Love Drunk

Chapter 18

(Cole ^)

Shale

I step out of the car, a lump in my throat as I move to the trunk. Olivia gets out of the car, dressed in her military fatigues and moves to the trunk, pulling out her bags.

I see Cole walk up beside me and stand next to me, a comforting presence. It meant a lot that he was here with me to say goodbye to Olivia for what may be the final time.

Olivia pulls her bag out and brings it onto the sidewalk, turning to face me with a sad smile on her perfect face. A face I'm working on memorizing at this very moment.

"Take care of her, Cole," Olivia says to Cole with a stern, but sad voice.

"I will, I promise. Come back safe," he says with a nod, causing Olivia to smile, before turning to me.

Olivia opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off by crashing into her and squeezing her tightly, as if it will prevent her from leaving. I can feel my eyes well up with tears as Olivia wraps her arms around me, somewhat uncomfortably. Her reaction nearly makes me laugh. Trust her to be disgusted by affection.

"You have to call me whenever you get the chance," I say, pulling away from her.

"I will," she says, though we both know I won't get a call from her, or a letter.

"Stay safe, and, please, please come back to me. I still need you with me. We have so much that we have to do together. I have to go to your wedding and watch you have kids. You have to be there for mine!" I say, getting more hysterical as each moment passes.

"I'll try my best to make it back, I promise, but I have to go or I'll miss my flight," she says, gripping my shoulder tightly. "Stay strong Shale. Live a happy life, with or without me. Do everything you want to do and if I don't make it back, I'll be waiting for you in hell," she says, with a smirk, causing me to choke on a half laugh, half sob.

Of course Olivia would find a way to lighten the mood, even when she's the one going off to war. I force myself to stop crying, trying to make this easier on the both of us, before nodding at her.

"I'll see you later, Zaituna," I say with a smile, using the nickname our grandma used to use for us.

"Goodbye. I love you," she says, pulling me into one last hug.

"Love you too," I respond, before she pulls back, shaking Cole's hand, before leaving us.

I wait for her to turn around, to look at me one last time, but she just keeps on walking. This was just like in "Life of Pi", only I'm Pi, and Olivia is the tiger.

I feel Cole arms go around me as he kisses the top of my head, murmuring that she'll come back.

I hope so.

***

I sit on the couch, curled into Cole's side with a bottle of wine in my hand as we watch the Princess Bride. Cole's hand unconsciously plays with my hair as we watch, though I can't focus.

I keep thinking of the promise I made to Olivia, about being happy while she's gone, and the beautiful boy sitting beside me. He makes me happy, and I'm trying to keep him away, and slow down what we both want to happen.

I promised her I'd be happy.

And I'll fulfill that promise, starting with fixing things between Cole and I.

I sit up suddenly, and face him, taking in his perfect face as he turns to look at me, confusion etched onto his face. I place my wine glass down on the coffee table beside me and look at him in the eye.

"I want to be your girlfriend again," I say truthfully, causing him to sit up straight and turn fully towards me.

"W-what?" he blinks, confused at my outburst.

"I don't want to try and go slow anymore. The truth is that I love you and you make me happy. I don't like trying to push you away, because in the end I always fail, so will you take me back as your girlfriend?" I ask.

"Y-you love me?" he asks shocked, though a glowing smile finds it's way onto his lips.

"Yes," I breath, leaning forward so that are lips or only a hair width apart.

"Of course you can be my girlfriend again, Shale. I love you..." I cut him off by placing my lips firmly on his.

I gently push him down on the couch before lying on top of him, deepening the kiss. The taste of wine lingers on our tongues as we fight for dominance through our kissing. His hands roam down my back to cup my ass, pushing me up higher on him.

We tear at each other's clothes blindly, both aiming towards the same thing.

***

I lay on top of Cole, my cheek pressed to his chest as his hand lazily strokes up and down my arm. We were covered with one of my blankets and I can't help but think of how grossed out Olivia would be if she knew what we did on our couch.

I laugh at the thought, causing Cole to look at me questioningly.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing, I was just thinking," I say, a ghost of a smile still on my lips.

"About what?"

"About how Olivia would react if she knew what we did on our couch," I say with a smirk, lifting my head up as I stare at Cole.

He smiles down at me affectionately, kissing my nose before pulling back.

"She would kill me, not you though. She would blame it all on me, even though you were the one that started it," he laughs.

"Hey, you went through with it," I defend, my face turning red.

"Yeah, well, I guess we are both to blame then," he laughs, kissing my lips passionately.

I pull away before it gets to heated, getting up from the couch, and bringing the blanket with me, leaving Cole stark naked, causing my face to turn even redder.

"Oh come on, you've seen everything before...multiple times! Hey, where are you going?" he asks, getting up from the couch.

"To go shower?" I say, though it sounds more like a question.

"Oh I'll join," he says, following me into my room.

"Cole!" I exclaim, in horror.

"Hey, I'm only trying to save water," he smirks, following me into the bathroom.

"Fine, but only because I love you," I say, before turning the water on and dropping the blanket.

I slip into the shower, followed by Cole, where we do more than just clean ourselves.