New Beginnings

Chapter 26

I handed Colton the gift from me. We didn’t really know a ton about each other, but I knew enough.

I watched as he opened the box and just sat silent. I thought I knew enough but I began to panic when he didn’t say anything.

“This is amazing. Where did you find this?”

“A girl can never tell her secrets.”

I knew how important family was to him and I found a pocket watch that was exactly like his grandfather's. He mentioned it once when I first came to dinner at his parents' and showed me the picture of him and his grandpa with the watch.

He handed me a box in return.

I opened it up and inside was a simple ankle bracelet made of white gold and a tiny white gold shell.

I couldn’t help but make me think of the beach when I looked at it.

“Look, I know it’s not as flashy as the gift Luca got.”

“It’s perfect.” I said, cutting him off.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Emily, Bella, and I enjoyed our Christmas morning together. By noon, Bella was passed out because she woke us up at 4 in the morning.

“Thank you.” Emily said as she handed me a cup of hot chocolate and sat down to watch Elf.

“I should be thanking you.”

“No, I mean thank you for giving me and Bella a family.”

“You gave me a family too.”

“I miss my mom and dad sometimes…..despite everything.”

“Have you tried to talk to them?”

“No, they said some awful things to me and I know I made a mistake but I was only 15 and they sent me away.”

“Please don’t take this wrong, but Bella’s dad was 18 and manipulated you. As your parents, they should have understood.”

“I can’t even imagine not having Bella.”

“If you change your mind and want to go talk to them, I can go with you.”

“I will think about it.”

The rest of the week went fast and I messaged with Colton daily. I kept hoping he would ask me out and he didn’t. I even thought he would want to spend New Year's with me but he never mentioned it.

Susan offered to keep Bella, so we dropped her off around 5 and made our way back to the apartment to get ready to go out with Jason, Clay, and Saralynn.

I came out of my room pulling down the dress that Emily and Saralynn had talked me into buying.

It was dark blue, tight and short. I paired it with silver high heels. Honestly, I felt like if I bent over my a*s would fall out.

“Are you sure I don’t look like a hooker?”

I stepped out of my room only to find everybody was already there.

“F*ck you look sexy as hell.” Clay said, smirking.

“You definitely don’t look like a hooker, but you look good enough for me to turn straight.” Jason added.

The five of us all took shots and I noticed how Clay kept checking out Emily and I couldn’t help but smile. They would be so good for each other.

Clay heard about Abby being pregnant and said there was a good chance it was his, but he would deal with it when the baby was born and he could get a paternity test.

He never unblocked her number and refused to talk to her.

After multiple shots, we made our way to the largest bar in town.

The building was packed and only Jason and Clay could legally drink but they snuck us a couple of drinks.

As the evening continued, we made our way to the dance floor. Clay didn’t hesitate to pull Emily to him and I could see the two of them were lost in a world of their own.

Jason made it a point to give me and Saralynn equal attention as best he could.

At some point, I found myself dancing with a handsome blonde cowboy.

After a few songs, I decided I needed some water. I made my way to the bar and got a bottle of water.

Scanning the room for my friends and my eyes landed on Colton. He was sitting at a table with Hunter, Becca, and a tiny brunette. They looked like they were on a double date.

I am not sure if it was the alcohol pumping through my blood but I made my way to the table.

“Hi Colton, Hunter….Becca.”

“Mmarie,” Colton stuttered.

I smiled at him and looked over at the girl sitting next to Colton.

“Oh Marie, this is Kelly Jo…Colton’s date.” Becca said with a smirk.

“Fun, I know how much you all love double dating. Happy New Year.”

I turned and made my way towards the dance floor.

I found my handsome blonde cowboy and began dancing again. He kept feeding me shots and at midnight I found myself kissing the cowboy.

I began to feel dizzy and made my way toward the bathroom. As soon as I turned down the hall, I was pulled into somebody’s chest.

I looked up and my eyes found Colton’s.

“Marie….let me explain.”

“Explain what?”

“Kelly Jo.”

“You don’t need to, Colton. We aren’t dating, so you are free to do whoever you want.”

“Marie, she isn’t really my date. My Mom’s best friend is in town and Kelly Jo is her daughter. They thought since Abby and I broke up it would be nice for me to take out Kelly Jo.”

“So you have been spending time with her and taking her out?”

“When you say it like that it sounds bad.”

“Really, Colton…don’t worry about it. I mean we never even went on a date.” I pulled my arm from his hold and entered the bathroom.

Splashing some water on my face, I realized I was too drunk to deal with the Colton drama.

I realized no man was going to love me. I had to love myself.

Fixing my dress, I pushed the bathroom door open to find Colton still waiting for me. I didn’t even look at him. I walked past him and kept looking at the dance floor till I found Jason and Saralynn.

The rest of the night, I danced with the blonde cowboy until it was time for us to head back to the apartment.

Once we were back at the apartment, I started taking shots. I just wanted to numb all of my feelings.

“ OK spill baby what happened?” Jason said.

So I spilled everything.

“The right one will come along,” Emily said.

“I decided I don’t need a man. They all suck.”

“Hey.” Both Jason and Clay said at the same time.

“Sorry guys.”

“Don’t worry about it, sugar, but I think you need sleep.” Jason said, handing me a bottle of water and Tylenol.