Letting Go (Mitchell Family #1)(56)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“No Mom. Colt wants me to be with him. He wants me to move home with him this fall.” I explained.

My mother stopped rubbing my back. When I looked up, she was looking straight and rubbing her face, something she did when she was thinking.

“Mom, I told him I can’t go. I have to finish school. This is my only chance. I have to stay.”

She shook her head and started to tear up. “Van, the past year has been horrible for you. I can’t imagine everything that you have gone through. We didn’t even know if Ty was going to make it. Now, it turns out he wasn’t the guy we all thought he was. I just want you to know that when you first told me about Colt, I saw a sparkle in your eye that I had never seen before. He does something to you. I never thought I would ever say this, but you are my daughter and you being happy is more important to me than any kind of diploma. If you want to be with Colt, then give him a chance. If you don’t then I know you will regret it.”

“How did you know that Dad was the one?”

She shrugged. “He gave me you.”

I pushed her shoulder. “That isn’t funny.”

“Okay. I guess imagining my life without him makes me feel like I can’t breathe. We have had tough times, but always managed to stay together. Relationships are hard work honey, I doesn’t matter how old you are.”

“Even though I met Colt when I was around ten, we have only been together for a little over a month. I just don’t want to rush into something that I am unsure of.”

My mother put her hand on my knee. “This past year has been the worst of your life. I am just wondering if you wouldn’t be better going to another school. Nobody is telling you that you have to quit. Half of your tuition is through federal grants. Most are transferrable. I am not saying you should or shouldn’t leave, but sometimes starting somewhere fresh can make life a while lot easier.”

I leaned my head on her shoulder. “Sometimes, I feel like you are trying to get rid of me.”

“Savanna, you act like it is far away. Kentucky is only a car ride away. It can’t be more then a five hours drive to that farm.”

“It is just all happening so fast. I mean, I want to hate Ty for all the years he lied to me, but I just can’t. I want to tell Colt that I want to be with him, but I am so afraid of change. I just don’t know.”

I got up and walked up the steps to my room. I just wanted to be alone for a little while and think about everything.

My bedroom was just how I left it. The bed was always made. Posters of scholars filled my walls and books covered the shelves. I sat down on my bed and looked around. I had dedicated every moment of my life to one certain goal and after just the small amount of time I had spent with Colt, none of this seemed right anymore.

My phone continued to ring and vibrate until it finally died. I didn’t bother charging it, because there wasn’t anyone I wanted to talk to right now. Ty and Colt were probably still beating each other to a pulp. I didn’t blame either of them for having hard feelings. Colt and I had jumped into something with no regard for what it would do to anyone else, mostly because we never thought it would become something so serious.

Ty really did a number on me. When I sat back and thought about it, I hated myself for not realizing what a cheater he was. He always seemed to love me, but now I wondered if he even knew what the word meant. He clearly used his other head to do his thinking. Colt on the other hand, was almost too perfect. I didn’t deserve him, in fact, I had no idea why he loved me. Even the fact that he took the risk and slept with me that first time seemed strange.

At any rate, I couldn’t deny the way that man made me feel. Everything made sense when we were together. He brought me out of the darkest part of my life. Maybe my mother was right? Maybe I did need to just start a new future? Doesn’t everything happen for a reason? Maybe all along I was supposed to be with Colt?”

I woke up the next morning still laying on top of my covers and in my clothes. After a good stretch, I reached over to check my phone and remembered I let it die. I plugged it in and waited for it to power up. I had a bunch of missed calls. I started to feel bad as I dialed into my voicemail. Hearing Colt’s deep voice sent chills down my body. He didn’t say much in his first messages, but the last one was different.

“Darlin, I have to go home. My father got hurt yesterday and is in the hospital. I tried to call you on the way to the airport. Please call me when you get this. I love you.”

With shaky hands, I dialed Colt’s number. It went straight to voicemail.

I tried three more times.

Reluctantly, as I contemplated calling Ty, my phone started ringing. Thinking it was Colt, I picked it up before looking. “Hello?”

“Hey babe, it’s me Ty. Listen Colt had to leave and you wouldn’t answer your phone.”

“When is he coming back?”

“I don’t know if he can. If my uncle is bad off, I imagine he won’t leave.”

Tears started running down my face. The last thing I said to Colt was how I wasn’t going to go home with him.

“Ty, he thinks I don’t want him. You have to help me.”

I heard him laughing. “Seriously? Do you know how f**ked up that request is?”

“Please.”

“He will call you when he lands.”

“How do I get to his parents farm?”

“Are you serious right now?”

“Ty please! I need the address.”

“You can’t drive all that way yourself. Come pick me up. I will go with you.”

I didn’t even question it. “I will be there in fifteen minutes.”

I kissed my mother before running out of the house. She saw my bag packed and just shook her head smiling. She had no idea I was about to drive out of state to prove to my boyfriend that I was ready to let go of my past and have a future with him.

When I got to the farm, Ty was standing outside waiting for me. He was now using some crazy looking cane. He hobbled in the car and leaned over to kiss my cheek. When he pulled away, he giggled. “Sorry, it’s habit.”

“Whatever! You are here to navigate.”

“Just to be clear. I am doing this because I owe you for being a shitty boyfriend. I want you to remember that when you are in my cousin’s arms tonight.”

I looked over at him just before pulling off the dirt road. I couldn’t help but smile thinking about being there with Colt.

After driving four hours, I was starving and had to stop to eat. Ty was keeping me good company. He never once attempted to change my mind about Colt. He did however ask if we could be secret f**k buddies. That was Ty though. He finally stopped when I started talking about the size of Colt’s package. He made gagging sounds for at least five miles of travel.