Cora-
Six months later. Chris had asked to transfer schools and I got the job in town. Colby was doing his Ring Of Honor thing. He came home twice a month. He was so busy all the time. Phone calls and texts came every so often.
It hurt, it felt like he was pulling away, but I was afraid of saying anything. Not wanting to have my fear be true, that he wasn't in love with me anymore.
"Hey, I'm home", Chris said.
"Hey", I said from the couch, Elvis in my lap.
"Everything okay?", she asked.
I nodded.
"You're lying", she said.
"How?", I asked.
"Elvis, it's the same look he gave me when he knew I was sad. Its his way of comforting", she said.
"He's a dog. How would he know how I feel", I mumbled.
"Dogs sense that kind of thing, that's why they make excellent companions", she said.
"Okay miss future vet", I mumbled.
She laughed.
"When's he coming home?", she asked.
I shrugged. She looked worried.
"He hasn't called?", she asked.
I shook my head no.
"Cora, he loves you", she whispered.
I couldn't hold it in anymore. I started crying.
"I don't think he does anymore and I don't know how much more of this I can take", I cried.
She hugged me. She kissed my forehead.
Colby-
I wanted to surprise Cora for her birthday. Getting to Iowa that night. When I got home, Chris was watching tv.
"Hey your home", she said surprised.
"Yeah, my baby's birthday is tomorrow", I said.
"Aw, you remembered. You're a good boyfriend", she said.
I chuckled. I glanced into the hall real quick.
"She's not here. She's at work, but should be home soon", Chris said.
"Good", I said.
I went and sat next to Chris on the couch. I pulled the box out of my pocket. Her jaw dropped open.
"Is that what I think it is?", she asked.
"I went to visit your dad before I came here and I asked for his blessing", I said.
"Wow, that is huge", Chris said.
"You think she'll like it?", I asked.
"Dude, she'll love it. How exciting", she said.
She hugged me.
"When are you asking?", she asked.
"Tomorrow at her birthday dinner", I said.
Chris nodded and handed it back. I heard the front door being unlocked. I stuffed the box into my pocket. I stood and Cora walked in.
"Hey babe", I said.
I walked over to her and kissed her. There was something different in this kiss. I looked at her.
"Is everything okay sweetheart?", I asked.
"I'm just tired", she said, walking past me.
"I missed you babe", I said.
"Yeah", she nodded.
I looked at Chris and she gestured for me to follow her. I nodded. Going into the kitchen, I wrapped my arms around her.
"Your birthday's tomorrow, what do you want to do?", I asked.
"Oh what, you don't have to run off and do some wrestling thing", she said.
I let her go and waited for her to continue.
"You finally have time for me", she said angry.
"Cora, I know I've been busy and I can't come home as often as I should, but I do love you and nothing or no one will ever change that", I said.
"Forget it", she said, going to our room.
I stood there.
"You okay?", Chris asked.
"Maybe I should quit Ring of Honor and come home", I said.
"Colby, it's just, you know the distance. She's worried you'll lose interest in her", she said.
"That won't ever happen", I said.
I took out the engagement ring and slammed it on the counter.
"This is proof of that", I said.
"Maybe you should hold off on asking her", she said.
I sighed and nodded.
"I think you're right. With her mood right now I don't think my heart could take her saying no", I said.
She nodded.
"Just don't give up", she said.
I looked up at her.
"Never", I said.
Cora-
I took a shower. I was brushing my hair when Colby came in and leaned up against the wall behind me. He was shirtless and in some basketball shorts, his hair was loose.
"I'm sorry", I said.
He shook his head no.
"Don't be, its understandable the way you feel", he said.
"I just miss you", I whispered.
"I miss you too my love", he said.
He wrapped his arms around me from behind.
I shut my eyes as he left soft kisses on my neck. His warm breath on my skin. I moaned.
"Fuck I missed you", he whispered.
His hands moved inside my shorts and I bit my lip.
"Colby", I moaned.
"So beautiful", he whispered.
He turned me around and lifted me onto the counter and kissed me hard.
"I love you, Cora Mathews", he mumbled against my lips.
Colby-
It was Cora's birthday dinner and she was quiet.
"We can go somewhere else if you'd like", I said.
"No this is fine", she said.
I nodded. We ate in silence, which for Cora it was weird. She was never this quiet. We were heading home now. Once at the apartments, she stopped before going in.
"Cora", I said.
She started crying.
"I can't do this anymore", she said.
My heart started racing. I shook my head no.
"I love you, but maybe this isn't the time for us to be together", she said.
"No baby, please", I said.
"Colby, don't make this harder than it is", she said.
"You're the one making it hard", I yelled.
She hugged me tight when I started crying.
"I can't ask you to choose between me and wrestling. So I'm making the choice for you", she whispered.
"That's not what I pick", I yelled.
"Please understand", she said.
"No", I yelled.
"This is what's best", she said, walking in.