Hey, all! A day late, but here it is!! My apologies...my life is chaos right now, but I wanna keep these chapters coming! Above, A Closeness by Dermot Kennedy, and below, Cole and Wynn :)

Cole

We won.

I think it's safe to say I've never played a homecoming game quite like that before. We were lucky to pull it out, what with the literal brawl that broke out on the field, due to none other than that ridiculous playboy, Ari Castillo.

And I'm the one with the reputation for being a player... Right.

Somehow in the midst of the mayhem and fisticuffs, brought to you by Ari and his never ending pursuit of all things female, Nash Porter managed to scrape the fumbled ball off the ground and run it in for a TD. Consider me impressed. Without his quick reaction, I don't know if we'd have won the game.

So we remain undefeated and pull out a homecoming victory to boot. Not bad. In all honesty, I'm surprised it was as close as it was because I've never been so on my game. A lot of things came full circle for me this week— namely, the demise of my relationship with Wynona, once and for all, and the genesis of a new one with Colby.

Not gonna lie. I'll miss Wynn deeply. We had a connection, unlike anything I'd ever had the privilege of experiencing before, even though on its face, it made no sense. By all accounts, we were a terrible fit from the start, and I knew it. So did she, but there was something undeniable between us that neither of us could ignore— a need so filled with desperation it was suffocating.

As stupid and lovelorn as it sounds, she was my air, my saving grace in the midst of all the strife I used to face alone. Coming clean to her about my father and all of the hidden abuse, both mental and physical, gave me new life and a freedom I would never have experienced otherwise.

She shared my burden and bolstered my resolve to trudge onward in the times I felt like giving up. Harris Galloway is a lot to manage, and not for the faint of heart. The courage I found because of Wynn had me fighting back, taking chances...

I owe it all to her.

My refuge.

So why am I arriving lakeside for the after party intent on celebrating with Colby?

I know why, of course. Wynn and I are done, and it's for good this time around. She's never spoken to me that way before— her words were blunt and harsh, and she meant for them to be. Even worse than her tone was the look in her eyes...

She's over and out.

Sighing, I hop out of my beamer, determined to relinquish the part of my soul Wynona healed singlehandedly. It's the only way I'll ever be able to move on. We both need to.

"Hey, Cole!" Homer says, climbing down from his mammoth truck. The apex of the tires is even with the top of my hips, kind of like a monster truck. It's a big car for a big boy and tricked out to the point of absurdity. It fits Homer's personality to the letter, though. "Good game, padre. I did a fine job protecting your ass, if I do say so myself."

"That you did. And so modest about it," I say, chuckling. "But I expect nothing less." We fist bump like all the cool kids do and head toward the bedlam, lakeside. Of course, we celebrate every victory, but the festivities post-homecoming are even more spectacular. You'd think the mood might be somewhat tempered due to all the black eyes, broken noses, and swelling, but it's as jubilant as ever.

"Awesome game tonight, Cole!" Mark says, greeting me with a handshake when Homer and I arrive. He thrusts a hamburger into one of my hands and a bottle of water into the other, and I take both things gratefully, enjoying the manic atmosphere. Mark is always at the epicenter of every party, the ever-present DJ, chef and host.

Music thumps through the air from his nearby truck, and my classmates are all in. Some dance on the patch of dirt that regularly serves as our makeshift dance floor, while others take to the water, leaping in fully clothed from the docks, or gliding out toward the middle of the lake in rowboats.

I make my way through the gathering, stopping every few feet for another high five, another slap on the shoulder. The adoration is amazing and truly undeserved. All I do is pass off and throw a damn ball, and I'm certainly not doing so alone. But their enthusiasm is contagious, and soon enough I'm joining them in the chaos. It's all a great distraction from my earlier musings.

I can do this. I can move on.

In truth, I'm already beginning to. Colby is a lot of fun, and ever since Wynona kicked my ass to the curb for good earlier this week, we've been spending a lot more time together. We even went and grabbed dinner once.

Okay, so it was fast food at the end of a long make out. It's closer to a real date anyway...

Progress.

I break free from the sweating, swaying mass of bodies in search of her. She should be here by now. I'm growing more accustomed to searching for bright blond hair in a crowd, rather than the chestnut brown I once sought. I only hope they aren't together, so I can drop by and say hello before I have to take off for the charity event I'm expected to attend tonight.

Seeing Wynn wouldn't be the end of the world, it's just easier not to.

I finally spot Colby on the perimeter of the grounds, talking with a few of her cheer teammates. No sign of her typical entourage of Lana, Morgan, and Wynn.

Safe.

"Hey, gorgeous," I say, greeting Colby with a peck on the cheek.

"Cole! Hi!" She throws her arms around my neck and stretches up on tiptoe as her lips meet mine eagerly. My arms encircle her slim waist automatically, enjoying the feeling of her body pressed so tightly to mine.

"Ahem," comes a voice from behind me. We break apart, and I turn to find Lana with an impish smirk plastered across her face. "Well, don't you two look cozy!"

Snickers and whispers emanate from the remainder of the cheer squad Colby was standing with, all witness to our overly enthusiastic reunion. Kissing her was so natural... I sort of forgot they were here.

I kinda like it.

"Shut up, Lan!" Colby hisses, all the while flushing a bright cherry red. I can't help but smile, she's so damn cute. She wraps her arms around my torso, tucking her head into my chest as I drape my arm over her shoulders.

"What's going on?" Wynn says, approaching from where she was completely obscured behind Lana. Her eyes immediately land on Colby and me, and I feel like I've been caught red-handed.

Only, I didn't do a damn thing wrong. This is what she wanted, and now, it's what I want too. "What's up, Wynn?" I say casually, though my heart accelerates at the mere sight of her.

"We were just watching these two have a moment," Lana sneers. "OMG, you guys are like a match made in heaven! Captain of the football team and captain of the cheer squad! Goals, I tell you!"

Does this chick ever stop talking?

Wynn smiles tightly. "Yeah. Goals, for sure." She averts her gaze, staring at the dirt she's shuffling with the toe of her boot.

If this isn't awkward...

Though it's only weird for the two of us— just Wynn and me, as everyone around us continues to chat away, completely unfazed by our utter discomfort.

"I've gotta jet, Colby," I say, having had my fill. I lean down, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Oh, that's right, the charity thing at the family fun center?" Colby responds, snapping her fingers. "I forgot you had that tonight. Aren't you going, too, Wynn?"

"Umm, yeah," she says, meeting my eyes momentarily. "But I'm not headed there yet."

"That should be a good time!" Colby chirps, releasing me from her hold and waving goodbye. "Have fun!"

Fun, indeed.

Shit.

...

I've been at The Hutton Family Foundation Fundraiser to End Domestic Violence for about an hour now.

Rather ironic where my family is concerned, but whatever.

They rent out the whole fun center and invite all of the wealthiest families in Tyler to come and wave their money around, all in the name of a good cause. Silent auctions, catered food and all the arcade games, bowling and laser tag you can handle. It's been an annual occasion ever since we moved here five years ago.

Oddly enough, it's one of few nights out of every year where my father is...kind. Approachable. Genuinely enjoyable for me to be around.

Yes, Harris Galloway can be pleasant. It's rare, but true.

Of course, Tyler society only knows him to be this jovial version of himself. They've never seen him behind closed doors when he's telling me that his abuse is for my own good, that I'll thank him for his firm hand with me one day.

He's making me into a strong, hardworking man, after all, complete with the infamous Galloway work ethic. It's how my father was raised, and now it's my turn.

I put the bowling ball I'm holding back on the rack, having just schooled my entire family on the lanes. Taylor and Mom even bowled tonight, but that's only because they have appointments for manicures tomorrow. Taylor was a bit more bearable than usual, reserving her typically bitchy comments for another time when our family isn't so congenial.

In other words, we actually got along like a traditional, all-American family.

Color me shocked.

"Nice game," my father says, clapping me affably on the shoulder. "How about some laser tag, son?"

"Sure," I say, wanting to make the most of the mutual truce between us tonight.

Dad and I head over to the laser tag, while my mom and Taylor make their way toward all of the expensive foods arranged throughout the establishment. A raw seafood bar, warm brie, stuffed mushrooms, and bruschetta aren't your typical fun center fare. Only the best for all the snooty money in Tyler.

We gather our gear, with a laser gun and vest a piece. I mentally prepare for the strategy session, knowing what's coming from years of experience. My father is competitive as hell, and losing will never do. I'm just strapping on my harness when I spy Wynn arriving with her brother Zack.

We watch one another for a brief moment, a shy smile forming on her lips. It's different now. Distant. Awkward is better than angry though...I think.

"Wynona, Zack!" Dad shouts, waving them our way. They wander over warily, and I'm immediately suspicious. "Join us! We could use a couple more teammates."

"Are you sure you want us to play, Mr. Galloway?" Wynona inquires skeptically.

"Of course!" Dad says. "Go get your gear and hurry back so we can strategize."

"Cool!" Zach chirps. Wynona simply nods, dragging her brother behind her to pick up their vests and guns.

"She seems like a nice girl," Dad says, smiling. "Here's hoping she can hold her own in the arena."

"Right," I agree, as my pulse accelerates. He's testing me. This is a game to him, a scheme by which he intends to assess my feelings.

I'd have failed only a week ago, but Wynn made it easy for me when she broke my heart.