He rubbed my back and held me close.
“Happy Birthday, Colby.”
I took a breath and looked up at him. “Thank you.”
I thought he was going to kiss me. His eyes went to my lips and I leaned forward, just a bit, but he didn’t. He was honoring my wishes. He kissed my forehead and pulled me against him again.
“What do you want to do for your birthday?”
I sniffed. “Nothing.”
He smiled and nodded once. “Come on.”
He laid back down, bringing me with him. He held me against his chest, with me facing the TV. I snuggled back into him. Needing to feel him close to me. I know I was going against everything I’d told him, but right now I just needed him. To know he was there.
We watched the rest of the movie in silence and when he changed it to a new one with the remote, I fell asleep in his arms.
When I woke up, I was alone in the living room. I sat up and looked around. Great. My mom forgot my birthday and Noah ditched me. He probably saw my teary, snotty face and ran.
I walked back to the guestroom room and went into the bathroom to wash my face. My eyes were a little puffy, but definitely not as bad as what I was expecting. Afterward, I brushed my hair and took a deep breath. No more pity parties. No more tears. I had nothing to be sad about. I had a home. I had food. I had friends. I had much more than most. I couldn’t let one stupid day make me sad.
I was finally hungry and couldn’t stop thinking about my steak bowl waiting for me in the fridge. As long as Noah didn’t eat it while I was sleeping. He wouldn’t. Would he?
Maybe that was another rule I had to establish.
My worrying was for nothing. It was sitting right where I left it. I put it in the microwave and leaned against the counter.
I heard a distant vibrating noise and realized I left my phone on the couch. I hurried over to answer. It was Chloe.
“Hi.”
“Hey girl. I’m coming to get you.”
I looked down at myself. I wasn’t in a going out mood. And I didn’t look ready. “Oh Chloe, that’s really nice but I’m not- “
“This isn’t optional. Don’t worry about getting ready. I have something for you. Just open the door for me.”
I sighed. There was no stopping her. I knew that already.
“Fine, just let me know when you’re here.”
“I’m here.”
I turned and looked at the door. “At Noah’s place?”
“Yup. Now hurry and open the door, my arms are going to fall off.”
I hurried to the door and opened it. She burst in with arms full of bags. I could barely see her face. I had no idea how she was able to call me until I saw Madeline walking in behind, still holding the phone.
“What are you guys doing here?” I probably looked horrible and puffy. The last thing I needed was seeing them both perfectly put together and polished. I felt like a troll next to them.
“We’re here to get you ready.” Madeline took my hand and led me to my room without hesitation. How did she know this was mine?
“Ready for what?” My head was spinning. Why were they here and where was Noah?
“We’re going out.” That was all she told me before Chloe walked in and dropped all of the bags on my bed.
“It’s going to take all of those to get me ready?” I cringed. I didn't think I looked that bad on a daily basis but with all of that I could only assume they were on a mission for a full makeover.
“Oh these? No, this is for all of us.” Chloe started sorting through them while Madeline pulled me into my bathroom.
“Sit.”
I looked at her through the mirror. There wasn’t a chair. I didn’t understand what she wanted me to do. “On the floor?”
She blinked and looked around. “Dang it. In my head this went like a movie. You’d have a vanity and I’d sit you down and play with your hair before finding inspiration and making you look like a vixen.”
I laughed and went back to my room. I grabbed the chair at my desk and brought It back to the bathroom.
“Perfect. Okay, sit down.”
I followed her instruction and she played with my hair, pushing it all forward and shaping it around my shoulders. “Alright. I know what I’m going to do.”
“You’re not cutting it, right?”
Her eyes got wide. “Oh heavens no. I wouldn’t do that to you. I’m just going to curl it.”
I relaxed and sat back. “Okay good.”
“Geez don’t sound too relieved. You’re ruining this moment for me.”
She smirked, and I couldn’t help but giggle. “Sorry I didn’t realize this was so important to you.”
She stared at me through the mirror. “It’s my first time doing an intervention.”
“This is an intervention? From what?”
“From your pity party.” Chloe walked in carrying a garment bag. “Noah let us know you needed a fun night out, so here we are.”
I narrowed my eyes. “That’s all he said?”
She nodded and walked back into the bedroom. She returned a second later with a box. She set it down on the counter and I realized it was a three-drawer storage container, filled with makeup. Good grief.
Madeline put her hands on my shoulder and squeezed once. “Shower really quick and we’ll get started.”
She and Chloe disappeared while I took a record-breaking shower. The second I was out and decently covered, they were back.
Chloe clapped once. “Let’s get to work.”
Madeline curled my hair into tight spirals while Chloe stood in front of me, blocking my view of the mirror. She used more makeup on my face than I’d use in a week.
Thirty minutes later, they both stepped away and I saw my reflection. I gasped and touched my hair. My normally straight locks were flowing over my shoulders in luscious waves.
“How did you do this?” I’d never been able to get my hair to curl, let alone look like this.
Madeline shrugged. “Practice.”
I looked back at my reflection. Chloe had done a smokey eye and nude lip. I looked good. Sexy even.
“Wow you guys. You’re both so amazing.”
Chloe shrugged it off. “When we try we can look pretty good.”
Madeline laughed. “Yeah, it’s fun to get all dolled up. I live in a ponytail at work, so I like to get fancy sometimes.”
I looked at each of them. Chloe’s hair was wavy, as it normally was, and she didn’t have a lot of makeup on. Madeline's hair was curled, but it didn’t look like she was getting ready to go out either.
“What about you guys?”
“We’ll fix ourselves while you get dressed.” She pointed to the white garment bag hanging on the shower door.
I took it and walked into my closet. There was no point in trying to argue. They were women on a mission.
I unzipped the bag and caught a glimpse of rich plum. I pushed back the sides of the bag to reveal the dress. It looked like it would hit my knees and it had cap sleeves. I undressed and pulled it off the hanger to slip it on. I reached back to pull up the zipper and gasped. The front had a see-through panel down the center that went up to the shoulders. Everything that needed to be covered was, but it was far more revealing than anything I’d ever worn.
I opened the door and Madeline turned with a mascara wand held up near her eye. Chloe was curling a piece of hair but dropped it when she saw me.
“You look amazing!” She hurried forward and forced to me spin. She pulled the zipper all the way up then turned me back around to face her. “You need to take off the bra, Colby.”
I clenched my jaw. “I'm not wearing this.”
Madeline turned to face me with a worried look. “Why not?”
“It’s too much. I can’t go out like this.” I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to cover my exposed bits.
“But Colby, you look absolutely amazing.” She and Chloe were looking me over, head to toe.
“Madi’s
right. This is perfect.”
I shook my head. “I can’t.”
“Why not? You look so great. This dress was made for you.”
“I feel half naked. One wrong move and I’ll be showing all my goods.”
Madeline laughed while Chloe shook her head. “Oh honey. You look beautiful, but if you don’t love it you can wear the backup.” She disappeared into my room and came back with another garment bag. “Try this.”
I looked to Madeline for help, but she just nodded. I sighed and turned around. I stepped out of the dress and hung it up before unzipping the new option. It was a silver, flapper style dress.
I couldn’t stop smiling the second I slipped it on. No cleavage. No cutout. I twisted my hips and laughed as the fringe danced around me.
I emerged from the closet and they both squealed like young girls.
“You look amazing!” Chloe was beaming at me like she was my fairy godmother.
“It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.” Madeline stepped forward and grabbed my shoulders, moving me until I was staring at my reflection. She played with my hair, ruffling the roots and bringing my curls forward. “You’re stunning.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and looked in the mirror. The dress wasn’t something I’d ever pick on my own, but I couldn’t help admiring how I looked in it. I felt mature. Maybe even a little sexy.
“You guys don’t think it’s too much?”
They shook their heads simultaneously.
“Give us a second to change, then we’ll get going.” Chloe pulled Madeline's hand and they disappeared into my bedroom.
I ran my hands over the front of the dress, then turned to the side. It was really flattering. I went back to my closet and slipped on some black peep toe heels.
“Ready, Colby?” Madeline was standing by the door looking absolutely stunning in a cream, column dress. It had a slit up the thigh but covered much more than mine.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Chloe handed me a small clutch that matched my dress. I looked inside and found my phone, keys, and lipstick. How did she get all that without me knowing?
“This is going to be so much fun.” She walked ahead of us, calling the elevator before I even had the door locked.
“Where are we going?”
“Don’t worry about that.” Madeline winked. Normally, I would demand more answers but at this point I was just along for the ride. They hadn’t let me down so far.
Chapter Thirteen
Noah
Everyone around me was enjoying themselves, talking, laughing, not silently freaking out like I was. I didn't know if this was a good idea. It seemed like it a few hours ago. Chloe assured me it was brilliant, but I wasn’t so sure.
I knew Colby needed cheering up. I wanted to celebrate her and make her happy again. I just wished I knew if this was something she’d enjoy. I felt like a jerk for not knowing. She probably knew my idea of a good time. She was better at paying attention to details.
I looked around the darkened room, the private floor of a swanky restaurant downtown, where all of the team and their significant others were gathered.
Once I called Chloe, she told me not to worry about anything. All I had to do was look nice and be ready at eight. I checked my watch for the hundredth time. It was three minutes till. They should be here any minute. My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out to see a message from Chloe. They were parking.
“Alright guys! They’re parking. They’ll be here any second.”
To my surprise, people listened to me. Someone dimmed the lights even lower and people moved to the shadows. I moved to the front of the room and waited for the door to open. It was silent, and I was so grateful everyone was taking this seriously. This was a big deal for me, and for Colby.
I heard a door open above us, then footsteps down the stairs. Any second now.
The entry door swung open and the second I saw her honey brown hair I jumped out and yelled surprise with everyone else.
Colby jumped back, with her hand on her chest, and was caught by Madeline.
Someone turned on more lights and Chloe and Madeline moved Colby forward.
“Oh my gosh!” Colby stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over the room before settling on me. She stepped forward until she was standing in front of me. “You did this?”
I nodded. “Happy Birthday.”
She threw her arms around me and I stumbled a bit before catching myself and hugged her. “Thank you.”
When she finally released me, I got a chance to really look at her, and I knew stopping was going to be a problem.
“You look gorgeous.” She really did look flawless. Her dress made her look like she just walked out of a movie. I could stare at her all night, but this party wasn’t for me. This was all about celebrating her. I was surprised when all the guys showed up. I didn't think everyone would come, especially since it was me asking. Well, Chloe asked, but on my behalf.
Colby squeezed my hand. “Thanks, Noah. Thanks for doing all of this. I was planning on spending the night eating ice cream and feeling sad.”
“I couldn’t let that happen. Not on your twenty-first birthday.”
She smiled and gave me another hug before stepping back and looking around. “This place is amazing. So chic.”
It was a cool restaurant. I didn’t know how Chloe reserved it on such short notice, probably a perk of her job. She knew the right people and could always call in a favor.
“Let’s go take a look around.” I said while she looked around.
She smiled up at me and slid her hand into mine. It felt natural, but I couldn’t tell if this was for us, or for show. Right now, it didn’t matter. I wanted her to have a great night, but I also wished I could have her to myself. She looked like a dream in her vintage dress. I didn’t like feeling the eyes from every single guy in the room gravitating to her. I couldn’t ruin this for her, though. I wanted her to feel like a part of the team, like the other women in the Pride.
I introduced her to each guy and they told her happy birthday. I expected her to be star struck or overwhelmed but she fit right in. Chloe pulled me away about an hour later. I felt bad leaving Colby alone, but Emma and Olli stepped in and started talking to her.
“We have her cake ready. Do you want to jump out of it?”
I stared at her. She couldn’t be serious.
She broke out laughing and held up her hand. “Oh my gosh, I wish you could see your face right now.” She kept laughing while I took a breath and tried to get my heart rate down.
She turned and led me to the kitchen where a normal sized cake was waiting. It was three-tiered with white frosting and decorated with red flowers, mini black pucks and sticks.
“You got her a hockey cake?”
Chloe was beaming. “Isn’t it perfect?”
I shook my head. “Why?”
She swatted my arm. “I got an even more childish one for Madi’s birthday and she loved it. Trust me. This is going to be a hit.”
I didn't have any other options than to trust her. “Okay.”
She handed me a lighter and I lit the twenty-two candles before we walked the cart to the main room. Madeline was standing at the door and dimmed the lights when we got close. The roomful of people started singing Happy Birthday with Colby standing in the center. She started laughing when she saw the cake but looked genuinely happy. I guess Chloe knew what she was doing. Yet again.
When the singing ended, Colby stepped forward and blew out all the candles while everyone cheered around her. She looked up at me, happier than I’d ever seen her. She mouthed thank you as Chloe pushed forward and began removing the candles. A restaurant employee slid by and began cutting the cake.
“Wait I want a picture of it!” Colby looked around. “Where’s my bag?”
“I’ll take it.” I took my phone out of my pocket and took a few shots before Colby nodded, looking appeased.
“I got a video of the singing and blowing ou
t the candles.” Chloe told Colby over her shoulder. Of course, she did. The woman was like super girl.
The waiters came out and began serving the cake while people dispersed and talking again. Colby was surrounded by people. I was amazed at how quickly she became part of the group. I wasn’t going to flatter myself and think it was because of me. I was just as new. No, people seemed to gravitate toward her. It was her persona, charisma. She seemed lonely when I first met her, but maybe it was because she hadn’t found her people. Right now, it looked like she had.
I gave her space throughout the night. I didn’t want to hover, even though I wanted to be right next to her. She was smiling and laughing. All that mattered was that she was happy and having a good time.
It was crazy to think we’d only known each other for a couple of weeks. She was such an integral part of my life now. I couldn't imagine a day without her.
What was that? Was that just me appreciating her like she said? She did so much for me. So many things I’m sure I didn’t notice. Being around her was natural. As easy as breathing. But did that just mean we were compatible? Good friends?
Now wasn’t the best time to analyze my feelings. Surrounded by my teammates and new friends.
“There you are.” I looked over my shoulder to where Madeline was walking toward me.
“Hey.” I was sitting at the bar, facing the group. It wasn't like I was hiding in the corner.
“Colby’s been asking where you are.”
I looked to the center of the room where she was chatting with Hartman and a woman I didn’t recognize. “She looks like she’s having a good time.”
“She is.”
I felt her eyes on me but didn’t look.
“It’s really sweet that you did this,” she said.
I shrugged. “I was just trying to do something nice for her.”
“This is a little above and beyond something nice for your personal assistant. I’m not sure anyone else here has ever thrown a birthday party for theirs.”
She was probably right. I knew this wasn’t normal. But she wasn’t just my PA. She was my friend.
“What are you getting at, Madeline?”
Line Change: Utah Fury Hockey Book Three Page 10