"Why is my present outside?" I groan, almost tripping over my feet because Jackson has his hands over my eyes.

"Because." Is all he says, that explains a lot.

"Ow!" I hear Brittni Yelp making me laugh. "I hate you."

"Love you too, baby," Jackson teases and I make gagging sounds. "Okay, okay. Open your eyes."

"Then move your damn hands," I scowl and he apologizes. A scream pierces the air from my mouth as I take in the car parked in the driveway. "Is this mine?"

"No it's the trees," Jackson rolls his eyes. "Yes it's yours."

"Oh my god." I think I'm going to cry. "Thank you so much."

"It's really no big deal."

"How'd you even get it here without me noticing?" I question, walking around the White Ford Fusion. It may not be new, but I wasn't expecting to get a car so this is an amazing surprise.

"Well, I parked it in the garage while you went to take your drivers test and go to the spa with Brittni this morning," he explains. "And I kept it in there until now."

"This is amazing," I gush, going to hug him. "I love you."

"Love you too," he clears his throat, pulling away from me. "What are we waiting for? Let's take it for a spin!"

I laugh, taking the keys from him and getting into the drivers side. Jackson sits up front with me while Brittni is in the back.

I adjust my seat and mirrors before starting the car and pulling out of the driveway. It runs so smoothly. I can't believe it's actually mine. It seems so surreal. This is definitely shaping up to be an amazing birthday already. I can't wait for the party tonight that Jackson thinks is a surprise. To bad his girlfriend has a big mouth. Actually, I take that back, I knew before she dropped hints.

About an hour or two later, Dustin stops by the house to pick me up for my birthday lunch that he promised.

"Are you having a good day so far?" Dustin asks as we drive down the street. The plan is to go out to lunch and such until it's time for my party. He's in on it too which I was surprised about.

"Yes," I excitedly answer. "Jackson got me a car and Brittni and I went to the spa earlier. It's amazing."

He looks over at me with a huge grin on his face. "That's good."

I nod, looking out the windows as we get closer and closer to the popular part of Lincoln Park. I see many stores and restaurants pass by making me confused and excited at the same time. This part of town is pretty expensive food wise so I'm wondering where he's actually taking me.

When we pull into a restaurant called Luigi's I already know that it's going to be quite a bit of money. Why would he take me here? I would've been fine with fast food.

"I hope you like Italian." I smile at him as he does me. I definitely love Italian.

•••

"I had an amazing time, Dustin," I smile at him. "Thank you."

"No need to thank me," he grins. "I'm just glad you had a good time."

I nod. I keep my gaze on his and notice that his switch from my lips to my eyes. I really hope he doesn't kiss me. I know we have before, but I'm just not on the mood. With everything going on between Colten and I, I don't think it's a good time.

I want to back away as his lips come closer to my own, to where we're practically breathing the same air. I need to think of something, fast.

"I'll see you at the party," I rush out, opening the car door and walking up to my house. That was close. Despite the fact that Colten and I talked already last Thursday, a week ago, I can't get my mind off of him.

Thoughts of us together flash in my mind over and over again making me wonder if I made a mistake. Can we really ignore this? The love we have? There's no doubt I love the man, and he made it clear he was in love with me as well, so what is my problem?

Humiliation.

It's always that same emotion that stops me. He made a fool out of me and I don't think I can forget that. I hadn't known what I did wrong and that's why I looked so stupid and oblivious to everything. I wish it didn't happen that way.

The sun is just starting to set thanks to the winter season, and I can already see a few cars here so far. When I open the door, and turn on the lights, I'm confused as to why it's empty, but then I'm grasping my chest from fear.

"Surprise!" They all shout almost giving me a heart attack. Brittni runs up to me, throwing her arms around my shoulders in a hug.

"Happy birthday, girlie," she gushes. I grin and turn to all of my closest friends and family. Well, mostly friends that I consider family. Jackson stands next to James, Tristan, Justin and David. I haven't seen David in a while because he graduated two years ago, but my brother has always looked up to him.

A lot of girls from the cheer team are here and some that I know from school. It's amazing.

"Thank you," I tell Brittni and Jackson after I've greeted all the guests. "It means a lot."

"You deserve it, sis," Jackson hugs me awkwardly. He's not a real hugging person.

"Yeah," Brittni nods, snuggling up to Jackson. "You've done so much for all of us and it's only fair that you get the same treatment in return."

I smile and that's the same time I hear the squeaking sound of the microphone go off. Music had started playing some time ago, but now it's turned off for whatever this is. I turn around to see who is messing with the equipment when my eyes fall on Colten. I didn't even know he was here.

"Hello," he says into the device. "Okay, I just wanted to say a few words about the birthday girl."

More people have arrived during this time as well, and I have no idea what Colten is doing. He wants to say a few words about me? About what?

"What the hell," Brittni mutters, just as shocked as me. Jackson doesn't seem to be fazed, though. Was he in on this?

"Nikki," he takes a deep breath drawing in my full attention. "You said once, that you were scared. That you were scared that I didn't truly love you, but I do. I've never been one to fall in love, I didn't like the idea of someone holding that much power over me, yet, you stole my heart."

I furrow my eyebrows at him, my hands fidgety. My heart is racing a mile per minute from anticipation and confusion. What is he trying to say?

"The truth is, you've always had my heart, even if you didn't know it." My breathing stops. "Maybe I didn't realize it either, but I do now. You're everything that I've ever wanted, Nikki and more. I need you like I need fucking water, I don't think you know how hard that is."

He steps down from the little podium that we have set up for the DJ and stars walking towards me. People move out of his way with interested looks in their eyes.

"My whole life revolves around you and nothing else. It's always been that way. You and I have had our ups and downs, I know that, but I can't live without you. And I don't mind admitting it in front of half the school, baby," his voice grows soft as he nears me. My own tears have filled inside my eyes, my entire body shaking with love for this man right in front of me. "I don't just love you, Nikki, I am in love with you. I fucked up and I'll spend the rest of our days together making that up to you. I know I'm an idiot who doesn't deserve you, but Nikki, I can't be without you. So will you please forgive me for all the shit I've put you through?"

I'm full on sobbing now, I can't even make a coherent sentence at this moment. So, I nod.

The people in the house cheer, and Colten smiles, dropping the microphone and grabbing me by the waist. Our chests are pressed together and I'm firmly enveloped in my loves arms.

"I'm so so sorry for the shit I've put you through, baby," he whispers against my lips as the music starts again.

"I'm sorry too," I sniffle. "I should've believes you the first time. I love you."

"And I love you," he smiles and presses his lips to mine. The taste and feel of him against me again has my mind foggy and my heart thumping loudly. Our mouths move like they always have and it has my body quenching with desire, our tongues battling for each other.

I love this man, so much.

I was so fucking close! Dammit, I crave for her beautiful lips on mine. How fucked up is that? She's in love with another guy and all I can think about is pleasing that beautiful body of hers.

She's so different than the other girls I've dated, her personality just makes everyone want to love her, she's beautiful in and out. I want to show her that she's too good for Colten fucking Mathews. She has to know she is, right?

It's been almost an hour since I dropped her off and now I'm heading back to the house that I know too well. Tonight, I'm going to tell her how I feel. There's a sliver of hope inside me that she could give it a try, to give me half the chance she gives Colten.

I hope I can make the declaration tonight over the present I got her.

I pick up the tiny velvet box that holds her charm bracelet that I spent most my savings on. I really do hope she likes it, when I first saw it, it just screamed her name. The thought of giving this to her has my insides swirling nervously. I'm usually never this anxious, I'm pretty good with girls, but like I said, Nikki is different.

I place the box into my back pocket and park my car on the curb close to the Long household. The air is chilly as I walk towards the house, but I'm too excited to care. Fuck, this feeling is making me a sap. I'm surprised by how silent the house is even when I make it into the building. Then I realize why.

I stand by the front door and look over to the middle of the living room where Colten and Nikki stand.

"I don't just love you, Nikki, I am in love with you. I fucked up and I'll spend the rest of our days together making that up to you. I know I'm an idiot who doesn't deserve you, but Nikki, I can't be without you. So will you please forgive me for all the shit I've put you through?"

When she nods her head, something in my deflates and I take the velvet box out of my back pocket. The people in the house cheer them on and I watch as they kiss making me want to vomit.

With a sigh, I set down the present on the table that holds their keys, and walk out the door.

She'll know it's from me, maybe I should've taken out the letter I wrote her. Too late now, I'm not going back in that house.

Now I know how it feels to have your heart broken.

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