Chapter 53: Colton

Three years later...

I roll over and stretch out an arm, only to find the space next to me empty and the sheets already cooling. I crack open an eye and glance around the room. The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, painting the vast stretch of space with pink and purple strokes.

Where the hell did that girl disappear to?

I throw off the covers and pad over to the bathroom.

Empty.

I don't bother to put on clothes. It's just the two of us. I surprised Alyssa with a weeklong vacation at the beach. One of my father's friends owns a house on Kiawah Island in South Carolina right on the ocean. We can hear the crash of the waves from our bedroom window. It's the perfect sound to fall asleep to with Alyssa tucked in my arms.

I pad down the stairs to the first floor. The scent of fresh brewed coffee permeates the air and the door to the patio is open. I should have known that she was out here on the deck. She can't get enough of the fresh salty air.

I push open the scree