Page 42 of The Upside of Falling
“Then why are you holding back? I’m assuming that’s what the issue is, right?”
“Yeah. He told me on Friday about his acceptance to flight school. It was a blow I wasn’t ready to take. I was caught off guard and before I could say anything, he gave me an out. I took it.”
“Oh, honey.” My mom shakes her head. “Poor Colby. How did he take it?”
I look at my phone. “He asked me to continue to send him letters and now . . . now he’s texting me.”
“Because he doesn’t want to let go.”
“Neither do I.”
My mom pulls me into a hug as a tear slips down my cheek. “Then don’t let him go.”
“I don’t see how it’s going to work out. He’s headed for a different life.”
Pulling away, my mom takes my face in her hands, her thumbs rubbing away my tears. “You know, honey, sometimes we need to take a chance in life to see if the feelings we harbor in our heart will bring us true happiness. You will never know if what you feel for this man is real until you give it a chance. But you will regret the missed opportunity if you don’t go for it.” She presses a kiss against my forehead. “Trust your heart on this one, and the rest will work out.” Standing, she straightens her khaki pants and says, “Now, I’ll be in the kitchen making some pie. Would you like apple or blueberry?”
Wiping another tear away, I say, “Apple all the way, Mom.”
“That’s my girl.” She points at my phone. “Chin up and text him back. At least see if he’ll send you a picture for your old hen of a mother.”
I chuckle and shoo her away toward the kitchen with my hand. Turning back to my phone, I reread his last text message.
Colby:Always. How have you been?
Taking a deep breath, I decide to jump in head first, letting my heart lead the way.
Rory:I’ve been missing you.
I bite my bottom lip as I press send, my stomach fluttering with nerves as the little dots dance around, his reply seconds away.
Colby:I think you just made my heart leap in my chest.
Rory:Does that mean you’ve missed me, too?
Colby:Missed doesn’t describe what I’ve been feeling.
Rory:I don’t think I can stay away.
Colby:I know I sure as hell can’t. I tried, one day, and failed.
Rory:So what do we do now?
Colby:Meet me. Somewhere, anywhere, tell me when and where. I’ll be there. I have the next two and a half weeks off. I’m all yours.
Rory:Don’t tease me, Colby.
Colby:Never . . . meet me, Rory.
Biting the side of my cheek, I shift my weight and tuck my legs under my bottom, holding my phone in front of me. The way he demands to meet him—not leaving it as a question—makes me giddy inside, because with Colby I know it’s not an alpha move. It’s out of desperation, and to me, that’s sexy. I still recall my reaction when he told me in his text messages that hedesperatelywanted to meet me. I feel the same thrill here.
I might be crazy for putting my heart first and my mind second when it comes to this man, but I know if I don’t, my mom was right, I might very well regret it for the rest of my life. I haveneverfelt this way about another man.
I text him back, a giant smile on my face the entire time.
Rory:My place, tomorrow night at six. Address to follow.
His response is immediate.
