Never be the same.

Eight - Evictions

Colin watched Penelope rush by him and exit
his room. Was she right? Did he just want sex? He couldn't proceed any further without deciding exactly what he wanted. He had spent years swearing off women, he pushed every feeling so far away because he didn't want to feel heartbreak. But had he considered the other person.

Penelope had been the only woman to challenge him on his feelings. Sex was purely physical to Colin, yet... when he touched Penelope he lost full control of his senses. Everything was different with Penelope. She had the biggest crush on him for the majority of his life and well.. would he be taking advantage of that? He didn't want to hurt her, not again. He didn't want to talk advantage either, his brothers would kill him. Quite literally. They had always been protective over her. Probably because no one else was.

It was then he realised how broken Penelope was back then. He slumped into his chair with his head in his hands. She had came from a home of degrading comments and constant belittling. No wonder she never felt quite good enough, he would hear her cry with Eloise sometimes... now he understood why. He understood why she was so quiet, and he admired the fact she could walk away from him. He admired and adored her.

She had built up her confidence, she had built a successful life for herself without any of them. She was a marvel, she should be celebrated. Was he really ready to smash it all just to feel her? Just to have sex with her? Was he ready to ruin all of it for his ego? Or was it his ego?

He had to work out if his feelings were real, before he pursued anything. One thing he did know, was that there was no way under any circumstance could him and Penelope Featherington just be friends.

He went to bed that night and fell asleep staring at the ceiling. He wasn't sure when he actually managed to close his eyes, but as he woke he only had one thing on his mind.

He turned to his phone to check the time and he found a message from Penelope,

- hey, listen. Let's just put last night down to too much alcohol, and confusing feelings after seeing each other for a long time. We're friends, we always have been. So let's not be awkward and just have fun with everyone these next two weeks.

The message wasn't what he was expecting, and he wasn't sure what to reply. He sat staring at her words, 'friends' 'feelings'. She had stumped him.
He tried to reply sensibly.

- ok, I'm sorry again. Sounds good.

That's all he could muster up to say. Yet again this woman destroyed his confidence and brought his back down to reality. His bravado was removed instantly in her presence.

Another message popped through from Daphne.

- At the pool. No doubt you're hungover but we're all here. The boys are starting water polo in 30 minutes, so you best move it.

Colin noticed he slept through breakfast, so he shoved whatever snacks were kicking about his room down his throat. He was starving, but then again he always was. He grabbed a bottle of water and headed for the pool, as there was no way he was missing the water polo. It was his sport, and plus it was fun with the Bridgerton's. The edge of competition always made their water polo fun, it did become ridiculously competitive sometimes but it was all in good fun.

He shoved on his sunglasses, swim shorts, and white Ralph Lauren shirt. As he walked to the pool he received a round of applause from his siblings for getting up.

"Hey bro, late night?"

Benedict threw his arm around Colin's shoulder while punching his ribs. Colin just sarcastically smiled and pushed him away. He greeted his sisters and noticed Penelope had found a space next to Francesca.