I take a step back from them. What the fuck …?
“What the hell was that for?” Cole demands, now glaring down at her.
She throws me a look of disgust, and my brows rise. What did I do? She turns her attention back on Cole. “I’m sure you can figure it out.” She turns around and walks toward the door, but he grabs her arm and yanks her back. “Cole!” she snaps.
“What the fuck was that for, Austin?” he demands. “Because I didn’t tell you where I went? It was none of your fucking business!”
He spent the day in Texas meeting with his counselor at the University of Texas. He plans on taking Lilly with him, and he can’t live in the dorm with a child. He needed to discuss housing, and he already had a few lined up to look at while he was there. He told me this morning before he boarded his plane that he’s gonna ask Austin to go with him. He tried to make it sound like it was no big deal, but Cole wanting any woman to move in with him is huge. He loves her. I know it. He knows it. He just refuses to admit it. She had no clue where he went or what he has planned. I don’t know why he won’t just tell her.
Tears fill her green eyes. She tries to pull away from him, but she gets nowhere. “Just forget it.” Her voice cracks.
And I watch in fascination at the way he melts for her. How can he not see it? Feel what she does to him? His eyes soften as he steps into her. “What’s wrong?” he asks, cupping her face.
Her first tear falls. “I know where you went.”
My eyes widen. How the fuck does she know? I’m the only one he told.
Cole’s jaw sharpens. “How do you—”
“I heard it,” she interrupts him.
He looks at me, and I throw my hands up, shaking my head. “I haven’t said anything.”
“What do you mean? You heard it? Who did you hear it from?” He turns his attention back to her.
“I’m not gonna spell it out for you, Cole.”
She had overheard her stepmom calling out Cole’s name the night before while she was fucking our friend Kellan. He tried to convince Austin that Cole was cheating on her. And she believed it for a day. That was long enough to drive her crazy. That was also the day I found out Kellan was fucking Celeste. We didn’t need to know why. There was a reason behind it, but we just couldn’t figure it out.
Austin nods, getting my attention. “You force her hand. If she is really Evan Scott, she’ll get pissed and act without thinking it through. Make her jealous and see what Evan does next. We get another letter, message, or whatever, then you know it’s from her. But …” She pauses. “I’m just gonna give you my opinion now. It’s not Demi.”
“Who do you think it is?” Bennett speaks up for the first time.
“I don’t know,” she answers honestly, and he leans back on the couch, letting out a sigh. “I mean, how many enemies could you have left behind in Collins?” She shrugs. “I think it could be anyone at this point. And if for some reason, I’m wrong, and it’s Demi pretending to be Evan Scott, she’s not doing it alone. She’d have to have help, right?”
No one answers, but she makes a valid point.
I pull out my cell and send a quick message to Becky. She had messaged me the other day about wanting to meet up this weekend. I don’t have time to wait that long.
Me: Wanna have dinner tomorrow night?
“I’m not sure this will work.” Shane growls. “How are you gonna make Demi jealous?”
I look over at him. “I’ll stay the night with Becky.”
“Whoa …” Austin starts. “I said to make Demi jealous, not hurt Becky. She loves—”
“Becky and I are never going to happen,” I interrupt her.
Her mouth clamps shut at my words. Some things just can’t be undone. And Becky and I reached that point months ago. But I don’t mind using her.
My phone dings.
Becky: I’d love to.
“I’m on. Tomorrow night,” I announce.
The room falls silent, and I place my phone down without responding.
