Page 76 of Crazy for You
Several minutes passed as we sat in the dark, quiet room, the ping of the rain dripping off the roof of the porch.
I sniffled as my tears began to lessen. “Colton, is your dad going to be okay?”
“I hope so.” He sounded sad.
“Are you?”
He lightly tickled my arm in an up-and-down movement. “With you, Skyler, my darkness isn’t so dark anymore. You saved me.”
I recalled him telling me that at the hospital, but I hadn’t had a chance to ask him. “How?”
His chest heaved. “Do you remember saying, ‘At least you have a father’?”
“That was rude of me.”
I could feel his grin on my head. “No, it wasn’t. It was the truth. Anyway, when I saw the sheer pain you were going through at the hospital, I realized what I had to do for me to get past the years of grief that has eaten away at me for so long.” His heart pounded like the little drummer boy. “I had to tell my old man that I loved him despite how he treated me. I hadn’t uttered that to him since before Josh’s death. My guilt blinded me so much, I couldn’t see how my parents were suffering too. I will always feel responsible for what happened to my brother, but you made me see that sometimes we’re given a raw deal in life, and we need to find a way to look forward, not backward.”
“I did all that?”
“You’re strong, baby. You’re so emotionally strong that I’m in awe.”
“I don’t think so. The only reason I haven’t broken down is you. Since you returned home, you’ve been the star of my dreams, and that has helped me to focus on something other than despair.”
“Star of your dreams, huh?”
“Number one.” I giggled.
Silence dangled, the fridge compressor and the rain pelting the house the only sounds.
“Grady told me you just found out you’re adopted.”
Thanks to Mia.I couldn’t be mad at her, though. It wasn’t a secret. “I am.” I wasn’t sure I had the energy to go any further than that. I yawned. “Can we talk about something else?”
“Try to sleep,” he whispered.
I yawned and took in a deep breath. Then my body gave in to sleep.
30
The fire crackled while the hum of the surf broke along the shore. Unlike the stormy night before, stars twinkled, the moon shone like a beacon in the dead of night, and the sea was serene. Georgia, Grady, Mia, Colton, and I sat on the beach outside Grady’s mansion. The mood was somber and chill. My friends were mourning with me. The plan had been to hang at Georgia’s for the weekend, but Mia had called and told us to get our asses over to Grady’s.
“Skye needs to take her mind off of things,” she had said.
I agreed. Otherwise, my eyes would have been swollen shut from bawling, which I’d done since the minute I’d woken up that morning. The house felt empty, cold, and depressing. I understood why Dad moved us to a new house after Mom died—the memories were painful. I’d cried for an hour before I even got out of bed, then tried to go into his room but couldn’t.
“It’s too soon,” Nan had said. “Go to Georgia’s and try to unwind.”
So I’d showered, dressed, and packed a bag before heading to my BFF’s.
“Baby doll, are you okay?” Colton said in my ear.
His gravelly voice shattered the depressing haze I was in. “I am.” I loved being out on the beach and listening to the waves. I especially loved being in his arms. The grief that was settling in had become stronger that morning, but his presence dulled the pain.
“I feel like the lone wolf.” Georgia giggled as she stared at the flames.
I guess I would have, too, if I was alone with two couples. Mia was cozied up to Grady, and Colton had his arms around me while I sat between his legs with my back to his front.
“You could always join us,” Grady announced as he waggled his eyebrows.
