Basketball Baby

• Chapter Twenty-One •

It'll All Get Better In Time

     I fixed my graduation cap as I approached my family and wiggled my diploma around in my hand. "Make way for the college grad!" My brother, Theo, teased and I giggled as I rolled my eyes at him. He was now sixteen years old and and completely handsome, which he already knew. He looked exactly like my Father and Theo was just as talented at basketball as he was.

"Jeez, Theo! Will you stop growing?" I teased back as he lifted me up in a quick, bone crushing hug.

"Told you I'd be taller than you." He said proudly once he placed me back on the ground and I shook my head at him as I turned towards my Mother.

"Congratulations, baby girl! You're Dad and I are so proud of you." She said as she pulled me into a tight hug and I smiled.

"Thank you, Mom." I sighed once we released each other and I turned towards my Father. "Hi Dad." I grinned at him as he pulled me into another hug and lifted me off the ground.

"I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. So proud." He put me back on the ground and I grinned at everyone.

"I can't believe I'm actually a pediatric nurse." I said in disbelief and my Mother grinned at me.

"You always loved to take care of children. I remember you always acted like you were Theo's Mom instead of me." My Mother reminded me and I giggled at the memory.

"Lets go get some food to celebrate!" My Dad announced and we all cheered at the mention of food.

After dinner, we drove back to my parents house in Miami. I had moved to Fort Myers, Florida where I went to Florida Golf Coast University which was two hours away on the other side of the state. I had decided to stay with them until I found a new house to move into in Miami so I could be closer to the hospital I worked at. I walked into my old room and froze once I noticed all the old pictures hanging around my room. Many of them were of Colton and I that I couldn't bare to take down before I left for college four years ago. "I didn't want to touch any of your stuff until you came back." My Mother admitted gently and I gave her a small smile as I nodded my head.

"It's okay, they bring back such wonderful memories." I sighed gently as I slowly walked over to what used to be my favorite picture of him and I. It was at our high school graduation and he was smiling down at me with the same look of love and happiness in his eyes that my Father gives to my Mother whenever he sees her.

"I'll let you get unpacked, you got your big day at the hospital in a few weeks. Need to enjoy your break off from work and school." She winked at me as she left me alone to get settled in. I smiled at the pictures and let out a soft sigh as I began to get unpacked.

Two weeks flew by and I still couldn't find a house for me to move into. I was wearing my scrubs as I searched for houses closest to the hospital and sighed in annoyance because all the houses available were for families. "Still can't find a house?" My Mom asked as she made herself a cup of coffee and I shook my head as I looked up at my bangs and blew air at them which made them land in my eyes.

"They're all for families. I don't need a house with four bedrooms and two and half bathrooms. I just need a nice little bungalow that's close to my job." I stated and my Mother looked down at her coffee. "What, Mom?" I asked and she looked up at me as she bit her lip.

"Maybe you should put yourself back out on the market?" She suggested nervously and I stared at her in disbelief.

"I'm never dating again, Mother. I don't need to go through that kinda heartbreak again. I'm done with guys." I said sternly and she nodded her head.

"Of course, sweetie. Have a good day at work." She said quickly as she placed a kissed on my head then she scurried out of the room. I shook my head at her and closed the laptop tiredly. I didn't need to be with another man. The only man I could count on is my Dad and that's all I needed.

~ COLTON ~

I watched Gracie carry her last suitcase toward the trunk and I helped her put it inside. "Colton, I'm almost eighteen now and about to start college. When're you gonna go find that girl you've been hung up on for almost five years?" She demanded. She was annoyed because of how I was so quiet and depressed since I broke up with her.

"She told me not to speak to her ever again-"

"Because you used me as an excuse to break up with her." She cut me off and I looked over at her confused. She had her hands on her hips and she was shaking her head at me in disapproval. "You just didn't want me to feel alone and I think that's really sweet, but I was okay. We've been through a lot, Colton. But I'm strong and now there's no excuse for you not to be with her anymore!" She was grinning at me and I shook my head at her as I started to make my way towards the front of the car.

"Come on, we gotta start going to your school if you want to make it on time for orientation day." I teased and she sighed at me, clearly disappointed with my change of topic, but got inside the car without another word.

"Oh, Colton!" I heard a woman shout from behind me and I turned around to see that it was Elizabeth Gallagher from a few houses over. Ever since I moved back, she had been flirting with me nonstop and it was getting quiet annoying now. "You leaving so soon?" She asked sadly and I nodded my head as I looked back over at Gracie. She rolled her eyes at me and then turned her head to look out the other window.

"Yep, she's got freshman orientation at the University of Miami tomorrow and it's a nine hour drive from here, so we gotta get going." I said and waved as I turned toward my door.

"Will you ever come back to South Carolina? It is your home, Colton." She said sadly and I looked at our old house filled with good and bad memories then I thought of Miami and how happy I had been there.

"I doubt it, probably only to visit once in a while. This isn't my home anymore. See you later, Elizabeth." I said as I quickly climbed inside and then started the truck.