“It’s about damn time you returned my phone call.”
“Sorry grandma, Cole just left for his meeting.”
“At eleven o’clock at night? What kind of meeting does a man take at this hour?”
“Grandma, can I tell you something? You know today when Ben told everyone that Cole’s dad didn’t want us to get married, either?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Cole’s dad’s name is Preston. He and Cole own a large corporation together, and Preston told Cole if he didn’t marry me, he would give him his shares of their business. But Cole told him no, that he loved me and Preston could sell his share of the business. That’s what’s going on. Cole is buying up his father’s shares of their business. So, Cole has to be involved. This whole thing is my fault, grandma. Everyone but Cole hates me. When I’m with Cole, all the bad parts of my life fall away, but it seems that the bad is piling up, and it’s all my fault. Are mom and dad ever going to talk to me again?” Tears run down my cheeks. I’m not sure I want to know the answer. I need my family, the good and the bad. That’s what makes us a family.
“Sweet Katie, of course they will. They love you; we all love you. I think they were just shocked is all. Give them some time, they’ll come around.”
“That’s what Cole keeps telling me.”
“I hate to admit it, but that man of yours is pretty great. I can tell he loves you very much.”
“Thanks Grandma,” I whisper. “I love him too.”
“Yes, after you left, Kurt tried to explain to everyone why you loved him so much.”
I laugh. “At least I have one person on my side.”
“I just called to make sure you were okay, that and your dad has been calling me every fifteen minutes to see if I’ve talked to you.”
This brings more tears to my eyes. It’s reassuring to know my dad worries about me. “Tell him I love him and mom, and everyone else.”
“I will, sweet girl, just give it some time and everything will work itself out.”
“Thanks Grandma, I love you.”
“Love you to Katie girl, you take care.”
I feel close to exhaustion. I fall back onto the sofa. Talking to my grandma helped so much. She always knows what to say.
I take a bath to help calm my nerves. When I get out, Cole still isn’t back; it’s late, so I head to bed. The bed feels empty, and I toss and turn for a while, but everything from the day finally catches up to me and I drift off to sleep.
…
I roll over and hit warm, solid flesh. I open my eyes to Cole. “Hey Cookie.” he kisses me lightly on the lips, and then tugs at the hem of my tank top, pulling it over my head. “I think we need to make a new rule that clothes are not permitted in bed.”
I’m still half asleep. “Huh? What time is it?” I ask as he moves to my shorts, slowly inching them off me, kissing down my leg as he goes.
“It’s just after three.”
I lay my head back down. “Are you just getting home?”
“Yes, less talking, more moaning.” Cole hovers over me, then slowly lays himself on top of me. I feel his manhood, hot and heavy, pulsing against my stomach.
“Oh,” but I don’t get any more in. Cole captures my mouth, and we roll together into bliss.
I open my eyes again to find Cole hovering over me, this time he’s dressed for work. He pushes my hair back off my face. “Hey baby, I’ve got to go. I have an early meeting.”
“Wait, what time is it?”
“It’s almost seven.”
I sit up in bed, wrapping the sheet around me. “When will I see you today?”