Thirty and Single.

Chapter 25.

"So are you and Colton, like, dating now?" Brooklyn asked, tilting her head as she leaned against my desk on Monday morning.

I smiled shyly, twirling a pen in my fingers. "Um... I really don't know. We spent a couple of nights together."

"You spent a couple of nights together and I don't know about it?" she gasped dramatically, her voice sharp with mock betrayal.

I bit my lip and looked away, unsure how to respond.

"So, how was it?" she asked with that familiar sparkle in her eye, the one that meant I couldn't escape the question.

My cheeks flushed. "It was... wonderful. Colton's a great man."

Brooklyn grinned, leaning closer. "Mmmh... somebody sounds in love."

Her words made my heart flutter and clench at the same time. I hadn't said it out loud yet, but deep down, I knew she was right. I was falling hard for Colton Zachary.

"What's next?" she asked casually, scrolling through something on her phone.

I blinked. "Next?"

"You know," she said, waving vaguely, "since you've spent nights together, is it gonna be a relationship or just... friends with benefits?"

My heart dropped slightly at the thought. "Honestly, I don't know. Colton's not great at expressing his feelings. I think we're just... taking things slow."

Brooklyn shrugged and offered a soft smile. "Alright. I'm happy for you, Genesis. Just don't forget to protect your heart."

"I won't," I said, though I wasn't entirely sure that was true.

That evening, I was in the kitchen, pulling my lasagna out of the oven when there was a knock at the door. I didn't even need to check who it was, I just knew it was him.

I rushed to the door, wiping my hands on my apron. When I opened it, there he was—Colton. He looked tired but still achingly beautiful.

Without thinking, I threw my arms around him. "I missed you," I whispered.

"Green, I can't breathe," he murmured, and I immediately stepped back, laughing awkwardly.

"Sorry," I said, letting him in. He collapsed onto the couch with a heavy sigh.

"How was your trip?" I asked, sitting beside him.

"It was okay," he said curtly, avoiding my eyes.

I leaned in, trying to kiss him, but he turned his face away slightly. My heart dropped.

"Are you alright?" I asked softly.

"I'm tired, Green. I just... need to rest," he muttered as he stood. I thought he was heading upstairs to lie down in my room, but instead, he walked out the front door and disappeared into his house.

I stood frozen for a moment, the warmth from the oven no longer reaching me. I had waited for him all weekend. I made his favorite meal. And just like that, he left. I went to my room, curled into a ball, and let the silence wrap around me.

A week passed. A full week without a word from Colton. My calls went unanswered, my texts unread. Something had changed since his trip. I could feel it like a cold front sweeping in.

I couldn't take it anymore. I walked over to his house and knocked several times. Just as I turned to leave, the door opened.

He stood there, silent, tired eyes fixed on mine.

Without a word, I walked past him and into the house, sitting on the edge of his couch. He followed slowly, and after a moment, sat across from me.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked, my voice trembling between hurt and anger.

He stared at me but said nothing.

"What happened on your trip?" I pressed.

Still nothing.

"Colton, if you want this to work, if you want us to work, you need to talk to me. Please, just tell me what's going on."

He exhaled deeply and rubbed his face with both hands. "You remember the scar on my shoulder?" he finally asked.

I nodded.

"Three years ago... I got into an accident. I was drunk. Worse—" he paused, his voice cracking. "I wasn't alone. Nina was with me. She was... my girlfriend. She died on the spot."

My breath caught.

"I survived with a shattered shoulder," he continued. "I went back to visit her family last week. Being there, seeing them again, it just brought everything back."

I moved to sit beside him and pulled him into a tight hug. I felt his body tremble as he cried quietly into my shoulder.

"That night," he said hoarsely, "we were at a party. She offered to drive because she was less drunk, but I took the keys. We argued. And the next moment... the car flipped. I never even got to say I was sorry."

He looked at me with red-rimmed eyes. "She haunts me, Green. Every night. In my dreams. I can't sleep without seeing her face, hearing her voice. It's like I'm trapped."

I held him tighter. "Colton, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you were carrying all that."

He pulled back slightly and wiped his face. "I've never talked about it. Not with anyone."

"Have you thought about... seeing someone? A therapist?" I asked gently.

He stiffened immediately. "You mean a shrink? I'm not crazy, Green."

"I didn't say you were," I said calmly. "But talking to someone might help. You don't have to go through this alone."

"I am alone," he snapped. "This is why I hate opening up. I don't want pity or advice. I don't want someone telling me what to do."

"I wasn't trying to tell you what to do. I said it because I care about you," I said, my voice rising with frustration.

"Well, maybe I don't want to be cared for!" he shouted.

That hit me like a punch.

"Fine," I said, my voice low, controlled. I stood and headed for the door. As I stepped outside, I nearly ran into Parsley.

"Genesis? Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

"Your brother is so fucking annoying," I snapped before walking away, tears pricking my eyes.

"Genesis! Wait—please!" she called out behind me, but I didn't turn around.

I was done, for now. I had opened my heart to him. I had tried to understand, to love, to be patient. But how do you hold someone who's fighting the very act of being held?

I wasn't angry. I was hurt.

Because I loved him.

And that love, it wasn't enough. Not yet.