The Color of Us (College Bound Book 2)

by Laura Ward

  Love makes us strong. Right?

  I couldn’t let that good-bye be his last memory of us. He was heading into a war zone. I didn’t want him to worry about me. He needed to know we both were going to be okay.

  Decision made, I plugged my cell phone into the charger and called my mom. I started the engine and left the airport, tires peeling. Within minutes I was on the interstate and headed for North Carolina.

  I know for sure, Sam. I will be more than okay. I’m going to live the hell out of this life.

  ***

  Eight hours and one gas and restroom stop later, I was in Fort Bragg. I explained my situation at the gates and showed my identification. Within an hour I had a visitor’s badge. I called Liam.

  “Lex? It’s early. Why are you awake?” Liam’s voice was rough with sleep.

  “I’m here.”

  Liam paused. “What?”

  “Liam, I’m here—at the Visitor’s Center. I’m sorry, I just needed to say one last thing to you, and I needed to say it in person…” My voice trailed off.

  “You drove all night?” Liam’s voice was harsh and tense.

  “Liam—” I started, but he cut me off.

  “I’ll be there in five.”

  He hung up, and I walked outside the center, leaning against his Jeep. He and his mom had given me his car to take back to college. I protested at first but was secretly thrilled and let them convince me. Not only was it a badass vehicle, but every time I drove it, I would be reminded of Liam.

  Four minutes later an Army Jeep skidded to a halt in front of me. Liam jumped out, grasping my arms in his hands.

  “I should be furious with you for doing something so stupid as driving all night by yourself.” His eyes dropped to my lips and then rose to meet my gaze again. “But I’m so fucking happy to see you I can’t stay mad. I wish we had more time too, but I leave in a few hours. I’m sorr—”

  I cut him off with a kiss, and his lips were so scorching hot against mine he stole my breath. I peeled my mouth away from his, but he leaned forward and continued to press his lips against mine in tiny butterfly kisses. I reached up to hold his face in my hands so I could tell him what I came to say.

  “I know you have to leave. I just needed to say good-bye to you the right way. You needed me to be strong for you, and I wasn’t. I don’t want you to worry about me while you’re deployed.”

  His eyes crinkled, and I wanted to laugh. Poor guy was probably so confused. Psycho girlfriend drives all night—to talk? I needed to wrap this up and make it good.

  “Here’s the thing. I love you. And I love that we both have big plans for our futures. Mine includes medical school. A lot of years of school. Are you prepared to stick with me through all that?”

  Liam nodded. “Of course, baby.”

  I kissed his lips lightly and continued. “I know how hard you’ve worked for your future too, and I’m so proud of you. I swear that no matter where you are or where this life takes us, I’m going to stick by you through all of it. I’ll always be waiting for you to come home.”

  This time he kissed me. Even though I didn’t want to, I had to free myself from his lips so I could finish what I came to tell him.

  “Even though it kills me that we have to be apart, I wanted you to be able to go knowing that I’m fine as long as in the end I have you. You’re my bad boy turned hero.”

  Liam wrapped his arms around me, his lips close to my ear. “And you’re my good girl with a naughty streak.”

  I pulled back and smiled, reaching up to run my thumbs along his jawline. “You taught me how to live again, how to stop playing it safe. You showed me how colorful life could be.”

  He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “I love you, and I’m coming home to you.” Liam grinned before pulling my lips to his again.

  We kissed and held one another until he had to go. But this time when he left, I felt peace.

  I fell in love with trouble, and he ended up taking all of mine away.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  STACY

  To me the world these days was a scary place. My dad told me that all the time. And I saw it on the news.

  Liam left to fight the bad guys. He was so big and strong I knew he would win.

  I liked Liam. His smile was bright, and he loved my Lex. Right away I saw that he was a good guy. He looked me in the eye, and he talked regular.

  Today would be a hard day for my Lex. It was her birthday. She was twenty-one. But Liam was somewhere secret, in one of those scary parts of the world. So I wanted to do something nice for her.

  Taren had picked me and William up and drove us to the cemetery in Lex’s hometown.

  I didn’t tell Taren or Lex that I liked William.

  I told William all the time.

  And he told me right back.

  I met him at the bus stop a few weeks ago, and ever since then we talked on the phone every night. William told me the story about the red string of fate after he noticed my red shoelaces. He helped me find a crystal for my rainbow collection. He also told me that he thought I was pretty.

  I thought William was the most handsome boy in the world.

  I hoped we could kiss soon. The thought of it made my stomach fill up with butterflies. I was nervous to tell my dad about him, but I would find a way. Lex promised that she’d help me talk to my dad if I ever met a boy I liked.

  When we parked in the lot at the cemetery, Taren turned off the car, and we got out. William reached for my hand and held it in his own.

  My heart felt like a horse that might gallop right out of my chest.

  Lex was kneeling down in front of two tombstones. Taren told me that one was her father’s and one was her sister’s.

  Taren and William hung back, but she motioned me forward. I was here to help Lex while she spent some time with her father and sister on her birthday. Then we were going back to her house where her mom would have cake and ice cream.

  I still couldn’t believe that my Lex wanted to spend her birthday with me. And with William. She made me feel very good inside.

  I stood next to her and placed my hand on her shoulder. Her body shook. I bet she wished Liam were here. I wished he were here for her too. But he had an important job. He protected people. He was taking care of Lex even if he couldn’t stand right next to her to do it.

  Lex looked up and smiled at me with big tears in her eyes. “Stacy,” she sniffled. “Thank you for coming here today.”

  “Happy birthday, Lex.” I reached into my pocket and placed the crystal I had found with William on the top of the tombstone in front of me. Sunshine bounced off the sides and shot a rainbow onto the tombstone next to it.

  Lex stood up and took my hand. “That’s the sign I needed today, Stacy. My dad and Sam are okay, and so is Liam. I know that with all my heart.”

  Lex squeezed my hand, and we turned to walk back to William and Taren. I peeked back over my shoulder at the rainbow that bounced off the cement and concrete. My mom and I had watched the Wizard of Oz the other night, and I thought about Lex and her rainbows.

  Maybe there was no beautiful spot found at the beginning or the end of the rainbow. Maybe the beauty was in front of us all along.

  We just needed love to be able to see it.

  Lex had her love.

  I just might get mine too.

  Epilogue

  Nine Months Later

  ALEXIS

  “There. So pretty!” Stacy held my hand in front of her and blew on my nails.

  I smiled at the sight of them. Since Liam had been gone on deployment, I tried many ways to keep myself distracted from constant thoughts of him. Nothing truly worked, so my latest tactic was to embrace all the frivolous things I’d avoided when I was single-mindedly devoted to only my studies. These days I was letting my girly side have free rein. Tonight that meant a manicure. Stacy had come over after work to hang out and offered to paint my nails. I asked if she could paint each nail a different color, making my h
and into a rainbow.

  She’d done a kick-ass job.

  “I love them! You even blended colors together. Very chic, lady.”

  Stacy blushed and picked up my other hand, giving equal air-drying time to each finger.

  I was proud that Stacy and I were as close as ever. As upperclassmen, Taren, Julie, and I had all been given coveted “singles” rooms in our sorority house. They were small—only holding a twin bed, dresser, and a desk—but the privacy was worth it.

  At least I knew Julie and Taren felt that way. They could be alone with their guys in their rooms. Me? I was free to FaceTime in private and had plenty of quiet for studying. Fabulous. Right? Right.

  “So—” I waved my hands in front of me to speed up the drying. Patience was not my forte. “How are things with William?” Stacy and William had been a couple for almost a year now. They started dating right after Liam left for deployment. I didn’t find out until the night of my birthday dinner, but both Taren and I were beside ourselves that they were happy.

  “Good. I think I need your help though.” Stacy opened the door to my mini fridge and helped herself to a Coke. She popped the tab and took a long drink.

  “Of course. I owe you for this fabulous manicure.” I wiggled my fingers and grinned at her. “What kind of help do you need?” I cleaned up the nail polishes and grabbed a bottle of water.

  Stacy sighed and then frowned. “I love William. Like forever love.”

  Oh no. Was she going to ask me about sex? I chewed on my bottom lip, wondering what I was allowed to talk about with her. “Okay. That’s great. I’ve had a feeling you felt like that for a while now.”

  She nodded. “We’d like to get married soon.”

  My eyes widened before I could control my reaction. Married? Like officially? I took a drink before asking, “Stacy, have you even told your dad about William yet?”

  She shook her head, studying my rug. “That’s what I need your help with. Will you come with us to talk to him? With me and William?”

  I scooted close to her and slung my arm over her shoulder. Her shirt today was tie-dyed pink and white, and her shorts were lime green. She reminded me of a spring flower. I loved Stacy’s style. It was so… happy.

  “Your dad might be upset that you kept this from him for a year.” She nodded, still focused on my shag rug. “But I’ll be there the whole time. Everything will be okay.”

  Stacy turned and wrapped her arms around me in a hug. “Thank you, Lex.”

  “One thing though. First we tell your dad you have a boyfriend. Let’s ease him into that idea before we spring the wedding stuff on him, ’mkay?”

  She giggled. “Good point.”

  ***

  “Come with us to the formal,” Julie begged. “I have a dress for you and everything.” She tossed something white and silky at my head. I caught it before holding it up to look at it. The dress was gorgeous. Of course it was. It was Julie’s. But it wasn’t enough to change my mind.

  “Thank you, but no. I’m not going stag. You and T will feel like you’re responsible for me when you should be enjoying time with your men. Besides, I have a test coming up.”

  “You always have a test coming up. C’mon. Liam would want you to attend the spring formal.”

  I knew he wanted me to attend. We’d talked about it multiple times. Formal dances in our sorority were a big deal. We took luxury buses to fancy hotels where many of the sisters and their dates would spend the night. We’d eat too little, drink too much, and dance our asses off. Spring formal was especially important since that’s where we said our official good-bye to the seniors. Tonight everyone would honor our big sisters, Tiffany, Kate, and Jen.

  I couldn’t force myself to go though. I wouldn’t go on the arm of another guy, no matter how many times Liam suggested it. And going alone was too depressing. Which meant I was studying.

  Again.

  Julie crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. “Party pooper,” she grumbled. “The outfit you have on now is super cute. Can you just grab a drink at the bar with me before we leave?” She nodded her head in the general direction of The Shell.

  I looked down at my outfit. Cute? Flip-flops, old jeans that were expertly torn at the knees, and a white lace top. Nothing special. What was her deal? Why was she up in my business?

  Taren popped her head in my room. “Lex? I need you to see something. Come on.” She motioned me down the stairs.

  I mumbled in annoyance for a few seconds, but I got up from the bed and followed. I couldn’t say no to Taren as easily as I did to Julie.

  “You had one job, Jules. Geez. You’re losing your touch.” Taren tossed a grin over her shoulder and shook her head before walking down the stairs.

  I raised my eyebrows and looked at Julie, who just rolled her eyes in response.

  We walked into the foyer and out the front door. Sisters were scattered all over the lawn and porch. What was happening? Were we being serenaded by a fraternity? Was someone being lavaliered? I shivered at the memory of a naked Doug Pickles covered in condiments on our front lawn. That night was so long ago, but I still remembered how he presented Taren with his letters in hopes of getting into her pants.

  God, I didn’t need a repeat of that disaster. My memory was still too fresh about Pickles and his… pickle. I did not need to see another naked douche covered in the contents of his frat house fridge.

  I followed Julie and Taren down the steps and onto the sidewalk that led to the street. To our left was the busy Route 1, and just beyond that was campus.

  “What’s going on?” I whined.

  “Alexis Sinclair, will you go to formal with me?”

  That voice.

  I stopped breathing. My heart rate slowed, skidded to a surprised halt, and then all-out thundered in my chest. Air rushed through my ears, and then the muted sounds of cheering filled them.

  I turned to find Liam… my Liam… standing in front of me in jeans and an Army green T-shirt. If possible he was even more impressive than he’d been when I kissed him good-bye all those months ago. His biceps bulged, his forearms were defined, and his chest muscles were evident through his shirt. I spent only a few seconds salivating over his physique before I took off running, catapulting myself into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist, crossed my ankles to anchor myself to him, and felt his hands move to my ass to hold me to him.

  I cupped the sides of his face with my hands as tears ran down my face. “You look good, soldier.”

  He chuckled and then did the only thing left to do. He sealed his lips around mine and kissed the hell out of me.

  I ignored the whoops and catcalls. Yes, boring, predictable, studious Alexis was making out on the front lawn of Gamma Gamma Gamma. There was no other choice to be made.

  My badass hero was home.

  ***

  LIAM

  “I can’t wait another fucking minute,” I growled into Lex’s ear. The little minx only pressed her tight body closer to mine, rubbing against me as she captured me with a lusty gaze.

  She ran her cute-as-hell rainbow-tipped fingers through the back of my hair, scraping them against my scalp. “Then take me to our room, babe. I didn’t want to come here in the first place.”

  She leaned in to trace the tip of her tongue along the seam of my lips. I accepted the invitation to have a taste and proceeded to devour her. She was wine and fruit flavored.

  Every ounce of restraint I possessed had been used up tonight. The plan that I had formed with Taren and Julie was that I would surprise Lex at her formal. That way, I could dance with her and then hurry upstairs shortly after, allowing us to escape to an uninterrupted weekend in our hotel room.

  Lex, however, was stubborn and wouldn’t play along. She refused to attend the formal with or without a date, so I was forced to surprise her at her sorority house. That meant I had to get dressed in her bathroom, wait for her to get all dolled up, drive us to the formal, and put in a few good hours of dancing and socializ
ing before we could make use of our hotel room.

  I was thrilled to have this night with Lex… to get the chance to dance with her and be a part of her college memories even for just a moment. When she walked down the stairs to greet me after getting ready, she’d robbed me of any coherent thought. She looked like my angel.

  She also looked sexy as hell. I had to give it to Julie… she knew what she was doing. I sent her some cash and asked her to pick out a dress Lex would like. I didn’t care what Lex wore, but I wanted the night to be special for her. I wanted her to feel pampered.

  Julie was the right girl for the job. She’d chosen a skintight white dress for my girl that went all the way to the floor. Then she styled Lex’s hair in a sleek fall of silky blond that begged me to bury my hands in it. And I would. Later.

  Lex didn’t need any of it though. The dress, makeup, and fancy hair were all for her. I’d seen her in my dreams every night for a year, and she was simply perfect just as she was. But I had to admit, knowing I was the guy who got to peel that dress off her at the end of the night and kiss the lipstick off her sweet mouth was worth any price I had to pay.

  And right now I was paying the price of a man who was hungry for more than a few sweet kisses in public. I wanted Lex all to myself. I growled before I broke the kiss. “Let’s go. Say good-bye.”

  She laughed. “Took you long enough. I’ve been waiting for that request all night.” Winking, she ran the tip of her finger along my jaw and then turned to her sisters.

  Lex hugged her big sister Tiffany, and then Taren, kissing her on the cheek. Julie whispered in Lex’s ear, which caused a deep blush to spread across her cheeks. Lex pulled away laughing. When she came back to my side, we linked hands, entwining our fingers, before she led me away to our room.