Chapter Text
Colin was brooding, he was brooding so damn hard he looked more like his brother Anthony than his normal charming self. He stared at his beer like he had a personal vendetta against it. The bubbles offered him no solution other than getting drunk so that is what he was doing.
He was currently sitting in a bar on the complete opposite side of London, far away from his flat, his family, his, his, uggghh he thought to his self, nope not thinking about her. I am so beyond done. She doesn’t want me; she is marrying that blonde twat.
The blonde twat is what had started this glorious downward spiral. He had been over at his sister Eloise’s flat, he hadn’t meant to snoop but El had handed her phone to him to order food for them, “SHE” was supposed to come over and hang out with the two of them that evening and watch a movie, so he was ordering food when he saw a notification that had “HER” name on it. He was curious, just being friendly, making sure you know that she was
“Alfred asked me to marry him.”
Colin couldn’t breathe, ‘ no no no, his head was spinning, she wasn’t supposed to marry the blonde twat, she was supposed to marry me, he wasn’t good enough for her , he was a vegan fucker for christ sake!!, he was obsessed with a damn bird, instead of being properly obsessed with “HER” .
Colin stood from the couch dropping Eloise’s phone on the couch and bolting out the door. He needed to get out of the area, he couldn’t stay there and pretend to be happy for “HER” so he took an uber across the city and found a bar. That had been 4 hours ago and no clue how many drinks, but honestly, he couldn’t find the energy to give a rat’s arse.
He was too scared of losing her that he went and fucking lost her. He had spent the past two years fighting to get home as much as possible. He had work contracts to fulfill for the travel magazine he worked for but 6 months ago he was finally able to move back home permanently, but it was too late. “SHE” had been with the twat for almost a year and he was a failure once again.
Colin pulled his phone out of his pocket. He had turned it to silent so he could properly wallow. He saw missed calls from Eloise, Anthony, Benedict, Daphne as well as Phillip and his mum, but honestly it was the 12 missed calls from her and the 10 texts.
Yes, Colin was apparently a masochist because he ignored everyone else and called her
“COLIN CHRISTOPHER BRIDGERTON, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!” was the first thing he heard, no hello no hi, just holy shit the red head was pissed.
“pub.” Colin said, the only word he could honestly say without slurring.
“Why are you at a pub, what is wrong.” She asked, concern evident in her voice.
“Sad.” He answered and this was the truth,
“OK what pub Colin?” she said, he could hear her moving around.
“Stag pub” Colin said. Not that it was the actual name of the pub, but it was the pub they had come to for all of the Bridgerton men’s bachelor parties, it was a nice pub that wasn’t that busy and it was easy to rent out the entire bar.
“OK, that means I will need Benedict. I will text you when we head your way, because I know I can’t lift your drunk arse into the car. “She said her voice tinged with irritation.
“Sorry.” Colin replied, he didn’t like her being upset, and he really didn’t like the fact that he was the reason she was upset.
“Col, there is nothing to be sorry for, we will be there in a bit.” Her voice softened
Colin felt a smile pull at his face. His Pen, the person he always wanted to see the person who had held his hand as he got stitches on his chin. Pen the person whom he had loved for the past two years. His Pen who was always there for him no matter what time of day it was, even when the time difference meant he was calling her at 5 am. Pen whose blue eyes haunted him everywhere he went.
He was finishing his beer when he heard his brothers voice. “Dude, seriously what the hell is going on Colin, you were fine this morning.” Benedict said as he sat in the stool next to him. “Pen, married.” Colin slurred out his thoughts so fuzzy at this point he was struggling to think. “What are you talking about? Penelope is not getting married. Pretty sure that would be headline news.” Benedict said handing him a glass of water. “Ask Pen.” Colin replied “Ask Pen what?” he heard the voice of an angel behind him.
“What do you want to ask me Col?” Penelope said again, Colin stared at her like he was seeing things. “Married.” Colin replied still not realizing it was Penelope asking the questions. “Well that is interesting I don't remember you asking, but no I am not getting married.” She replied. Nodding to Benedict who had settled the bill for Colin knowing he would pay him back later. “Let's get him home, he is completely gone.” Benedict nodded, lifting him up by the arm pits. Colin immediately slumped once he was off the stool. “Jesus christ dude, you owe me so big.” Colin groaned. Once they had him into the back seat of the car, Colin tried to lay down Penelope who had slid in the other side of the back seat guided his head down to her lap.
“Why Pen?” Colin asked still not comprehending anything. He still hadn't understood that she wasn't getting married, the alcohol preventing him from rational thought. He felt her lips brush his cheeks. “I know you won't remember this at all tomorrow, and I have no clue how you found out he asked me, but I said no. It wasn't fair to me to marry a man I didn't love. So I said no, because the only man I want to marry is right here.” Her hands caressing his hair. Penelope looked down and he was asleep. Benedict looked back at her. “I think it's time Penelope., may want to try telling him that when he isn't knackered.” Penelope met Benedict's eyes in the rear view mirror. “I think you may be right Ben, you may be right.”