Holding You

  Running into the house, I stopped the moment I saw my mother. “Mom, did Colt text you back on your phone?”

  Turning and motioning with a head pop she said, “It’s on the table. My hands are full of dough, can you check it? I haven’t heard it go off.”

  Pulling up her text messages, my mouth dropped open when I saw the message. “Oh my glitter! Mom! You didn’t even send the message!”

  Turning, she looked at me like I was insane. “What? Are you sure?”

  Facing the phone to her, I showed her the typed up message that she never sent. “Mom! Now Colt is going to think I’m mad at him.”

  “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I must have thought I hit send or maybe I got interrupted. Just send him a text and let him know what happened.”

  Feeling the tears building in my eyes, I closed them and pursed my lips together in an attempt to not start crying. “I did. He’s not responding back.”

  Glancing at the clock my mother said, “Go see him. I’m sure he’ll be leaving early in the morning.”

  My heart felt like it was ripping in two. I wanted to stay here for as long as I could before I had to go back to school, but I wanted to be with Colt also. Worrying my lower lip, I took off upstairs. “Lauren? What are you doing?”

  Calling over my shoulder I said, “I’m packing. I’m going back early with Colt.”

  STANDING IN THE doorway to Colt’s room, I couldn’t help but smile. He was sleeping like a baby as his mother and I stood there. “Sleep in the guest room tonight, Lauren. That way the two of you can take off tomorrow first thing.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Do you mind if I wake him up? Let him know I’m here.”

  Ellie smiled and shook her head. “Of course not. He was rather upset when he came home. I’m sure he’d love to know you are here and decided to go back with him tomorrow. Don’t stay up too late.”

  Feeling the blush move across my face, I looked away and said, “No, we won’t stay up late. I just want to talk to him for a bit.”

  Placing her hand on the side of my face Ellie gave me an all-knowing look. “I was your age once. I remember a certain set of blue-eyes that used to cause the same flush across my own cheeks.”

  Placing my hand on the other side of my face, I dropped my mouth open slightly. “The Mathews men have that effect on us.”

  Grinning, I whispered, “Yes. Yes they do.”

  Ellie kissed me on the cheek and slowly shut Colt’s door as she left the room. Turning, I made my way over to his bed. I’ll just give him a kiss, let him know I’m here, then I’ll head to the guest room.

  Colt moved and turned just a bit, causing the sheet to pull away from his body. Sucking in a breath of air I whispered, “Oh. My. Glitter.” Colt was naked.

  Waving my hands in front of my face I attempted to cool off. “My . . . is it hot in here?” I whispered as I looked all around. Colt moaned and whispered my name. Turning back to look at him, I stopped moving. I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing, too. Colt had his dick in his hand as he slowly moved it up and down.

  Licking my lips, I turned back to the door. Do I? Shaking my head, I whispered, “No. Lauren you do not.”

  Chewing on my bottom lip, I stood there and watched Colt. Every time I whispered, he moaned out my name. Okay, well I’m faced with two decisions. I could leave a note and head to the guest room. Or I could lean down and start whispering in Colt’s ear while he played with himself in his sleep.

  Tapping my fingertip to my lips I decided I was going with option two. Tiptoeing over to the door, I locked it and then quickly made my way back over to Colt’s bed. Stripping out of my clothes, I sucked in a deep breath. “Dear me oh my. I’m naked in Colt’s bedroom and his parents are downstairs. What would my mother think?”

  “Lauren,” Colt moaned as his hand moved faster up and down his shaft. My mother would think you’re stupid if you don’t crawl on top of him. Okay, so my mother wouldn’t think that. But I think it therefore I’m doing it.

  Slowly pulling the covers all the way back, I couldn’t contain my smile. Holy hells bells. He had the nicest body I’d ever seen. My eyes moved to his hand where he continued to stroke his dick. Quirking my eyebrow, I smiled. “Here goes nothing.”

  Climbing onto the bed, I straddled Colt with my legs. Ever so slowly I began to sink down. Colt was still working himself, so I carefully pulled his hand off of his dick as I took a hold of it. “Mmm,” Colt moaned.

  Positioning him at my entrance, I slowly sank down on him as Colt let out a long hiss followed by my name. Sitting there for a few seconds I enjoyed the feeling of Colt filling me to the max. My eyes snapped open and I looked at Colt. What would I have done had he said another girl’s name? That would have sucked big time. Placing my hands on his chest, I moved up and down slightly. Dropping my head back when Colt moaned, I started moving faster. Holy hell. It wasn’t going to take me long to come and I needed Colt to wake up. Feeling his hands grip my hips, I dropped my head forward. His eyes were still closed as he moaned softly again. Moving a bit more up and down, I realized that Colt was still asleep. What in the hell?

  Leaning over, I kissed his lips then whispered against them. “Mr. Mathews, wake up. I’m riding you with your parents downstairs.”

  Colt moved, then opened his eyes. “W-what . . . where? What’s happening?” Placing my fingers up to his lips, I gave him a naughty smile.

  “I’m going to finish what you started.”

  Colt still seemed confused and began looking around. “My parents, Lauren!”

  Sitting back up, I slipped my finger into my mouth and sucked on it before I slowly pulled it out and smiled. “Are downstairs, so be quiet.”

  Moving faster, I felt my build up. Closing my eyes, I placed my hands on my breasts and pressed my lips together. Oh my. This was going to be big. Opening my eyes back up, I looked into Colt’s eyes. He quickly sat up and captured my mouth with his as we both came together.

  When I finally came down from my high I rested my forehead against Colt’s. “I lost my phone today and asked my mother to send you a text letting you know. She typed it up but never sent it. I’m so sorry you thought I was ignoring you. I’d never do that to you, Colt.”

  Wrapping his arms around me tighter, I let Colt hold me. Being wrapped up in his arms was one of my favorite things. I felt safe and loved. Like nothing in the world could ever pull me away from his love.

  Pulling back, my blue eyes, met his. “I’m sorry.”

  Shaking his head, Colt closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. “No, baby, no it’s not your fault. I was being selfish and I wanted . . .”

  Placing my finger up to his mouth I smiled. “Shh. Let’s just both agree that we were both wrong. I’m going back with you tomorrow.” Colt went to talk and I shook my head. “Let me finish, please, baby.”

  Nodding his head, he moved a piece of my hair back and behind my ear. “My decision was made for one reason and one reason only. I want to be with you, Colt. You’re the only thing in my life that makes me happy. I love you so much, Colt Mathews.”

  Flipping me over, Colt hovered over my body as he teased my entrance. When I felt his dick becoming hard, I wiggled my eyebrows. “Miss Reynolds, I’m going to make love to you while my parents are downstairs. Can you keep quiet?”

  Pressing my lips together, I smiled as I nodded. “I think so, Mr. Mathews.”

  Colt slowly pushed into me and I was in heaven again.

  PULLING THE SWEATSHIRT over my head, I tried to stop my body from shivering. The whistle blew and I looked down on the football field. It had only been two weeks since the fall semester had started back up, but Colt and I had been in College Station for about a month or so.

  “Lauren? Honey are you okay?”

  Glancing up, I saw Coach Johnston’s wife who happened to be a nurse at Scott and White Hospital. “Um, I think I’m getting the flu or a cold or something.”

  Reaching out, she placed her hand on my forehead. “Lauren, ho
w long have you had this fever? You’re burning up.”

  Taking in a shallow breath, I blew it back out. “A few hours, but I didn’t want to worry Colt. With practice and all. I’ve never had the flu hit me so hard . . . or so fast.”

  “You think it’s the flu?” she asked as she looked at me closer.

  Shrugging my shoulders, I closed my eyes. “I think. I’m so achy. My head hurts so bad and my neck . . . my neck hurts so bad.”

  “Lauren, is the light bothering you? Are your eyes sensitive to it?”

  Nodding my head, I barely said, “Yes. I’m just tired. I need to lie down.”

  “Chuck! Chuck I need you to come here right away!” I heard Mrs. Johnston yelling.

  A few second later I heard Colt’s coach. Opening my eyes, I saw him standing there. “What’s wrong?”

  “Chuck, she needs to get to a hospital right away. She thinks she has the flu, but she has all the symptoms of meningitis.”

  Hospital? No. No. I’m okay . . . the flu . . . I just have the flu.

  I attempted to talk, but I suddenly felt so weak. “Colt,” I whispered.

  Touching my forehead I heard the coach talking to his wife. “Get her to the car and get her over to Scott and White Hospital right away. I’ll get Colt and meet you there.”

  Feeling myself being moved, I opened my eyes. “Lauren, sweetheart, you’re really sick. I’m going to take you to the hospital, okay?”

  Licking my lips, I tried to talk but my mouth was so dry. “I think it’s just . . . the flu.”

  My body was shaking and I had no way of controlling it. The more it shook the harder my head pounded and my neck hurt. Mrs. Johnston walked me up to her car and held the door open. I sat down and leaned my head back. Finally, I could rest my eyes.

  “TWENTY-YEAR OLD FEMALE transferring to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin. Spinal tap shows bacterial meningitis, fever is one hundred and three, due to arrive in less than three minutes.”

  Opening my eyes I tried to look around. “Where?”

  A girl with bright green eyes smiled at me. “It’s okay, Lauren. You’re in an ambulance being taken to a hospital in Austin. You’re doing great sweetie. Just relax.”

  Voices. All I heard were strangers’ voices. Opening my mouth I tried to speak but nothing would come out. I felt strange. Hot, but cold. Sore all over. What’s happening to me?

  “COLT,” I WHISPERED.

  My hand tingled and a warm sensation moved through my hand up my arm. Colt’s voice swept through my body. “Sweetheart, I’m here. Lauren, I’m right here. Please, baby. Please open your eyes and look at me, Lauren.”

  I tried so hard to open my eyes but I couldn’t. Why can’t I open my eyes?

  Then I heard my mother’s voice. “Colt? We need to talk to you.”

  Momma? Oh thank goodness. The sounds of my mother’s voice calmed me. She’ll put the wet cold washcloth on my forehead and I’ll feel better.

  “Jessie, she said my name. She said my name.”

  My heart felt like it was physically hurting. Colt’s voice was laced with fear.

  “Colt, the doctors made us sign something.”

  Was my mother crying? Why is she crying? It’s just the flu! Mom, I just have the flu!

  “What . . . what did you sign?”

  Sniffling, my mother started talking after the longest pause. “Her fever is now a hundred and five. They said her body could go into a coma and . . .”

  Coma? My body was feeling funny as the voice of my mother slowly faded off into the distance.

  Colt. I just needed Colt.

  GRABBING ONTO THE bed, I listened to Jessie talking about Lauren. The hospital in College Station had transferred Lauren to Brackenridge once they diagnosed her with bacterial meningitis. Lauren’s condition had only gotten worse.

  Coma? Shaking my head, I whispered, “No.”

  Sniffling, Jessie placed her hands on my arms and forced me to look at her. “Colt, the bacterial meningitis is . . . it’s not good. They can’t control the fever and her temperature is so . . . it’s so high and her body could put itself in a coma, so I need you to prepare for . . .”

  Taking a step away, I shook my head as I felt my entire body start shaking. “No. No, she’s not leaving me. She is not leaving me.” Turning back to look at the love of my life, I whispered, “Lauren would never leave me.” Glancing back to Jessie, my heart dropped.

  Tears streamed down Jessie’s face as the door opened and my mother walked in. Jessie turned and whispered, “Ellie—”

  Giving me a weak smile, my mother moved closer to me. “Colt, honey let’s step outside for some fresh air.”

  Shaking my head, I stood firm. I was not leaving Lauren. “She’s not . . . she’s going to be okay. She wouldn’t leave me, Mom. She knows how much I love her and need her.” Turning to Lauren, I walked up to her and took her hand again. Kissing the back of it, I felt my tears begin to fall freely. “Please, baby. Please don’t do this to me. Lauren, I beg you!”

  Jessie quickly left the room as I buried my face down into Lauren’s neck. Her skin felt so hot. So incredibly hot. “Lauren, please wake up. Don’t leave me, sweetheart. I’m nothing without you, Lauren. Please wake up.”

  A woman began talking. “Sir, we need to put the icepacks on her stat.”

  Strong hands took a hold of my shoulders and pulled me away from Lauren. No. I can’t leave her. Turning, I saw my father. “Dad, no I can’t leave her. She needs to know I’m here. She needs to know I won’t leave her side.”

  “Colt, you need to get some food and some sleep.”

  Pushing him away, my father stumbled against a chair. “I’m not leaving her!” I shouted as my mother jumped. Covering her mouth, she began crying.

  “Gunner,” she whispered as my father took another step toward me. “Colt. Listen to me, son, I know how much you want to be here, but you need something to eat.”

  Warmth trickled down my cheeks as I felt my tears. “Dad, I can’t lose her. She’s my everything. The very reason I breathe.”

  Tears formed in my father’s eyes. “Son, I’m only asking for two hours. Please.”

  Wiping the tears from my face, I slowly walked into my father’s arms. “Dad, please tell me she’s going to be okay.”

  Two nurses walked into the room as one cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, we can only have two people in here at a time.”

  Turning, I nodded my head. “What about her fever?” I asked.

  The younger nurse gave me a weak smile. “We’re going to be doing something called ice packing. We will place icepacks in key locations to bring her body temperature down, but we need to do it now.”

  Guiding me out of the room, my father said, “Your mother will be with her while we go get you something to eat.”

  Stopping in front of my mom, I attempted to talk but my voice kept cracking. “Mom . . . please . . . please don’t leave her.”

  Shaking her head, she placed her hand on the side of my face. “I promise I won’t leave her side.”

  My legs felt like rubber as my father guided me out of the room and to the waiting room. Looking up, I saw all of our friends sitting there. Grace jumped up and ran over to me and slammed her body into mine. “Colt,” she whispered as she held me tight. My eyes moved across the room to see Maegan and Taylor with their parents, Brad and Amanda. Libby and Luke were now standing and I asked, “Where is Mireya?”

  Libby wiped her tears away. “My parents have her back in Mason.”

  Grace pulled away and gave me a smile. “She’s a fighter, Colt.” Nodding my head, it felt as if someone was squeezing my heart.

  When my eyes landed on Alex, I felt myself lose control as I started to cry. Alex quickly got up and walked over to me. Pulling her into my arms, I let it all go. The last two days had been hell as Lauren continued to decline. “Alex, she won’t wake up. She won’t wake up for me.”

  “Shh, she’s going to, Colt. She’s strong and she loves you so much.”
r />   Holding Alex as tight as I could, I tried to imagine my life without Lauren and I couldn’t. I needed her.

  Whispering in Alex’s ear, I said, “Nothing else matters if I don’t have her, Alex. Nothing.”

  Clearing his throat, my father walked up to me and placed his hand on my back. “Colt, let’s go get something to eat.”

  Alex stepped away and looked into my eyes. There was something calming about the way she was looking at me. “You need to eat, Colt. If you want to be strong for Lauren, you need to eat. Let me take you to the cafeteria.

  Nodding my head, I glanced over to Grace. Her eyes were red from all the crying. She looked how I felt. “Grace, are you hungry?”

  Nodding her head, she smiled slightly. “Yeah.”

  Looking around the room I asked who was hungry. Amanda walked up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Um . . . we all just got back from eating something.” Turning to Grace, Amanda smiled. “Grace, you go with Alex and Colt, sweetheart. I know you haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.”

  Walking up to me, Grace laced her arm through mine as Alex stood on the other side of me. “Come on, let’s get us some food,” Grace said, barely above a whisper.

  Turning to my father, I went to talk but he just nodded his head. I knew he wouldn’t leave, but I just needed to know he would be here for Lauren if I couldn’t.

  The moment we stepped into the elevator and the door closed, I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. “Maybe I should stay here and y’all go get food?”

  Alex shook her head. “No, Colt, we’re going to get food. Mom, Dad, Scott, and Jessie are up there. It’s okay.”

  Nodding my head, I blindly let Alex and Grace lead me to the cafeteria.

  Grace and I both ate chicken salad sandwiches and a bag of chips. I had to admit I felt better getting something into my body. Alex made me drink two bottles of water, then handed me a bag. “It’s a change of clothes. Will brought them after Daddy asked him to grab you some clothes.”