“Laura.” It’s Race who has followedbehind Cole. “Let’s give Kate and Cole a minute alone.”
I shake my head at Laura. “Don’t go withhim,” I mouth.
She mouths back, “I’ll be okay, no funnybusiness.” I nod and watch her go. Race holds out his hand, but she doesn’ttake it. They walk around the bar to the front entrance.
“Where are they going?” I ask, stillwatching the front door.
“Back to the villa.”
I try to move past Cole, but he puts hishands up, blocking me. So I cross my arms. He backs away and holds out a handfor me to walk in front of him. As I walk through the entrance, I glance to myleft and catch a man out of the corner of my eye; he’s sitting with a blondewoman. He holds up his glass, saluting me.Mr. Not Important.I gasp,stopping. That man! A flood of emotions rage through me. My hands shake withfear, but my heart pounds with anger. I want to give him a piece of my mind. Itry to move towards him, but Luke comes up, blocking my view, Cole wraps hisarm around me, ushering me out front. I know trying to fight back would beuseless. The SUV is waiting with the doors open. Luke and Cole practicallythrow me in the car. I fall forward, landing on the other side of the backseat. The doors slam shut, tires screech, and we are moving.
I sit up, scooting next to the door andputting my seatbelt on. I just look out the window. I don’t know if Cole’supset or what. But there’s a tightness in the car, so I sit quietly, pushing myemotions back into the closet. Mr. Not Important. Sheesh, or should I sayMelvin Martin. What the hell was he doing there, spying? What a jerk. Then Iremember my mom and family.
“Where’s my family?”
It’s Luke who answers. “They’re withCooper and Alan in the limo.”
At least they’re safe. I turn back tolook out the window. Cole doesn’t do anything. He doesn’t talk, hold my hand, tryto get me to talk, nothing. I hate when he’s like this. I don’t know what tothink or how to act. I don’t want him to yell at me, so I don’t know what toeven say.
When we pull up to the villa, my mother’sstanding with Cooper and a security guard just inside the main doors. “Waithere,” Cole states matter of fact.
I watch him walk into the foyer. Cooperpats him on the back and then heads for the elevator. Cole turns to my mom. Ican’t hear what they say, but Cole just stands there while my mother does allthe talking. He nods once. His fists clench a few times, but then he stuffsthem in his pockets. My mom looks upset. I’m sure she is. I wish I knew whatshe was saying. I have the urge to get out of the car. I undo my seatbelt, butI just watch as my mom lays into Cole. I know she’s riled up when her pointerfinger comes out and she shakes it.
“Bang, bang.” Kurt would say if he werehere. “She’s going to kill someone with that finger one of these days.” Thenwe’d both laugh. I wish Kurt was here now. I could use some unconditional lovefrom my little brother. That and my fuzzy blanket, a bag of licorice, and StarTrek reruns.
What’s happening to my life? It’s likeI’m being torn in two different directions. One direction is Cole, and theother is my family, more specifically my mother. Doesn’t she understand I’m nota child anymore? I guess I never paid her much attention. I just flew under herradar and stayed in her good graces. Apparently not anymore. She finally stopstalking and Cole says something. She nods and then turns on her heel towardsthe elevator. Cole turns and faces the door. He loosens his tie and runs a handthrough his hair. I scoot to the other side of the Escalade. I think I’d rathertake my chances on Las Vegas Boulevard than face Cole at this moment. Hedoesn’t look happy, and I know what he has to say is going to be bad. Butrunning didn’t get me anywhere last time. It made things worse. Cole walks upto the door, opening it. He looks tired, but other than that, I can’t tell whathe’s thinking. He holds his hand out for me and I scoot back over. He helps meout of the car and walks me inside. “Will you wait here for a minute? I need totalk to Luke.” I don’t say anything, I only nod and watch Cole disappear behindthe SUV.
I wrap my hands around my waist, feelingexposed and vulnerable. What did my mother say to him? I know it wasn’t nice.Did she belittle me some more? Or tell Cole he’s a bad influence on me? Did shesay she…
“Kate.” I look up to see Cole standing infront of me.
“Sorry,” I mutter, looking past him, notmaking eye contact.
“Come on.” He takes my hand, leading meto the elevator. Luke and Keaton trailing behind us. It slides open and bothLuke and Keaton step in. I follow the two men in, but Cole doesn’t get on. Iscrunch my forehead at him questioningly.
“I told your mother I’d stay with Cooperfor the rest of her visit.”
That’s what does it. My internal closetdoor breaks open and every emotion I’ve locked down comes rushing out. “No,what are you talking about?” I try to get off the elevator, but Luke grabs meby the waist while Keaton punches in the code. “Luke, let go of me.” I ram myelbow into his chest, but he grabs my arm. “Cole stop, please.”
“No.” And the elevator doors close.
I stop struggling, but Luke’s stillholding me. “Let go of me.” I scream. He does, but my legs won’t hold me, and Icollapse to the floor.
“Kate, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Luketries to help me up, but I scoot away from him.
“Don’t touch me.” He raises his handsletting me be.
What has my mother done? Why would Coleleave me? I’m on the verge of losing it, but I have about thirty seconds beforethe elevator doors open into the villa. I will not let my mother see what she’sdone to me. I need check my emotions now. I take several ragged breaths, andthen stand up as the elevator dings. I walk out, taking off my heels andmassaging my big toe, which seems to always go numb when I wear heels. I canfeel eyes on me, but I ignore them and take my time walking down the stairs. WhenI finally look up, everyone but my grandma is there. They watch me cautiouslyas I make my way across the living room. I open the door to the bedroom,relieved everyone keeps their mouth shut. Well, almost.
“Kate,” my mother says, cautiously. Whichshe should, since she effectively kicked Cole out of his own home; she has someserious explaining to do. But now is not the time. I’m feeling vulnerable andraw, and the things that I know I would say I couldn’t take back.
I don’t turn around. If I face her, I’lllose it right here in front of everyone and then I will run. And with my luck,Mr. Not Important will find me and I’ll really be done for. “Yes.” I say, eventoned.
“We wanted to know what time we’re goingshopping for your dress?”
“Our appointment’s at noon.” And I gointo the bedroom. I click the lock, but I know no one will bother me. I stripout of my dress and slip. I don’t have the energy to go looking for pajamas. Myphone chimes with a text and I lay across the bed and pick it up. It’s fromLaura:Are you okay?
I text back.No, are you?
