Page 57 of I Wish I Would've Warned You

“Is she dating anyone around here?”

“I would hope not.”

“So, you’re saying?—”

“Touch her and die.”

“Okay, then…” He steps back. “I see. Getting all territorial big brother already.”

“Let’s change the subject.”

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes. “Are you still on track with your gallery plans next year?”

“I believe so. Why?”

“Because I made a pact with you years ago.” He smiles. “I’ll help you for free for the first two years.”

“In exchange for a place to stay, correct?”

“Uh, duh.”

“Of course.” I smile. “Glad to see someone in my life knows how to keep their word…”

“And you’re serious about never speaking to your father again once you leave this summer, or are things softening? Feels like there’s been some resolutions since I last saw you two.”

I tap my fingers on the windowsill, the same way I used to as a kid when I’d wait for my dad to show up and he wouldn’t. Some habits never die, even when the hope behind them does.

“Cole?”

“I fucking despise him.” I turn to face him. “I’m just better at hiding it now.”

“Noted.” He nods, knowing the truth all too well.

“Can I say one nice thing about your stepsister for just a moment?”

“No.”

“Please? I really need to get this off my chest.”

“She’s fucking beautiful,” I say. “There. I said it.”

“That wasn’t what I was going to say at all.”

“Oh. What was it?”

“She has some really nice tits…”

20

EMILY

Cole is waiting for me on the balcony that night.

Shirtless and in sweatpants, he glares at me as I approach the railing with my notebook.

“If you want to know something about me, you could just ask, Emily,” he says.

“Hey. Have you committed any crimes before?” I ask. “Surely you’d think that’s a terrible conversation starter.”

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