Chapter 14 Colton
FOURTEEN
COLTON
SEPTEMBER | COLUMBUS, OHIO
Violet Gennari’s hand was in mine as I drove her to Wendy’s.
Different city. Different circumstances. Same food tradition. Same girl in my passenger seat.
We pulled up to the menu and I leaned out to give the order I gave countless times in college: a large Frosty, a large fry, one cheeseburger, and one junior bacon cheeseburger.
“I don’t need a large,” Violet hissed, and I just rolled my eyes at her. She bent for her purse on the floor and I scoffed.
“Don’t even try to pretend you’re paying.”
She lifted a shoulder in a sly shrug. “I mean, I have to offer.”
I sighed. “Just assume if you’re with me, it’s covered.”
“But I’m a doctor now,” she objected.
I tossed an exasperated hand. “You know what? Consider it my subsidy for curing cancer. I feed the cancer scientist, and you go do the hard part.” I took stock of her features.
Still fucking beautiful, even though her face was puffy from crying so much.
“How’s that going, anyway? Did you get a job here? ”
She nodded. “I did. My PhD supervisor got a grant to come to the university here, and I came with her. I’m doing my postdoc fellowship for the next few years.”
I dropped her hand and leaned to get my wallet out of my pocket. “Proud of you. Always knew you’d do something amazing.”
Violet pinched her lips together before reluctantly smiling. “Thanks.”
I paid and handed Violet our bag of loot. I pulled into a parking spot in their lot, putting the fries between us on the console for dipping in our Frosties. I let Violet get a few bites deep before I asked the burning question. “So, how long have you been here?”
She grimaced. “Since June. I’m so sorry. I should have called sooner.”
“You were going through some shit. You did what you had to do.” I swallowed hard.
There were things that felt inappropriate to say.
I’d been sitting in the same city, pining over her, and she just willfully ignored me.
I’d choose her every time. She couldn’t choose me?
Still, giving her a guilt trip wouldn’t do anybody any favors.
Best to reinforce positive behavior. “But I’m glad you called me.
It’s good to see you, even if the circumstances suck. ”
She smiled. “It’s really good to see you, Colton. Thank you for this.”
“Anytime.” I held her gaze until she bashfully looked away, then rubbed at her forehead.
“My head hurts so bad my teeth hurt. I hate crying.”
Without another word, I reached to cover the back of her neck with my hand, my finger and thumb pinching the base of her skull. Violet moaned. “Fuck, I forgot how good you are at this.”
Her kind words took the sting out of her rejection. I was a starving dog, waiting for Violet to drop little scraps of praise and love from her table. Every nice thing she said inflated me more. “Is it helping?”
She just melted into my touch, eyes fluttering shut. I chuckled before giving her a parting squeeze. “Come on, pretty girl. Let’s get you some sleep. It’s been a big day.”
Vi sat up and yawned. “Just take me back to my car, please.”
I surveyed the woman in the passenger seat. My woman. The one who haunted me, the one I couldn’t shake.
The one who got away. The one I had to let get away so she could sort herself out. And now she was back.
Back and broken, but healing. I was frustrated with her, but seeing her like this, I felt like she needed a little more care.
“I don’t feel good about leaving you alone tonight,” I said.
She stared down into her lap, considering this. “Okay.”
I was shocked she agreed, but I was rolling with it. “Okay. My place or yours?”