly. “You, a juvenile delinquent? I don’t believe it.” He shook his head and laughed.
“Well, I wasn’t out smoking pot or stealing cars,” Bri clarified. “It was mostly skipping class, and hanging out with kids that my dad didn’t approve of. I admit, my hoodlum days were pretty tame, but it was a big deal for me, and my dad didn’t know what to do with me.”
“So, what brought on this small bout of defiance? No offence, but you don’t seem the naturally rebellious type.”
“No,” she laughed softly. “It was mainly the fact that my dad started dating Summer. My mom hadn’t been gone very long, and it felt, to me anyway, that he was just brushing her memory aside and moving on without a second thought. A new city, a new house, a new girlfriend. A new life. I know I was young and didn’t fully understand, but I felt like he was betraying my mom, and by extension, me. It made me angry. That’s when my friend Rosa and I decided to stop caring about what our parents thought.”
“Rosa? The one who taught you how to knock a guy out?”
“Yep,” she smiled. “She was my best friend. We were total opposites, but we understood each other. And we did everything together. If one of us was going to rebel, the other would too, just as a show of support.
“So when my dad and Summer got engaged it turned the world I’d spent the last couple of years trying to rebuild, back upside down. I wanted to find a way to show my dad that I could knock his world on its side, too. That’s when Rosa came up with the tattoo idea. Her cousin worked at a tattoo shop, so she set everything up. We went one night when her cousin was closing the shop alone, and we both got tattoos,” Bri shrugged, pretending that was the end of the story.
“Rosa got one, too?”
“Yep. Hers was in a much easier to conceal place, though, so she could hide it from her parents.”
“And what did Rosa get?”
“A small butterfly, low on the front of her hip. She made sure her bikini would cover it.”
“But you weren’t worried about covering yours.” Cole picked up Bri’s hand and held it in his. “So, why did you choose a lily?”
Bri took a breath. She’d been hoping he wouldn’t care about that part.
“Well, my mom’s name is Lillian, and ironically, calla lilies were her favorite flower.”
“Did you choose it to remind your dad what he was forgetting?”
“No, but that’s exactly what my dad thought at first,” she shook her head, remembering her dad’s initial reaction. It hadn’t been pretty. “No, I picked the lily because, well, I’d begun to forget things about my mom. Little things, like the smell of her hair, or the sound of her laugh. So I put the lily here,” she pulled her hair away from the tattoo, “because there was something I wanted to make sure I always remembered.” She paused a moment when Cole reached up and softly stroked his thumb over the lily.
“What did you want to remember?” he asked softly.
“My mom would always tuck me into bed, every night. She’d snuggle the sheets tight around me and then lean down and give me a hug. Then she’d turn her head and give me a kiss goodnight, right there, before telling me she loved me so much. I wanted to make sure that no matter how old I got, I would never forget that,” Bri smiled sadly.
Cole leaned in a placed a lingering kiss on her tattoo.
“So, was your dad angry?” he asked as he pulled away.
“Angry would be an understatement,” she laughed. “He was livid! But when he was calm enough to listen, I explained about wanting to remember Mom, and he began to understand. It took him a full six months, and a move across the city, before he finally forgave me, though.”
“A move?”
“Yeah, my dad had decided that Rosa was the cause of my whole delinquency phase, and was responsible for my tattoo. I’d told him that it was all me, that Rosa had nothing to do with it, but he didn’t believe me. He decided that the only way to get me “back on track” was to get me as far away from her as possible. Plus, he and Summer were wanting a house that would be theirs, together. So we moved to a different suburb of Dallas, right before my sophomore year.”
“Did you and Rosa keep in touch?”
“We did for a while, but we slowly just drifted apart. I never saw her again after we moved.”
“Oh, Bri, I’m so sorry.” He looked as sad as Bri felt.
“Life goes on, you know?” she shrugged. “You have to move on with it.”
“So, did it work? Did m
oving snap you out of your hoodlum phase?” he smiled.
“Not exactly. For a while there, it kind of exacerbated it. I didn’t want my dad thinking he’d been right.”
“So, what was it then, that finally brought you back?”
“I guess it was my brothers. I was so angry at my dad for getting remarried. But the minute the boys were born, something changed. I’d always wished for brothers and sisters, and finally I’d gotten what I’d always wanted. The boys were so tiny and perfect, I loved them instantly. The minute I held them, the anger I’d been feeling just disappeared. I mean, how could I be angry at my dad and Summer when they’d brought these two little miracles into my life? That’s not to say I was all of a sudden happy with the whole situation. I wasn’t. But the anger fueling me was gone, and I decided to focus on my brothers, and being the best sister I could for them. Everything just kind of fell back into place after that,” she shrugged.
Cole hugged her. “Thank you for telling me.”
“You and Rosa are the only ones who know the whole story. My dad doesn’t even know everything,” Bri replied. Then she remembered something else she should probably tell Cole, before he found out from someone else. “And, in the spirit of full disclosure, there’s something else I should probably tell you.” She pulled back.
“Oh? What’s that?”
“Um, I kind of agreed to go to Winter Formal with Nick Jacobs,” she winced.
Cole went completely rigid. “What?”
“Well,” she began, trying to soften the blow. “First, let me just say that I only agreed to this to get Layla off my back. She set the whole thing up. She’s become some crazed matchmaker who won’t take no for an answer. And second, you weren’t going to take me anyway.”
“So... you’re going to the dance... with Nick Jacobs?” Bri had been right, Cole was not happy.
“Yes.” She reached up and cupped his cheeks with her hands. “But you are the only one I want to go with. I wish it was you taking me to the dance.”
Beautiful Mess Page 19
