Breaking News from the Babbler
Cole Jackson Is Off the Market
Relationship Status Achieved
Exclusive Details
Cole Jackson has made things social media official with his new girl.
The ‘ A Very Merry X-Mas’ crooner posted a sweet snap of the pair on social media, hard-launching their relationship.
*embedded photo of Cole and December staring into each other’s eyes in his kitchen*
In the photo, Jackson is seen getting cozy with his partner, former marketing associate, December James .
“When you know, you know. Not a line from one of my songs, it’s the truth,” he captioned the sweet post.
James responded by sharing Jackson’s post to her social media page and leaving a sweet caption directed toward him.
“This man ” she wrote. “How could I not fall for you?”
What’s next for the new couple? We’ll be watching to get you the news first.
Stay tuned…
* * *
Despite packing a bag last night, I needed to go back to my parents’ house and grab a few things since I wasn’t prepared for the sledding session at Cole’s tonight. My snow boots and heavy winter coat were still over there. And I’d already turned down Cole’s offer to get new stuff delivered—twice. The man didn’t want to let me out of his sight.
My man .
Gah, just thinking that got me all fluttery inside.
After talking things through with Cole and Jace, I decided to quit my grocery delivery job. It was too dangerous given our heightened visibility, and I didn’t need the money anymore since Cole had paid off my student loans.
Suddenly being untethered by debt or a career as a driving force had me feeling off kilter. Wobbly.
What the hell was I going to do with my life?
Ack!
Anyway, I was on my way to my parents’ house in the back of an SUV driven by Cole’s security guard. Cole had been adamant I not drive myself, and I’d folded like an origami crane. It wasn’t fair when he used the eyes on me—all puppy dog melty, worried about my safety. I was a sucker. I know it.
But when he pulled up in front of my parents’ house, I was very glad for Luca’s burly presence. Easily a dozen people loitered on the sidewalk. Some held cameras—both photo and video. I recognized a field reporter for KALI 14 News.
This was surreal.
“I’m going to pull into the driveway,” Luca advised. “Wait for me to open your door. I’ve coordinated with the guys Mr. Jackson stationed here, so it should be a hassle free approach. You might want to pull up your hood though.”
My heart thundered in my ears as Luca pulled up to my parents’ house. A man stood dead center in the driveway, and I worried Luca would run him over, but he must’ve been security detail since he smoothly stepped out of the way. I looked behind us, but couldn’t make out much with so many people suddenly pressed against the SUV’s windows.
“We go slow and easy. I’ll be with you the whole time.” Whatever else Luca might’ve said was lost in the roar of the crowd as he pushed open his door. He slammed it shut, and I had a second of sweet silence, then he opened my door and stood next to me while so many people shouted around us. “You ready?”
I nodded numbly. Luca held my hand as I got out then was at my back as we left the driveway and made our way up the walkway to the front door.
“December! Any comment on your relationship with Cole Jackson?”
“Will you be going on tour with him next year?”
“December! Are you a singer too?”
“How serious is the relationship? Have you met his parents?”
I didn’t pause to knock. And they must’ve been waiting because the door opened when I was still a few steps away. My mom beamed in the doorway and waved like Ms. America.
“December, there you are!”
I rolled my eyes as I stepped inside and sighed in relief when the door closed behind me, dampening the chaotic shouts to a muffled roar. And with Luca on the other side apparently.
After taking off my coat and sunglasses, I gave my mom a hug. “Wow. How long has it been like that?”
“Oh, since early this morning. The security that Cole arranged has kept them away. The sheriff’s been by a few times to keep the peace. I guess one camera guy got into it with security, but otherwise it’s been fine. How’s Cole? We’re really excited to go sledding later. The kids have been talking about it nonstop.”
“Oh, are they here? I didn’t notice anyone’s car out front ‘cause of the circus.”
“Aspyn and Belle came over with their broods. I guess they didn’t feel safe at home without their husbands, even with the security Cole has provided. They’re playing down in the basement if you want to say hi.”
Yeah, the last thing I wanted was to talk to Aspyn. I gave my mom a weak smile. “Nah, I just need to pop into my room and grab a few things. I’ll see everyone in a few anyways.”
“Okay, darling. Let me know if you need any help.” Mom gave me a wide grin with her hands tucked under her chin. I could practically see the hearts in her eyes.
“Right, we have to talk about something.” I sighed and faced my mom head on. “You’ve got to tone down the whole lovebirds, heart eyes, and full naming him when you’re around Cole.”
Mom flinched. “What are you talking about?”
“Last night you wouldn’t stop calling him Cole Jackson. Not Cole. He’s just a regular guy. He has a really weird job, and a lot of people know his name and apparently care about who he’s dating, but he’s just a man. A really amazing, caring man, but he’s still just a man.”
A huge grin spread across my mom’s face. “You love him!”
“Mom! Oh my god! That’s exactly what I’m talking about.” I pointed a finger at her. “You’ve got to stop with that crap. You’re going to spook him. It’s way too early to show him your special brand of crazy.”
“Then you never should’ve introduced him to the family,” Aspyn drawled from the hallway. “Especially during Mom’s Twelve Days of Christmas. What were you thinking?”
I groaned. I should’ve run when I’d had the chance. “You say that like I had a choice. You obviously don’t know Cole if you think I could keep him from Christmas time fun. I mean, he invited the whole brood over to his house to sled and snowmobile. He’s just a big kid at heart, really.”
“I love that for you.” Mom beamed at me. “You need someone to make you get out there and have fun. You’ve been so down since you’ve moved back home.”
“You mean since she lost her job,” Aspyn snarked. “How’s the job search going, by the way? Any leads?”
How soon are you leaving was clearly the subtext beneath her “concerned” question. Lovely.
I shrugged. “I haven’t had time to check up on my applications. And I had to shut off my phone since the internet blew up with the story of me and Cole.”
No way was I telling her that Cole had paid off my student loans. I didn’t have time to deal with her epic meltdown and tantrum.
“Right.” Aspyn smiled bitterly. “I saw you’d turned off the comments on your social media profiles. How are you doing?”
“Fine.” Like I’d ever confess my insecurities to this sister. “Cole and I talked with his manager this morning. We put out a statement of sorts. Hopefully that will help take some of the heat off all of us, and we can go back to somewhat regular lives. I’m so sorry this has all come down on you guys. I never thought that would happen.”
“Oh. So you guys are breaking up?” Aspyn batted her eyes in a fake display of concern.
“What? How did you get that from what I said?”
“’ They put out a statement, and it’ll take the heat off of all of us .’ One plus one equals breakup. Am I wrong?” Aspyn turned to Mom who shook her head.
“Not necessarily.” Mom raised her eyebrows. “Maybe they’ve got some plan that will beat the media to the punch.”
“That’s exactly what they did. Jace took some photos that Cole put up on his social media. I guess they think that if they post a picture of us together before the paps get one, they’ll back off.”
“That’s stupid,” Aspyn sneered. “You’re just adding fuel to the fire. They’ll be more ravenous to find out who you are now.”
I shrugged. “I guess we’ll see. I’m gonna grab a few things. I’ll see you all at Cole’s later. And Mom—”
“I know, I know. I’ll try to act like a normal person. I’m sorry, December. I’m just so excited for you. I haven’t seen you this into someone in…ever, really. I don’t care that he’s a singer. I mean, it is amazing, but that’s not why I’m so thrilled. I just love the two of you together. He’s so caring and sweet with you, and the kids too. But I’ll back off. I swear.”
“Thank you.” I wasn’t sure if she’d actually be able to help herself, but at least now she was aware. “All right. I’ll see you. Love you.”
“Love you too.” Mom gave me a quick side hug, and Aspyn waved, then I made my way to my room to grab my stuff.
When I reached my room, I should’ve gone straight to my closet to get what I needed, but I stopped short at the sight of my art wall. Drawing had consumed me for so long until I was forced to shove it into a corner of my life labeled childish dreams. I mean, it would be crazy to try.
Right?
My fingers traced the flowery meadow I’d spent so many weeks sketching in high school. It’d consumed me. I remembered my high school boyfriend, Parker, being so annoyed because I missed a few of his basketball games. In my defense, it wasn’t exactly enthralling to watch him ride the pine when I could be sketching. And when I’d showed up to his games with my sketch pad, he’d accused me of not paying attention. It wasn’t like I’d missed anything—he didn’t accomplish much from the bench. That’d been the beginning of the end of us.
And the beginning of the end of my art.
It was ironic that another boy was now encouraging me to get back into it.
My eyes flicked to the window and the blanket of snow covering the backyard and the mountains beyond. I suddenly ached to draw it—capture it. It’d been so long since I’d tried. Did I still have it? Or had that disappeared like my ability to climb the tree in my parents’ backyard.
What was the harm in trying? This was my time, after all. I didn’t have a boss to report to anymore and nothing but time in front of me while I figured out what to do with my life.
Why shouldn’t I draw?
Resolved, I turned to the closet, and I shoved what I needed in the last duffle bag I had in my closet. Then I pulled out my phone to call Luca and get out of here.
The urge to draw again was like an itch under my skin I couldn’t scratch.
And suddenly that was all I could think about.