Chapter 14 Cole
Cole
I don’t sleep. Not a damn minute.
Her words echo through my mind, and I nearly drive over to her apartment around midnight. Only the late hour, and the possibility of disturbing her sleep keep me rooted in my cabin.
She’s right to be angry. Hell, it would serve me right if she didn’t show up today. I thought I was doing the right thing, but good intentions don’t matter when you hurt the one you love.
By dawn I’m pacing the cabin like a caged bear, coffee gone cold in my hand.
Anxiety and nerves keep me more alert than any amount of caffeine ever could.
My home feels cold and lifeless after seeing her apartment.
The cats are curled around her by now, keeping her company while I’m here tearing myself apart.
She deserves better than this. Better than me.
Catching sight of myself in the mirror over the sink makes me wince at the pathetic man staring back at me.
Gray at the temples, lines carved deep at the corners of my eyes, hands rough and scarred.
The old fool the town whispers about. But beneath all that, my heart pounds steady, hard, strong. Every beat says her name.
I can’t undo what I said last night. But I can damn well show her what I meant when I bought that dress. She’s mine. I’ll stand beside her and dare all of Crescent Ridge to question my love for her.
Noel texted me after midnight. Only a handful of people have my number and I’m not sure how she got it, but I’m grateful she did.
Don’t you dare flake. She’ll be there.
I tried to call her, but she sent me straight to voicemail. If Sabrina forgives me, I doubt her friend will be half as kind. The Christmas Tree Farm girl seems like one to hold a grudge.
Not that it matters. I’ll be there.
Not because I think I’m enough for Sabrina, I’m not, but because she deserves a man who shows up.
So, I pull on a brand-new black button-down shirt, knot the red tie with clumsy hands that shake more than they should, and stare at my reflection one last time.
“Don’t fuck this up,” I mutter.
Then I grab my keys, and the small black box I bought the day after I saw Sabrina for the first time and head out the door.