Page 31 of The Breaking Pointe

friendsgiving

NOELLE

I’m always so excited to celebrate the holidays with family, friends, and delicious foods to pick from—but this year? I can’t bring myself to even be on time to meet everyone in my living room.

I bet people are asking where I am. They have no idea that I’m sitting on my bed, reciting the words of that ungodly notice from the building’s management company in my head. I wish it were a nightmare that I could wake up from. This nightmare doesn’t have an end though, it seems. I would like to think of other things, but it doesn’t feel okay to do when I have a group of little ballerinas depending on me to make sure they have a place to dance around and do what they love. It’s up to me to find a way to tell them that I can’t do that. The more I think it over, the more I consider how it may make me their first enemy in this lifetime.

When all I want is to see them come out on top.

I want to talk about it, but between the honorably positive vibes tonight and my grieving boyfriend, it seems there’s no room for my whining. Which is bold of me to assume anybody wants to hear about it, regardless.

Finishing the application of apple-red lipstick on my lips, I pat underneath each eye with a wipe, attempting to clean any left-over mascara I missed from my latest crying expo. I stand from my vanity, straightening out the material of my dress as I walk over to my bed, sitting near the velvet heels I picked to match my rusty, red colored dress. I pick them up, unstrapping the ankle buckles and setting them in front of my feet to slip on, being greeted with a knock on my door as I do.

“It’s open. I’m hurrying, I swear.”

I sniffle between my words, already exhausted from human interaction.

“Elle, it’s me, sweetheart.”

I watch as Colton slips his way into the room, keeping the door shut to an extent.

He relieves me of the party anxiety in an instant.

“Just as I suspected. Looking angelic, as always.”

He smiles. Sniffling once more, I raise my head to welcome his presence, noticing both of his arms stay locked behind his back as he watches me strap each shoe.

His cheeks soften as his smile dissipates.

“You know, a woman as astonishing as you should be smiling. She should only be acquainted with happiness, and accompanied by the brightest of smiles.”

He casually takes a few steps toward me”

Can I offer something to make my woman feel a little more at ease?”

He’s so eloquent. How don’t you fall in love with it? Standing up, I’m able to meet his height, almost perfectly.

I lazily nod as I grasp onto his cardigan, scaling my gaze up his pure white turtle neck, meeting my eyes with his. His curly

hair is still damp looking and gelled, with one Superman curl hanging in the front. One of his hands finds comfort on my hip, and the other reveals a flower bouquet with purples, yellows, and whites, popping up from behind his back like a clever magic trick.

Each color makes my lifeless pout revert into a smile that widens more when I look him in the eyes.

“Mine?”

I speculate.

“Yours,”

he confirms, kissing me on the forehead”

Behold— that sweet smile that I love to see.”

“Thank you. They’re beautiful,”

I say, taking them and bringing them to my nose to sniff.

Looking at him again, I use my nails to prod at the fabric around his neck.

“You look really handsome, by the way. The turtleneck is always sexy on you.”

I bounce my eyebrows, dragging my finger down his chest”

I guess I’ll be watching you all night.”

Ever so gently, he pushes his glasses up, biting his lip”

Don’t look too hard.”

His hand pulls my body closer, his grip finding my ass”

You might start something,”

he whispers, kissing my bare shoulder.

Closing my eyes as his lips touch my skin, I open them to look at him while I speak.

“Don’t worry. I know how to finish it,”

I ensure him, palming his chest and dragging my hand down further, meeting his crotch to give it a squeeze.

He groans, quickly containing it while watching me turn away, taking my hand with me.

“We should go.”

I glance at him”

Before people start to wonder where we are,”

I add as I approach the door.

He looks at me as if he’s hypnotized before blinking rapidly

and following me. I hold my hand out, wiggling my fingers.

He takes it, following closely behind me, speaking lowly in my ear.

“You…are a very bad girl,”

he hums before kissing my ear.

* * *

For a man who weighs more than two hundred pounds, and most of it being muscle, I wouldn’t expect Colton to not be able to hold his alcohol. Four glasses of cognac and he’s still going. I wonder if he’s even counting. I also wonder if I should be scared of the man he might become later when we’re alone. Is Wasted Colton still as sweet as the Sober Colton? Or is he more like an evil twin? Then again, it could be the depression talking. It is his first holiday without his mom. Instead of crying about losing her, he’s drinking about it. I can’t bring myself to stop him, only for the fact that for the first time since she passed, it seems like his smile is a true one, and his happiness isn’t just him playing a game to please others.

That’s gotta count for something. Right?

“Elle. You want more cider?”

Lauren asks, prancing over to where I stand stationed in the dining area, watching Cole have intoxicated interactions with Lauren’s cousin and Tony.

I smile, swirling my half-full glass”

I’m okay, thank you. I’m gonna make this my last glass, I think.”

“Too strong?”

She smirks.

“It’s perfect.”

I roll my eyes”

I think it’s best if I stay somewhat level headed, for Colton’s sake.”

She scoffs with laughter, filling her glass”

Elle, it’s not his first time drinking. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“He drinks beer, Lauren. Not several glasses of hard liquor,

back to back. It’s different,”

I tell her.

“So stop him.”

She shrugs, holding her glass with both hands”

I can’t. I need to see where it goes. I want him to have fun. Even though he might not later on when he’s hugging the toilet.”

I nervously bite my lip.

Lauren looks in his direction, then gently rubs my arm”

He’s handling it well, I think. You worry far more than you should.”

I nod”

Yes, but he’s using things to fill the void. I can tell. My job is to just be on standby.”

She nods, sincerely pursing her lips”

I get it. I’m gonna gather everyone to eat,”

she states, squeezing my arm before walking away, gliding past a drunk Cole who is on his way to meet me.

His smirk widens the closer he gets until he’s directly in front of me.

“My sweet girl,”

he says, peering down at my face as he gets close to me.

“Hi,”

I say, looking up at him, feeling more edgy as I wait to feel his vibe.

“I miss you. Come talk with us?”

he asks, grabbing my waist firmly and squeezing it.

“I don’t want to interrupt. Besides, we’re gonna eat. I know you’re hungry,” I combat.

His lips curl downward as he examines my face.

“Okay. I won’t make you. I um…I hope my drinking isn’t bugging you…”

he says, losing control of his wording slightly.

“Colton, you’re having fun. Okay? You’re allowed to be drunk,”

I assert, placing a hand on his chest”

I need you to have fun. And eat a lot, please. The less we have to clean, the better.”

“I am starving…”

he admits, licking his lips as he eyeballs me.

“So…can a drunk guy get a kiss? Pretty please?”

he questions me, drawing his face closer to mine”

That’s a part of my fun. Aside from making every woman jealous of you.”

His breath skitters down my neck as he brings his lips close to my jaw, kissing it softly, brushing his beard against my face.

Drunk, but still a master flirt.

“Sure…”

I whisper”

You never have to ask for one of those.”

His lips brush over my cheek before meeting mine, letting me taste the sweet honey flavor lingering off of the cognac he’d previously consumed. I raise some fingertips to his chin, fitting them in the field of hair that covers his face. His beard is thicker. It feels longer, too. It’s softer than silk, and smells like clove oil and chestnuts.

Musky, like a lumberjack.

Drunk as he is, he kisses me just right, moving his lips against mine like he knows what moves my own lips will make without warning. Suddenly, he backs me into the counter, but pulls my body away from it when he notices. His lips run away from mine as he gasps softly.

“I’m sorry—did I hurt you?”

Batting my eyes open, I stare up at him”

Don’t be. I’m fine.”

He presses his lips against my head and grabs his glass from the counter behind me, turning around to see the commotion of

everyone finding a place at the dining table.

It always feels empty when he lets me go. I selfishly cannot wait until I can have him to myself later.

“Let’s find a seat,”

he says, grabbing my hand and holding it above my head to have me lead the way”

I’m sitting wherever you sit.”

My God, he’s gonna make me jump on him and take him over. I lock my fingers with his, taking him to an empty spot at the

table beside Annie. Before I can grab onto a chair, he beats me to it, pulling it out enough for me to sit.

“Thank you,”

I say quietly as I notice his behavior makes a few of our guests watch him as he puts away his drunkenness to please me.

I, myself, have never been the jealous type. Actually, it’s more that I wasn’t allowed to have that feeling without being repri- manded. I would have to keep my feelings of jealousy contained and hold my questions back from Daniel. Colton responds in an opposite manner. He’s rather calm when drinking. Which is not much different than how he is any other time. I suppose it’s his confidence.

He’s really confident. It’s a strong energy that I’m sure everyone around us can feel, except him. Both shy and sure of himself, all at once.

The way that other women look at him tells me I’m right. They see him the way that I do. If they knew what we did together, they would burn me at the stake. It’s fun to know that it’s me that he can climb on top of and take control of in the most sensual ways. I love everything about it. I love him breathing above me like he’s working his hardest to make me feel good, while glistening and dripping with sweat. I also love the way he sounds when it feels just right for him—and I even love to run my fingers along his chest hair. I love all of it. I just wish I had more of it.

It’s not that I don’t think we connect, but let’s just say that I want to connect with him like that more often. I know that he’s going through a lot, but maybe a little bit of that connection could lift his spirits. What man can say no to his girlfriend wanting to make him feel good?

He doesn’t even have to do any of the work if he doesn’t want to.

Watching him for the rest of the party while occasionally dancing around with Annie, my thoughts return to him and I being alone, over and over. It’s nice though, having everyone over and seeing us all together for another year. I haven’t noticed anyone having a bad time, which means the night is turning out successful.

“Okay, everyone—attention for just a few minutes,”

Lauren says, clinking her fork against her champagne glass.

Directing my attention to her, I rest my chin in my palm.

“I know this isn’t some elaborate dinner, but it’s elaborate enough that I think we should toast. Let’s say to…starting over. Togetherness, and um…”

she pauses, then looks directly at Colton and I before continuing, “loving each other and ourselves.”

Why are we the example holders for that? I doubt he likes me more than boxing. I wouldn’t exactly call what we have ‘love’. I take the fabric of my dress into my hands under the table, squeezing it as I hide my face by looking down.

“That’s sweet, babe,”

Tony says, looking up at her as she raises her glass, followed by everyone else doing the same.

She smiles at him, then looks at everyone around the table”

Cheers. Let’s eat some good food made by yours truly and Miss Mayberry, who told me not to make a big deal, but her Dutch apple pie is to die for.”

She laughs, flattening her dress as she sits down.

My face heats up, listening to everyone egg on her appreci- ation, smiling bashfully as I watch everyone pass food around and start to fill their plates. Colton clears his throat, leaning over to my ear.

“I’m extraordinarily grateful for you, Noelle,”

he murmurs as his hand rests on my bare thigh.

When I raise my head, he’s already given his attention to the

person beside him, fraternizing as he was, earlier. Being the sweetest man at the table. Showing every bit of warm reception he can.

Making me grateful that I decided to give him a chance.

* * *

The clean-up was annoying, long, and enduring. Not as bad as I expected, though. Which was a good thing for Lauren and myself, I suppose. I never cleaned up anything so quickly in my life—all so I can give my undivided attention to Colton—who has mysteriously disappeared after lugging all the heavy items out to people’s cars, collecting every single dish he could find, and filling the dishwasher like it’s his own home.

Eventually, after figuring out that the only place he could be was my bedroom, I began my way there, hoping to rid myself of my very cute, but uncomfortable heels. Coming closer to the bedroom door, I could already hear Cole singing something, sounding dreadfully tone deaf while doing so.

“Cole?”

I speak into the room, entering it and closing the door behind me.

With no response, I’m forced to hear more of his quiet serenading, drawing me toward my bathroom. Pushing the door open a few inches, his voice becomes clearer than it was seconds ago. His singing and humming never ceases, even after I locate him.

“Hey,”

I say, finally gaining his attention and pushing the door open more.

His eyes jump at me as he tugs on his belt, undoing it and pulling his shirt out.

“Hey,”

he mumbles, having some trouble with the belt.

“You need a hand?”

I ask, stepping closer while taking the belt, slowly unhooking it then looking at him.

“I felt restricted,”

he says lowly”

I thought it might feel better to have nothing on,”

he adds, watching me.

Letting go of the belt, I follow up by pulling the rest of his shirt out from its tuck.

“Yeah?”

I raise my eyebrows lightly.

He nods, biting his lip as he grabs his boxers, adjusting them”

Yeah,”

he says, assessing my entire body with his gaze.

“Why are you looking like that? Don’t make that face. It’s like…like you’re on demon time,”

I say, seeing him begin to give me a smug look.

“Maybe I am,”

he confirms, shuffling closer”

You just look so goddamn good…I can’t help it.”

I roll my eyes, remembering the obvious. He’s wasted, and everything looks better when you’re wasted.

“Okay, and you are just so goddamn drunk. So I’ll say thank you,”

I lift myself on my toes and kiss his nose, “and walk away.”

I giggle, pulling away.

Turning around, I only get a few steps out of the bathroom just to be stopped by his embrace on my waist.

“Alright, what’s your point?”

he questions me, pushing himself against my backside”

You’d still be fine as hell even if I were sober and blind,”

he says amorously, kissing my shoulder then my neck.

“Cole…”

I murmur, closing my eyes briefly, “I have to get my heels off. I wanna get comfortable, too.”

I open my eyes again, letting him hang onto me as we waddle to the bed.

“I like ‘em. Leave ‘em on.”

He chuckles, squeezing my sides as he feels for the zipper on my dress.

“I couldn’t possibly wear these any longer.”

I shake my head,

turning around to face him as my legs run into the bed”

My legs and feet are sore. Thanks to years and years of dancing,”

I admit, holding onto him as he bumps into me, squeezing me tighter as we both lose our footing and fall onto the bed.

One of his hands fall flat on the bed, stopping himself from nearly crushing me, while the other never lets me go, and gets to feel my belly full of laughter.

“My bad.”

He chuckles, rubbing my sides and slipping his finger into the dress, tapping on my bare skin.

“See? You can’t even stand,”

I tease him, wrapping my arms around his neck”

You’re just a big bruiser. Tossing me on the bed. I’m fragile, you know?”

His brows raise as he looks down at me, sitting up and lifting the cream-white turtleneck over his head before tossing it on the floor.

“I’m so sorry, angel. Lemme make it better?”

he requests, finding the zipper on my side and finally undoing it, loosening the dress.

Trailing my sight down to his belt, I can already see him getting hard behind his dress pants. Growing by the second, probably.

I want it.

“How exactly would you do that, Mr. Kennedy?”

I innocently implore, lifting my legs to his chest.

“Simple. I’ll start by doing this…”

He grabs my ankles, kissing each leg as he unstraps one shoe, slipping it off. Sharing glances with his every move, I watch as he unstraps the other, dropping both shoes on the floor. As they thump against the wood, he wastes no time to grab my dress, softly pulling on it.

“I like that.” I nod.

“Good,”

he breathes”

What about this?”

he asks, watching

the dress slip down to my hips and across my legs as he lifts them over his shoulder, taking it all the way off.

Instantly, my nipples harden at the semi-cold air touching my naked body.

Leaving me only in my panties.

He exhales through his mouth, licking his lips as his hand drags to his bulging groin. His hand palms onto it as he clutches onto it, firmly.

“I’m trying to behave myself, but I don’t think I can anymore,”

he keens, chuckling softly. The color of his face starts to burn red as he runs his hand through his hair, looking at my breasts and then my face.

“I can see that.”

I return his look of hunger, sitting up and taking his hand before pushing it behind his back”

Let me see it?”

I beg, resting my chin on his belly, right above his belt line.

“Mm, you wanna see it?”

he asks tenderly.

I nod”

I wanna see just how hard you are for me,”

I whisper, wrapping my fingers around the waistband of his boxers and pulling them down with his pants, inciting him to breathe heavier as I pull them down his thighs.

Now face to face with the tip, I kiss it, and softly grab hold”

You’re so big, baby. I want it in every way,”

I coo, kissing it again before opening my mouth wide and dragging my tongue along the length from the middle to the tip.

“It’s all yours, sweetheart. Only if you’re done being bad,”

he huskily replies, moving some hair from my face.

“I promise, I’m done…”

I quietly respond, beginning to stroke it as slow as possible.

He clenches his jaw”

Are you? Cause I don’t think you are. You love teasing me too much.”

He shakes his head.

He’s absolutely right.

“I’m sorry. You play my games so well that I can’t resist. I need to see how hard I can make you work for it,”

I admit, kissing the tip once again, and then engulfing all of him into my mouth. I fit his entire length, gagging at the tip reaches the back of my throat, knowing damn well I can’t stay like this forever. But I can damn sure try.

“Woah, woah…not too much,” he rasps”

Uh-uh. I wanna be in you,”

he says, jerking his hips back to pull himself out of my mouth, making me gasp for air.

Holding a thumb out, he wipes underneath my lips, then takes me by the hips, lifting me up further on the bed and dropping me underneath him. He then crawls on top of me, resting his arm next to my head to hold himself up as he goes about kissing my jaw. As his lips hit my skin, so do two of his fingers right on top of my clit, massaging it in circles.

“God, you’re soaked for me, sweetheart…”

He lets out a breathy laugh against my skin, kissing it again as his fingers slide down my wet folds, gliding them inside me with ease.

His fingers are huge—and it’s usually almost as good as having the real thing.

A moan escapes my mouth without my control, sending his lips right against mine, quieting me with repeated kisses and words in between.

“We need…”

he kisses me twice, “to be quiet…”

he breathes, kissing me twice more.

“I-I can’t,”

I stutter, slamming my hand against the nape of his neck, squeezing it as he curls his fingers inside of me.

“Yes, you can,”

he mumbles, kissing my chest as he continues to thrust his fingers in and out of me, grasping the sheets beside my head tighter.

Shoving my fingers through his hair, I tangle my fingers in it,

looking him dead in his face”

Please…I need you, and I can’t wait any longer,” I beg.

Amused by this, a demented smile appears on his face. Slowly, he pulls his fingers out of me, and pushes his pants and boxers down further until he can kick them off. Quickly after, he pushes his body into mine, catching hold of my thighs and wrapping them around his waist.

He buries his head in my neck and sighs”

I’m drunk…but not drunk enough to forget that we need a condom,”

he speaks against my skin, sounding rather annoyed.

“Colton.”

I take a few fingers to his hairy chin, making him look at me again”

Fuck the stupid condom, okay? I’m on birth control for a reason. Just put it in me, and make sure you pull it out in time.”

“Deal.”

He nods quickly, dropping his eyes to my lips while gently pushing himself in my entrance.

“All the way,”

I whisper, brushing our noses together.

His eyes shut as he listens to my request, fitting himself into me more. When his hips finally touch mine, my nails curl against his chest, nearly shaking at the feeling of him filling me all the way. He doesn’t stop there, and doesn’t let me down. Rolling his hips inward, I feel him sink into me, again and again, roughing up the skin of our hips the more they brush together. With each thrust, he’s in my ear, breathing down my neck like he’s yearned for my body this entire night. Making me feel wanted in every way he can.

“You have no idea what you do to me…”

he heavily rasps against my neck, burying his head there as he pins one of my wrists above my head.

“Faster…”

I whimper.

Raising his body above me further, he pins my other wrist,

slithering his fingers up to my hands to lock them with mine. The bed responds in the worst way possible, now rocking along with our rhythm—making the headboard chime in with the fun as it bashes into the wall.

“Shit,”

he snaps, glancing at the headboard then back at me, slamming his hand on it to stabilize the movement. When our eyes meet again, his look is more determined than before, tightening his jaw as intensely as he possibly can.

I hold my breath, trying to hide my next moan—knowing it’ll be loud if I let it out. Instead, I stutter what I can without blowing our cover.

“C-Cole…”

His eyes darken at my attempt to let him hear me.

“Say it,”

he commands me, flaring his nostrils as he growls. He snatches the pillow beside my head, never ceasing his momentum, and shoves it between the headboard and the wall. Smirking at his own quick thinking, he looks at me again as I watch his chain wave back and forth between us, bouncing against his chest, repeatedly.

“Colton!”

I moan louder, starting to arch my back.

The lowest of moans vibrates from his body, and he takes a hand to my stomach, pressing down gently.

Making me really feel him.

The sheets feel hot, and my skin feels sticky and sweaty—but the room smells like him. I don’t want my senses to let go of his scent. I want his glistening, sweaty muscles crashing into my body for as long as I can take it. For as long as he wants to. Even if that means hours.

“Mmm…you know it’s mine, right? You’re mine,”

he grunts, using the sound of my vocals as fuel”

All mine,”

he moans the last words as he closes his eyes, seeming to reach a sense of

tranquility.

For a moment, watching him peak with pleasure is better than me feeling my own.

“It’s all for you,”

I pant, reaching my fingers behind the nape of his neck, pulling his face close to mine, making a few of his damped curls brush across my face”

What’s mine is yours. Nobody else can change that,”

I whisper breathlessly.

His chest fills with air as his hips calm down, returning to his previous, slow and sensual motion. The brown of his eyes is shining brighter than it has before, but not enough to distract me from his lips that are barely touching mine, stuck in a parted state.

Without words, he smashes his lips into mine, thrusting faster into me as he does. He knows what he’s doing. He knows if he keeps doing it, I’m gonna cum at any given moment now. There’s no chance at me holding it back, and the more I focus, the harder it is to hold it in. I just keep feeling tighter around him.

He’s so big, I could cry happy tears.

His lips rip away from mine and he takes my chin into his hand, cupping it”

Don’t cum. Not yet,”

he hisses.

A tremble washes over my legs as he says this, torturing me”

I-I can’t hold it…”

I gasp, trying to hold my breath again.

“I thought you were gonna be a good girl, huh?”

he questions me, furrowing his eyebrows. His hand rushes to my thighs and holds them from their shaking fit.

“I’ll be good…I’m your good girl.”

I close my eyes, whispering my words. “I swear…”

“You don’t want me to stop now, do you? Don’t tell me that’s what you want.”

He chuckles, pressing his body closer to mine”

No!”

I beg, cupping his cheeks”

Don’t you dare stop fucking

me, Colton,”

I warn him.

His eyes widen quickly at my orders”

Or what?”

he challenges me.

“Or else,”

I threaten.

Suddenly his eyes close again, and his touch becomes weak”

I just…holy fuck,” he moans.

I bet he’s holding it in, just like me. Both of us are trying to get as much out of this as we both can.

Who could really blame us?

“Please…I just need to…”

I say, gliding a hand around his torso, patting his back with mass speed.

“Please don’t,”

he begs me, now in a softer, sweeter tone”

Just…just wait for me. Almost,”

he responds, his breath becoming shorter and shorter.

Each thrust is now more careful as he stays inside me longer each time. As weak as he might be getting, it isn’t allowing him to give up.

“Look at me,”

I plead, caressing his cheeks with my thumbs”

Look at me, please.”

His eyes slowly flutter open, and one arm throws itself beside my head, tugging and grabbing on the sheet as we stare into each other’s eyes. His eyes aren’t filled with lust like before, but something more. Something a lot deeper than simple lust. Not even the alcohol can be seen in the seriousness of his expression.

It’s something much more. He feels it, and so do I.

“Fuck, here it comes…”

he groans, pressing our foreheads together as he pulls his hips away from me, stealing his long shaft from inside of me. He leans up as one hand runs up and down his length in jerky movements, while the other hand fills me, finishing me off as I come around his fingers. Kissing him, I’m met with his moans. I can feel his muscles tense all over, his

hips jolting back as he continues to cum all over me, allowing me to feel the last waves of my orgasm. The feeling of fire and ecstasy drown me in a pleasure I don’t think I can say has ever been familiar to me until looking at him. Somehow he makes everything I have ever known before seem like one big facade. It couldn’t be real. He can’t be real.

Pulling his fingers out of me, his body finally finds itself limp, falling next to me on his back. I steal his now free hand and interlock our fingers as I roll over to face him.

With eyes closed and uncontrolled breaths, he squeezes my hand, pulling it to his chest for me to feel his rapidly beating heart. His chest raises with each breath, getting my attention on his naked body. My attention is wanting to go somewhere else.

So I let it.

Gazing down his stomach, I lick my lips at the sight of his dick. Still so hard.

Tiptoeing my fingers down his stomach, I place each finger around it, met with the soaking wetness I left him with.

“I can still feel you inside me,”

I coo, kissing his stomach as I move my firmly wrapped hand around his length, up and down. With a light gasp, he opens his eyes to peek at what I’m doing, almost panicking.

“Oh—wait, wait, wait…”

He reaches down, clawing his fingers at the sight, but giving up his fight as he throws his head back instead.

My cheeks rise into a chirpy grin, watching him react to my touch. Barely touching my hand, he props himself up on one elbow, and reaches for my hand again.

“You don’t want me to?”

I ask, giving him my best doe eyes as I keep on stroking him.

His eyes close again as he bites back his moan”

I got liquor dick so bad…it’s sensitive.”

I rest my chin on his chest, watching him with a quiet giggle”

Sweetheart…”

he mumbles, now successfully taking my hand and stopping me.

Once he can get my hand away, his upper body shoots up from the bed, paired with a look of horror on his face.

“What’s the matter?”

I ask, now sitting up with him.

Rather than answering, the back of his hand blocks his mouth and he flies from the bed, running to the bathroom.

Enough said. I predicted it.

I run after him, listening to the violent, gunfire-like vomit from the pit of his stomach, filling the toilet. Then the sound of him wincing and coughing isn’t far behind. I get to him, just in time to rub his back as he drops to the floor, hugging onto the toilet seat. I push his hair back from his face, holding each curl from his view, so that he can empty himself of the poison that is alcohol.

“I’m sorry, honey,”

he groans.

I kiss his back, listening to him gurgle up one more load before groaning and sitting all the way down on the floor.

“Don’t be,”

I say, sitting on my knees and facing him.

Glancing up, I reach for a hand towel above his head and pull it down to clean his face. It’s now lathered in sweat, and his mouth is accompanied by bits of puke. I take another hand towel and wipe my stomach of his cum, cleaning myself up.

“You need to lay down, that’s all. We maybe shouldn’t have… you know,”

I quietly admit.

“No—I don’t regret that.”

He breathes heavily, leaning his back against the wall.

I laugh quietly, softly dabbing and wiping his mouth.

“I’m not being a good boyfriend,”

he says, simple and plainly, as if no negotiation is to be made.

How could he even think like that? I’m the luckiest girl in the world right now. He’s probably not thinking. Or he thinks about that statement more than I considered.

“What?”

I stop my hand movements and slowly rest my hand on his”

No, don’t you say that, Colton,”

I press, shaking my head.

His eyes are tired and sickly looking as he lowers his head”

You were having fun. I don’t ever see you have fun like that, Cole. Not recently, at least. You’re allowed to do that.”

I scoot closer, taking his hands.

“Too much fun,”

he says, grasping his stomach”

Sometimes, you need to have too much fun.”

I kiss his head,

starting to shiver from being on the cold floor.

Before he can reply more, he lunges his head into the toilet again, chucking up more.

“My honey…”

I rub his head softly”

I’m gonna get cold water, okay? I’ll be right back.”

I trail my nails along his back, looking at the sweat beads form.

“Okay…”

he groans.

At this point, I feel like I probably should’ve listened to Lauren, only to spare his poor stomach. The first time he eats a complete meal—multiple helpings of it—and he can’t even keep it down. A bunch of fun, playing together, and then he ends it off by losing his entire dinner. Not only that, but he’s obviously feeling guilty, and for what, I don’t know.

I do know why, though. But I hate the bitch who made him feel like he needs to apologize for living like a normal person, and enjoying the simple fruits that this life has to offer. She ruined what joy means to him, and it’s not okay with me. If I could face

her, I would target her on sight. I’d love to see how she would feel having all of her favorite things about herself made out to be her biggest flaws. I’m fine with cleaning up the glass she left behind, but it would make my day brighter if he could rub us in her face.

Daniel can join her in the ex-factor club.

Walking back into the bedroom, I quickly grab a t-shirt from a drawer of lazy clothing, and throw it on to cover my body for my quick kitchen trip. No thoughts break through to me except my main goal: Colton needs water. I creep down the hall in a rush, pretty much teleporting to the kitchen, finding Tony at the sink, washing out a bowl.

“Hey,”

I announce myself, pausing for a few seconds to think of my next move.

He turns his head, barely, to glance at me”

What’s up… surprised you’re showing your face.”

He chuckles.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I furrow my brows, remem- bering the water bottles in the refrigerator and going over to it.

“It means that you and your boyfriend aren’t very good at being quiet,”

he says, turning the faucet off and setting the bowl in the dish rack before turning around.

I avoid eye contact, feeling flushed in the face”

Why are you listening?”

“I—”

He stops himself, now laughing softly”

I’m not listening. I’m…giving you a heads up.”

I half smile, opening the fridge and taking a few bottles out, then closing it.

“I know,”

I say, looking at him”

Where’s Steven?”

I ask, as it dawns on me.

He points to the living room, and I follow his finger, seeing

Steven curled in a ball on the couch with a cover over him”

Good.”

I nod once, smiling at the resemblance he has to his

brother.

He half smiles”

You seem truly happy, Noelle. It’s nice to see.”

I bite my lip, quickly looking down before sighing and looking at him again”

I am. I mean—it still feels like a hoax, but I am.”

He shakes his head, holding onto his smile.

“So is it settled? You taking him to Chicago next month? For Christmas?”

Leave it to Tony to remind me that I keep procrastinating”

Um…I haven’t gotten that far. He’s got a lot on his plate. He probably won’t say yes…”

I respond, resuming my avoidance of eye contact.

“After tonight, something tells me that’s not true,”

he says, beginning to walk back to Lauren’s room”

Just ask, Elle. It might help him,”

he suggests”

Goodnight,”

he adds, walking down the hall.

Since when is he ever right? They must’ve bonded something serious during the party.

Clutching the water bottles, I jog back to my bedroom, using my shoulder to push the door open, seeing Colton already in bed with his back facing the door and his boxers back on. Half the job finished.

“I’m sorry,”

I say, quickly closing the door before hurrying to the bed”

Cole?”

I pry, crawling on the bed and rubbing his arm. His steady breathing is an indication of sleeping soundly. Looking over his shoulder, I see his eyes, locked shut, and one of his hands on his stomach. Looking further, I notice my bathroom garbage can on the side of the bed, and I half smile.

My prepared man.

Using one hand, I switch the lamp off, and with my other, I

pull a throw blanket from the foot of the bed up to us, unfolding it and draping it over our bodies, then wrap my arms around his clammy, yet soft torso, hugging him. This is what being with someone means. Having a partner is having someone to feel comfortable with, even in your lowest of times. I could take care of him forever. He makes me unashamed to do so.

Dare I say—I think I love him? I shouldn’t, but it’s too late.