Page 49 of Heartbeats and Hashtags
Clara sets a reassuring hand on my forearm, voice tender. “It’s okay to let love in again.”
How can she say that after she lost Lewis?
I grimace. “Frankly, love only seems to hurt people. What good comes from letting it in? What if it doesn’t work out?”
“Oh, Cole...” Clara grasps my hand. “Yes, love can wound sometimes. Heck, I know that. But it also brings life'smostglorious moments. And I promise you it's absolutely worth the risk.”
I start to argue when Lily pipes up from her phone. “Zach says love sucks too, but that's cause Bethany dumped him, so don't be like Zach, Uncle Cole.”
Clara muffles giggles as I huff a surprised laugh. Leave it to my twelve-year-old niece to simplify heartache so casually.
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes loudly. I check it with a muttered curse — Benny reports that Everly is ready to talk. My heart races.
I gather my coat hastily as Clara pats my arm.
Before I can explain myself, she does it for me.
“We understand that duty calls. But promise we'll talk more soon?”
I nod tightly as she calls out.
“Say bye to Uncle Cole, Lily!”
My niece briefly looks up from her phone, giving a distracted wave.
“Yeah, catch ya later!” Then her attention returns fully back to scrolling.
I huff a sad laugh and pull Clara in for a swift, fierce hug at the door. My family deserves so much better from me. And now I feel a little less afraid about the idea of being there for them truly. But for now Everly has captured my centered focus first and foremost. With an apologetic look to Clara, I rush out.
EVERLY
Icurl in the corner of the couch, arms wrapped around my bent knees, when Cole enters. We’d driven here silently together after I stayed at Tanya’s. He was waiting in the lobby looking like he hadn’t slept. How did that man make lack of sleep looksexy? I felt bad for a moment before I remembered how much he has lied to me.
“Ev, talk to me. Why did you disappear yesterday?” he pleads, brows furrowed.
I give a half-hearted shrug, not meeting his piercing green eyes.Those damn eyes.“Didn't want to interrupt your family time,” I reply coldly.
Cole looks bewildered. “Family time? What are you talking about?”
Irritation flares up in me. Does he really plan to play dumb?
“The woman and young girl at your place, and the woman she – she's beautiful,” I try to steady my shaking voice. “But I just think it's funny how you never mentioned awife and daughterbefore.”
Cole pauses and pinches the bridge of his nose, looking up at me with a pained expression. “Because I don't have either of those things. Clara is my deceased brother's wife, and Lily is their daughter, my niece.”
Now it's my turn to look confused. Cole had definitely told me he didn't have any siblings when I’d asked about his family. I am sure of it…
I stare at him accusingly. “You expect me to believe that? Youdirectlytold me that you never had any siblings. I remember it when we spoke on the plane. Was that a lie too?”
Hurt flashes across Cole's rugged features,. “I did have a brother, Everly. We served together in the SEALs.” His voice is hoarse, laden with grief. “He was killed in action a few years back. That's why I got out of the military – it was all too much after losing him.”
Oh. My anger dissipates, replaced by an aching sadness for Cole's loss. Slowly, I reach out and take his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Cole, I... I'm so sorry for your loss.”
He nods, the words seeming to fall right past him.
“I shouldn't have assumed that... God, I'm so sorry.” My voice falters over the apology.
