Outbound Lane An Unspoken Truth Novella (Unspoken Truth Series) by Renea Porter Read Free Book Online Page B

take over, I hear Cole whisper that he loves me and a tear rolls down my cheek, because I love him, too. I want so desperately to say it back, but I’m too exhausted to even think.

    Chapter Seven
     
    IT’S BEEN ONE MONTH since I came to live with Cole for the summer. July crept up and now we are celebrating Independence Day. Cole is taking me to see the fireworks on the riverbank. We have a blanket to take along with some snacks. As we eat lunch that Cole prepared, he points something out to me.
    “I have an idea ; something that might help you,” he says, waiting for my reaction.
    “Help me how?”
    “Look ; the school is offering self-defense classes for the community. You should totally do that. I think it would help you. And the classes are cheap. Looks like it is a six week program. What do you think?”
    “I think yo u might be on to something here.” I take the paper from him and read the article and I agree to do it. Maybe this is something I should do, and I’d know how to defend myself if the need would arise. I lean over and kiss his cheek. I grab my laptop and sign up for the six week program while Cole watches me with a smile.
    “It’ll be good for you,” he says as I close the laptop.
    “I’m really excited to see the fireworks and spend some time with you. It feels like I have been working a lot more than I normally do.” Work has been crazier than normal so I picked up some extra shifts so I can make some extra money. Cole is driving us to the site that the fireworks are going to be.
    “I know. H opefully, work slows down so we can see each other.” He cocks his head, flashing a grin at me.
    “I took this week off, as a vacation. I had some time saved up so I’m free for the whole week,” I tell him.
    I have on my new knee length floral dress on, paired with flat sandals and my hair up in a twisty bun because of the heat. Cole has on a pair of jeans shorts and tank top. His arms are filled out and look so strong, and of course he has on his signature baseball cap, backward.
    Our relationship hasn’t moved since that day we went for ice cream and then came home and he pinned me on the bed. It’s always in the back of my mind that I hurt him that night. That can never happen again, no matter what. Inside of having sex, we have made out a lot of times and on a lot of surfaces, like the couch, counter, and the floor and everywhere in between. I want him to be my first, the one, and I’m hoping tonight we can make that happen. I went to the doctors and put myself on birth control. Cole doesn’t even know. I’m really nervous because I have never been with someone that I was in love with. My virginity was taken from me, against my will, and I’ll never get that back. But at least I saved myself for someone special, someone that means something to me and someone that cares for me and can see past my imperfections.
    We pull into the parking lot and Cole leans over to kiss me. “You look so beautiful today,” he says, smiling.
    “You aren’t so bad yourself,” I tell him. “Let’s go before we start our own firework show.” I push up on his chest.
    He chuckles at my comment and grabs the blanket and cooler as we make our way, finding a spot to watch the fi reworks. I spread the blanket out and Cole puts the cooler on the edge of it. I watch as the families start to flood around us, as well as young couples like us. My hearts swells as Cole sits against me, skin to skin, and I crave his closeness. He has helped me through so much and he doesn’t even know it, just by being who he is.
    “Don’t ever change who you are. No matter what would ever happen between us, don’t change,” I tell him, interlocking my fingers with his.
    He gives me a questioning look. “You have helped me through more than you know. You helped me see that there is good in the world; it’s no longer just a black and white canvas. The colors are bright and my heart is full, and I feel it beating.” I smile