Page 86 of Better Hide

It’s all too much. Too much change. Too much newness. Too much…everything. Not even the food is the same here. Although, every day since we’ve been here, my favorite snacks have been turning up at my bedside. They’re the only things I’ll eat.

Every time Cole checks on me, I see the torment in his gaze, although he tries to hide it. I want to fight with him about it. To tell him he caused this. Make him give me anything other than a pitying look, but he doesn’t get roped in. Which throws me off even more. I’m used to them fighting me. Tormenting me. But they’ve done none of that. Well, Cole doesn’t. I know I could get Jayden to fight me, but I almost never see him. Cole says he’s out looking for jobs.

I almost miss the toxicity. I just want something to make me feel normal again.

On the evening of the seventh day, Cole drags me out of bed. He says nothing, just grabs me under the arms and legs, and heaves me up bridal style.

I squeal, “Put me down!”

“No can do, lemon drop.” Cole doesn’t lose his grip on me as I fight. He just carries me to the kitchen and puts me down. I glance around. I’ve seen the kitchen briefly from the hallway. It’s an open-style kitchen with a huge island in the middle and a large window lining one of the long countertops. Golden light filters in, and I see neighboring buildings and trees. Despite myself, I admire it for a second.

“You’re gonna teach me how to cook mac ‘n cheese,” Cole says, caging me in.

Immediately, I cross my arms. “No.”

Cole laughs. “You’re cute. That wasn’t a request.”

Despite my fatigue, I glare at him. He thinks he can order me around? After everything?

Cole smirks. “You’re adorable when you think you’re in charge.”

This asshole. I flip him off and start to walk around the island and back to the bedroom.

“Fuck no.” Cole snatches me up and hauls me back. He pins me to the island with his body, leaning up behind my ear and pulling in a breath. “Fuck, you smell so sweet, lemon drop.”

“Let me go.” I struggle.

“What, so you can hide again? No. Your days of hiding are over, Jo.” His voice gets tight. “Now teach me how to make this damn food.”

Fucking hell, trying to push against him is like trying to wrestle a wall. He won’t budge.

I let out a breath and glare at the island. There’s food there, with corkscrew noodles and milk and cheese. So much cheese, actually. An absurd amount.

“I tried to remember what you told me, but you didn’t say what kind of cheese, so I bought them all.”

I look through the ingredients. “You didn’t get any spices.”

I feel Cole shrug. “So we’ll get some.”

The fatigue hits me again. “I don’t feel like going out.”

“Well, lucky for you, the store is right under us.”

“What?” I turn to look at Cole, and he lets me. His eyes twinkle. “Isn’t that what you wanted? A grocery store close? I’m sorry it’s not open 24/7, but we’re not rich enough for that yet. Soon, though. Very soon.”

I just blink. He fucking remembered that?

“So, spices, what kind?”

I blink a few more times, then turn back to the table. I can’t believe he paid attention. He stands right behind me like an eager kid.

I frown. I don’t feel like cooking, but Cole never takes no for an answer. Maybe this will get him off my ass. I give Cole a list of things to get, thinking he’ll let me stay here.

But the fucker drags me downstairs with him, forcing some shoes on my feet. I’m pissed and fight him until I see the small store. I’ve never been to Mexico, and as I look at all the food, I can’t help but get excited. There are so many things I’ve wanted to try from here.

Cole sees me eyeing the candy and buys every option they have. I roll my eyes when he also buys a jar of onion powder and gives me a wink. Then, Cole grabs what ingredients we can find and carries them all himself.

By the time we get the food upstairs, I’m shoving Cole’s awkward ass out of the way. It’s clear he doesn’t know his way around the kitchen. Despite that, Cole hovers around me, asking questions and getting in my way. To get him to stop stepping on my feet, I sit him down to shred cheese, and he does so enthusiastically.

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