Is it Hawt in Here?

(My first fictional tale)

I remember the day vividly. It was sunny and 68 degrees outside...in February. The hotel next to the bar I worked at was filling up fast. There was an annual show that the local university put on. Moms and Dads from all over came to watch their adult children preform. They came to see what their twenty thousand dollar a year tuition was paying for.

I had just gotten this bartending gig days earlier. I was still a drink pouring virgin, learning the ropes. It was my very first job in general in my new town. You see, I had recently married the man of my dreams and he swept me away to a little town in Georgia. We were broke though. I needed a job fast. Who passes up easy cash? So I took the job.

I didn't know anyone in this town. It was a little overwhelming to say the least and a month after we were married his job sent him on this ridiculously long business trip. This job was my saving grace. I was able to enjoy the bar scene and make some friends all because of the job.

When payday rolled around, I happened to be working and in charge of handing out our measly paychecks. Only a week on the job made it hard to remember names. Remembering faces was a breeze though. Except when this tall, dark, handsome man with abs of steel walked in wanting a check. I had never seen him before. A week on the job and I had not sited him once. There is no way I could miss this man either!! He had a deep, masculine voice, abs I could scrub my laundry on, arms like a sledge hammer, thick dark hair, and his eyes, they were green. Not just any green. Against those black lashes they were a forest green. This deep inviting color. A color I've never seen in someone's eyes. A color I will never forget.

He introduced himself as Colton Hawthorne. A name that is not very common in my very northern state of Minnesota. It brought a smile to my face. I was still trying to figure out this whole "Southern Living" business. Hearing a name like "Colton" made me giggle on the inside. I responded with a smile and an introduction of my own. "Hi! I'm Annabelle Swick. Nice to meet you Colton." (Yep, I played it totally cool. Even though in my mind I had nicknamed Mr. Hawthorne as Mr. Hawt.) I asked him why we had yet to meet. He told me he had been on vacation. So, I handed Mr. Hawt his paycheck and went back to work. His pearly white smile flashed me as he walked away.

Finally, my shift was over! I hurried home to check the mail. I hadn't heard from Mr. Swick, my husband of course, so I thought that work must have been keeping him busy. When I got in our tiny 600 sqare foot apartment, I rummaged through the mail. I found a letter from the love of my life.

"My Dearest Belle,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am so sorry I haven't called. There are some things that you don't know. I was an Marine Vet before we married. I killed people. I enjoyed it. It made me a drunk. I have no plans of changing. Hiding this from you has been a nightmare. I hope you can forgive me. I love you but can't and won't stop drinking to make you happy. I hope you can understand.
All my love,
Adam."

My heart was broken. I was so confused. How could I have not known about this? Why is he telling me now? Why won't he return my calls?

I stayed awake all night pondering this. I had to be at work at 4 pm. I took a nap and dreamed of Mr. Hawt. The phone rang. I woke up not remembering the dream but covered in sweat.

"Hello"
"Hey babe, it's me, Adam. We need to talk." His voice was shaken, and different. I wasn't sure where this conversation was headed but I was worried. Worry, is never a good place for a newly wed.