The One Left Behind (The One Series) (11 page)

“Yeah, bring a couple.”

He comes back and says, “So, what’s wrong?”

I tell him about my conversation with Addison and how she’s already dating another guy. I start to pick at the label on my beer bottle. The more I talk about it, the more my anger is fueled. “I mean, what the fuck? How can she already be seeing someone else? We just separated. Doesn’t she understand that we were engaged? As in we were going to spend the rest of our lives together? I know she doesn’t remember, but you would think she would take that into consideration before she goes off dating some dick she just met.”

Jeremy puts his hand on my shoulder to try to stop my ranting and to get me to calm down. “Relax, man. She said they were just friends. You know Addison isn’t a heartless bitch like that.”

“I know, but every time we talk she says something that digs the knife in just a little deeper. I’m not sure how much more I can take before I seriously break down.” I take a deep breath and let it out quickly. “I feel like I’m hanging on by a thread as it is. To think of her with someone else, with him touching her, kissing her, it’s enough to make me see red. No one else’s hands should be on her but mine. I think I will seriously flip my shit if she starts dating someone, especially so soon.”

“Look, I know where you’re coming from and this has to be hard on you. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Hell, I can’t imagine loving a girl enough to marry her.” I cut him a look out of the corner of my eye. “Sorry, I’m just saying. Anyways,” he continues, “I wouldn’t read too much into it. It sounds pretty innocent to me. You have to remember she’s going through a lot right now too. You don’t want to push her away with your jealousy, especially when it’s not warranted. You need to chill out and calm down.”

I crumple up the peeled off label in my hand and toss it onto the coffee table. Jeremy might be right. I’m not going to read into this. I’m going to take it at face value. She says he’s a friend, then he’s just a friend. To change the subject before I drive myself crazy I ask, “So, you and Morgan, huh?” I raise my eyebrows suggestively.

He snorts, “If she wasn’t such a bitch, I’d hit that once or twice.” I laugh out loud. No one can say he beats around the bush about things. He takes a swig of his beer and looks to be in deep thought before he says, “But damn, if I did tap that she’d definitely think she had me by the balls then. She’d make me pay her rent or become her man servant or something like that. I’m sure she already thinks she has me wrapped around her finger with the way she makes me come over at her beck and call to fix shit.”

“I don’t know, bro. With all that sexual tension floating around, it might be worth it,” I reply.

I guess it was Jeremy’s turn to laugh. He shakes his head and says, “Nah, dude. I’m not an idiot and I have no desire to sign my death warrant. And I know for a fact that girl would kill me.” I give him a skeptical look. If he’s so intent on maintaining his distance from her, then why would he go out of his way to help her all the time? Regardless, his response makes me laugh, which I appreciate considering how miserable I was feeling on the way over here.

IT’S BEEN A long week. I am finally taken off light duty at work and although it is great, I’m not accustomed to the fast pace anymore. My feet are definitely going to have to get used to this. I’m supposed to meet Colin for dinner tonight and I’m really excited about it. Ever since we had lunch and agreed to be friends it’s been getting a little easier to adjust. I’ve been trying to not shut him out like my mom suggested, but at the same time I didn’t want to be overbearing and give him false hope. I haven’t talked to Colby in a couple of days and figure I’ll just call her while I am getting ready. It only takes her a minute to answer.

“Hello.” I notice there is a hint of exhaustion in the way Colby answers.

“Hey, Cole. Is everything okay? Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No it’s fine. Just some more family drama over at Damon’s house,” she sighs. “I swear I don’t know why they bother doing family dinners anymore. It always turns into an argument between his parents. It’s quite sad. Damon tries to brush it off like it doesn’t bother him, but I can see it does. He overheard his parents talking about a divorce when he went to pick up his little brother the other day. “

“Oh, that’s terrible. I’m sorry to hear that Colby. I had no idea.”

“No one does. They paint this picture-perfect image for all the outsiders to see, but Damon and his brother know it’s a lie. I hope they can be civil about it. Damon is worried about his brother since he is there all by himself. He even talked about moving back home for a while so he can be there for him.”

“Colby, I feel like a horrible friend for not knowing all this was going on. I feel like I’ve been so self-absorbed lately. If there is anything I can do for you guys, please let me know.”

“Thanks, but you’ve had your fair share of things going on too, so don’t feel bad. Anyways, what’s up?”

“I just figured I’d call and say hello while I get ready.”

“You better not be having a girl’s night without me.”

“Never. I’m actually going out to dinner with Colin. It should be nice. I’m excited.”

“Sweet. Where are you guys going?”

“He is taking me to that Mexican restaurant I love.”

Colby’s voice changes from exhausted to excited in an instant. “Aww, that’s so sweet! You guys are having dinner at your spot! I honestly don’t know how you two aren’t sick of that place yet. You guys go there all the time. I can’t wait till we can start double dating again! This is so exciting!” she lets out an excited squeal.

My face falls as my excitement for tonight turns into a ball of nerves. Why would Colin take me to ‘our spot’? I mean, it has to be painful for him to sit there surrounded by so many memories of us. Great, he’s probably hoping something will ring a bell in my head. My stomach starts to turn and I quickly get off the phone with Colby before she can make me more nervous.

“Hey Cole, I’m going to get off here and finish getting ready. Can I call you later?”

“Sure thing. Have fun and I want all the details when you get home. Love you!”

I sit in the bathroom staring at myself in the mirror. I was so excited before I called Colby. I figured we were just two friends having dinner. The pressure is building, tightening my chest. I need to calm down. Freaking out isn’t going to help the situation. I take a few calming breaths and do the one thing I know would make me feel better. I text Pierce.

Me: Hey, you might want to get your pennies ready. I’m meeting Colin for dinner. Just spoke with Colby and she said he’s taking me to ‘our spot’. I have a feeling I’m going to need someone to talk to later.

I hit send on the message and finish getting ready. I will not back out of this dinner and I will not change the restaurant. This is just life throwing another curve ball my way. I’m going to give a big old fuck you and face this head on…with a pitcher of margaritas.

Pulling on an orange dress, I check the time on my phone. Shit, I better leave before I’m late. I also notice that I didn’t get a response from Pierce. He must be tied up at work. I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get to talk to him before I left. He would have known how to calm my nerves. Sighing, I grab my car keys and head to my car.

It is a gorgeous night. I pull up to the restaurant and park my car. I’m about to ask the hostess where Colin is seated when I see him out of the corner of my eye. He stands and I make my way toward him. He gives me a tight smile and I give him a hug. His body stiffens, then finally relaxes, as he loosely wraps his arms around me. I’m half expecting there to be some sort of spark to ignite from deep within my subconscious. But it’s not there. It’s just a friendly hug with no sense of intimacy whatsoever. What happens next is just awkward. We both go to give each other a kiss on the cheek, and collide into each other’s lips. It is just a peck but it is enough that we both are apologizing and grasping for our seats across from each other at the table. I try to break the tension so we can have a good night.

“Next time, we’ll both go right,” I say with a small laugh.

Colin laughs and I see his body relax as he says, “Sounds good. Next time there will be no casualties.” He gives me a playful smile and I know this isn’t going to be so bad after all.

“So how are things going? How’s work? Are you all caught up?” I ask to start the conversation.

“Unfortunately no, but I’m getting there. Being the new guy at the firm I tend to get the a lot of small cases that add up quickly. When the accident happened, I was slammed with work cases that were piling up on my desk. I’ll get there though. It’s just going to take a lot of late nights at the office. I actually just came from there, hence the suit.” He gestures to his clothing with his hand.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Colin. I didn’t mean to tear you away from your work.”

He quickly interrupts and waves his hand dismissing my comment, “No need for apologies, Addy. I will always have time for you.”

That statement makes me smile because he is such a great guy. I just wish I could feel something for him. When he thinks no one is watching, I catch him gazing at me with a longing look in his eye and a loving smile on his face. The night continues on and the conversation is flowing freely as well as the margaritas. We are laughing and Colin asks me if I want to dance. I want to but I need a little more to drink before I work up the nerve, so I tell him to ask me after a couple more drinks. I am laughing at a story Colin is telling me about Jeremy and Morgan while at Morgan’s apartment when my phone goes off. Not thinking, I pick up my phone off the table and read my new message.

Pierce: Hey, sorry for my late response. This is the first break I had all day. So dinner at ‘your spot’, huh? Well I’m here if you need me. One slight problem though. I’m all out of pennies. Do you take quarters?

Me: Haha, you’re such a dork. I will call you when I get home. Try not to work too late. CEOs in training need sleep too you know.”

A little laugh escapes my mouth and I bring my hand up to my face to quiet myself. I put my phone down and look up. My smile fades instantly as I see the look on Colin’s face.
Shit
. He must have seen that my text was from Pierce and the scowl on his face indicates that he is angry. I do the only thing I felt that would help in this moment. I reach out, grab his hand and hold it tight.

I WATCH HER as she is texting him back and I feel like I’ve been kicked in the stomach. All the air leaves my body as I take in her expression. She has the brightest smile on her face and looks genuinely happy. I think I even hear a small laugh escape her lips. This bothers me because I haven’t seen that look on her face since the accident and I wish more than anything it was me making her smile. Not this random dickhead.

She glances up at me and I must be scowling because her smile instantly fades. Shit, I don’t mean to make her feel uncomfortable. It’s then that she grabs my hand in a reassuring gesture. As our skin touches, I feel that spark, that flame, that desire to hold her again. Too bad that feeling is clearly one-sided. She’s looking at me with sad eyes, but it’s more than that. She’s looking at me like a girl would look at her brother. My heart plummets. I don’t want to be looked at as her brother or put in the friend-zone permanently. This was just supposed to be temporary until she remembered the love we have for each other. I hate the situation we’re in.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have answered that while we were eating. That was very rude of me,” she says with a contrite look on her face.

I try to keep calm and reply, “That’s okay. I don’t mind you talking to a friend while we’re hanging out.” I think she gets where I’m going with that comment because she responds by saying, “Yes, Pierce is a friend. I think the reason I enjoy talking to him is because he’s not involved in our situation at all. Do you know how much pressure I feel every day to remember us? It’s constant. I feel it from myself, Colby, Damon, my mom, and sometimes you.” I start to interrupt her, but she holds up her finger. I close my mouth to let her finish. “I know you don’t do it on purpose, Colin. Seeing you makes me want to remember what we had. I know it must have been special if we were planning to get married. So, for me, Pierce is an outsider I can unload all of my crap on without getting unwanted advice. It helps me have a moment where I’m not stressed. And I think the less stress I have, the better my chances are of recovering my memory. Okay?”