"Then can I have a look inside?"
"No!"The word explodes from me.
"Why not?"
Something inside me snaps.I spin, barking inches from her face."Are you deaf, Alex?I said, no.Drop it!"
She sucks in a breath, hurt flashing in those jade eyes before anger replaces it."What the hell is your problem, Bulldozer?"Her hands slam against my chest.When I don't budge, she steps back."Don't you dare yell at me like that ever again, Cole Walker.I don't deserve that.I'm only trying to help you."
"Then.Leave.Me.The.Fuck.Alone."
I watch pain ripple across her features before she drops her gaze to her hands.You're hurting her.Stop.But the chaos in my head won't let me form the apology she deserves.Instead, I bend forward, dropping my head in my hands, trying to cage the monsters threatening to break free.
"Do you know what you are, Cole?You're a hypocrite."Her voice trembles with emotion."How dare you lecture me on how important it is to talk about my fears and demons when you don't even do it yourself.Why won't you trust me?Why do you hold on to them so hard?Why do you keep hiding behind your shield of arrogance and grumpiness?"
Each question is a dagger to my chest.When she speaks again, her words are quiet but final.
"I'm going home, and I'm taking Samantha with me for a few hours."
I shift just enough to see her hugging herself, bottom lip caught between her teeth.The sight breaks something in me, but I can't move, can't speak.
"Send me a text when you are in the right state of mind, and then I will send Samantha home.But if you need more time, she can stay with me tonight, and I'll make sure she gets to school tomorrow."
She takes a step closer, her voice barely above a whisper."The last thing I want you to understand is that if you decide not to be honest with me about whatever is haunting you, Cole Walker, you can kiss that bullshit contract of yours goodbye.Because then, I'm out."
The door closes behind her with a quiet click that echoes like a gunshot.Through the glass, I hear their muffled voices, then the apartment door closing.In the sudden silence, my whispered "I'm sorry" falls on empty air.
21
ALISHA
Samantha licks her fingers for the third time, tomato sauce staining her lips."This was delicious."Her innocent enjoyment of the pizza pulls a reluctant smile from me, despite the knot of worry sitting heavy in my stomach.
I lean back against the couch cushions, trying to push thoughts of Cole from my mind."I wouldn't call it the best, but definitely top five of my favorite comfort foods."My fingers drum against my thigh."Thirsty?"
She nods, already reaching for her phone and headphones—the ones she'd grabbed before we fled Cole's apartment.The memory of his tortured expression makes my chest ache.
"Do you mind if I listen to some music?"
"Go ahead."I push to my feet, gathering our plates."I'll clean this up and make us something to drink."
In the kitchen, away from Samantha's watchful eyes, I let out a shaky breath.Oh, Cole.What demons are haunting you so badly?Those haunted blue eyes keep appearing in my mind, the raw pain in them making my heart clench.
I scrape pizza remnants into the trash, my movements mechanical as my thoughts spiral.The way he'd frozen when his mother mentioned his father, how he'd practically vibrated with barely contained rage on that balcony...No man has ever affected me this deeply.The frustration and hurt from earlier have morphed into pure concern, and that terrifies me more than his anger ever could.
"Shit," I mutter as iced tea overflows the glass, spreading across my counter.Focus, McQueen.But focusing means not thinking about Cole, and that seems impossible right now.
After mopping up the spilled tea, I grab our drinks and head back to the living room.The couch is empty.Where did she go?A faint sound catches my attention, drawing me toward her abandoned headphones.Something about that melody...
Without thinking, I lift them to my ears, and the world transforms.The piano piece flows through me like autumn rain, each note precise yet achingly emotional.The melody shifts, growing deeper, more vibrant, stirring something profound in my chest.God, this is incredible.
The couch dips beside me, and I startle, quickly returning the headphones."Great music.Surprising, but stunning.I didn't know you liked that style."
Samantha's fingers clench around the device, her eyes skittering away from mine."I do," she mumbles, her entire body radiating vulnerability.
Understanding hits me—this means something to her, something private.I redirect, touching the soft fabric of her new dress."I see you changed."
Relief floods her features as she stands, twirling in the beige sleeve-pleated dress we bought during our shopping spree.The transformation is immediate—her shoulders relax, a genuine smile lighting up her face.She runs her hands over the material, showing off how it complements her figure.