Page 221 of Waiting Game

His frown makes an appearance. “You didn’t. It’s not like you wanted it to happen, honey.

“Even if youhadplanned the fire for the insurance, you’d never have intended for us to get hurt?—“

“Is that what you think?” I drag my hands from his. “Because of what I did to Gracie?!” That last part comes out as more of a shriek. “You think I’m that desperate I’d?—”

“Mia,” he snarls, his interruption reassuringly immediate and wonderfully aggravated. “You fucked up with Gracie but you’re not the devil incarnate, for God’s sake.

“So, what, you sucked as a friend. It doesn’t mean you’re a horrific person. If Gracie didn’t have an inferiority complex, she’d have made you pay for what you did and, eventually, you’d have earned her forgiveness.

“I love her like a sister but she’s not perfect. She cut out a good friend because she was blinded by her own issues. How can we make up for our actions if we’re not given the opportunity to?”

“I don’t deserve a second chance,” I mumble miserably.

“You didn’t kill someone,” he barks. “By your logic, she’s right to cut me from her life too. Because I dared fall for someone she doesn’t approve of! But that’s the difference here. If she even tries that bullshit with me, I’ll be in her face until she pranks me to get over her snit.

“Look, I already told you that I know you’re like my brother Colt.” He swipes a hand through his sweaty hair. “You’ll ruin yourself financially to save a dumb plot of land—whether it’s in Midtown or Pigeon Creek.

“You’re too stubborn by half to pull a stunt like this. Never mind the fact you’re not that dumb. You didn’t see your reaction once the fire took life. You were terrified—not relieved. You were as surprised as I was.”

His growled words make me shudder as I reach for his hands again. “I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

“And you didn’t.” He tightens his grip on my fingers. “That fucker, Griggs, did. I wish you’d told me about him. Why didn’t you?”

“Not your circus, not your monkeys.”

He pins me with a hard stare. “We both know that’s bullshit. You’re totally my monkey.”

Sniffling, I croak out a soggy laugh as I raise our joined hands to swipe at my own dirty cheeks. The tail end of my laughter is chesty from smoke inhalation and I notice his gaze darkens with concern.

“I lost it all, Cole.”

“Youdidn’t do anything,” he dismisses. “That asshole is the one who took it away from you. This is not your fault and it’s nothing you could have prevented or stopped. This is…life, honey. It blows. And I’m so fucking sorry, but you can’t blame yourself.

“Not that I know why I’m telling you this because you’ll blame yourself anyway. You're so like Colt, it’s unreal. Everything’s always his fault and his responsibility,” he rambles on, but it’s oddly soothing. “Like, I think the dude would take the blame for global warming if he could?—”

A waterlogged chuckle escapes me. “I promise I’m not that bad.”

His grin is pure Cole. “I’m relieved to hear it?—”

Pounding sounds at the door.

My head whips toward the entrance hall.

“Hey, it’s okay,” he soothes.

“I didn’t do it, Cole, I swear! What if they’re back to take me in for questioning? They might want to arrest me!”

“Baby, I’d be five minutes behind you with one of the best lawyers in Manhattan to represent you. If it is them, don’t say a word until the lawyer gets there?—”

“YOU OPEN THIS GODDAMN DOOR, COLE KORHONEN!”

His eyes flare wide as he gulps. “Worse than Lady Justice, it’s Gracie Bukowski.”

My nerves settle some, but not a lot. He’s right—I’ve seen Gracie armed with a bat. You have to be swift to avoid her swing.

“Cole!”

Not Gracie that time, a guy.

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