Page 133 of Just Between Us

I nod quickly. “Yeah, I’m great but I think I’m going to quit my job.”

Cole’s eyebrows lift just as Kai says, “What?”

“I know it’s a bit leftfield, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot and talking to Doctor Sloane about it. I’m in a better place mentally to manage my mind and I think it’s something I enjoy without all the noise.”

As sad or destructive as I was back then, I’ve always been smart and my former professors are constantly emailing me, trying to get me back into it. I know one of them would have a place for me as an assistant if I enrolled for a PhD.

“You sure?” Cole asks.

I nod. “Yeah, something about today made me realise that I should just take the plunge.”

Kai smiles, immediately coming round to where I’m standing to hug me tightly and kiss me on the cheek. “I’ll miss our lunch dates,” he says quietly. “But I’m happy for you. You deserve to be happy.”

“I can always visit. I’m sure they’ll still let me in,” I say.

“I’m proud of you, Evie and I’m happy you’re away from that place,” Cole says, coming over and kissing me too. “Kai, are you sure I can’t convince you to just stay at home and read books?”

Next to me, Kai makes a face, and I laugh. I don’t even know why I was nervous. Of course, they are happy for me.

“You can join all the housewives at Reformer Pilates on random Wednesday mornings now,” Kai says.

“Oh, they’d hate him. He would kick their asses,” Cole says.

“Wait, does this mean you’ll wear your glasses all the time?” Kai asks, eyes wide.

“Do you want me to?” I ask.

“Obviously, you look so scholarly and hot with them on. Everyone is going to be so jealous of how hot and smart you are.”

I shake my head, resting my head on the dip of his neck.

Last week, Adam was buried in a private funeral. His family have kept it pretty hush, more concerned with keeping their name clean than making any noise about it and attracting the attention of nasty tabloids eager to feast on the pain of people like them.

No part of me thinks he shouldn’t be dead. I don’t know if that makes me a bad person, but I don’t care. He hurt me and he was going to do it again because he couldn’t stand the fact that I didn’t want him.

If I didn’t have Kai and Cole he would have succeeded. I’m glad he’s dead. I’m also glad Kenny is dead. We get to be happy, and they don’t.

“How do you both feel about a private island with no service for two weeks?” Cole asks, smiling wide.

“Unlike Levi, I still have to care about annual leave days so I can do one?” he says hopefully looking up at Cole.

“You sure you don’t want to be a stay-at-home boyfriend?”

Kai narrows his eyes. “I don’t think that’s a thing.”

Cole grins. “It can be then we can just keep you here fuck you whenever we want.”

“Absolutely not,” Kai shakes his head looking horrified.

I smile. “We’ll wear you down, don’t worry.” I plant a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “Where are we going?” I ask.

“A private island,” Cole says seriously.

I roll my eyes, but I’ll indulge him. I like that Kai and I belong to him. I like being theirs. I like letting go of some of my control.

“Either of you up for a Lord of The Rings rewatch?” I ask hopefully.

“Yes!” Kai says excitedly.

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