The Way That I Love You(Book 2)

Center(Part 2)

Colin

"How did you know I would like a train ride hm?"

"You talked about it a little while ago. We were talking about traveling and you liked the idea..."

"It's more than I could have imagined. It's great." She smiled as she looked out the window. He could probably watch her all day if there weren't other things he wanted...needed to talk about.

Don't rush it, this needs to be done right.

"I like how other worldly you are."

"Other worldly huh?"

"Yeah. You know you hear about women talking about wanting to go to places like Miami and Vegas and maybe London. Then there's you...you think about Rome and Venice and Japan. It makes you other worldly."

"We went to Rome for our honeymoon...did you like it?"

"Yeah. It's different." He shrugged.

"You never wanted to just go places? Like go and explore just because?"

"I never thought about it. Traveling around for football and stuff was cool but nothing serious. Why didn't you like being just here? You've been the same since the day I met you."

"I don't know. With all the crap that was happening...it was an escape. I could dream up all the things I could do; all the people I could run away from. It seemed peaceful." She leaned forward and braced her elbows on her thighs; one of her hands sort of cupping her chin and jaw.

"And it wasn't about making money all the time. It was about just going and getting lost for however long I wanted to be one with the world. Very hippie like isn't it?" He smirked and leaned forward like she did.

"It is...but it doesn't sound bad. Sounds really relaxing."

"For a while it was frustrating. The whole poor girl rich dreams thing kicked in and I felt...trapped. In all senses of the word. Like I was screaming to be let out but no one was listening or could do anything about it. You ever felt like you're the only one that feels the way you do?"

"Yeah. When I was younger and I would go places with my family; people would stare because they didn't understand. I would be asked things like an outsider instead of a family member. I use to feel alone a lot."

Singled out, alone, no sense of who you are...just sort of numb.

"Well...if it makes you feel any better, I didn't feel like I belonged in my family either. It's like being a puzzle piece that fits but it's from the wrong puzzle."

"I never thought of it like that but yeah...it is. And people know it's a little wrong so they speculate about it all the time."

"We live in a world where people feel like everything needs to fit. But you shouldn't worry...you fit." She put a hand on his leg and squeezed a little.

"Even in football where I feel more pushed out than ever?" He asked quietly, looking away.

"Of course. You're a great football player. People have this funny way of showing you what they were so good at hiding when they needed something from you. These are people you've worked with for a while but people change. But you're never alone Colin, you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because you have me. You have your kids, you have your family...sometimes that's all you need. Sometimes it's okay to have your own back while you rebuild yourself." He looks up to catch her eyes. She reached up to run a finger against his cheek; smiling softly at him.