"Hello, Bug!" she said, placing her hands on each of my cheeks. "Dios mio, Nickayla, you look so grown up! Next time I see you, you'll be getting married and having kids of your own!"
I giggled, knowing that by that statement, she'd probably already spoken in-depth with Colin about how accelerated our relationship was.
"No, Nonna, I don't think so," Nathan said, interjecting in the most uncomfortable of ways. "Kales has to finish college first."
I rolled my eyes.
"Says the guy who has three kids and didn't even go to college!" I rebutted. Nikkolas looked at me as though he were about to say something, but I held up a finger. "And you didn't even finish FRESHMAN YEAR before you got Sarah pregnant. Sorry, boys, but I'm not the one who needs to get lectured here."
Both Nikky and Nathan looked dumbfounded, but I flashed them a smile. It was normal of us to bicker at each other, but honestly, I hated their stupid double standards when both of them had already done the very thing they were hoping I would never do.
"Well, I don't care if you have kids tomorrow or five years from now," Nonna said, leaning in to whisper the statement in my ear. "If it's with that Westwick boy, I won't be complaining."
I giggled, frankly amused at what she'd said. Oh yeah, she'd definitely talked to Colin already.
"Good to know I have your approval," I said. "Where's Granddaddy?"
Nonna rolled her eyes, nodding her head in the direction of the punch bowl across the yard.
"Pendejo is probably trying to spike the punch," she said, laughing.
I handed her Chris, then sauntered off to greet my grandfather.
I was closer to my grandparents on my mom's side, mostly because they only lived an hour outside of Harlow and we got to see them often. My Pop on Daddy's side still lived in Reno, Nevada, even though Grandma died a few years back. I was hoping that Pop would show up for the party, but I'd definitely wager that he didn't want to see any of us and be reminded that the last time he visited was the last time Grandma was healthy.
"Hi, Granddaddy!" I said, walking up to the punch bowl and serving myself a cup. "Nonna says you're spiking the punch; I hope not, because I only just turned seventeen."
He turned around to face me and let out a loud chuckle, and then wrapped his arms around me so tightly that I was lifted off the floor.
"I'm not Nonna, so you can't fool me, Nickayla," he said, laughing. "I'm sure you've had more than a taste of alcohol in your seventeen years, so don't act like spiked punch will kill ya."
"Touché," I said.
Granddaddy kissed me atop my head, then turned to walk away.
"I'm going to see where your mother is with the food," he said, chuckling.
I leaned against the punch table, sipping on my drink. I crossed my legs at the ankles as I watched people coming outside to enjoy my party. Music was playing softly, and there were a few people in the middle of the dance floor swaying to the beat. I would have loved to dance with Colin, but I couldn't find him.
"Pity, you standing here all alone," a voice said.
I emerged from my trance, looking up at the man standing next to me. He smiled down at me, towering over me at 6'3" I'd wager, with dark hair and green eyes. He lifted the ladle out of the punch bowl, pouring me more punch--even though I hadn't realized that I'd finished it.
"You must be the birthday girl, then?" he asked, continuing the conversation. "No wonder Colin talks about you a mile a minute."
He laughed slightly, and my eyes widened as I felt my cheeks flush.
He looked so familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. There was something in his eyes that was inviting and...Warm, but so, so familiar. He looked like someone that I knew, and I honestly was having the hardest time figuring out whom.
"So you know my boyfriend, then?" I asked.
He laughed again, shaking his head.
"Oh, I know him much better than I'd like to," he replied.
I stared at him questioningly. Who was this guy?
A tall, full-figured brunette woman waltzed over to me, smacking the man in the chest as she laughed.
"Keaton, leave Nickayla alone," she scolded. "I'm so sorry for his behavior."
Completely confused and shocked at the same time, I simply remained silent. I didn't want to be rude and ask who they were, but obviously they knew Colin, so I didn't think much of it. I reached for my cell phone in my small clutch, sliding it unlocked and texting Colin.
Me: Where are you? Some guy who knows you is being weird...
I looked up at the man, who was identified as Keaton, who was watching me intently. My phone buzzed within seconds.
Babe <3: Must be my brother -.- Be right there.
I glanced up at Keaton, finally registering his features. Those eyes...those were Colin's eyes! No wonder he looked so familiar! He had the very eyes that I had been spending every day for three months gazing into.
I watched Colin cross the dance floor, making his way over to me with an infectious grin on his face. He stood beside me; his hand placed delicately on the small of my back as he kissed me on my forehead and guided me forward.
"Nic, this is my older brother, Keaton, and his wife Carly," he said. "I hope they weren't giving you a hard time." He chuckled, hugging his brother, then smiling down at me. "They live in Riverside, so I told them to come down and meet you."
I extended my hand to shake Keaton's, and instead he pulled me in for a hug. He leaned forward, his mouth near my ear.
"Thank you," he whispered. "You're very good for my brother. I'll forever be grateful to you."
His honest words shocked me deeply, but I hugged him back tightly. I wanted him to know that I appreciated his approval, and that I wouldn't let him down when it came to his little brother.
I hugged Carly, then returned to where Colin stood, wrapping an arm around him casually.
"It's very nice to meet you two," I said. "It feels like I'm meeting family."
"You are," Keaton said, flashing me another grin.
Standing next to my birthday cake, I smiled widely at all of my guests. We had had a wonderful dinner of chicken fettuccine alfredo with Caesar salad, and we'd danced for hours on end. We agreed that Nikky and I would open all of our gifts at home later, and then write thank-you notes to everyone.
My dad had his arms around my shoulders, and my mom was standing next to us, a microphone in her hand--I didn't know where the hell she got a microphone from, but I didn't bother to ask. Mom tapped the microphone lightly, getting everyone's attention.
"Jude and I would love to thank all of you for coming to Nickayla and Nikkolas's seventeenth birthday party," Mom said, beaming.
"I can't tell you how proud I am of my middle babies. In a years' time, they will both be eighteen. Nikkolas will be starting his new job and going to college at UCR, God-willing, and Nickayla will be going out of state to go to college. Nikky has his own family now, and Kales has finally found her Prince Charming," she crooned, winking at Colin. "I'm just glad to have you all here so that you can share in our happiness for them."
I stood by as my mom lit the candles on my birthday cake. It was a two-tiered round cake one tier of red velvet with cream cheese frosting, and the other tier was cheesecake flan from my favorite bakery, decorated simply with fresh peonies. Nikky's cake was one tier vanilla decorated in navy blue chevron stripes, and both our names were piped on our subsequent cakes.
I blushed as all of our guests sang us Happy Birthday. When the song was done, I leaned forward and blew out my candles, making my second wish that day. I handed the knife to my mom so that she could start slicing the cake for the guests.
"What flavor do you want, mija?" Mom asked, holding up two plates.
I pondered over this for a moment, then took both of them. My mom narrowed her eyes at me, and I shrugged.
"Colin and I can share," I said.
Colin took the pieces of cake, and then grabbed my arm gently.
"Mrs. Quinn, is it okay if
I steal Nickayla away for a little while?" he asked.
My mom nodded, patting Colin on the shoulder.
Colin took my hand, escorting me inside the house. We walked through hallways and turned about four times before he pushed a giant door open for me. Inside was a giant in-ground pool.
Candles lit the entire area, and near the edge of the pool was a small picnic basket, two delicately wrapped boxes, and small...crock pot?
I laughed, recognizing it immediately as the one I'd gotten my mother last Mother's Day. I walked with him to the edge of the pool, kicking off my high heels and hiking up the ends of my dress. I sat down on the edge, putting my feet in the water. I waited patiently as Colin took off his shoes and socks, rolling his jeans up and following suit by sitting next to me.
"Colin, what is this?" I asked.
He grinned, opening the crock-pot to show me a fresh batch of pozole. He then opened up the picnic basket and pulled out two bowls, two spoons, some lemons, and cabbage.
I placed my hand over my heart and then fake-swooned.
"A man after my own heart," I said, feigning a sigh.
I watched intently as he served each of us a small serving of pozole, then adorning the bowl with all the fixings like I had shown him on the night we met. He handed me a spoon, and I took a bite, closing my eyes as I savored the taste of my favorite Mexican dish.
"How is it?" Colin asked.
From the way that his eyes lit up when he asked the question, it made me slightly suspicious.
"It's great, why?" I asked. "Did you make this yourself?"
He ran his hand over the back of his neck, grinning shyly at me. Aw, my Shy Colin. He was honestly the best. He stared at me through sheepish eyes, and then he nodded.
"I have a confession to make," he said.
I gazed at him in anticipation.
"I actually met your mom two weeks ago," he said. "And she helped me make pozole for the first time so I'd know how to make it for you tonight. Mostly she said a lot of words and cursed in Spanish when I got something wrong, but I think I did an okay job."
His entire face was beet red as he smiled innocently at me.
I wasn't sure what he expected my reaction to be, but I was flattered. Since he showed up at my house that morning, I could tell how much thought, time, and effort that he'd put into making my birthday special.
"This is seriously amazing, Colin," I said, taking another bite of the pozole. Suspiciously, I eyed the other gifts that sat beside us. "I hope that neither of those are more electronics."
Chuckling, Colin shook his head. He took a bite of his food, staring up through the rooftop glass at the stars.
"No, they're not," he said. "But I'm sure you'll love them just as much as you loved the other gifts. I just wanted you to open these in private." He paused, a small sigh escaping his lips. "Let's finish eating first, though."
I nodded, agreeing--pozole was my favorite dish, so obviously I wasn't going to disagree.
We ate in silence for the very first time, which was mostly because he actually had a shirt on. After I finished my own serving, I set my bowl aside, leaning over and resting my head on Colin's shoulder.
I closed my eyes, losing myself in the moment with him.
This time last year, I wasn't thinking about any boy other than Kyle. I wasn't thinking about getting into a relationship. I wasn't thinking about opening my heart up to anyone, especially not someone knew.
Then came Colin...
He came in and swept me off my feet. He was my light in the middle of all the darkness, guiding my way out so that I could become a better version of myself. He saw through the façade, saw through the brokenness, and he saw me. He knew that I wasn't lost when he found me. I was just someone different...I wasn't weak. I was strong. I was stronger than I knew and it was because of Colin that I came to that conclusion.
He'd helped me heal myself with his kindness. He gave me comfort again through his warm embrace. He gave me hope again through the reverence he held me in with his eyes. He gave me courage as he held my hand and led me through everything I'd had to face from the moment that I met him.
He gave me myself back. He showed me who I really was when I thought all was lost.
He gave me more than he could ever know or imagine, just with three little words.
"I love you," he said, kissing me on the forehead. I opened my eyes to look up at him. "I hope that today ranks pretty high on your list of best birthdays."
I laughed.
God, if only he knew.
I wrapped my arms around him, nuzzling my face into his neck.
"Colin, seriously, today has been the best birthday ever," I said. "It kinda sucks, though, because now no other birthday will compare to this one."
He leaned down, giving me a soft, sweet, Eskimo kiss, a faint crooked smile forming on his face.
"Yeah, go ahead and tell yourself that, Pretty Girl," he mused. "But I can promise you that I'm just getting started. No other birthday will compare to this one because it's only going to get better from here on out." He paused, taking his feet out of the water and standing up. He extended his hands to me, offering to help me up. I took his hands, getting to my feet within mere seconds. I looked up at him expectantly, and he flashed me a wicked grin. "Present time!"
Twenty Five.
Colin scooped up both my presents in his arms as he led me toward a small table toward the back of the poolroom. He set them down, pulling my chair out for me so that I could sit down.
Instead, I stood, wanting to be at his level in case I needed to kiss him quickly.
He handed me the bigger gift first, and it looked like a clothing box to be honest. I placed my finger under the wrapping paper, looking to Colin for permission to rip it off.
"Go ahead," he urged me on.
I ripped the paper off, tossing it onto the floor. I opened the clothing box, and found an envelope on the very top. I picked it up, lifting the envelope flap and gasping when I was greeted with two tickets to the prom.
I looked up at Colin through tear-filled eyes, but he remained silent. I shook my head at how he was able to hide prom tickets from me. Pilfering through the box, a smaller package caught my eye. I unwrapped it without a second thought, and I stared down at an elegant hair comb. There were three crystal butterflies on the comb, and there were tiny accents of topaz scattered here and there. I was beyond speechless.
"There's one more thing," Colin said, interrupting my thoughts.
I tore through the paper of the final package inside the clothing box, and the minute that I did, I pressed my hand to my heart.
I pulled the dress out, stunned into silence at its beauty. It was a long, royal blue, mermaid cut dress with a plunging sweetheart neckline and crystal accents along the bodice. I held it up against myself, staring up at Colin with an entire slew of words caught in my throat.
"Please tell me you like it," Colin said, his voice laced with nervousness.
"Please tell me I'm allowed to pick my own shoes to go with this," I replied jokingly.
He laughed, stepping forward and placing his hands on either side of my face as he kissed me on the forehead. He picked up the smaller box, then placed it in my hand gently.
"This is the very last gift, I swear," he said, chuckling.
I didn't bother trying to be delicate unwrapping my final present. I wanted to see what it was already. I looked at the small red velvet jewelry box and glared at Colin.
"I didn't spend a lot of money on this, if that's any consolation," he said, tucking his hands in his pockets as he dropped his gaze.
I flipped it open to find a simple rose gold heart-shaped locket with my initial on it. I opened it, and there was a picture of Colin and me sharing an intimate kiss. I smiled, lowering my head as my heart raced.
I couldn't have asked for better gifts from him.
"Can you...can you put this on for me?" I asked, my voice thick with emotion.
He nodded, and I turned ar
ound, my back to him. I grabbed all of my hair in one hand, twisting it and pulling it to the side of my head. Colin's hands shakily placed the locket over my heart, then fastened the locket silently. Almost as if in slow motion, I dropped my hair, turning to face him with tears in my eyes. His hand grazed my cheek gently, and I leaned in to his touch. I turned all the way around, and his hand fell to my shoulder, holding me at bay merely an inch away from him.
The look in his eyes was one of pure passion, pure hunger, and before I knew it, our lips were touching, sending my head into that spinning frenzy like it always did. I placed my hands flat on his chest, pushing him until he was up against a wall as our lips moved in slow, quick motions against each other. He grabbed my hips, turning me around so that I was against the wall as his tongue delved into my mouth. I wrapped my hands around his neck, twisting my fingers into his hair, eliciting a moan from his mouth as his tongue dived deeper. He grabbed at my lower thighs through my dress, squeezing them in his hands as he lifted me up. He bent his knees as my legs wrapped around his waist. I ran my hands underneath his shirt as I nibbled vigorously on his lower lip. He grabbed my hair at the nape of my neck, pulling it backward as his lips left mine and he kissed my throat. I moaned, pulling him closer. Good God this boy was going to be the death of me...
Colin's hands roamed up my back, holding me in place as his lips descended upon mine once again. I responded with enthusiasm, grinding my hips against his groin as this time, I plunged my tongue into his mouth. His fingers massaged my scalp, all the while, our kiss never broke. I grasped frantically at the collar of his shirt, squeezing it in my fingers and not thinking twice before I reached for his buttons and began ripping his shirt open.
Suddenly, he grabbed both my hands, holding them in his as he stepped back. He rested his forehead against mine, his eyes closed as he breathed heavily. My breathing matched his, and we stood there for a long while, resting against each other and trying to steady our breaths. He grabbed at my waist silently, helping to set me firmly on the ground. I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning forward and burying my face in his chest.
Losing Me Page 27