Page 141 of Unspoken Rules

“See you in the morning?” he asks.

“Yes, definitely.”

He eyes Cole as he takes a few backward steps, looking like he doesn’t want to leave me alone. Eventually, he turns and heads to his apartment that is a few doors down. At first I was worried that we were so close, like he’d constantly bother me. I hate that I’m so socially inept, but he’s been great and doesn’t show up at random times like I feared. Westley stops in front of his apartment, turning his gaze on me and raising a brow. I nod my head, and he goes inside.

I ignore the tingling in my chest at being so close to Cole. I turn my attention to him, forcing my breath to stay even.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as casually as I can, ignoring the way my heart is trying to jump out of my chest.

He blinks, running a hand down his face.

“I didn’t know where else to go.”

“What does that mean?” I ask.

He grits his teeth, looking away, and I swear he looks like he’s about to cry, but I can’t imagine why. It certainly isn’t over me. He pinches the bridge of his nose, bowing his head.

“Can I come in?” he asks.

My pulse skyrockets at the thought of Cole in my place. I’ve wanted to share all of this with him since I got here, but…

I glance at the door, then at him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Wow. Go me.

Cole takes a deep breath, turning to face me fully. “Chris was in an accident.”

“What?” I breathe out. “What kind of accident? Is he okay?”

“He’s in a coma. I… I just—”

Cole can’t finish his words, and instead looks away, shaking his head. The first tear falls.

“Bryson, I don’t have anyone else,” he chokes out.

I unlock my door and let us in, my head spinning at Cole being here and—holy shit, Chris is in a coma? For how long? I flick on the lights and gesture for the couch as I get water. I need plenty after the night I’ve had. Not that I feel the effects of the alcohol anymore. Seeing Cole sobered me right up.

“What happened? Is he going to wake up?”

My heart is beating so hard. I don’t know what to do or say or think. My best friend is in a coma. He could not wake up. He could die. What the fuck!

“He was drinking and wrecked his car.” Goddamnit, Chris. Fuck. “Doctors aren’t sure if he’s going to wake up or not. They said it’s possible. If it happens, it’ll likely be within the next few days. Each day he doesn’t wake up, the chance of him doing so gets smaller and smaller. I should have stayed there, but waiting in that hospital room was killing me. I needed to do something. I need—” He looks away again, wiping another tear from his eye.

I sit down beside him, putting my hand on his thigh. I ignore how warm it is, and how good it feels.

“I’m sorry.” It’s all I can think to say, and he doesn’t say anything back. It’s quiet for a long while. I have no idea what to say, and it seems Cole doesn’t want to talk. But then I start to get angry. “Cole, how long—” I clear my throat. “When did this happen?”

“Two days ago.”

“Two days?!” I shout, then lower my voice. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled, but it’s been two days and you’re only just telling me now? You couldn’t have called?”

He clears his throat, taking a sip of his water before saying, “Tabitha and I have been a wreck. Trying to figure out the best way to handle this hasn’t been easy. We’re both devastated and have barely left the hospital. We haven’t slept. I don’t think either of us realized how long it had actually been.”

“If you’d have told me, I’d have gone to see him. His friends will want to see him.”

And the only reason I know they don’t know is because I didn’t. Had Mila been told, I’d have been the first person she called. I’d bet my life on that.

“I know,” he says. “We know that. It was such a shock, we weren’t thinking straight. Tabitha said she’s going to call his friends tomorrow morning.”

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