Chapter 23
Summer
A week later, I received a phone call with my acceptance to the program and promised to be there within a few days to start class. With my bags packed, car loaded to the brim, I set out on the six-hour journey alone.
Pulling out the driveway, I waved at Mom and Dad who were holding each other. Well, Dad was holding Mom up as she pretended not to cry, but truthfully, we were both crying. Even though this was what I wanted, it was still hard to leave home.
I hit play on the nine-hour romance audiobook I found last night and followed the GPS to the lake house in Gill Valley where I would live for the next year.
Nerves bounced through my veins at the idea of following one of my dreams for once, and fear settled in the pit of my stomach when I remembered that I would be alone up there. There would be no Mom and Dad to come save me if I got a flat tire. They would be hundreds of miles away.
I can do this,I gently reminded myself.
Listening to the book made the ride go fast. I only stopped three times, and I called my parents at each stop to let them know how the trip was going. Finally, I arrived at my grandparents’ lake house just as the sun was setting on the large lake hidden in between the mountains.
Exiting my car, I took a big whiff of the fresh mountain air, a light wind blowing my hair off my shoulders. I took in the massive lake behind the house, sighing in contentment as I did so. Pink and orange colors reflected off the glistening, shiny surface.
It was beautiful here.
Peaceful.
Perfect.
Gathering my bags from the trunk and passenger seat, I made my way to the front door, punched in the code on the keypad, and entered the mansion that my grandparents referred to as a small cottage.
The fresh scent of Pine-Sol hit me immediately as I kicked off my sneakers and dropped my bags at the bottom of the stairs.
I flipped on some lights as I walked through the darkening house. When I made it to the back porch, I watched the sun set, watched the colors fade into the beautiful lake that was surrounded by miles of trees. Why hadn’t I come here sooner?
A slight chill filled the night air as I took in the natural beauty surrounding me. I hadn’t been this free in so long.
My watch dinged with a text notification from my mom reminding me to make dinner. And then, I remembered I still had to go buy some food before class started tomorrow and unpack.
Getting up from the rocker I had been watching the sunset in, I padded through the big house and was just about to walk past the kitchen to my car when I saw a note on the counter.
Had the fridge and pantry stocked up for you, sweet girl. Good luck on campus tomorrow. Gramps and I are so proud of you. Take care of the house and feed the deer that visit. Sonya will come by once a week to clean, and she will stock up the groceries if you ask. Don’t tell your mother I said that. She’s insistent on letting you do this all on your own. There’s a single mother down the street with two kids who needs a babysitter most nights of the week as she works two jobs. I mentioned you were looking for work. I gave her your number, and she will call you tomorrow.
I wish you all the luck, my sweet girl. You can conquer all your dreams. Don’t let a man distract you from your true potential.
Love Gran and Gramps, your biggest fans.
My grandparents were single-handedly the sweetest people to walk this earth. When they came into wealth a few years back, they spent it on everyone any chance they got, especially the grandkids. So, when I asked to live in their vacation house for a year, they were beyond excited.
Shooting my mom, a text that I had food, I stuck my phone back in my pocket, grabbed my bags. I snagged the biggest room in the house and unpacked.
I yawned as I settled onto the big, queen-sized bed for the night. I was beyond exhausted. When I closed my eyes, I saw Colton’s green eyes and kissable lips.
I decided to heed Gran’s advice and pushed him out of my mind. He was only going to hold me back.
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One Month Later
“I already told you, Mads, I can’t come for the weekend. I have my first big exam on Monday, and I have to work Saturday and Sunday for Linda.”
My cousin groaned on the phone like I was ruining her life.
Rolling my eyes, I continued to fold my load of laundry. “Seriously, Sum, you promised me. I can’t go alone to my first tailgate!” she exclaimed like the world might come to an end if she went to a party without me or her twin Mason.
The two had been joined at the hip since they could walk, but they finally decided to separate for college. Only an hour kept them apart, but Mads was already suffering from separation anxiety.
“Go with your roommate. I thought you said she was nice.” I looked at my cousin through the facetime call, and she rolled her eyes.
“I did say that, but I don’t want to go with a stranger to a party. You and Mason suck! I hope you know if something happens to me, it’s all your fault.”
“So, if you drink too much, that’s somehow my fault?” She nodded, picking at her perfectly manicured nail.
“Plus, you promised we wouldn’t go longer than a month apart. You’re turning into a recluse up there on that mountain.” She looked up, and I saw the sincerity in her blue eyes.
She was right; I did say that, and when I didn’t have class or work, I stayed locked up in this house watching TV or reading a book.
There was no one to stop me from living how I wanted and doing whatever the hell I felt like doing.
I had fallen in love with the way of life here. Simplicity was key, and I had learned how to fit in with the locals. Thanks to the babysitting gig with Linda, the single mother living down the road, she had introduced me to a few people, and slowly, my empty life filled up.
“Do you want to meet somewhere during the week? I’ll skip class, and we can explore one of the historic towns?”
“Deal; let’s ding dong ditch together.” We both giggled and then ended the call a few minutes later.
Every day, I missed my home and life back there a little less. And I was finally coming to terms with it. Sometimes, doing something out of your comfort zone wasn’t the worst.
I had never been freer.
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A Few Months Later: Winter Break
“Remind me why we all had to go in one car?” I questioned the twins who were busy bickering over who had a better road trip playlist.
Despite both of them being eighteen, they still acted like obnoxious brats from time to time. I snagged a glimpse of Maddi to my right who was turned around, poking her tongue out at her brother. I rolled my eyes and turned my focus back to the road.
Christmas was in a week, and Maddi insisted we all drive home together. The twins drove up to the lake house yesterday, and we spent the afternoon bundled up watching Christmas movies.
“Because I don’t have a job and can’t afford gas.” Maddi finally turned forward and answered me.
“Right. Just play some damn music so I don’t go crazy.”
We took shifts driving my beamer until eventually, Mason pulled us into his parents’ driveway where, coincidentally, my parents were already waiting for me.
The drastic temperature change threw me for a loop. I started by shedding my sweater and saw the twins doing the same. In just a few, short months, I had forgotten how hot it was back home.
Shaking my head at the insane temperature change, I followed Mason and Maddi inside the big house. Everyone was out back barbecuing food, having a big ole party.
“Welcome back!” My mom and aunt rushed over to us, embracing us all at once. The part of me that thought I didn’t miss this was so wrong. Being in my mother’s arms after so long brought on a rush of emotions.
“Hey, Mom,” I croaked, burying my face in the crook of her neck.
“Hi, baby. I missed you, sweet girl.” Her arms tightened around me, and a massive weight lifted off my shoulders.
There was nothing like a mother’s love.
A few hours later, it felt like I had never left home. Everything was exactly the same. Nothing had changed at work. The house looked a little different with some new Christmas decorations, and my room was exactly how I left it a few months ago when I left.
It was funny how time could pass, and yet, the important things in life stayed consistent.
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Six Months Later
New year, new me. That’s what everyone said in January – at least, everyone on my Instagram feed, that is.
Instead of staying consistent, I threw all caution to the wind and changed. I didn’t want to be the same girl who left with a broken heart.
I wasn’t her anymore.
I had a master’s degree now. I didn’t pay attention to silly boys or men who only wanted to hurt me.
I worked hard on myself. I spent my free time at the gym, toning my body into what I wanted to see when I looked in the mirror. I changed my hair, cut off my long, blonde locks that used to almost reach my butt, and now kept it short, just brushing the back of my shoulders, and I changed the color to a brunette-like color.
The dark blonde, caramel look made me not only feel like a new person, but it made me look different, too. At first, I couldn’t recognize myself when I looked in the mirror.
I couldn’t see the heartbroken, lost girl anymore.
I only saw a confident woman.
As I got ready in my bathroom that looked over the lake, I took one last glance at myself in the mirror, double-checked the nude makeup I had done around my eyes. My make-up only enhanced the deep blue color of my eyes, and my creamy skin had hints of shimmer and shine where needed. I puckered my lips, the deep-red color contrasting against my pale face.
Today, I would walk across the stage.
I would arrive empty-handed, but I would leave with my diploma.
Today was my day to shine and relax after all my hard work for the last year.
My family had all come for the occasion. They all filled the cottage, every inch of it filled with love and pride.
I had done something right for once.
I made my parents proud, showed my siblings how it was possible to succeed, and I liked the person I saw in the mirror now.
I had become who I was meant to be.
Tommy had tried to hurt me with his words and hands.
Dylan had tried to hurt me by always choosing someone else.
Colton had tried to break me by playing his little game of cat and mouse.
What they all didn’t know was that I was unbreakable.
And I would never be fooled by a man again because I knew better.
When I would arrive home in a week and start back at work in my newly-appointed managerial position, I wouldn’t fall at Colton’s feet as I had before.
If anything, he would be on his knees begging for even a lick of my attention. He didn’t deserve me.
My momma didn’t raise a fool. I knew better than to fall for Colton Michael’s good looks and charm ever again.
But I would be damned if I didn’t make him regret ever letting me go.
He started a game he wasn’t going to win because I never lose.