Page 49 of Broken Hearts

Returning to campus feels like entering a different reality, one marked by Cole's absence. It leaves a void I'm reluctant to acknowledge. I hate that I miss him, hate that a part of me longs for the very thing I know I should avoid. The silence he’s left behind is both a relief and a torment.

Ethan is back too. He and Poppy have worked through their issues, and he is here, in the kitchen, his arm casually draped around her. They’re laughing about something trivial. Their ease with each other is so starkly apparent. It’s a sight that stirs something in me, a flicker of something like hope or perhaps envy.

Seeing them together, so effortlessly reconciled, forces me to confront my own tangled feelings. Poppy had once been as adamant about staying away from Ethan as I am about keeping my distance from Cole. Yet here they are, seemingly having found a way back to each other. It raises an uncomfortable question in my mind. If Poppy can navigate the murky waters of a broken, then mended relationship, could I?

The thought unnerves me. I’ve been so focused on self-preservation, on protecting my heart from further damage, that the possibility of revisiting what Cole and I once had feels both terrifying and strangely alluring.

“Are you coming with Poppy to the game today? She told me you’re a pro,” Ethan says with a genuine smile, attempting to bridge the gap between us for Poppy’s sake.

His casual question catches me off guard, and I hesitate to say no, with Poppy looking at me so earnestly.

I’m about to answer when my phone interrupts, its ringtone slicing through the moment. Grateful for the reprieve, I mutter a quick apology and retreat to my bedroom, answering the call without checking the ID. “Hello?”

“Miss Sinclair?” The voice is unfamiliar, professional.

“Yes, speaking.” I sit on the edge of my bed, a sense of unease creeping in.

“This is Rebecca, Dr. Mahoney’s secretary.” The name hits me like a wave. Dr. Melissa Mahoney, the nerve reconstruction specialist whose expertise seemed like a distant dream, unreachable due to the astronomical fees.

“Miss Sinclair? Am I catching you at a bad time?”

“I… well, no, but I’m not sure why you’re calling. We contacted Dr. Mahoney’s office last year with all my medical history, but it was not a good fit.”

“Well, as you know, Dr. Mahoney and her team are probably the best in the field. If anyone can help you, it’s her.”

Why do you think I came to you in the first place? I think but only shake my head.

“Yes, I’m well aware, but I don’t have the funds to afford Dr. Mahoney’s rates.”

Rebecca hesitates, then says, “Well, Mr. Westbrook has offered to cover all your medical expenses.”

“Mr. Westbrook?” My mind races. Cole? His father? It doesn’t matter. I’m not a charity case. “Thank you, but no. I’ve moved on from that possibility,” I reply, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me, and end the call.

Reeling from the call, Poppy’s voice catches me off guard. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

I give her a half smile. “We both know that’s not entirely true.”

“Okay, fine, that’s not true.” She walks in and leans against my desk, her expression laden with concern and curiosity. “Why’d you say no to the doctor?”

Nodding, I decide to explain. “Yes, she’s a nerve specialist, but—” I shake my head. “Cole offered to pay her.” I look down at my hand and brush the scar.

A sigh escapes as my finger traces the familiar scar. “Hope’s a dangerous thing. I’ve made my peace. And I don’t want his guilt-ridden gestures.”

Poppy sits beside me, her presence comforting. “It’s not guilt, Eva. And even if it were, don’t let pride stand in the way of a chance to heal.” Her finger touches my scar, a gesture so gentle and understanding.

Her touch brings a wave of emotion, and I lean my head on her shoulder. “I need time,” I whisper, the weight of everything pressing down on me.

She wraps an arm around me. “Come to the game and the party afterward. It’ll do you good to let loose for a bit.”

The thought of seeing Cole again stirs dread but also an inexplicable longing. I miss him more than I dare to admit, even to myself. The thought terrifies me, but deep down, I know I can’t keep avoiding him.

“Okay, I’ll go,” I say, a decision that feels both frightening and necessary. As I agree, I realize that no matter how much I try to push it away, the pull toward him remains, a force as undeniable as gravity.

I change my mind about twenty times about going to the game and also hate myself for the extra care I put into my appearance, knowing that I will probably see Cole at the party.

The excitement in the air is palpable as I arrive at the game with Poppy and Nessa. Despite my initial reluctance, the energy of the crowd is infectious, and I find myself swept up in the moment, forgetting him, the doctor, and the conflicting emotions in my heart and head.

As the game progresses, I watch Cole on the field, his athletic prowess on full display. He moves with a grace and intensity that captivates the audience. I catch myself cheering for him, surprised at my own investment in his performance. Every successful play, every strategic move he makes draws a reaction from me, and I feel a sense of pride in his achievements. It’s confusing, this blend of admiration and lingering hurt, but for the moment, the former overshadows the latter.

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