Page 53 of Love Me Again

“Yeah, let's go. I don’t think I can wait all weekend to speak to her.” I tell him as we get into his Mercedes-AMG. “I just hope she hears me out.” I sigh, pulling my seatbelt on. I was feeling nervous—

actually, I was terrified she would tell me to go fuck myself—which she has every right to do after everything that’s happened. I gaze out of the window, trying to figure out what I’m going to say to her. Do I just run over to her and tell her I love her? Or do I break it to her gently? Ah, fuck, now I’m all in my head.

“Cole!” I jump and look at Josh with a scowl. “This is the place.” Josh gestures to the building in front of us. It seems like those studios you would use for dance or yoga. I nod, and we get out of the car and walk toward the building. “Do you have a plan? You’re not just going to ambush her, are you?” Josh questions warily, and I rub my hands over my face with a sigh.

“I don’t know. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to say to her. I’ll just—”

“Oh…shit.” Josh halts and puts his hand out, stopping me, his blue eyes wide as he stares ahead. I frown and follow his gaze and feel my gut twist agonizingly as I stood frozen, watching Blake kiss Shayla. My Shayla. I felt like a bucket of boiling water was thrown over me. Hot rage erupted inside me, and I take a step to go and beat the living crap out of him, but Josh jumps in front of me, keeping me back as I fight in his hold. “Whoa. Whoa, easy Cole, don’t, don’t man! She’ll hate you even more if you do this. Stop!” Josh shouts, pushing me back as I try to storm over to them. “Come on. Come on, Cole. Let’s go get a drink, bro.” He utters, pulling my arm so we could go back to the car, but I had yet to look away—I couldn’t look away. Blake had his arms around her, his fingers in her hair, kissing the lips that I was kissing a few days ago. It feels like someone was squeezing the life out of my heart. I pull my arm out of Josh’s grasp and try to walk over to them again, but he grabs me and stops me. “Cole, stop, listen to me, you do this, you will lose her for good. Any chance you have of winning her back will be lost, you hear me?”

“I already have.” I breathe numbly as I watch them walk away hand in hand. “I’ve lost them both.”

Josh sighs, shaking his head, looking over at Shayla, who was laughing as she gets into Blakes car while he holds the door open for her, “No. You haven’t. Those are still your girls. Shayla might be angry with you, but deep down, she loves you, Cole. You know this too. You’re the guy for her. If you want her, you’re going to have to be prepared to fight for her, brother.”

“I was about to, but you stopped me, you dickhead!” I shout angrily and shove him. Josh rolls his eyes, exasperated, and shakes his head.

“Not literally with your fists, you idiot!” He shouts, shoving me back. “Figuratively, you win her back and remind her that you’re the guy she loves, not him.”

“How the fuck am I going to do that?!” I bellow, stormily kicking the tire of the car I was standing next to.

“The same way you did it last time.”

I stop pacing and look at Josh irritably, “I don’t remember how I did it last time, do I?! Fuck! I’ve royally screwed this all up!” I punch the wall.

“Cole, listen to me. You and Shayla have this outstanding connection. Even if you’ve lost your memory, that chemistry is still there. You need to tap into that connection you both share and listen to your heart…she’s locked away in there bro, the rest will surely follow.” Josh states, placing his hand on my shoulder. I look at him and heave a sigh.

“I really hope you’re right, Josh,” I sigh as he guides me back to his car.

“Well, you’ve got a hell of a battle on your hands, my brother, because I know Shayla, and she is not going to forgive you easily this time, especially if she’s got another man. One of the things you loved about her— she’s fiercely loyal.” Josh expresses and looks over at my face when I wince and chuckles. “Let’s go get you some drinks, huh?” I nod with a groan. Josh and I went to a bar nearby and had a couple of drinks while discussing how I would attempt to win Shayla back.

“What if she’s really into this guy? She said he makes her happy. Am I selfish? I’m being selfish, aren’t I?” I mutter sourly, staring into my glass of scotch.

“Hey, all is fair in love and war, right? That’s your wife, bro. You have every right to fight for your wife, especially if there are love and a baby involved. If I were you, I would flirt the fucking pants off her. Don’t be brash or annoyed when she pushes back because she will. Believe me. Just do what Cole Hoult does best, break down her barriers slowly, and remind her that deep down, you’re still you and make her want you. Shayla is still holding out for the old you. The man she fell in love with, if he shows up, she won’t be able to fight you off for long.” Josh explains, and I nod slowly, letting his words sink in.

“I can’t believe she took that dickhead with her to the baby classes. I’m the father, I should be there with her, but no, she chooses some fucking stranger over me.” I utter acidly as I knock back my drink and wince when it burns my insides.

“She’s not without her reasons, Cole. You want them both back. You need to be understanding to her side of things. End of the day, whether you meant it or not— you fucked up, not her.”

Don’t I know it.

* * *

The following day,I made sure to look my best. If I was going to win Shayla back, she needs to know I’ve got my shit together. I wore my royal blue Hugo Boss suit with a crisp white shirt and blue tie. Hair styled, aftershave on, I felt better already. Shayla Hoult— prepare your heart because I’m coming for you. I slide my shades on and leave for the office.

“Good morning, Mr Hoult.” Jenny, the receptionist, greets me as I walk through the lobby toward the elevators.

I smile charmingly and nod, “Good morning Jenny.” I greet back and push the button to the elevator as I check my emails—invitations to various New Year’s Eve galas. I’ll pass. I’ve still got Christmas to get through, and the baby will be here by then. That reminds me, what am I going to get Shayla and the baby? Christmas is in six weeks. I make a mental note to plan something special for them.

“Good Morning, Mr Hoult.” Jess greets me waiting by the elevators as she does every morning with my schedule in her hand. Shayla really has trained her well. I smirk at that.

“Morning, Jess.” I greet her as I walk to my office with her hot on my tail. I glance at Shay’s office as I pass by and see she’s not in there. “Shayla not in yet?” I question, and Jess shakes her head.

“Not yet, Mr Hoult.” She replies, looking at her tablet. “You both have an early meeting with all the head architects, so she should be here shortly. Also…” She adds with a smile and hands me a brown envelope. “This came for her this morning. It’s from the university. It might be her degree. I thought you would like to be the one to give it to her.” I smile and nod, looking at the envelope in my hand.

“Thank you, Jess. Let’s go through my schedule.” I sip my coffee, and I sit back and listen as she goes through my day.

“Miss Sophie has called a couple of times for you. She has arranged lunch for the two of you at your usual spot at one o’clock.” I frown as I type on my laptop.

“Cancel it. She is no longer welcome at this office. Understood?” I reply, not bothering to look at her as I type an email.

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