SITTING NEXT TO the fire, I watched everyone laughing. Alex was sitting on Will’s lap and I could practically see the love pouring out of them.
Someone bumped my arm so I looked up. Libby was standing there. “Walk with me?”
Nodding my head, I got up and started following her to the river’s edge. “These parties just don’t seem as fun anymore.” I said as Libby nodded her head in agreement.
“Yeah, I agree. I’d rather be snuggled up on the sofa in Luke’s arms.”
Smiling, I looked over at Libby. Her blonde hair was blowing softly in the breeze as she stared straight ahead. Taking in breath, I slowly blew it out as I said, “What’s on your mind?”
Shrugging her shoulders, she peeked at me. “You.”
Laughing, I pointed to myself and said, “Me? What about me?”
Taking my arm in her arm we started walking along the riverbank. “I see something in your eyes, Lauren. Something I saw in my own eyes not too long ago.”
“Oh yeah? What would that be?”
Thinking Libby was going to say something about being in love, or being happy, I wasn’t prepared for what actually came out of her mouth.
“You’re not happy and I talked to Colt about it.”
I stopped walking and glared at her. “What? How dare you tell Colt I’m not happy. I’ve never been so happy in my entire life, Libby! Why? Why would you do that to me? Why would you say something to Colt like that?”
My heart was beating like crazy because deep down inside, Libby was right. No. No. No she was wrong. So very wrong because I’m happy. I am. I have everything I’ve ever wanted.
Placing her hands on my shoulders, Libby chuckled. “Calm down, Lauren. I don’t mean you’re not happy with Colt.”
Wait. What? I’m so confused. What in the hell is she talking about?
“What? Libby, are you like on crack or something because you aren’t making sense.”
Laughing, Libby slowly shook her head. “No, I’m not on crack, but I am tired. Mireya hasn’t been sleeping very well through the night and I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get her to sleep and—”
Oh. My. Glitter. Is she serious right now? She tells me she told Colt I’m unhappy, yet she babbles on about her daughter not being able to sleep? I’m about to vagina punch her.
Libby continued to talk about some new lavender pillow she bought for the baby. Shaking my head, I held up my hands. “Stop. Oh my glitter, please stop talking. Libby! Focus, bitch. Focus!”
“Oh right, gosh I’m so sorry. Okay, focusing back to you not being happy.”
Ugh!
“I am happy! Do I need to shout it from the rooftop?”
Libby tilted her head and gave me that look. The same look my mother used to give me when she’s about to lecture me on something like, my shorts are too short, or I’m wearing way too much makeup or how guys like girls who are natural.
Oh holy hell. Now I’m not focusing.
“Lauren, honey I know you are so very happy with Colt. And he is so happy with you and he loves you so very much.”
Tears began to form in my eyes. Ugh! I don’t cry. Stop this, Lauren. Stop this now. Why do I always cry when it comes to Colt? My voice cracked as I talked. “I know. He’s the yummy marshmallow fluff to my hot chocolate.”
Libby giggled. “Yeah, I know he is, sweetheart.”
A tear slowly made it’s way down my cheek. “Libby, I hate school. Oh my glitter . . . I hate it so much and I don’t know what to do. I can’t focus. I thought at first it was just because I was so wrapped up in Colt. You know. Pushing him away and always thinking about him.” Rubbing my fingers under my nose, I kept talking. “Then when we finally got together I was thinking this would fix everything, but it didn’t. I can’t focus because I don’t care about any of it, Libby! What am I going to do?”
Libby pulled me into her arms and held me as she ran her hand up and down my back. “Shh, it’s okay, Lauren.”
Shaking my head, I pulled back. “It’s not okay, Libby. If my father and mother heard me say that, I’d get the biggest lecture of my life. You know how our parents are about college degrees. I mean, look at my mother. She could own her own Vet clinic! She’s got all these stupid degrees and I . . . I just want to work on the ranch. I want to be with the horses everyday, not sitting in some stupid class learning about business.” Slamming my hands up to my face, I let out a frustrated scream as I s