by Renea Porter
Reluctantly, I let her lead me inside. And the place looks like an old, empty house. She takes her time slowly walking through each room and I stay behind, keeping my eye on her. We walk through the living room, then down a dark hallway. She doesn’t speak until we reach one of the bedrooms. “This room is empty, just like the way I felt back then.” She shakes her head from side to side. “It’s unreal being in here.” She walks around the room.
“I don’t think we should linger in here too long,” I tell her, concerned.
“I just wanted to see it, for my own sanity and personal reasons. I had to face it,” she says, looking up at me. “It’s not as bad as I thought it would be.”
“If I would have known you back then, I would have protected you.” I bring her into my arms and kiss her.
“You wouldn’t have liked me back then,” she says, resting her head against my chest.
“We’ll just agree to disagree,” I say.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ALEXIS
“I really wish you two could stay longer,” my mom says to Cole and I.
“I do, too, Mom. I’m glad we got to spend some time together and we can rebuild the relationship we used to have.” I reach my arms out and hug her while Cole loads the truck.
I hug my dad goodbye while Cole hugs my mom then shakes my Dad’s hand. They approve of Cole and that means so much to me. They wave as we pull out of the driveway and I can see my mom is about to cry. I miss them so much already, but I’m glad to be heading back after those exhausting days.
“Have I told you how much I love you?” I ask, reaching over and giving his shoulder a squeeze.
“Yes, but I love hearing you say it. And I love you so much. Are you glad you came home?”
“I am.” I smile. “I got to face my fears and I’m not scared anymore. It was great just spending some quality time with my parents, too. I needed that, and didn’t even realize it. Oh and my parents absolutely love you, too,” I tell him happily.
“They were real nice to me and I enjoyed their company as well, and I’m glad they approve of me.”
“None of this would have been possible without you by my side,” I tell him as we head back to his place.
They say with every door that closes, one more opens up. The door to my past has closed and I feel free from the demons of my past. I actually feel happy with how things went, and I’m excited to venture through the next door.
Chapter Ten
THE START OF SCHOOL is right around the corner and Cole and I have made it through the summer, even through my darkness. Cole was there not only to pick me up when the pieces fell but he was also my support system. I’m moving out of his place and back to my apartment. It is sort of bittersweet. I know his roommates will be returning to the house and Renee will be coming back to start school. This has been the best summer and it’s one I’ll never forget.
Cole and I experienced a lot of firsts. First kiss, first love, first love making, and everything in between. He taught me to never keep my heart guarded because you never know who you are closing it off to.
“All set?” Cole asks as we pack up my things into the truck.
“I am.”
I hook my finger with his.
“Just because you are moving back to the apartment, nothing changes between us. Plus, we will be spending a lot of time together, as if you never moved out, anyway.”
“I love you so much and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” I say, leaning up to kiss him.
“I love you more,” he whispers. “Oh, there is a surprise for you later today,” he torments.
“You know I don’t like surprises. And besides, I already know you are racing so that’s not much of a surprise. It’s hot, though, watching you race.” I fan myself, acting silly.
“It has nothing to do with me racing. But you will see and probably die,” he says.
Now he has my curiosity peaked. I’ll meet you at my place, okay?” I tell him, sliding into my little car.
I watch as Cole slides into his truck as he follows me to my place. A somber tone overwhelms me. Moving out is the right thing to do. I need some of my independency back even though we won’t change as a couple. But we have practically been inseparable since the beginning of summer; it’ll just take some getting used to.
When we arrive at my place, Cole grabs my bags out of the back of his truck and carries them up a flight of stairs to my apartment. “You can just set them down. Since you’re here, I think we should christen my bed.”
“That’s the best idea you’ve had all summer.” He cocks his eyebrow and wraps an arm around my waist as I walk backward to my room. A few steps later, we are on my bed, he is on top of me, and I forcefully press my lips against his and I need him so bad in this moment. All I can focus on is him. “God, I love you so damn much,” he whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. Every time I am with him, I experience something new.
I tilt my head back letting him move down my neck and removing the straps of my tank top. I can never get enough of him. The straps fall to my elbows and I lift up to fling my top off and unhook my bra.
“I need you so bad, Cole,” I whisper as I lean up to kiss him. He makes my body come alive. My nipples peak from his touch, and he takes his time caressing them, sucking on them. I arch my back and let him rest comfortable against me. I can feel his erection pressing against my sex with just a piece of fabric in between us. Finally, we remove the rest of our clothing.
“I can’t wait much longer. I. Need. You,” I say as he presses inside me and I succumb to the ecstasy. My body is overwhelmed by the sensation coursing through my veins as Cole releases. He rests his forehead against mine as we try to regain our breath.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We are at the location that Cole’s race is taking place. “Good luck,” I say, hugging then kissing him. I move to the sidelines when I feel a strange hand on my shoulder.
When I turn to see who it is, I smile widely at the sight of Renee, my best friend. “Oh my god, I’m so happy to see you.” I reach my arms out and she leans into my embrace.
“I missed you so much,” she says happily as the tears start to form in her eyes.
“Don’t cry. I missed you so much, too,” I tell her, taking my fingers and wiping her happy tears.
“I can’t believe you just hugged me; it was like it was nothing,” Renee says while beaming.
“A lot has changed since you’ve been gone. And I owe a lot to you and Cole. He and I are a couple now. And how did you sneak in without me knowing about it?”
She smirks. “Layne talked to Cole and told him to keep it a surprise.”
“I was definitely surprised. But I am so happy to see your smiling face.”
“Look, Cole is about to start his race.” Renee points in his direction.
We stop our chit chat long enough to watch Cole race, and it is weird being at a race and where Layne isn’t a part of it. But he is on to new adventures and I’m sure he will make his own mark in racing. Cole wins the race and the guy he raced tries to pick a fight when they come back to the starting point. But as soon as he sees that Cole isn’t backing down, he calms his anger and apologizes. My heart was racing about a mile a minute, because Cole would have beaten the crap out of that guy.
“So everything is good then?” Renee asks me, after the altercation.
“Yes; everything is absolutely perfect.” We rush over to Cole as he takes his helmet off and he receives hugs from both of us.
“I’m so happy you two are finally together,” Renee squeals happily.
Cole slides his arm across my shoulders and smiles at Renee. “We with his comment.
Epilogue
TWO YEARS LATER
RENEE, COLE, AND I are seated in the auditorium of our college. We are waiting to be called up to receive our business diplomas.
This moment is very surreal; I actually made it through four years of college, and did it with the two most important people in my lif
e, Renee and Cole.
The president of the school calls us each up to the podium one by one as he hands us a diploma and offers a handshake.
The thought of us starting our lives in the adult world is both frightening and exhilarating. Cole is planning on taking over the family diner now that he has the business knowledge he needs. I already have a job lined up to manage a well-known department store. And Renee will be joining Layne on the road as she figures out the path that is meant for her.
After the ceremony, we take pictures with our families and then bid them farewell. The three of us all load into my car so we can head to the apartment to get changed.
“Babe, do you know where my tux is?” Cole asks, rushing around the apartment.
“It’s in the back of the closet,” I tell him.
He comes over and quickly kisses me. Cole and I were spending so much time together, he moved into the apartment I shared with Renee. I rush, packing our suitcases so we can hit the road and then Cole carries them to the car.
Once the car is loaded, Cole comes back inside the apartment. “We better get going, so we aren’t late to the wedding."
Renee, Cole, and I rush out to the car and hit the road.
I smile so widely. It seems so cheesy. If you would have told me two years ago that I would fall in love, I would have laughed at such an obscene thought. But there Cole was ready to take over my heart, and that he did. He claimed my heart and my soul and I was happy to hand it over willingly. I knew he would be gentle and caring with it. And since then he has never let go. I love him so much my heart constricts just thinking about it.
But now we have a wedding we cannot miss.
THE END
Stay tuned for the final book in the series coming early 2015.
Contact info and where you can find me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Renea-Porter/236589479847039?ref=hl
Twitter: @Renea_Porter
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7072981.Renea_Porter
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I've always had my nose inside of a book ever since I can remember. And I thought I‘d try my hand at writing, and I’ve wrote ever since I was young, never showing anyone what I was writing. Initially I started writing Coming Back to You without intending to publish, but my hubby of 15 years encouraged me to publish it. And I did. I can’t imagine never writing. It’s in my blood.
My mind is always wondering, plotting and full of ideas. I think my hubs questions my sanity sometimes, because I say my characters are real. They feel real to me.
And I hope my stories make some sort of impact to you readers. I love hearing from you and enjoy talking with you.
Other Books by Renea Porter
Coming Back to You
Bare Hearts
Driving Layne Book One (Unspoken Truth Series)
Switching Lanes Book Two (Unspoken Truth Series)
Chasing Lanes Book Three (Unspoken Truth Series) is COMING SOON. Early 2015!