CURT POV
I slowly unwrap myself from Shelby's sleeping form. I cover her with the blanket and press a quick kiss to her forehead. She didn't even finish the movie before passing out on me.
If I didn't have to blow out the candles and put away the leftovers, I wouldn't be leaving her side. But the last thing I need is a fire. I look down at my sleeping beauty one last time.
She really surprised me tonight. I've never seen her this dolled up. The dress she chose looks perfect on her. Her hair is usually up, so I forget just how long it is. She looks like an angel—my own personal slice of heaven.
I clean up as quietly as I can. I place leftovers in the fridge and the rest of her Twix in a ziplock baggie. I place her flowers in my tallest glass I have because I don't own a vase. When I'm finished, I return to the couch, and my brain freezes.
The couch isn't large enough for us both
CURT POV Mom forced Shelby to sit in front of me instead of beside me. I hated the idea until I realized I get to watch all her little reactions. She is so busy taking in my family's interactions she hasn't touched her food. Dad, Colt, and Granddad are talking about the embarrassing game the Eagles just played. Ian and Stacy are talking about high school. Lacy, mom, Hailey, grammy, and Dylan are all discussing the baby. Watching Shelby absorb a real family dinner is heartwarming. She reacts to every sound. If one of the women squeals or laughs, her head snaps in that direction. If my Granddad or brother raises their voice over the game, her attention quickly shifts their way. But mostly, she watches Ian and Stacy. I've never spoken to Shelby about my aunts and their differences. To me, they are just ordinary. They both have cochlear implants now, but they still sign often. Lacy received Lasik eye surgery, but
COLT POVI lock the bathroom door, and I dig out my phone. My leg has been vibrating all dinner; I am so glad I remembered to place it on silent. Dad and mom would have skinned me alive if my phone interrupted our Thanksgiving.31 New Messages.8 missed callsI begin to rub my forehead in frustration. I sit down on the toilet and lean my head back. What am I going to do? I have dreams, ambition. If I focus on this mess, I can kiss those dreams goodbye. I never wanted this. I never wanted her. I never wanted anyone.I reopen my home screen. I delete all the unread messages, and I block the name that is burned into my brain, time to get back to my family.TWO YEARS LATER"Great job, man," Hugh says as he slaps me on the shoulder before exiting the locker room.I give him a smile and head nod in return before he disappears completely. I am trying to keep my excitement as contained as possible. But I know I am
COLT POV Anger, like I haven't felt in years, knocks all the fear and shock out of my body. The drama that I never wanted to have to deal with again is now being thrown in my face—thrown in my face during one of the happiest times of my life. I meet my Dad's glare head-on with one of my own. "I am not that child's father," I say in a voice so deep and dark my mother looks scared. They are all looking at me as if they don't know me. As if the person standing before them is an alien. But I'm not; I am the same Colt they have always known. Nothing about me has changed. I still have the same goals in life. I still love football. I still love my family. I'm still a faithful Christian. I'm not a villain or even the bad guy they think I am, and I refuse to take ownership of a crime I didn't commit. "MY OFFICE NOW," Dad yells, and we both immediately leave the room.
JANELLE POV Making a name for yourself as an artist is hard work. Being young and trying to be taken serious as an artist is even more challenging. So a second job is a must for me. I have to pay my bills somehow. I throw my painting clothes in my hamper and yank on the green polo that has the most unimaginative motel logo on it. I hate it. I hate the color. I hate the itch of the fabric, and I hate the stiff collar. But I love the paycheck I earn while wearing it.Tonight I have the night shift, which is the busiest time at any motel's check-in desk. I straighten my hair and add a dash of makeup just in case my prince charming ever does show up, then I head out. I can't afford a car, so I was extremely particularly when I chose my apartment. I made sure that I was less than five miles away from anything I needed. I'm right next to a Kroger. I live two blocks from the motel I work at. I'm about two miles from the cen
COLT POV "Hate to say this, but you look like crap," Curt says as soon as I roll over to see him in his favorite recliner. "I don't feel too good either," I admit while forcing my sore body into a sitting position."Dad might be middle-aged, but I think he hits harder than a linebacker in his prime," I mumble, and Curt laughs."Maybe don't punch your dad next time," Shelby says as she enters the living room carrying two coffee mugs. She hands one to Curt before turning and giving me the other. "Thank you, " I whisper as guilt hits me over my behavior. I never meant to fight my father. I didn't even really think before I threw the first punch. I was just so hurt and angry at the fact he could think that about me. I wanted to hurt him back. I wanted to inflict pain on him physically because he had just destroyed me emotionally.&
COLT POV (pg 13 bad language)As soon as I hang up with mom, my phone rings. Cold sweat drips down my back as I answer my head coach's phone call."Hello," I croak out."Wilson, what the hell is going on? Less than twenty-four hours after revealing to the press that you will be our starting quarterback, you have this crap come out? You better start talking," Coach yells, and I feel like I am an inch tall."Look, Coach, this is an old rumor. I am not a father. I haven't even lost my virginity yet. As soon as Monday rolls around, I am getting in touch with a lawyer and demanding a DNA test to prove I am not this kid's dad," I explain quickly, and I hear him sigh."Look, Wilson, I hate to do this, but you are suspended until this is handled and your name is cleared. Our organization is Christian-based. We hold you all to a much higher standard than then other colleges for a reason. We want to provide the younger generatio
JANELLE POV "Sir, I understand. If I could just apologize, please. I feel terrible. I have never spoken to a woman like that before, and she wasn't even who I thought she was. This was a big misunderstanding, and I let my emotions take over my common sense," I hear the guy who yelled at me plead with someone I can't see yet. I step around the corner of the building, and the officer who spoke with me follows. I already explained to her that I don't want him barred or arrested and that the whole incident was a misunderstanding. But it seems like her male partner is still giving the stranger a hard time. "I'm not going to let you go further harass someone. It would be best if you stayed right here until my partner comes back and lets me know what the employees want to do with you," the male officer states while staring down the well-built stranger. I clear my throat, and both men look over at u
COLT POV"Please, Colt," Mom begs, and I sigh while glancing over at my distracted father. We have both done an outstanding job ignoring each other, but mom seems determined not to let me leave until we have spoken. "Mom, he is busy speaking with Pastor Tony. I need to get my boxes out of my truck bed and into my hotel room before the rain turns all the cardboard to mush. I didn't get a chance last night because I was exhausted," I explain while squeezing her hand. She sighs and gives me a brief nod. "Fine runaway. But this isn't over, Colt. I will not stand for the two of you not speaking to each other. You never know when you might not get an opportunity to apologize to someone. My mother passed away before I could. Don't be like me, son. Fix this," my mom orders, and I nod. I give her cheek a quick kiss and leave. When I get to my still full truck, I press the un
IAN POV. (5 yrs later) "Gayle, let me hold her," Alastair playfully grunts before stealing our new daughter from her grandmother. Chloe rolls her eyes at the exchange, but even though the air is lighthearted and filled with love, I can't relax. Ever since we adopted Li Mei from China, I have been a nervous wreck. Even though I know, she is safe with her grandparents; I can't help but picture them accidentally dropping her....or squeezing her too tight. I mean, Alastair is a huge man. "Love, come sit down. Mei is fine," Chloe whispers as she passes me to sit on the couch. I just shake my head, and she sighs. Chloe and I tried for a baby for two years before we discovered she couldn't get pregnant. And ever since that discovery, I have been a little bit of a mess. I have always wanted a family, a child of my own...Now that I have it and considering the long journey we took to get her... Nope, not calming down...
IAN POVToday is the day. I am excited but also extremely nervous. Chloe has been acting strange all week. She goes from clingy to distant constantly, and it has me worried that she knows... That she knows and doesn't want to get engaged. When I spoke to Susan about how Chloe was acting, Susan agreed. Apparently, during their workout, Chloe had drilled her about how our sessions were going. Susan felt she was digging for information on me, but she knows everything about me. We have stayed up all hours of the night talking about our thoughts. There is nothing left to learn. "Ian, I'm going to head out back to start the party set up...I know you probably won't, but if you need me, I will be in the backyard," Mom calls from down the hall, and I grin. "Okay," I reply loud enough for her to hear. My legs have gotten so strong that I don't even use the walker for short distance walks..like around
CHLOE POVI grunt as the wheels on my suitcase hit another crack in the sidewalk. Stress and irritation have my temper flaring. Every second of this trip has been terrible. From the airport to the classes, everything has been mediocre and disorganized.The only happy thought I keep focusing on is seeing Ian. I have missed him so much. Before being with him, I was used to my solitude. I was used to my quiet life filled with workouts and rehabilitation sessions. I didn't need many friends. My Bible study group and Susan were the only people I conversed with, but not now. I am so used to turning to him to share my thoughts that I spoke out loud to the air several times.My phone rings just as I get to my car, and I grin when I read the caller ID."Hey, Dad," I answer while placing my phone on my shoulder.I unlock my trunk and get my suitcase in quickly."Hello, Sweetie. How was your trip," Dad asks, and I laugh?&n
IAN POV (two months later)"I can do this. I can do this," I chant over and over in my head as I stare straight ahead. My hands are on the support bars, and my legs are underneath me, but my brain is miles, no years away.The future I want is playing over and over in my mind as I encourage myself to take my first unassisted steps. My first steps without a harness or Susan supporting some of my weight. My leg muscles are protesting, but that's expected."Come on, Ian. Walk to the walker! You can do it," Susan cheerleads, and a smile breaks across my face at my enthusiastic friend.Thank the Lord for Susan. She has been a massive factor in my progress.....and I believe she is a robot disguised as a human. I have never seen her down. I have never seen her upset or sad. Her moods range from happy to joyful to crazy excited, in that order. There is no off button when it comes to Susan. She enjoys her job and makes our sessions easy.
IAN POVChloe closes the door behind Mrs. Rivas, and I softly grab her hand as she turns back to me. So much weight has been lifted off of me, and it's all because of her."Thanks, Chloe.....I would have said no if you had told me, so thank you for making it a surprise. I still can't believe she forgives me," I say while rubbing my thumb against her baby soft hands."You're welcome... You needed the push, and the mental abuse you were raining down on yourself isn't healthy," Chloe replies as I pull her into my lap.I grin as she makes herself comfortable. I brush her hair behind her shoulders while my brain tries to process my feelings and how to say them."Chloe, I think I'm in love with you," I whisper, and she freezes."What," Chloe squeaks, and my nerves jump, but the words are already out."I'm in love with you...You are gorgeous inside and out. I can't picture my life without you in it anymore
CHLOE POV "Hello." "Hello, my name is Chloe Shaw. I am trying to reach the parents of Raymond Rivas," I reply nervously while twirling a pen at my desk. "This is his mother...What's this about," Mrs. Rivas replies. "Oh umm..hi. I was calling to speak to you about Ian Wilson. I understand if you don't want to, I just had a few questions," I quickly blurt and wait. She only takes a moment before responding. "Umm. Sure, I don't know much about him. He was on my son's football team and was the driver of the vehicle the night my son died.....I, well, he wrote me a letter after the accident," Mrs. Rivas answers hesitantly, and I smile. "I was wondering how you feel about him.....like if you are still angry or upset with him over what happened," I ask timidly."No, I wish it didn't happen. I miss my son. But I'm not upset. His lette
CHLOE POV (two months later)"Come on, Ian. You got this," Susan says from across the workout room.I look over my knee replacement patient to see what my boyfriend is having issues with, and the frustration on his face makes me want to cry. The last few weeks have been hard on him. He has made progress, but he feels as if he hasn't made enough."This is stupid! I'm never getting out of this chair," Ian yells, and even my patient looks over at him."Mr. Hughes, excuse me for a moment," I whisper, and my patient nods.Susan is rubbing her forehead as I approach, and I know the feeling she is experiencing all too well. Ian isn't an easy patient. He isn't one of our older patients who is here to help adjust after surgery. He is young and hot-headed.Sometimes he acts like a completely different person when he gets down. He is never violent towards anyone but himself, but it is still terrifying. His depression medic
IAN POVI watch Chloe's eyes widen as we listen to her father announce himself at my parent's front door."What does he want," I whisper, and Chloe shrugs as she stands to her feet.I unlock the brakes on my chair and follow her into the living room. I try to hide my surprise when I glance at Chloe's father, but I am positive he saw the slight shock on my face.The man is a massive version of his daughter. Alastair Shaw is Chloe on steroids."Dad, how did you find me here," Chloe asks as she folds her arms and tries to hide her discomfort."The Wilsons aren't that hard to find, sweetie...We need to talk, and giving the last conversation, you had with your mother it couldn't wait.........I want you to know that when you spoke to your mom, she wasn't speaking for me. She was only speaking for herself. I don't blame you for that punk kid's mistakes. There wasn't anything you could do," Chloe's dad says, and Chloe's
ALASTAIR POV ( CHLOE'S DAD) "ALASTAIR, GET DOWN HERE," Gayle screeches, and I groan externally. I throw down my golfing magazine and push my burly frame from my chair. Every year it seems as if this colossal house shrinks. The halls used to be filled with my children's laughs, but now all that echoes through the empty halls is her screams. I miss my children so much. I've never been the most emotional guy. I've never really learned how to hug and express my love, but I came from a home filled with nannies. Love and sharing love is as foreign to me as being broke. At least I won that battle with my demon-incarnated wife when she suggested it. No Nannies."What is the matter now," I mumble as I make my way into the kitchen. The one room in the entire house that we speak to each other in. I've had a separate room for years. Because while my upbringing frowns upon divorce, I st