After the service, I push Mom to the car to drive to the cemetery. It’s almost over. Mrs. Thorne shoves Cole to help me get my mom settled in the car. I have been there supporting my mom through every step of her recovery, and she knows that. She wants Cole and me to occupy the same space. He follows us to my car and helps my mom into my passenger seat before packing her wheelchair for me.
I thank him, and he stands awkwardly staring at the ground.
“I'm sorry about the accident and your dad. It sucks." He finally says, still not looking me in the face.
I grimace, and he raises his eyebrows. "I've heard that so many times today, and it's starting to sound like bullshit."
I probably shouldn't have said that aloud, but it's the truth. There was a time when I shared all my truths with Cole, and he would have done almost anything to be by my side through the worst experience of my life. Our families are so close, and I know he knew everything about what had happened. He never showed up at the hospital or even just made a call or sent a text.
I sigh, "I'm sorry for the outburst. It's been a long day. How long are you in town for?"
"Until tomorrow night. I have to get back and finish out the season. We have no hope of making the playoffs."
“You guys made a good run the last few games."
He looks surprised, "Too bad it's too late. The other teams are too far ahead for us to catch up in points. I didn't know you watched."
“I have for years, off and on.”
He looks uncomfortable. We say our goodbyes, and I get in the driver's seat of my car.
My mom studies me, "You two have always been meant for each other."
I let out a very unladylike snort, "Hardly. Is that why Cole dumped my ass at the first taste of freedom he got?"
"Pshhh, it was bound to happen. You both were so young and hadn't experienced much in life. Now you can come together and rediscover the adults you've become."
"What if we don't like the adults we've become?"
She dismissed me with a flick of her wrist like I was talking crazy.
"Don't you and Stacy get your hopes up. We're bound to disappoint you both because I'm not going back there," I tell her. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too."
I feel guilty that I can't give her this one thing she wants out of life. Cole is no longer mine.
There was no way I could talk my mom out of the luncheon that Tiffany is hosting at her house after the funeral, though I tried my hardest. I'm hiding in the corner of the living room at the Ward house, watching people come in and out. It's less wild than the parties that I used to attend here, but the scene feels vaguely familiar. My mom's happily socializing with her friends, which I know she needs because she doesn't get out much, and I am trying to avoid anyone I might know. It feels too claustrophobic in here.
I head out the sliding door to the deck outside, then down the steps and rest against the side of the house. The smell of cigarette smoke wafts out to me, and I almost smile at the sense of deja vu. Can our senses keep memories, too?
Then Talon Ward is there, letting out a puff of smoke and studying me with his intense eyes. I've always felt like prey to a stalking predator when he looks at me.
"You found me, Kitten," he says, taking a drag.
"I wasn't trying to, Mr. Anti-Social,” I snap.
That might be a lie because I can’t deny to myself that there’s a hum of pleasure through my body when I’m around him.
"Well, I was here waiting for you. I knew you'd come out sometime," he confesses.
I watch him take me in from the top of my head to the soles of my shoes. I'm not the same awkward teenager. My body is curvier, my hips are rounder, and my breasts are fuller. His face says he appreciates the new me.
"Tiffany told me about the accident you and your family were in. I'm sorry about your father. Were you hurt?"
"I had some issues, nothing to worry about now."
"How's your mom? I noticed the wheelchair."