Cherrybomb:You ever wish you could leave the past behind and start out fresh? The worst part about living in a REDACTED is that you can’t escape your mistakes. You can’t move on from them. Sometimes it feels like you’re doomed to repeat them again and again.
He doesn’t respond, either because it’s a pretty dour message or because he’s at work, doing whatever it is he does. I feel a little stupid for reaching out to a stranger when I could be texting my sister or brother or half a dozen other people. Of course, my brother, Rowan, is the protective sort, and I suspect he wouldn’t be any happier about my current guard duty than Cole seems to be. The thought makes me scowl.
What right does Cole have to act like he cares? Two days ago, he implied I might be a shit to Jane just because I dislike him. And now here he is acting like my safety means something to him.
Hot and cold.
If two words could be said to describe anyone, those words describe Cole Garrison.
As if he’s been summoned by my thoughts, the doors at the end of the hall fly open, and he stomps in. He’s always sexy—it’s one of the things I hate about him—and he’s even sexier right now striding across the floor in great commanding footsteps, his face a storm and his eyes full of anger, worry, and protectiveness.For Jane, I remind myself.For Jane.His hair is wet, his shirt a little damp, as if he was just getting out of the shower when I made that call and he threw it on without thinking.
I give myself a shake, pissed that he still affects me this way, that my body can’t get with thewe don’t like Cole Garrisonprogram.
“You shouldn’t be out here,” he says to me in a seething voice. Then he does the unthinkable—something we’ve both avoided since the last time we forgot about our feud—he reaches out and touches my arm. The heat and spark of it startles us both, and he drops his hand as if I’m a rabid raccoon, immediately taking two steps back. “You shouldn’t have taken that risk.”
I shrug, trying to act like it doesn’t matter. “It’s not up to you to decide what risks I do or don’t take. Besides, I don’t like the Labelles. Idolike Jane. I’ll get back to the classroom.”
“Don’t leave me alone with him,” comes a desperate voice from just behind the door. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the PI is listening in on our little talk.
“Oh, he won’t hurt you,” I say, but there’s a tight feeling in my chest.
No, I’m the one he hurts.
“Have fun, boys!” I add with false cheeriness. I take a few steps, but Cole still hasn’t opened the door, and with the fatal curiosity of Pandora, I glance back.
He’s studying me, an unreadable expression on his face. He excels at those.
“Thank you, Holly.”
The words shiver through me, and I tighten my jaw. “I didn’t do it for you.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d think that was pain on his face.
“I know. Thank you anyway.”
I give a wooden nod and return to the classroom.
I feel him watching me as I walk away.
