After Hollyn and Cole had breakfast together, they went their separate ways for the day until they would see each other at his mom's event tonight. Plus she had some chores she needed to get done around the ranch. She had been working more on the ranch lately due to her mom going through treatment and she wanted to do all she could to help her parents. Plus, it was a nice distraction and kept her busy. 

So while her parents went out for the day, Hollyn worked. She helped feed the animals and clean the barn, her muscles aching but she didn't mind. It helped keep her mind off the fact her mom was suffering and on top of that, there was an upcoming rodeo she was attending in a few weeks and she had been training hard for it.

Soon it was time for Katherine's important event she and her parents were going to. The event was being held at a fancy restaurant. A private area had been set aside for the dinner and awards ceremony. The space was tastefully decorated, with elegant tablecloths, crystal wine glasses, and silverware. Quiet jazz music played as overlapping chatter filled the air. A buffet was set up with a wide variety of dishes and appetizers. 

A bar was also set up with a variety of drinks. As Hollyn entered the space with her parents, she felt a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of people there. She wasn't a fan of big crowds, especially when she didn't know anyone. But she was glad to see Katherine had a lot of support from the community. The fact that her mother was one of those people made her heart swell with pride. She was glad to be there, even if she was feeling a bit anxious.

"Hey," James wraps his arm around her shoulders, sensing her anxiety. "Just relax, okay? We're here to have a good time, and support Katherine. This is a big night for her. If you need to take a breather, just let us know." He glances at his wife as well, smiling reassuringly at her. "Same goes to you, honey."

"Thank you, James." Carolyn smiled back, taking a deep breath before leaning over to kiss his cheek, earning a smile from him. She was already starting to feel overwhelmed, but she was determined to stick it out and make the most of the evening.

Hollyn nods, grateful for her parents' understanding and support. "I'll be okay, thanks. I'm just a little nervous, but I'll be alright. Thanks, dad."

"Good." James grins, kissing the top of her head. "Now, why don't we grab some food? I'm starving. I've been working all day."

"Me too." Carolyn laughs, looping her arm through his. "Let's get something to eat."

After they got their food they went to their assigned seat and sat down, chatting and laughing. Hollyn felt a little more at ease and was actually starting to enjoy herself. It was nice to be able to get out of the house and spend time with her parents.

But as she looked over at the table Jackie and the Walter family were at, she didn't see Cole and that worried her. She grabbed her phone and checked for any messages from him, but she hadn't gotten any. She had thought he would have texted her or something by now. Maybe he was running late, or he hadn't had the chance to let her know he was going to be late.

She decided to text him to ask him where he was, hoping he would get here soon and that he was okay. 

****

It wasn't until around dessert time did Hollyn finally spot Cole walk in. She sighed with relief, noticing he seemed okay. She was surprised he had a suit and tie on, he didn't like wearing those. But it was obvious he was drunk. And she sighed heavily when he got himself a glass of champagne.

"He seems a bit upset." James commented, frowning. He didn't want to interfere, but he could see his daughter was worried about him. He didn't like that look of worry on her face.

"Yes, he does." Carolyn agreed, frowning as well.

"I'm gonna go talk to him." Hollyn stood up, taking a deep breath.

"Okay, just don't push him, honey. Seems like he had a rough night. Just let him know you're here for him, that's all you can do. If he wants to talk about it, then let him. Don't force him." James advised, knowing how stubborn Cole could be.

"I won't, I promise." She smiles, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, dad. You guys want anything? Any more drink or something?"

"No, we're okay. Thanks, sweetie." Carolyn smiled at her, watching as she walked over to Cole.

Hollyn gently taps Cole's shoulder, making him turn around. "Hey, Cole."

Cole blinks, a goofy grin appearing on his face. "Well, look who it is! Holly Berry, in the flesh." He leans in close, his breath smelling like alcohol. "You look gorgeous, Holly. Absolutely gorgeous."

"Um, thanks. I was wondering where you were. Coley, are you drunk?" She asks softly, looking at him with concern. "Why would you get drunk before your mom's big event?"

Cole rolls his eyes, taking a sip of his drink. "Don't give me that crap. I'm fine. Just needed to loosen up a bit. Can't a guy have a drink without being judged? Sheesh."

"No, no, that's not what I meant. I'm just worried about you. I'm not judging you, I promise. You know that. I'm just concerned, that's all. Maybe we can get you some water or something." She suggested, her eyes soft and full of concern as she began to move to get him some water.

Cole stops her, his hand wrapping around her wrist. "Stop worrying so much, babe. I'm fine. I can handle myself, okay? Trust me, I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You're clearly not okay, Cole." Hollyn shakes her head, sighing. "Come on, let's sit down. Your mom is going to make her speech soon, and then we can go out and get some fresh air. Get you some water, sober up."

Cole frowns, pulling away from her. "I'm fine. Don't tell me what to do." He snapped, turning around and walking away from her.

Hollyn's heart aches at the sight. She had never seen him like this before. She was used to his stubbornness, but this was different. This was something else. She knew he was hurting, she knew he had been struggling lately, and it broke her heart. But she was determined to help him, even if he didn't want it. Even if he was being difficult. She was going to be there for him. Though right now she would give him space. It seemed like maybe that was what he needed.

She was relieved though when he sat down at a table with his siblings and Jackie. At least he wasn't making a scene. At least not yet. And she hoped it didn't come to that, but she had a bad feeling it might. She made her way back to her parents, sitting down next to them with a heavy sigh.

"Everything okay, sweetheart?" James asked, noticing her distress.

"Yeah, it's just...I'm worried about him. He seems really upset, but he doesn't want to talk about it. I tried, but he just snapped at me and walked off." Hollyn looks down, fidgeting with the edge of her napkin. "I hate seeing him like this, dad. I know something's wrong, but he won't let me in."

"Normally when he's acting out, you're the only one who can get to him." Her mom speaks up. "I don't think that changed. It just...It might take him a little longer this time. Whatever he's going through, he's not ready to talk about it. But you're right, Hollyn, something is definitely bothering him. Just keep showing him that you're there, even if he pushes you away."

Hollyn nods, trying to absorb her mom's words, though it still didn't make the situation any easier. "I just wish he would let me in. I hate feeling so helpless."

"You're not helpless," James reassures her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "You've done more than most people would in your shoes. You've reached out. You've tried. Now you just have to let him come to you on his own terms."

Hollyn sighed deeply, glancing back over at Cole, frowning at seeing him pulling out a flask from his inside pocket of his blazer to mix in with the drink he got. She was even more worried now. He shouldn't be drinking so much. He clearly was tipsy when he arrived and now it looked like he was going for full on drunk.

"Please tell me that's not a flask." Carolyn sighed when she caught sight of it.

"I'm afraid so." Hollyn chewed on her lower lip, watching as Cole took a long swig. She could see his siblings and Jackie watching him with concern, even annoyance, and disbelief. Now was not the time for this. This was a huge moment for his mom, and yet here he was, drinking his troubles away instead of supporting his family. She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how. She felt powerless and frustrated.

"I think you should talk to him now, honey." James said, following her gaze. "Try and convince him to go outside and get some fresh air."

Everyone's attention is brought to Cole when he suddenly bumped into a waiter after he got up to leave. Katherine had stopped her speech, looking disappointed at her son. "Why are you walking around in the middle of her speech?" Cole questions, narrowing his eyes at the waiter. "She's trying to talk."

"I'm just going to wrap this up." Katherine decided while George had subtly texted Will to get Cole out of there.

Hollyn's leg bounced nervously under the table, her heart aching. She wanted to help him, she really did. She hated seeing him like this. She couldn't stand it. And it was only going to get worse if he kept drinking. He was only making himself miserable. But before she could get up and go talk to him, Will had guided him out of the room while their mom finished her speech.

"I'm sure he'll be fine, Holly Berry." Carolyn assured Hollyn, sensing her worry.

Hollyn furrows her eyebrows, pulling her phone out of her purse when she felt is buzz. More worry and concern is etched on her face at the text she got from Will, who was asking her for help with Cole outside. She stands, texting him back she was on his way. "Or maybe not. Will just asked me for help. I'll be back, okay?"

"Okay, be careful, dear." Carolyn watched her daughter rush off, her heart aching for both her and Cole. She wished she could do more to help.

James wraps an arm around her, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. "He'll be okay. They'll both be okay."

Carolyn hoped he was right.

****

Hollyn found Will outside, who was was standing by the door looking angry and worried at a now drunk Cole, who was leaning over on the ground, leaning against the wall. "Coley?" She asked in concern, stepping closer to help him up, but he pushed her hands away.

"Leave me alone, Hollyn." He snapped, glaring up at her.

"Come on, I know things have sucked without football-" Will started, only to get interrupted by a scoff from Cole.

"oh, you know? How? You're smart. You could've gotten out of here, gone to Northwestern and been something, but you chose...You chose to stay in this lame-a** town. And now you don't know what it's like to have that choice taken away from you." Cole interjected, managing to push himself back up to his feet.

"You don't think I know what it's like to not have choices? Are you serious? Besides, you know mom and dad couldn't afford it." Will added softly.

"Yet they spent all that money on my stupid leg that still doesn't work!" Cole raised his voice, his tone dripping with anger and hurt.

"They don't care about the money, Cole." Will assures him. "They love you. They wanted to help."

"Yeah, well, it didn't." Cole shrugs. "And that's what sucks, Will. 'Cause now nothing's the way it's supposed to be." Hollyn's heart dropped at the sharpness in Cole's voice. The frustration and pain behind his words were raw, and it tore her up to see him like this. She stepped forward again, careful but firm.

"You know what, Cole? I know things seem bleak right now, but you have choices. Okay? This, whatever this is, hurting everyone around you, is a choice. Come on, Hollyn, let's leave him." Will muttered after Cole didn't reply back to him.

"You can head inside." Hollyn assures him. She wasn't going to give up on Cole. Will hesitates, looking at her in concern, but nods and goes back inside. "Coley, please..." She starts, her voice soft but laced with concern. "This isn't the way to deal with how you've been struggling lately. And I get it, trust me, but you don't have to push everyone away."

"You know what? You don't get it, Hollyn. You've always had the perfect life. You've always had options, had control. Literally the sweetheart of Silver Falls. You don't have a clue what it's like to lose everything." Cole's voice cracked slightly, his emotions spilling out. "I had dreams. I had plans. And now...I'm just here, stuck."

"I'm far from perfect." She continues shakily, tears brimming her eyes. "I-I try my best to put on a good front and to act like everything's okay, and keep being the sweetheart of Silver Falls everyone sees in me, but did you forget the fact my mom is going through cancer treatment right now? That I have to work twice as hard and try to help around the ranch because my mom is too tired from her chemo? I have nightmares. I wake up at night crying because I'm scared I'll lose her. I feel helpless 'cause I can't do anything to stop it or save her and it's tearing me apart."

"I'm terrified. I'm so scared that I'm gonna lose her. I don't wanna lose her, Cole." She continues, her voice breaking, her shoulders shaking as she struggled to hold back her tears. "A-And I don't wanna ose you either, I just can't watch you destroy yourself. I know you're hurting, I see it, but drinking like this isn't going to fix anything." Hollyn's voice faltered, her heart pounding in her chest as she spoke from the depths of her fear and frustration.

Cole looks away, his expression twisted with anger and sorrow. "What if I don't know what I'm doing or who I even am anymore?" He muttered, his voice wavering. He felt guilty, angry and sad all at once. And the fact that he was making Hollyn cry made him feel even worse.

She sniffles, wiping away her tears, her hand gently reaching up to rest on his chest, above his heart. "You're Cole, my Coley, the same boy I fell in love with. You're still you, just in a different place. A rough place right now, and that's okay. It's not the end, it's just a bump in the road. Everyone goes through their own dark times, and the way they handle it is different. It's up to you how you get through this. How you handle this. Is this how you want to handle it? Smoking. Drinking. Acting out."

Cole finally looks up, his gaze softening as he stares into her eyes. The same beautiful eyes that always managed to somehow make his heart flutter and calm him down. "No," He whispers, shaking his head. "It's not. It's just...It's been hard. It's still hard. I don't know what to do anymore." His lower lip trembled and he bit it to stop the trembling. Tears were starting to pool in his eyes, threatening to fall.

"You keep moving, Coley." Hollyn says, her voice steady, her tone gentle. She moves her hand, gently cupping his face. "You keep moving, even when it's hard, especially when it's hard. You lean on the people who love you, even when you're too stubborn to ask for help. You keep moving forward. One day at a time. Yes, everything might seem like it sucks and is bleak right now, but things can get better. Life can change. It might take time, but it can change. And even when it feels impossible, you have to have faith. You have to have hope. Hope helps me with my mom's treatment. Hope helps me with you. You have to believe that there's light at the end of this tunnel, Coley. Even if you can't see it right now, I'll hold that belief for you until you can."

At her words, Cole breaks down, unable to hold back his tears. He nearly stumbles into her arms, burying his face into the crook of her neck. His entire body shook with sobs, his arms wrapped around her waist tightly. He had never cried like this before. Hollyn figured the last time was probably when he hurt his leg. And that was years ago. The weight of everything he had been carrying and keeping inside had become too much, and she had reached him.

She guided them to sit down, wrapping her arms around him and rubbing soothing circles on his back. Her own tears started falling again, her heart aching at hearing his sobs. It broke her, but she didn't let go. She held him, her own way of letting him know she was there, she was present.

"I've got you." She murmurs softly. "It's okay, I love you. I've got you."

"I love you too, baby." Cole choked out between his sobs. It wasn't what he was saying, it was how he was saying it. The tone, the emotion behind his words, the depth of his love for her was clear, even in the midst of his breakdown.

They sat there for a while, neither knowing how long, until his sobs subsided. He stayed in her arms, clinging to her. The alcohol had started to wear off, leaving him tired and drained. Hollyn was now leaned against wall, arms still wrapped around him. His head was on her chest, his breathing had calmed, his body had relaxed. He felt safe. Loved. Protected.

"Feeling better?" Hollyn asked softly, running her fingers through his hair.

"A little." He answers honestly, his voice raspy. He looks up, sniffling as he wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He moved to pull away. "I'm sorry for crying all over you-"

She tugs him back down onto her, shaking her head. "Shhh. Don't apologize. You don't need to. And besides, you've done the same for me."

"I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm such a jerk." Cole mumbled, his voice heavy with regret.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm fine. Really. And no, you're not a jerk." Hollyn assures him, resting her cheek against the top of his head. "I know you were hurting. I was too. It's not easy seeing the one we love hurting and not being able to do anything about it."

Cole's lips twitched up into a faint smile, his eyes closed. He kept his face buried in the crook of her neck, nuzzling it. He didn't want to leave the comfort of her embrace. His arms were around her waist, his body pressed against hers. It was like her very presence was a remedy. A cure for all the hurt and pain. All the doubt and anxiety.

"We should probably go back inside. Bet your parents are wondering what happened and if you're okay." She murmured, running her hand through his hair.

He bit back a scoff, not wanting to ruin the moment. "Doubt it."

"Hey, they love you." She reminds him, pulling away slightly to cup his face, staring into his eyes. "I love you. No matter what you do, no matter how hard things get, that's not gonna change. Never."

"You're so good, Holly Berry. Too good. Too good for me. But I love you too. So much." He pauses before adding, "Do we have to go back inside? I don't want to face the others right now, especially mom and dad. Especially Will. Plus my head is killing me. You're so pretty though." He added, his words slurring slightly and making her realize he was somewhat drunk. He had somehow managed to sober up a bit, she wasn't sure how she got him to, but he was definitely not sober anymore. She honestly didn't want to go back in either, especially if he was going to stay outside.

"How about we head home, get some water, aspirin, and you can go back to sleep. I can call your parents and tell them I'm taking you home." She suggested, not wanting to push him, but not wanting to force him to go inside either.

Cole thought about it for a moment before nodding, his eyelids growing heavy. "Okay. As long as you're coming with me."

"I'm not letting you drive, so yes." Hollyn teased, kissing his forehead. She gently pushed him off her, standing up and pulling him up along with her. "Come on, lover boy. Let's go home."

He stumbled slightly, his arm draped over her shoulder and her arm around his waist, helping him walk. He suddenly felt very dizzy, but not in the nauseous or sick way, just dizzy. The room was spinning, and the only thing that was keeping him grounded was the girl next to him. His head leaned on her shoulder, his eyes fluttering shut. "You smell nice."

She smelt like honey, vanilla, and the outdoors. It was comforting and familiar, and made his heart flutter. He could faintly hear her laugh at his words, and her arms tightening around his waist.

"I'm glad you think so. You on the other hand, not so much." Hollyn teased, scrunching her nose. The scent of alcohol was strong, and it was a bit overwhelming.

He frowns, looking up at her. "Why? Am I gross?"

"Just smell like a lot of alcohol." She assures him, giving his waist a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry, it's okay. " She assures him after seeing his frown deepen. "Let's get you home." 

She guided him out, her eyes darting around to make sure no one saw them, not wanting him to feel embarrassed. Luckily, they made it outside without running into anyone, and she helped him get in the passenger seat. She was now leaning over him to buckle him up. Her heart fluttered as he messed with one of her curls, muttering about how pretty and soft it was.

She couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips as he absentmindedly played with her curl, his words slurred but tender. "So soft...And so pretty." He murmured, his gaze hazy yet adoring. Her cheeks warmed, but she stayed focused, securing the seatbelt around him carefully.

"You're a sweet talker, even like this." She teased lightly, her voice soft but steady.

He chuckles, his head tilting slightly toward her. "Can't help it...You're just beautiful." He said, the sincerity in his tone making her heart skip a beat. As she leaned back, their faces were briefly close, his expression open and unguarded. For a moment, the world outside the car seemed to fade away. She tucked the curl he'd been playing with behind her ear, clearing her throat as she tried to keep her composure.

"Alright, honey, let's get you home." She suggested, her voice softer now, as she gently shut the door and walked around to the driver's seat. Despite everything, her heart felt lighter knowing he trusted her this much.

A/N cole & hollyn <3