The next couple days were slightly awkward. I hated myself for opening up to Colby and he was being weird.
He would let me stay at the apartment most days while he went to work.
Sometimes I would go to base with him to get a change in scenery but we didn't speak much.
I think both of us were afraid of getting too close. Being around your ex every day and night wasn't healthy but at least we weren't trying to kill eachother.
I was sitting in the living room, reading, when Colby came into the apartment with a duffel bag.
"Get packed." He said and tossed the empty bag to me. "Where are we going?" I asked with confusion, putting my book to the side.
"Don't worry about it." Colby said as I shook my head. "It's pretty cute that you think that's gonna work on me still." I said and put the bag to the side, grabbing my book again.
"Come on, Julia. Just don't question it." He said with an exhausted sigh.
"That's not gonna work anymore. Tell me where we are going, then I'll pack." I said as he groaned.
"If I tell you, I'll have to kill you." He said causing me to laugh. "Boooooo, that was horrible." I said and gave him a thumbs down.
"We don't have the time for this, Julia. If you don't pack then I'll pack for you." He said and crossed his arms.
"Do it." I said and started reading again. "You're exhausting." Colby groaned and grabbed the bag, going into the bedroom.
I had to admit that it was fun getting Colby all riled up.
It was actually pretty easy to do it now that I wasn't scared of him.
I ended up putting my book down so I could go into the bedroom where Colby was.
"Am I in danger? Is that why we are going somewhere?" I asked and walked over to the bed, sitting down.
"You're not in any more danger than you were yesterday." Colby said and packed our bags. "So this is for literally no reason?" I asked as he groaned.
"Everything has a reason, Julia. You're starting to really piss me off." He said as I held my hands up in defense.
"Sorry. Sorry. I'll shut up now." I said with a laugh. As much as I loved messing with Colby, pissing him off too much actually could end up horribly.
I knew he wouldn't actually hurt me but he could do some sick things if he wanted to.
"Alright, princess. Here's your bag." Colby grumbled causing me to laugh. "Princess?" I asked as he nodded.
"In the most offensive way possible." He added. "Asshole." I said and grabbed my bag.
"Let's go." Colby said and led the way. I didn't feel like arguing or questioning him anymore so I just followed behind.
"Probably should have asked upstairs if you need to pee or anything. It's gonna be a long drive." He said as I shook my head, buckling my seatbelt.
"Nope. All good." I said as he nodded and started the car.
We drove in silence for a while before I looked over at Colby.
"So, is there a reason you haven't killed Adam or turned him in?" I asked quietly.
"I want to know more about his motive and if there are other people coming for us. He's been nothing but a dickhead, giving us no answers." He said and tightened his hands on the steering wheel.
"I think it would be pretty obvious if someone was after you because they would be trying to find Adam. Right?" I asked as he shrugged.
"It all depends on how sneaky they are and the fact they were able to get into your house and fuck with your stuff without you realizing means they are probably good at this." Colby said as a chill ran down my spine.
"The fact they were in my house makes me feel sick." I said as he nodded.
"Yeah. I don't really like it either, but it doesn't matter now." He said and kept his eyes forward.
"Have you been keeping an eye on my siblings? I know I didn't ask you to but I know you cared about them, too." I said, bundling my sleeves in my hands.
"I haven't been because I've been busy, I can send someone to watch them if you want." He said as I shook my head.
"I know they're not okay." I said quietly. "Why do you say that?" He asked as I sighed. "You know how my mom is." I said and looked out the window.
"Right...I'll send someone to just check." Colby said as I nodded.
We ended up driving for what felt like days, until we pulled up to a familiar mansion that held more memories than I could count.
"What are we doing here?" I asked and looked over at Colby.
"Sam is holding a banquet. I had to come to it." He explained and I squinted at him. "I don't have a dress or anything." I said as he nodded.
"You can't come." He said as my jaw dropped. "You dragged me all the way here to not take me to an event?" I asked as he hummed.
"It sounds bad when you put it like that." He mumbled and turned the car off.
"It is bad! I could have just sat in your apartment." I grumbled. "Yeah, probably. Whoops. Come on." He said and got out of the car.
I was so annoyed by him because this place brought back memories that I had been trying to suppress.
It was cruel to bring me back here.
We walked up to the front door and Colby knocked.
I could feel my heart racing, knowing that I was going to be reconnected with people I ignored for years.
"Well look who rolled in." Sam said as he answered the door. "Hey, brother." Colby said as Sam shook his head.
"Wasn't talking about you. Hey, Jules." He said and opened his arms to give me a hug. "Ha. Fuck you, Colby." I said and gave Sam a hug.
"I see you two are getting along nicely." He said and gave Colby a hug.
"Yeah. She's a pain in my fucking ass." Colby said as I nodded. "He brought my ass here to not go to your party. Kinda fucked up." I said as Sam laughed, taking my bag from me.
"It's for her safety, not that I need to explain myself." Colby said with an annoyed tone.
"Is that Julia!?" Kat gasped as we walked into the house. "No fucking way!" Stas squealed as they ran up to me.
"Hey, long time no see." I said as they both gave me hugs. "Are you and Colby back together?! Is that why you're here?" Stas asked as I shook my head.
"Not back together." I said as Kat smiled. "Good. He's a dick. Come on! Let's go to your old room and catch up." She said then took my hand and dragged me upstairs.
I felt so much nostalgia coursing through my veins as we walked up the familiar stairs.
When we got to Colby and I's old room I felt my stomach drop. Memories both good and bad flooded my mind so much that tears were stinging my eyes.
"Is Colby gonna stay in here with you?" Stas asked as they looked up at me.
"Oh! Are you okay?" Kat asked as I nodded, wiping away a tear that had escaped down my cheek.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I said then sat on the bed. It was once a place I felt the most comfortable.
Where I would usually end my day wrapped up in my love's arms.
Things were just different now and I needed to accept it.
"So like...I missed you, but how did you end up here with Colby of all people?" Stas asked as I shrugged.
"Someone is out to get me. We don't really know why but as soon as it clears up, I'm gone." I said as Kat frowned.
"So you don't miss him at all?" She asked as they sat on the bed next to me. I didn't know how to really answer that.
I missed the good times with him when I would feel safe and loved. I missed the romantic gestures and the feeling of wanting to be wanted but I didn't know if I missed Colby.
How he handled everything would always put a rotten taste in my mouth but knowing more about his reasoning has been helpful.
He knew that it would hurt me though. He obviously couldn't have seen it coming how badly it would hurt me but it still happened.
"I miss how he made me feel." I said, keeping it at that.
I didn't want to leave anything up for interpretation because it was dangerous to have any feeling towards Colby.
Everything was dangerous around Colby.