COLT POV
"Please, Colt," Mom begs, and I sigh while glancing over at my distracted father.
We have both done an outstanding job ignoring each other, but mom seems determined not to let me leave until we have spoken.
"Mom, he is busy speaking with Pastor Tony. I need to get my boxes out of my truck bed and into my hotel room before the rain turns all the cardboard to mush. I didn't get a chance last night because I was exhausted," I explain while squeezing her hand.
She sighs and gives me a brief nod.
"Fine runaway. But this isn't over, Colt. I will not stand for the two of you not speaking to each other. You never know when you might not get an opportunity to apologize to someone. My mother passed away before I could. Don't be like me, son. Fix this," my mom orders, and I nod.
I give her cheek a quick kiss and leave. When I get to my still full truck, I press the un
JANELLE POV"Janelle, don't give up on your sister. In this situation, yes, she is lying. And her lie has put my life upside down, but she still needs you to support her. I don't know why she is lying, but she must have a reason. Maybe it is a good reason.....when my dad told me he could see me leaving my child to go play football; it killed me. Not having your trust or support probably kills her too, Janelle," Colt says with honesty dripping from every word, and my eyes widen. "After everything she has done...you are willing to still stand up for her," I whisper softly, and Colt nods. He takes my hand in his, and I gasp out in surprise. He rubs a spot of paint that I missed while looking at our hands."My savior calls me to forgive Janelle, and I am trying. I am trying so hard to think about the things that might be affecting her....things that could make her feel like she needs to lie. I'm trying not to hate her fo
JANELLE POV "I'm fine. I just want to be with my mom," I say in a sharper tone than I should. The female officer nods her head and takes a calming breath before speaking again. "I understand. We just have a few questions, and then you are free to go right back in," she states calmly, and I feel like a jerk. I sit down in the hospital hallway and fold my nervous hands. "I know tonight has been a rollercoaster of emotion by I need you to think. Is there anyone who would want to hurt your mom," she asks, and I scoff sarcastically. "My mom, no....my sister, yes. This has my sister written all over it. You find Chanelle, you find out what happened," I say with determination in my voice. "Okay. Do you by chance have a phone number for your sister," the officer asks, and I just hand her my phone. "She is in there. I don'
COLT POV (A FEW HOURS AFTER JANELLE SPEAKS WITH CHANELLE) "Mr. Wilson, Mr. Cotton will see you now," the reception says, and I stand up while smiling at her. I follow her to an impressive looking office and sit down. I am excited to get this process started. The sooner I get the DNA test completed, the sooner I can call my coaches."Good morning Mr. Wilson," a middle-aged man says as he enters the office. He shakes my hand quickly before moving around his desk and sitting down."So Libby tells me this is a child support case," he says, and I nod. I immediately pull out the petition for support that was delivered on Friday. I hand it to him, and he slides on a pair of reading glasses. "Yes, sir, but all I need is a DNA test. I never slept with this girl. She actually drugged me at a party, hoping I wouldn't remember the events. I told her I wouldn't seek any c
COLT POV"Hello," I answer while holding my phone with my shoulder and digging through my suitcase for some clothes. "Hello, Mr. Wilson, this is Mr.Cotton. I have received some news in regards to your child support case," Mr. Cotton replies, immediately gaining my full attention. "I hope it is good news," I say, and he chuckles. "Very good news. Chanelle Graham has been booked for conspiracy to commit robbery, and when I contacted her public attorney, he stated that Ms. Graham has decided to drop the petition. Apparently, she confessed to her sister on tape that you are not the father. She also confessed to her other crimes, but that doesn't pertain to us. I will be returning 75% of your payment to you because my work is done....unless you want to sue Ms.Graham," Mr. Cotton says, and I shake my head towards an empty room. "Oh no. That isn't necessary. I just needed the truth to come out. Well, tha
JANELLE POV "She looks better," Mrs. Wilson says as she returns from chatting with some nurses she knows. "She does," I reply with a small smile.Mrs. Wilson takes her spot at my mother's side across from me and we both begin to look my mom over. Mom woke up briefly a few hours ago but was unable to really speak or understand her surroundings. She had seen me and smiled though before going back to sleep, so my heart feels a little lighter. Heath is getting to enjoy a fun-filled sleepover, but I know he is missing my mom and Chanelle. Just like Dakota is probably missing me and wondering why I have abandoned her. "Knock knock," a male voice says, and the door pushes open to reveal a nervous-looking Colt. "Colt," Mrs. Wilson says happily as she stands back up and hugs her grandson. "Hey, Grammy, how are things going," he asks as he re
COLT POV (3 days later)"Mom, you can't do that! The doctor's orders are for you to take it easy," Janelle fusses while holding her mom's elbow and tugging her back to her bed."I was only going to my closet Jan! I wanted to show Colt my scrapbooks," Janelle's mom Elaine says while getting a little irritated."Just ask Colt or me to get it for you then. I want you off your feet for at least another day, mom," Janelle says while opening her mother's closet and pulling down an armful of photo albums.I silently stand and take them from her, and she gives me a small smile. I pile the albums next to Elaine and sit back down. Watching them interact is hilarious to me. Janelle is trying to switch their roles, and Elaine isn't having it.Elaine has been feisty since she woke up. She wanted to see her grandson, and she wanted to go home. And after two days of complaining, the doctors finally agreed. Janelle had a full-blown tantrum until
COLT POV (3 months later) I throw my helmet a good four feet before slamming my body down on the bench. My head drops into my hands, and frustrations pulses through me. Teammates or coaches pat my shoulder pads, but I don't look up to see who it is. I just threw away the game trying to make my ball-hungry wide receiver happy. He has been double-covered all game but continued to demand the ball every single play. So like an idiot, I caved. So now I have my eleventh interception of the season, and I look like I don't know how to read a defense to save my life. The game ends 32 seconds later, and I make my way to the locker room with my head hanging low. I know Coach Tanner and Coach Brian are about to lay into me. I am so tired of explaining why I change up the plays. I'm so tired of all the egos and different personalities on the team. It's seems like as soon as our season started, all friendship w
JANELLE POVI hold mom against my chest as she weeps for my sister. Detective Barnes left hours ago after telling us the news and letting us know that he would be bringing Chanelle's belongs by tomorrow.I can't seem to shake my shocked brain awake. I haven't shed a single tear, and I know my mother must think I'm a monster. I feel completely numb. I feel as if I have no emotion to speak of.Mom finally quiets after another thirty minutes, and I walk her to bed. She doesn't say a word to me, and I don't say one to her. It's like we are both lost in our grief.***********(Next morning)"Thank you, Detective Barnes," I say as I take the bag of belongings my sister had in her jail cell."You're welcome.....I feel like I need to warn you...when the correctional officers packed her things, they did find some letters addressed to you and your mom," Barns says, and my stomach twists.I nod, and Barnes give