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

38

"I'm doing okay for now. I am definitely ready to get in the pool. Amber?" I glanced around for my friend, but saw her already in the pool, jumping on Tavan's back, laughing. Yeah, she was going to make friends just fine. I shook my head. "Guess she left me behind. You guys getting in?" Colby's eyes roamed my body again, taking in the old bathing suit that held so many memories for the both of us. He nodded, as his eyes met mine again. "Try and stop me," he basically growled, before locking his arms behind my back and pulling me roughly against him. When his lips met mine, I automatically melted against him, savoring the way his lips felt against mine, the heat from his hands on my naked skin. "Um, heh hmm," I heard someone clear their throat, but Colby only tightened his hands on my waist. It had been too long. We had to be so careful with the way we showed affection to each other, since basically every movement still hurt me...but it seemed like we had both forgotten that. I wasn't hurting and he wasn't checking. I smiled against his lips, thanking God I still had this swim suit. "Guys! Jesus Christ Colby, get a damn room," someone exclaimed. I wasn't paying enough attention to the outside world to recognize the voice. Colby groaned, and tore his lips from mine. He turned me around, so that my back was to his front and wrapped his arms around my waist. I smiled, when I felt his chin rest against my shoulder. I found Sam, Elias, and Brennen in front of us, all with different expressions. Brennen was grinning like a teenage boy, nodding his head at Colby. Elias was smirking, but looked slightly embarrassed at the same time. Sam just looked exasperated, but with a grin on his cute face. "You're gonna burn the food," Colby said to Brennen, nodding towards the grill. Brennen shook his head. "Nah, it's fine. I know what I'm doing. So, back to you two. How're things?" He placed his folded hands under his chin, and smiled angelically. I laughed, and leaned my head back in Colby's chest. "Pretty damn great before you guys interrupted," I replied. "Oh damn," Elias said, raising his eyebrows. "Okay, I see why you like her." Sam laughed. "He doesn't like her. The man is whipped. He's so in love with her, he makes me look bad in front of Katrina." "Shut up," Colby replied, his voice a little hard, but I saw the grin on his face when I turned my head to see him. "You're cute," I whispered in his ear, before planting a kiss against his neck. "Pool! Is the pool cold?" he yelled out towards the friends that were already in the water. "Yeah, prepare yourself!" Tavan yelled back. "My wiener disappeared when I first got in. Took me a while to find it." "Just what I need," Colby said quietly, pulling me along with him. He stopped almost as soon as he started, causing me to almost run into him. "Wait, you're not hurting. Why aren't you hurting?" he asked, confusion masking his face. "I was too rough with you. I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. You took me by surprise with the bathing suit and it just-" "Colby, shut up," I replied sternly, catching his face in between my hands. "I'm okay. I feel fine. I don't know if it's just because I'm having a great time, and the adrenaline is keeping me from feeling anything or what, but I'm okay for now. I promise." His face relaxed a little but I could still see the worry in his eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked, biting his lip. I smiled and nodded, before pressing my lips gently to his. "I promise," I answered. "Okay, but just take it easy, yeah?" I nodded, and walked with him to the pool. He got in first, then turned back to help me slide off the side of the pool into his arms. Just as my body was engulfed by the water, I was shoved against Colby with so much force, I felt it to my bones. "What the fuck man?!" I heard Colby yell, as I struggled to open my eyes against the pain. "I'm sorry bro, my bad. Damn it T, I'm so sorry, are you okay?" Jake's voice came through just as I was finally able to open my eyes. I nodded, and let out a breath. "Yeah, I'll be okay. It's fine. No worries." "No, you're not. That hurt you. I can see it in your face. Damn it Jake, can you just watch what the fuck you're doing sometimes?! Just pay attention Brother! Fuck!" Colby's voice was angrier than I was used to hearing. "Colby, it's okay. It was an accident. I'll be fine. I'm just a little sore, that's all." He met my gaze, and I saw that he was more worried than angry. This is why I was getting so sick of being hurt all the time. Everyone was always so worried about every little thing with me, and I was so tired of it. "I'm not an invalid okay? I'm fine. Jake, it's fine. I know it was an accident. Don't worry about it," I replied, turning to look at Jake again. "Are you sure T? You know I would never intentionally hurt you. I feel so bad." He looked like a little kid, standing there with worry on his face. "Hey, what happened? T, are you okay?" Tara called out, as she and the rest of the friends in the pool moved closer to us. "Oh my God, yes, I'm fine!" I exclaimed, bringing my hands up, then letting them slap on top of the water. "It was an accident. It's okay. I'm not dying. Everything is fine. Can we go back to having fun now? Please?" I knew that I was letting my own anger come through in my voice but I couldn't help it. I was actually hurting now and everyone just stopping what they were doing to check on me for a simple accident was so annoying. I was tired of being this person. If I didn't hurry up and heal a little faster, I was gonna go crazy.