The Honor Anthology

by Emily Snow

  Two pairs of shocked eyes stare back at me. Calling upon every bit of courage I possess, I continue. “I mean, what if my dream has changed a little bit? What if I decide that being a big-wig wedding dress designer in New York City isn’t what I want anymore?”

  “What is it that you want?” my dad asks.

  “Maybe something a little closer to home.” I look over their heads and fixate on the wall. Memories of our conversations at the pond, dinner at Aiden’s house, and making love in his bed flood my thoughts. “Maybe something with a little house in the country and a husband and dog. And maybe someday a few kids to chase around my parents’ yard.”

  Suddenly, that picture sounds perfect. That image is bloody perfect. Like a dream.

  My dream.

  “You want to come home?” Mom asks, each word filled with more hope than the last.

  “I think so.”

  Dad gives me a pointed look. “You think? You need to be sure, baby girl. I want you to be happy, and I won’t settle for anything less. I take it you’re talking about Aiden?” I give a quick nod. “And you want to come home and be with him? You’d be fine leaving everything in New York and coming back to Pleasureville?”

  “Yes,” I tell him, that one word flying from my lips without any hesitation.

  “Then, I guess I only have one more question.” I stare up at my dad, wide-eyed and filled with excitement. “How soon can we get your stuff back home?”

  I laugh hard before jumping up and throwing my arms around his neck. My mom silently cries from her seat at the table until I embrace her in a massive hug. “Can you guys do me a favor?” I ask, though my own tears.

  “Anything,” Mom sniffles.

  “Let’s keep this between us for the time being. I have some things to do in New York before I make this official. But then, I’ll be home. Promise.”

  Chapter Eight

  Aiden

  Sunday. D-Day.

  Colbi hugs her parents on the front porch while I load her new black suitcase in my truck. There was no way in hell I was letting her leave with that old, beat-up broken piece of shit she arrived with, so I stopped by a supercenter thirty-minutes away on my way home the other night.

  I’m honestly a little surprised by the lack of tears I see up on that porch. I would have thought for sure that Karen would be bawling her eyes out. Hell, it’s taking everything I have not to bawl my eyes out.

  After final hugs and promises to visit soon are exchanged, Colbi makes her way towards my truck. I’m on autopilot as I help her inside the cab, shut the door, and walk around to the driver’s side. With a quick wave to her parents, I pull out of the driveway and head towards Louisville.

  A few minutes into the drive, Colbi reaches over and grabs my hand, locking her fingers with mine. No words are said the entire fifty-minute trip, but I’m certain none are needed. What could either of us possibly say at this point?

  When I pull up to the airport departures, I stop the truck at the curb. I opt to drop her at the terminals, not looking to draw out the goodbye any longer than necessary. Why torture ourselves more than we need to, right? She’s leaving, plain and simple. End of story.

  “Thank you for everything,” she says, stepping up on the curb. I deposit the suitcase at her feet, and stuff my hands in my pockets.

  “You’re welcome.” Lame.

  Colbi reaches for me, wrapping her long arms around my neck, and pulls me into her. I go willingly into her embrace. “I’m going to miss you, Aiden.”

  “I’m going to miss you, too,” I reply, hugging her with everything I have, wishing that the tighter I hug, the despair I feel would somehow squeeze from my body.

  “I’ll see you soon,” she says, turning those tear-filled, crystal blue eyes on me. Those damn tears cut me to the quick, like a knife straight to the heart.

  I nod my reply, unable to formulate words. It saddens me that it’ll probably be another eight years before I see her again.

  As she bends down to grab her suitcase, I long to say those three little words that are teetering on the tip of my tongue. Three words that I haven’t said in so fucking long. Three words that are only for her.

  But I know it wouldn’t change her leaving, so I bite my tongue and don’t say them.

  Before she turns to go, Colbi leans forward on her tiptoes and brushes her lips against mine. The kiss is soft and nothing like the one I’d prefer, but I know it’s right for the moment. It’s a kiss of goodbye. So, I return her tender kiss, holding back the feelings I long to unleash on her.

  The kiss ends all too soon, and she turns towards the terminal. As she steps through the sliding door, Colbi turns back to face me with a smile. “Aiden, I’ll see you soon.”

  Her parting words stay with me long after she walks through the doorway, long after my drive back to Pleasureville, and long after I tuck myself into the bed that still smells like her. I toss and turn for the better part of the night, unable to find a comfortable position or calm the erratic beat of my heart.

  My mind replays every moment we’ve shared over the last two weeks. From finding her distraught and crying in the airport to making love to her repeatedly under the stars last night, our time together has proven to be, once again, too fucking short.

  What did she mean when she said she’d see me soon? Is she already planning a return visit? I highly doubt it. Not with the boss she has. But maybe she’ll not stay away so damn long the next time. Maybe I really will see her soon. Anything is better than eight years.

  My heart bleeds as it registers her loss. The ache in my chest isn’t going away any time soon. I’m left with a void, a place where my heart used to be, because fuck knows my heart flew a thousand miles away and is sleeping in New York City.

  My heart is gone.

  And I’m left alone. Again.

  * * *

  Four weeks. That’s how long it’s been since Colbi left, taking a big piece of me with her. I’ve received a few random text messages over the course of the month, but that’s nothing compared to seeing her, touching her. Sure, I’ve thought about going after her. I’ve pictured a happy reunion as she opens the door and finds me standing there. I’ve imagined exactly what I’d say to convince her to return to Pleasureville with me. I’ve dreamed about that actually happening.

  But, I won’t. As miserable as I might be, her happiness is what really matters.

  Scott left a few days ago to visit friends. It’s odd to me that he left Karen at home, alone, so close to the death of their son. But neither of them seemed worried about their four-day hiatus. Hell, even my mom doesn’t seem concerned about the fact that Scott up and left.

  He asked me to check on his wife every now and again, just to make sure she doesn’t have any troubles at the house. While I’m there, I’ve found myself sitting and talking with her for hours before finally dragging myself home and falling into bed, exhausted but unable to sleep. I’m like the walking dead these past few weeks, and, unfortunately, there’s no end in sight. Nothing short of having my arms wrapped around Colbi will alleviate the void in my chest.

  The mid-June sun is intense as it beats down on me. After returning a feisty young colt to his stall, I remove my worn ball cap and pull the shirt over my head, wiping my forehead and chest with the drenched material. It’s the second t-shirt I’ve soaked through already and it’s only three o’clock; proof that it’s going to be a bitch of a summer in Kentucky.

  I make my way over to the hose and bend over, letting the cool water run over my head. When I stand back up, a distant honking fills the barn. Afraid that something is wrong with Mom, I take off at a hurried pace out the large door and notice a large U-Haul stopping in the middle of the lane.

  As the dust starts to settle, the passenger door flies open and the most beautiful sight greets me. Colbi slides out of the truck cab and makes a beeline straight for me. I’m rooted in place, transfixed by the wide smile spread across her face. I barely have enough time to get my wits together befor
e she launches herself into my arms. It takes a couple of steps back until I’m able to right myself as she wraps both her arms and legs around me. The fact that she almost knocked my ass to the ground is a memory, the moment I have her in my arms. I enfold them firmly around her midsection, squeezing the ever-loving shit out of her.

  “What in the hell are you doing here?” I say into her long blond hair, refusing to release the hold even for a second.

  “I told you I would see you soon,” she giggles. My heart is practically pulling a Hulk right now, trying to rip and tear its way through my chest.

  “I don’t understand. What are you doing here?” I ask, letting her body slide painfully slow down mine. Colbi seems preoccupied and it only takes a second for me to realize she’s staring at my shirtless chest. “My eyes are up here,” I tease with a huge wolfish grin.

  “I know they are, but your chest is looking rather fine,” she sasses, drinking her fill of the muscles on display.

  “Do I need to get a shirt so we can continue this conversation?”

  “It’s not my fault you’re such a distraction. Anyway, what were you saying?” she asks, returning those amazing blue eyes back up to my face.

  “Here. What are you doing here, Colbi?”

  “Well, I realized something when I was home a month ago. I wasn’t really happy in New York City anymore.”

  I force myself to take a deep breath. Then a second. I’m practically tap dancing in the dirt and she’s barely started to talk. “You weren’t?”

  “No,” she says, shaking her head in confirmation. “I haven’t been happy in a long time, and do you know why?”

  Now it’s my turn to shake my head. I can’t seem to form words over the golf ball lodged in my throat.

  “I wasn’t happy because you weren’t there. I didn’t have you, Aiden. It didn’t matter what I did, I still wasn’t happy.”

  “But, what about your dream? What about designing wedding dresses and all that fancy stuff?” I ask, doing my best to keep the hope tamped down. But it’s a losing battle as anticipation bubbles to the surface.

  “Funny thing about dreams is they’re not really complete without the one you love. Turns out, there are dress designers all over the U.S. willing to take a chance on a young apprentice and give them a shot at following their dreams.”

  Colbi seems to take a deep breath, channeling her inner calm, before she continues. “Did you know there’s a fabulous dress shop in Louisville? The owner, Mrs. Nicholson, has a very interesting story. She has been looking for someone to bring into the business for a year now. Someone looking for more than just a nine to five. Her daughter was planning to take over, but as an inspiring dress designer herself, she was offered a position with Royalty Designs five years ago, and she couldn’t refuse it. This left poor Mrs. Nicholson in need of someone to buy her out of the business she built from the ground up just out of college in 1972.

  “Well, I met with Mrs. Nicholson yesterday and she offered me a position within her boutique, Timeless Dresses. And not just any position, but one where I’ll learn all I need to know about running the day-to-day of a wedding and formal dress boutique. At the end of the first year, I have the option to purchase. I start next Monday.”

  I realize I’m holding my breath as I listen to her spell out her plans–her future. Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I focus on the smile spreading across those pink lips. “Jesus, Colbi, that’s freaking amazing,” I tell her, pulling her into a tight hug.

  “That’s not all of it,” she mumbles, her face presses tightly against my neck.

  “There’s more?” I ask, chuckling.

  “The daughter who works for Royalty Designs? Turns out she was visiting her mom yesterday so I met her as well. We got to chitchatting and she asked to look at some of my designs. Turns out, they’ve been talking about adding designers to the Royalty family. She made a call to her boss, and the next thing I knew, I’m on a conference call with the head of design for Royalty, Rosalie Dranger. Jenna Nicholson sent some of my designs to Rosalie via text when we were talking. They offered me a pay-per-design contract right then and there. Can you believe it? They want to buy some of my designs! My designs could be in dress shops all over the world!” Colbi practically screams with excitement.

  “I knew you could do it,” I tell her, spinning her around until we’re both dizzy. “So, you’re moving to Louisville?” I ask, my heart thumping loudly in my chest.

  Louisville isn’t ideal, but it’s a hell of a lot better than New York City. An hour trip is a hell of a lot more doable than an airplane ride. And, for Colbi, I’ll drive as much as I need to see her. Having her here right now, at this exact moment, makes me realize I’ll do whatever in the fuck it takes to be with her. I crave her. She is the air I breathe.

  “Actually, I was talkin’ to my Dad,” she starts, looking over her shoulder to the man I consider my second father. Scott is resting his back casually against the cab of the large U-Haul truck doing everything he can not to look like he’s eavesdropping on our conversation. “And I think I want to stay around here. It’s not that bad of a commute every day.”

  “So, you want to stay here? In Pleasureville?” I try to mask the hopefulness and eagerness in my voice, but I can’t. I pray she’s about to say what I think she’s going to say.

  “Yeah, I want to stay here. In fact, I thought maybe I could stay right here. With you,” she says, her voice all but a whisper, as those crystal blue eyes sparkle up at me like brilliant diamonds.

  “Are you askin’ if you can shack up with me?” I ask, the corner of my lip curving upward into a cocky grin.

  “Only if you want me to.” Her hushed words wash over me like rain. Fuck yes, I want her to move in with me.

  Reaching forward, I pull her back into my arms. She fits against me perfectly, like puzzle pieces aligning to reveal the most glorious picture. “I’m still not gettin’ a TV,” I say, deadpanned.

  “Oh, well then never mind. If there’s no TV, then I’m out. I guess I’ll just see if Dad will let me have my old room back,” she sasses as she starts to turn in the direction of her dad.

  Grasping her wrist gently before she can get away, I turn her back to face me. The smile I’m greeted with warms me clear down to my boots. “I guess we’ll just have to work out a compromise then. Maybe we can figure out some way to keep us both entertained in the evenings…without a TV.” I slide my fingers into her soft hair, which has always been like a direct line straight to my dick. In fact, it takes about 2.5 seconds before my pants are unbearably tight, my dick strains against the coarse material.

  “I like the sound of that.”

  Her words fill me with elation as I firmly press my lips against hers, reveling in the feel of her softness against me. My mind races as visions of happily ever afters swirl around at neck breaking speed. When her tongue slips out and slides against the crease of my lips, all thought evaporates. It’s just us: Colbi and me.

  “Move in with me. Stay with me,” I whisper without fully removing my lips from hers.

  “Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be. You are my home.”

  I devour her in a deep kiss. A kiss that promises her a future and cements my love for her. A kiss that can only lead to more passionate kisses and things that involve way less clothes.

  A kiss of forever.

  Epilogue

  Colbi

  “What do you think of those?” Aiden asks, pointing straight up. We’re lying on the blanket, his hot skin against mine. The July night is humid, causing us each to lose most of our clothing as we stargaze in the clear night sky. Of course, to be honest, we lost those items of clothes when we decided to do a little skinny-dipping in the pond, long before the stargazing commenced.

  “That’s a marshmallow riding a pony,” I tell him with a straight face.

  Aiden’s laughter fills the night and sends euphoria tingling through my body. “I don’t even want to know why a marshmallow would be riding
a pony, crazy girl.”

  “I think the question is why wouldn’t a marshmallow be riding a pony, silly boy.”

  I’ve been home a month now and have settled into my new life in Pleasureville. The daily commute to Louisville is exciting and refreshing as I make my way towards the small dress boutique I could one day own. The prospect is exhilarating and fills me with hope.

  It doesn’t hurt either that I come home to Aiden every night. Even with his busy schedule of running the ranch, we always find time to come together at the end of the day. Often we eat together, followed by me assisting him with any remaining chores around the ranch. I’ve found plenty of time and inspiration to work on my gown designs for Royalty. In fact, I’ve sold four designs, and they plan to include them in their line next spring.

  “What about that one?” Aiden asks, his voice with a bit of a hitch, as he fidgets beside me.

  “That’s a rhinoceros.”

  “No way, Rainbow. That doesn’t look anything like a rhino. You need your eyes checked,” he says, straight-faced.

  “Well, excuse me, Mr. Stargazer Expert. What do you think it is?” I ask dramatically.

  “I think it looks like an engagement ring.”

  It takes several moments before his words permeate the fog in my brain. Did he just say…?

  Aiden rolls over to face me, and right there between his thumb and pointer finger, he holds a simple solitaire diamond ring. I gasp in shock, my eyes bouncing back and forth between his and the amazing ring.

  “I knew the moment I saw you when you were ten-years-old that I was going to make you mine. I’m pretty sure I even said as much to Marcus when we were playing baseball. The bastard punched me in the gut. Told me if I ever hurt you, he’d do worse.” Aiden chuckles a bit, lost for a second in the memory of an unforgettable moment with his oldest and dearest friend, my brother, may he rest in peace.

  “We’ve wasted eight years, and I refuse to waste any more, Colbi. I love you. I’ve always loved you. I know, without a shadow of doubt that you were put on this earth for me, and I promise to spend the rest of my days proving to you that we were made to be together. Marry me. Spend the rest of your life with me.”