7. Colony Miles #2
My lips tightly pursed together. Talking about my last relationship was a bit of a sore subject, but if I was going to be open with Keondra, I needed to talk to him about it.
I stared out the window and explained, “Like all relationships, it started off good.
He was the sweetest, doing any and everything to make me fall head over heels for him.
Maybe he was charming, or maybe I was truly oblivious to the person he was, but I fell for him, hard and fast. I saw the red flags.
All the nights he said he had to work late, or the random work trips.
It was all plain as day to me, but I held on until I had the proof there was another woman.
“Come to find out, I was the other woman. He was engaged, living a whole double life in a different state. He had me completely fooled and heartbroken.” I shook my head, feeling tears streak down my cheeks as I relived the worst moments of my life.
“I felt like the worst person in the world, and it took me some time to forgive myself. Some days, it’s still hard on me when I think about it, but I’ve gotten a lot better than I was before.
So, that’s the reason I moved to Maven Falls and haven’t dated in a while.
It’s hard for me to trust, so I figured it was best for me to avoid dating in general. ”
I expelled a shaky breath and continued to stare out the window.
Talking about my past wasn’t something I found amusing, but it was needed.
There was no point in hiding behind it or hiding it in general.
It was a part of me, something that made me the woman I am today.
Speaking on it was a part of my healing process.
Keondra reaching over and using the back of his finger to wipe my tears away was sweet.
“I’m sorry he did that to you, Colony,” Keondra said. “That’s fucked up, for real. Not only did he do it to you, but he also did it to his finacée too. That’s the true definition of selfishness.”
“Tell me about it. I respect her for how she came at me and how she handled the situation. She didn’t blame me because it was obvious I was clueless to everything, but it didn’t stop me from feeling bad.
I apologized profusely. I cried for days.
Depression hit me hard, and it took me a while to get out of it.
The emotions of losing him along with the guilt turned me into a person I almost didn’t recognize.
If it wasn’t for my family, I’m not sure I would’ve gotten out of it so quickly. ”
Bobbing his head, Keondra agreed. “Family is everything whenever you’re going through a hard time.
When Kehlani’s mother showed up on my doorstep in the middle of the night and told me she no longer wanted to be a mother, that shit crushed my soul, Colony.
Not for myself but for my baby girl. Whenever I was around Kehlani, I stayed strong, but those lonely nights when my mind wandered, my emotions were all over the place.
I couldn’t process how she’d want to leave our daughter, the one she’d carried for almost ten months and delivered unmedicated.
“And if I’m being real, I still don’t understand.
I don’t try to anymore. When she first left, I did try.
I’d always ask my parents and aunt if they could help me understand, and they couldn’t.
Every time Kehlani asked me about her mother, my anger worsened.
Never in my life have I wanted to hurt a woman, but to know she’d scarred my daughter .
. . I’m not proud of the thoughts that went through my head.
Like you, it took me a while to come to terms with everything.
My family played a big part in it because they let me know I wasn’t alone.
They showed up for me and Kehlani in every way possible, and I’ll forever be grateful for them. ”
It was my turn to reach over and wipe Keondra’s tears away.
To see a man cry was already hard, but knowing the reasons behind Keondra’s tears rattled my soul.
Even though I knew that I couldn’t, I wanted to be the answer to his problems. I wanted to be the reason he never had to shed tears over the situation again.
Reaching over, I placed my hand on top of his and gave him a small smile.
“I love that for you and Kehlani. I can only imagine how hard it was, and I’m sorry y’all had to go through that.
Knowing Kehlani how I know her, I couldn’t imagine not having her in my life.
She’s the ray of sunshine I need on a cloudy day.
Anytime I step into the center and get to see her is the highlight of my day.
She’s truly a special girl, and I know it’s because of you. ”
Keondra lifted my hand to his lips and softly kissed it, sending goosebumps all up my arm along with a shiver down my spine.
“Thank you, Colony. My family constantly tells me that I’m doing a good job but hearing it from someone other than them hits differently.
Kehlani acts the same with them as she does with me.
I’ve always prayed my parenting reflects whenever I’m not around, so it makes me feel good to know God is listening, and I’m doing the work. ”
Our conversation came to a stop when Keondra pulled up to our destination. I recognized the building and immediately got excited. It had been trending on FameVSYou for a while now, so I was giddy to check it out.
Once Keondra helped me out of his truck, we walked inside, hand in hand.
With him, I felt safe. I didn’t feel the need to constantly check my surroundings.
Everything about Keondra screamed he’d protect me, and it was the security I needed.
It wasn’t easy being a single woman out in public.
There were times I was approached so roughly that the sour feeling lingered with me for the remainder of the day.
If my father didn’t send me here with protection and lessons on how to use it, I’d be screwed.
We were greeted upon entering the establishment, and it was then I realized how empty it was.
“Why isn’t anyone else here? From what I’ve seen on social media, it stays packed.”
“Oh, Mr. Daily rented it out for two hours,” the employee eagerly answered.
My eyes almost bucked out my head. I peered up at Keondra, who smirked and shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal.
The employee finished getting us checked in before leading us to the back.
She offered us drinks. Keondra ordered a beer while I ordered a lemon drop made with tequila.
Once we received our drinks, it was time to start the escape room.