Page 120 of Stolen Summer

I shook my head, sniffing back a sob. “Nothing. I got my period.” I blurted the first excuse that came to my mind. Most guys hated it when you mentioned anything to do with that time of the month.

“Bullshit. Come here.” He held out his arms, but what surprised me more was I actually walked into his embrace.

They were tears dredged from anger, mixed with some sadness and unfairness, but it was primarily anger with myself. I felt weak for still wanting him. I never should have kissed him. It only reminded me how fucked up I was. How could I want someone I hated?

My fingers hung limply at my sides as I buried my face into the front of Cole’s shirt. He didn’t try to pry information from me but held me, rubbing comforting circles over my back. As much as I loathed crying, there was something about the way a good sobbing session purged the soul. Yes, it made me so tired and drained, but the release lightened the tension in my chest, alleviating the ache in my heart.

Lifting my head, I sniffled again, a wet broken laugh bubbling out of me as I rubbed at my eyes, clearing away the blurriness. I felt ridiculous, but when I glanced into Cole’s face to bumble a stupid apology for ruining his shirt, his focus was elsewhere, off to the side.

I followed his gaze, a lump forming in my throat.

Crew stood just outside the front door, scowling at us. Not us. His brother.

I stepped out of Cole’s embrace, color flooding my cheeks. What the fuck do I have to be embarrassed for? Crew had basically driven me into his brother’s arms.

I steeled my shoulders, prepared for shit to go down. The dark glare in Crew’s eyes looked like he wanted to murder someone.

Me? Cole? Both of us?

I jumped as a firework went off from the backyard, followed by the whooping and hollering of drunk frat boys, diverting my attention from Crew for a few seconds, but when I glanced back to the porch, he was gone. My eyes darted over the faces, searching for Crew. A ribbon of disappointment sunk into my stomach.

My shoulders slumped. “I need to go home,” I muttered, my feet making quick steps toward the stairs.

Cole’s steps sounded behind me. “Wait. I’ll walk you.”

He caught up to me on the sidewalk, and neither of us said a word. I needed the silence. Perhaps he sensed it in my mood.

I should probably text Frankie and let her know I left, and I would, once I got in our apartment.

We lingered outside my building as I struggled with what to say. I wanted to sneak inside and crawl into bed for the night.

Cole cleared his throat. “I assume you and Crew didn’t work things out.”

Slivers of moonlight cut through the half-empty tree branches, spilling onto the side of my face. “Hardly,” I snorted. The only thing I accomplished from seeing Crew was adding another level of confusion to my feelings.

“I was hoping you’d get the closure you need.”

A fly buzzed around the exterior light, repeatedly smacking into it. I could relate. “Why does it matter to you? And don’t tell me it’s because we’re friends. I don’t know what we are, Cole,” I admitted.

He pressed a hand to the brick wall above my head, his gaze holding mine. “And if I told you I wanted to be more than your friend. Would it make a difference?” he asked frankly.

My back sagged into the building as I tugged at the end of my sleeves. “Honestly, right now, I can’t think about relationships. I just want to get through this year and pass my classes.

“And if I wait?”

My silence was deafening as I struggled to find the right words. This wasn’t happening. How did I end up here? With two guys wanting me? Who am I?

“It was never me.” His voice dropped an octave. “It will never be me.”

“I’m sorry.” What else was there to say?

The wind shifted strands of his dark hair as his lips tipped up. Was he smirking? “I had to be sure of your feelings. Crew’s been hurt,” he said tightly.

I flinched before my gaze narrowed, regarding Cole with wariness. “Are you testing me?”

He straightened, shoving his hands into his back pockets. “Can you blame me? You met my ex.”

He had me there. Gianna took crazy ex-girlfriend to another stratosphere. “I’m confused. So, you don’t like me?”

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