Breaking point

Falling

☠ Cole's POV ☠
As soon as we set foot in the apartment, Molly's mom gave me the look and nodded for me to follow her. I didn't know what she wanted to discuss but I had a pretty good hunch.

She glanced over her shoulder making sure Molly was occupied with the food and TV. Then she turned back to me.

"Look, Cole, from what I know you seem nice and Molly adores you. But I know something else. I know that look in your eyes, I recognize it cause I used to wear it. It tore apart my marriage and took from me everything I cared about. I don't wanna see drinking ruin your relationship with Molly; or everything you hold dear for that matter." Molly's mom told me, the look in her eye showing her genuine concern.

"There isn't much else." I muttered, having trouble coming up with a very big list of things I actually cared about.

She sighed, locking her gaze onto mine, "trust me when I say I know what you're going through and how you feel. Once you start it's hard to pull away. I have a number for a rehab place that really helped me, that's one of the best options. Another thing is finding a hobby; something to occupy time instead of drinking. I'm not gonna force you to call rehab or find a hobby, I'm just- don't do it for me, do it for yourself. And if you can't do it for you; please do it for Molly."

My gaze dropped as we reentered the kitchen, I believed what she said, I knew it was good advice. The problem was that I just didn't have enough will power to resist the constant urge to drink. Molly had been what occupied my time but with her living here now I had way to much time to myself. And I can't go drive to clear my mind either since my motorcycle is still in the shop.

"You ok?" Molly asked, glancing up from the TV.

"Fine" I pulled on a smile, wrapping my arms around her briefly as I planted a kiss on her forehead. Fine on the outside. Fine for you. You've been through enough. You don't need my problems piled on everything else.

"Alright," she smiled up at me before glancing over at her mom who was beaming at us, "hey mom, can Cole stay over?"

Her mom raised a brow, uncertainly, "he can stay on the couch..."

The grin spread wider on Molly's face, looking back at me hopefully. I nodded, "yeah my mom won't care."

"Cool!" Molly chirped happily, pulling me into a hug.

➳ Molly's POV ➳
Cole's arms wrapped around me, giving me a warm tingling feeling. When we pulled back though there was something off about the look in his eyes. Almost as if there was something he wanted to say but couldn't.

I ignored it and instead quickly changed the topic, "we should play a game!"

"How bout cards?" My mom piped up, holding out a deck.

"Sure." Cole and I agreed in unison.

We took our seats around the small table, shuffling the cards and dealing them out.

/*\*/*\*/*\*/

We spent hours on end playing every card game we could think of from go fish to spades to poker. My mom seemed to be unbeatable at poker, while Cole had an aptitude for spades. I however was best under pressure, I liked the game "speed".