Chapter 11 - Sofia
In the morning, I expect to find Cole next to me, but he’s not. I swallow the growing lump in my throat. He said forever. Is forever just another night of near endless sex? Except it wasn’t really sex. It was more. The way he held me, praised me, encouraged me, pleased me on repeat, that feels more like love.
I take a quick shower in the bathroom attached to his room, not wanting to look freshly fucked when I do the walk of shame. Being left in my own bed was more merciful. I sniffle in the shower, but swallow my tears. I encouraged him and this is on me.
After getting dressed, brushing my teeth, resisting the urge to take my anger out on his bathroom, I head downstairs slowly, sure I’m going to have to sneak. Liam has to be awake. And he is, I hear him.
“Daddy!”
“Try the strawberries. I’m sure there are more in your garden,” Cole encourages, gentler and happier than I’ve heard him in a while.
When I hear the door open and close, I quickly head down the stairs, but end up on a squeaky one. I freeze and meet Cole’sinquisitive eyes. He motions to me with a spatula. “I’ve been meaning to fix that.”
“I um, I’ll ...”
“I don’t expect you to cook,” he says gently, flashing me a smile. “Just sit down. I’m sure you’re still tired.”
My mouth opens and closes. I move closer to him, glance at the table set for three, the door Liam will be coming in through any moment, and back to Cole. He reaches out to me and my brow furrows.
“You left me alone in bed,” I whisper.
“I heard Liam up. If I don’t get around, he storms into my room. That would have bothered you and revealed a little too much,” he whispers.
Before I can make sense of that, he kisses my forehead and pulls me closer. “Did you get enough sleep?”
“Um ... yeah. I didn’t like the wake up though,” I mutter, my face burning.
He kisses my temple. “I’ll work on that.”
I stare at him for a long moment. He’s making pancakes in an apron and his usual t-shirt and jeans. He looks ... comfortable though. He’s not shying away, not putting space between us, just has me right here while he makes banana pancakes, eggs, and sausage.
“This is a big breakfast,” I say softly.
“I have a growing boy and I have a feeling you’re going to need to eat a bit more too,” he answers with a naughty smile.
I gape at him, not sure what to do with this side of him. Liam comes back a second later and doesn’t ask or say anything about how his father is holding me. He just presents the strawberriesand shares a look with me. “Tell Dad that pancakes aren’t supposed to have fruit.”
“He’s right, Cole. They’re supposed to have blueberries at most. Chocolate chips, or sprinkles,” I say playfully.
“You’ll both like them. If you don’t rush me, I might surprise you,” Cole grunts.
“Can I have strawberry milk?” Liam asks.
“If there’s some in the fridge.”
“And if there’s not, I’ll make us some. It’s my favorite,” I promise.
I feel Cole’s eyes on me as I say so. He’s not angry, it looks like he’s planning something. He doesn’t comment on it. When we sit down to eat, I spot chocolate chips in the banana pancakes and we have fresh strawberries. I find whipped cream and wink at Liam.
Cole shakes his head, but rubs my thigh under the table.
“Are you done fighting?” Liam asks, looking between us.
“I ... we weren’t, I mean...”
“Yes,” Cole says, squeezing my thigh.
Eating breakfast together feels normal. Liam talks about going over to his friend’s today, Cole nods along, doesn’t mention work, but I don’t feel out of place. I’m comfortable, I’m welcome, I don’t feel like I’m running out the clock on Cole’s good mood.
