In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

17 Colby's POV

"Goodnight guys," I said, walking out of the living room, towards the stairs. I couldn't stop thinking about Justin being with T all day, helping her, with no one else in the house. Just them. This could be bad. Really bad. Maybe I should shoot my shot, like Jake said, but what if she's not ready, rejects me, and I end up pushing her away because of it. I groaned as I pushed my bedroom door open. Why did love have to be so fucking complicated? All these years, all the girls I dated, T was the only one stuck in my head, and especially in my heart. When I reached my room, I changed into a pair of gray sweats, and sat back on my couch, grabbing my laptop. After I started my playlist, I picked up my phone and texted Terra. "Hey T, how are you feeling?" I leaned back and put my hand behind my head, my legs stretched out in front of me on the couch. It was getting a little late, but I assumed she would still be up. I hoped she was. When my phone buzzed with the notification, I snatched it up from the couch, and opened the text at record speed. I had it so fucking bad. "Hey Colby ... I'm okay. In a little pain, but I'm okay. What are you doing?" I ran my hand through my hair, back and forth while I worked up the courage to ask her. Apparently, all of the courage I had when I was kissing her had been left back at her place. "Can I facetime you?" I typed into the phone. Then I waited. I didn't have to wait long, thankfully. "Sure, I guess." Okay, step one: actually call her. Step two: Ask her why she's not staying with Justin. This might be a bad idea to get started on this conversation but I had too. I knew it had only been a few days but I couldn't handle this waiting around thing. I just needed to know. I waited for her to pick up and smiled as soon as I saw her face come into view. "Hey beautiful." She grinned and blushed a little, as she smoothed her hair down. "Come off it, I look like shit right now," she replied. "You could never look anything less than beautiful T," I replied quietly, meaning every word. She blushed even harder, and I smiled, enjoying the added color to her pale cheeks. "Whatever, Casanova. What's up?" she asked. I shook my head. "Not a lot. Just wanted to talk to you. Check in and see how you were doing." "I'm okay," she answered, shifting a little. I watched as a grimace crossed her gorgeous face. I felt myself tense with her. Just knowing that she was in pain and that there was nothing I could do about it ... well, it sucked. "I'm okay," she breathed out, after the pain passed. "I really am Colby. I can tell you're worried but I'm fine. Really. Yes, it hurts sometimes, but that's expected. I can handle it." I gave her a small half smile, one corner of my mouth turning up. "I know you can do T. You can handle anything. I just hate that there is nothing I can do to help," I replied. "You are helping though," she said softly. "Checking on me, and all of you coming together to make sure I have help every day. That's amazing to me. I've never had this many people have my back before. It makes me feel .... special." I held her gaze, and licked my dry lips. "You are special T. So damn special. "I let my words hang in the air while we both sat there and stared at each other through the phone screen." Terra, I need to ask you something, "I said, taking a deep breath of courage. "Okay." I had to know. "Why didn't you tell me about you and Justin yet?" I asked quietly, holding her gaze. Her aqua eyes grew wide as she sat there. stunned silence for a moment. "Um ... because I wasn't ready too," she replied, breaking my gaze, and looking down. "T?" She looked back up at me. "Was it because of me? Did you break up with him because of me? "She bit her bottom lip and stared back at me." Who told you? "She asked, avoiding my question." It doesn't matter, "I answered. give Denise up. She rolled her eyes. "It was Neece. I already know. She hasn't stopped hounding me to tell you ever since it happened." I grinned at her, unable to stop it, but still kept my mouth shut on the matter. "So?" I asked again. "Why didn't you tell me?" She sighed heavily. "Because Colby. I knew you would automatically want to get into a relationship and I don't think I'm ready for that. I still love and care for him." That hurt. I didn't expect it to hurt quite as badly as it did, because I've known that she loved Justin ... but damn, it felt like a white hot blade stabbed me straight in the heart. I swallowed down the pain and nodded at her. "Of course you do. You guys have been together and been through so much together. I understand that. I would never ask you to do anything that you are not ready to do. But I still want you to answer my question. Did you break up with him because of your feelings for me? "She sighed again." Do you really want to have this conversation over the phone? "I shrugged." Yes. I thought it might be easier for you to do it like this. You know, so my sexy body wouldn't distract you. If I were there, you'd just want to jump me, and you're not really in a position to do those kinds of things. I'm doing this for you. "I grinned as she rolled her eyes at my silliness." Right, because I just can't help myself when I'm around you huh? "" That's right, "I replied." "She sighed again, and I watched the grin fade from her full lips." Okay. Yes. I broke up with him because of my feelings for you."