Tears began to form in my eyes. Ugh! I don’t cry. Stop this, Lauren. Stop this now. Why do I always cry when it comes to Colt? My voice cracked as I talked. “I know. He’s the yummy marshmallow fluff to my hot chocolate.”
Libby giggled. “Yeah, I know he is, sweetheart.”
A tear slowly made it’s way down my cheek. “Libby, I hate school. Oh my glitter . . . I hate it so much and I don’t know what to do. I can’t focus. I thought at first it was just because I was so wrapped up in Colt. You know. Pushing him away and always thinking about him.” Rubbing my fingers under my nose, I kept talking. “Then when we finally got together I was thinking this would fix everything, but it didn’t. I can’t focus because I don’t care about any of it, Libby! What am I going to do?”
Libby pulled me into her arms and held me as she ran her hand up and down my back. “Shh, it’s okay, Lauren.”
Shaking my head, I pulled back. “It’s not okay, Libby. If my father and mother heard me say that, I’d get the biggest lecture of my life. You know how our parents are about college degrees. I mean, look at my mother. She could own her own Vet clinic! She’s got all these stupid degrees and I . . . I just want to work on the ranch. I want to be with the horses everyday, not sitting in some stupid class learning about business.” Slamming my hands up to my face, I let out a frustrated scream as I sank down to the ground.
Libby sat down next to me and took my hands in her hands. “Lauren, you only have two more years and that’s it. Then you’ll be back in Mason, working on your daddy’s ranch and Colt will be by your side.”
Nodding my head, I took in a shaky breath. “I know. I know, Libby. Believe me I keep telling myself that.”
Reaching over, Libby pushed a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear. “Colt said your grades are amazing.”
Chewing on my lower lip, I whispered, “I have a four point zero grade average.”
Libby laughed. “You’re with Colt, sweetie, and you both only have two more years. Take it a semester at a time and I promise it will go by fast. Look, Alex, Will, and Maegan have just this year. It’s gone by fast.”
Nodding my head, I knew Libby was right. There was no way I could leave school, and leave Colt behind. Plus, my father would chain me to a desk at A&M and make me stay there.
“I promise to take it a semester at a time.”
Libby smiled and stood up. “Good. Now that we’ve got that taken care of, are you ready for the wedding?”
Jumping up and down and letting out a squeal, I clapped my hands. “Yes! Yes! Yes! It’s finally here. Seems like forever ago they got engaged.”
Libby and I started walking back over to the party. It was a small get together with just a few friends from high school that we had invited. Libby and I talked about last-minute details that we were taking care of for Alex. My eyes caught a glimpse of someone and I looked to see it was, Rachel. Colt’s ex-girlfriend. What in the hell was she doing here? She was talking to Colt and kept putting her hand on his arm. Balling up my fists, I stared at them.
Libby kept talking but I heard nothing. Nothing but the sound of my blood rushing through my veins as I watched Colt throw his head back and laugh at something she said.
“Lauren? Hello, Earth to Lauren? Are you even listening to me?”
“No, I’m not because I’m too busy looking at the little slut who’s talking to Colt.”
Grace walked up next to me and laughed. “Oh man, I love that you’re turning more and more like me as the days go by.”
“That truly does concern me,” Libby said.
Holding up my hands to them both I shouted, “Hush up!”
Why is he laughing? What does he find so funny? If she touches him one more time I’m going to rip her eyes out.
Hot breath was near my neck as Grace whispered, “I’m going to safely say you’re currently thinking you want to rip her hair out.”
Swallowing hard, I whispered, “Her eyes.”
Grace chuckled. “Lauren, take a deep breath and let it out. Colt loves you and only you. She knows by talking to him she’s gonna get under your skin.”
Dragging in a deep breath, I slowly blew it out as I released my fists. Right about that moment, Colt’s eyes found mine. I could almost see the blue in his eyes from where I was standing. Moving my eyes back to his face, they landed on his lips. The same lips that had kissed my body tenderly last night as Colt made love to me under the stars again in the bed of his truck, our new favorite place to be.
