Page 40 of Broken Rivalry

I laugh bitterly at Cole’s words and meet his gaze, anger and memories swirling. “I’m a Hawthorne, Cole. I know betrayal all too well.” I pause, the weight of a particular memory pressing down. “Especially when it comes to Poppy.”

Cole smirks, taking another swig from his bottle. “Oh, what did you call her? The pauper, right? What could she possibly have done to you?”

I know he’s trying to bait me, wanting to fight to distract me from what is unveiling now, from his potential moment of weakness.

I take a deep breath, the past rushing back. “Junior year, things were changing between Poppy and me. Despite our silly rivalry, which I admit I started, there was a strange trust. I even started to hope that by the end of the year, we could put everything behind us.”

Cole’s smirk widens, but there’s curiosity in his eyes. “And?”

I clench my fists, the memory’s burden palpable. “Then everything fell apart. My father took me into his library with his lawyer. They told me about Alan Lockwood, about the alleged theft and betrayal. They suspected Poppy and her mother were involved. And I believed them.”

Cole smirks, but it’s devoid of humor. “Looks like the pauper played you.”

My voice carries a note of remorse. “No. Poppy was innocent. But by the time I realized it, I had already lashed out. I said, ‘Now you’ll be living in the slums where you belong… Pauper,’ and everyone laughed, even her so-called friends. I accused her of betrayal, believed the worst about her, and I’ve regretted it every day since.”

Shame floods through me; at the time she needed comfort and care the most, I gave her disdain and mockery. I can’t blame her for reacting to me the way she is now. Thinking back, I think I deserve even far less than what she’s giving me.

Cole’s smirk fades, replaced by a contemplative look. “You think you understand betrayal because of a high school spat?”

“It wasn’t just a spat, Cole. It was a mistake, one that I’m still paying for. But unlike some,” I say, glancing pointedly at the bottle in his hand, “I’m trying to make amends, not dig myself deeper.”

Cole’s eyes darken, his own regrets flashing through. “We all have our demons, Hawthorne. Some hide them better than others.”

“Well, based on Eva’s reactions, you got your revenge.” Cole’s face contorts in pain.

“I thought I’d moved on. But seeing Eva again… It’s become an obsession.”

“Obsession, Cole? Do you hear yourself? That’s unhealthy.”

“Don’t you think I know that?”

I grab the bottle from his hand and put it on the counter. “Go sleep it off, and once you wake up with the headache of all headaches, I’ll deal with you.”

Cole glares at me, but thankfully, he grumbles something under his breath and sways his way to his bedroom.

As I begin to clean up the mess in the living room, the front door opens to reveal Liam. He stands in the doorway, silently taking in the scene. He tosses his car keys into the bowl by the door, his movements deliberate and controlled, his gaze shifting from me to the half-drunk whiskey bottle on the counter. Methodically, he begins removing his jacket.

“Don’t say anything,” I warn, retrieving the bottle top from under the coffee table.

Liam’s voice is as cool as ice. “Wasn’t planning to.” He starts to head toward his bedroom, but I can’t let him go without knowing.

“How’s Nessa doing?”

He stops, turning slowly. His expression is unreadable, but there’s a hint of steel in his eyes. “How do you think she’s doing, Ethan?” He pauses, letting the weight of his silence fill the room as he crosses his arms, the gesture emphasizing his broad shoulders. “She’s Nessa. She puts on a brave face, but her friend had a breakdown. I picked up some bottles for her at the liquor store.”

I smirk, trying to lighten the mood. “Liam Ashford buying alcohol for someone under twenty-one… What would people say? And you seem to know her quite well.” I don’t miss his unexpected familiarity with Nessa, though. There’s far more there than he would have us believe.

Ignoring my comment, he continues, “It’s funny, though. I advised you to give them space. To not interfere with their game. Yet, what did you do?”

“Liam, I’m not in the mood for a moral lesson.”

His gaze sharpens, challenging me. “Is that right? And what are you in the mood for? More chaos?”

“It wasn’t supposed to spiral out of control like that.”

His voice rises, a rare show of emotion. “Of course it was! It’s Cole and Eva! Putting them in the same room, especially with weapons, was the stupidest thing you could have done, Ethan. The stupidest!”

I wince, feeling the weight of his words. “Cole promised—”

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