43

                                    

                                          
"What are you doing here?" I whispered as I took a step back. 
                          
"Violet, I'm so sorry." Colby said as he held his hands up in surrender. "I...I have to go." I said then turned around. "Wait." He said and grabbed my hand before I could leave. 
                          
As soon as his skin touched mine I felt a shock of electricity shoot up my arm causing me to gasp and pull back. 
                          
"Violet. I..I didn't mean to hurt you. What you said was true. It's my fault that your life flipped upside down. It's my fault that you've been hurting." He said as I shook my head. 
                          
"I can't do this right now, Colby. I-I'm at work." I said as tears brimmed my eyes. "Let me take you to dinner when you get off. Please just...talk to me." He said as I just stared at him for a second. 
                          
I studied his face as tears streamed down my cheeks. His face looked distressed as if seeing me crying was hurting him. 
                          
He was really here, right in front of me, begging for me to go to dinner with him. 
                          
"You don't hate me?" I whispered as he shook his head. "I never hated you." He said as I shook my head. "Well you should." I said then turned towards the door again. 
                          
"Violet! Please." He begged again as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "I get off in a couple hours. I'll text you when I'm done." I said then left the room. 
                          
I was trembling as I walked down the hallway to the break room. 
                          
I didn't know how to navigate this situation. I wanted him back, I really did but he couldn't stay here with me..he would have to go at some point. 
                          
"Violet?" Stacey asked as I slid down the wall and closed my eyes. "I'm okay." I said and let out a deep breath. 
                          
"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked as I shook my head, "No. I'm okay." I said and opened my eyes. Part of me wanted to just run and jump into his arms, but the other part of me wanted to run away and never see him again.
                          
Why was he here? He broke up with me? Why would he be coming here to her me back. 
                          
He didn't want me in the first place.
                          
I got up and took a deep breath before going out onto the floor again. I tried to get back to work but my mind was fully occupied on the fact that Colby was here, and wanted to talk to me. He really flew thousands of miles to be here. 
                          
I couldn't focus on anything else. 
                          
I worked the rest of my shift, then grabbed my stuff and walked to my car. As soon as I got in, I banged on my steering wheel and screamed at the top of my lungs, letting out the stress I had been bottling up. 
                          
I took a deep breath, then grabbed my phone and pulled up Colby's contact. 
                          
Violet: I'm done. Meet me at my place.
                          
I could feel the butterflies erupting in my stomach at the thought of seeing him again. I was so confused as  to how I was feeling. 
                          
I wanted to protect my already shattered heart, but Colby was the one who owned it. Maybe he could patch it together again. 
                          
I could feel my heart beating against my chest as I drove home. My mind was racing with possibilities as to what was going to happen. There were so many ways that this could go. 
                          
A chill ran down my spine as I pulled up to my apartment. Colby was sitting in one of the parking spots in his rental car. He was typing something into his phone for a second, then looked up at me. As soon as our eyes locked, a small smile formed on his lips sending anoth flit of butterflies through my stomach. 
                          
I bit my lip then got out of my car and started walking towards the building. 
                          
Colby silently followed me as I unlocked the door. "Welcome." I said quietly and gestured to the mostly empty apartment. "It's a nice place." He said and looked around as I nodded. 
                          
"Thanks...I'll be back." I said then walked to the bedroom so I could get changed. I stood in front of the closet for a minute, chewing my lip. I was a little nervous to go to dinner with Colby. 
                          
I was afraid we were just going to break eachothers hearts again. Maybe that's why he was here....to break things off completely. 
                          
To end things civilly.
                          
I decided on a black sweater, black skinny jeans and combat boots, since it was cold as shit. I threw a hat on then walked back into the living room. 
                          
Colby watched me for a second, taking in my outfit, making me feel like I was naked. I shivered then grabbed my keys. "Let's go." I whispered then opened the front door.
                          
I drove us to the restaurant as an awkward silence filled the car, neither of us really knowing what to say. I parked the car and looked over at him, taking in his expression. He looked about as nervous as I felt.
                          
"Let's go in." I said then opened my door, giving him a small smile. When we walked into the restaurant I was hoping that Chad would be working but instead Cindy was. 
                          
Cindy always had a problem with me, I'm not really sure why but I think it has to do with her boyfriend calling me hot or something. 
                          
"Violet." Cindy said as she walked up to us. "Hi Cindy...Chad isn't here, is he?" I asked as she rolled her eyes. "He's on break." She said as I nodded. "Can we sit in his section so he can wait on us when he comes back?" I asked as she looked at Colby for a minute. "Yeah, whatever." She said then smiled at him before grabbing two menus and leading the way. 
                          
I noticed her swaying her hips a little more as she walked causing me to roll my eyes. She was so annoying. 
                          
"Here. He'll be over in like 20." She said then smiled at Colby again. "Hi." She said as he nodded once. "Hi." He said and sat across from me. He then reached over and took my hand, causing me to flinch. 
                          
Cindy looked down at our hands then glared at me and walked away.
                          
"Sorry." Colby said then took his hand from mine. "It's okay." I mumbled then folded my hands in my lap.
                          
We sat there for a minute in silence before Colby sighed. "I'm so sorry, Vi. I didn't mean to hurt you." He said as I shook my head. "I deserved it." I said quietly as he shook his head.
                          
"You didn't deserve that. You were right. Before I came into your life you were happy, you had your best friend." He said as I shook my head. "I haven't been happy for years, Colby." I said quietly and looked down.
                          
"I was only ever happy when I was with you." I whispered then looked up at him. "Vi.." He said as I chewed my lip. "It's never gonna work, Colby. We live two very different lives." I said as my eyes watered. 
                          
"I know." Colby said as I brought my hand to my waterline. "Give me your hand, V." He said and held his out to me. I hesitated but I laid my palm in his, letting him hold my hand. 
                          
"I want this to work. I've been a mess since I broke things off. I love you, Violet. I love you more than I have loved any other girl." He said and looked into my eyes as my breath caught in my throat. 
                          
"Come back to LA with me. We'll find you a good job. You can live in the house with us until you have enough money saved up to move out. Tara is looking for a roommate, you can move in with her. Come with me." He said as I closed my eyes. 
                          
"Colby...we couldn't even stay in a relationship for a month..that's a huge commitment for something that might never work." I said with a sigh. "I know it sounds ridiculous...but think of it this way. Daisy ruined all of your stuff, she left you...there's no reason for you to stay. It's the perfect time for a fresh start." He said as I shook my head.
                          
He had a point but I loved Colorado. I loved the snow and I loved my job at the hospital. I loved it here. 
                          
"I don't know..." I whispered and shook my head. "I'll take care of you, I'll help you move and I'll make sure you adjust. You can meet the friend group. They're all going to love you, Vi." Colby said as I sighed.
                          
"Alright, I'll think about it."