Ten seconds later a familiar truck pulled up alongside her.
“Bri!” Cole called out through the passenger window. He sounded frantically worried. “What are you doing? What happened?”
“I’m walking home.” She turned her meanest, angriest glare on him. At least he had the decency to pale under her stare.
“Bri get in the truck,” he demanded. When she refused to look at him and continued walking, he added, “You’re mad at me, I get it. But at least be mad at me in the truck! This isn’t the best place for you to be walking by yourself. Please Ambria,” he begged. “Get in and let me take you home.”
Bri halted, fighting with her pride and her sense of self preservation. Finally, with a very angry groan, she climbed into the truck.
After a minute of silence, Cole gathered enough courage to ask, “Want to tell me what happened?”
“You mean after you abandoned me with your d-bag friend?” She fumed. “Well, let’s see. He hit on me, and when I didn’t fall for it, he called me a frigid bitch and left me on the side of the road!”
“He what?” Cole yelled.
“Don’t you dare get angry!” Bri seethed, her anger and hurt overcoming her. “This is your fault! How could you do it?” A tear slipped down her cheek. “How could you just leave me there? How could you DO THAT?” she screamed, tears falling full force now. The emotional weight of everything that had happened that afternoon was overwhelming her.
“Ambria, I’m so sorry!” Cole turned anxious, pleading eyes on her. “Trey showed up, and I panicked! I didn’t know how to handle him. I didn’t know what to do. God, Bri, I’m so sorry.” He reached out for her.
“Don’t touch me!” She wiped furiously at her tears. “I am so angry with you right now, you have no idea. You hurt me, and all I want is to hurt you back. It’s taking everything in me not to punch you right now.”
“Do it,” he begged sadly. “Punch me, kick me, whatever you want. I deserve it.”
More tears flowed, and she took a few breaths to try and reign in her anger. “I just... I can’t be around you right now. Please just take me home,” she demanded stoically.
Cole nodded, and a few minutes later pulled into her driveway. He turned to her desperately.
“Bri...,” he began apprehensively.
“You need to not call me for a while,” Bri said, refusing to look at him. Her voice sounded as dead as she felt.
“Ambria, please!” he pleaded with frightened eyes. “I made a mistake. I screwed up royally, I know that! Just, please, give me a chance to make this right!”
Bri took a deep breath, pushing her bubbling emotions back down. “I need some time. Maybe we can talk in a couple of days or something,” she said quietly, and climbed out of the truck.
Cole grabbed her hand, stopping her.
“Don’t,” his eyes glistened. “Don’t shut me out. Talk to me, scream at me, whatever you need to make you feel better. But don’t just walk away!”
She glared at Cole’s hand, and then at him, until he removed it.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever feel better. Goodbye, Cole.”
“Ambria!” Cole yelled, but she slammed the door on his pleas. Trying to ignore the pain and desolation in his voice, she walked into her house without a glance behind her. She shut herself in her room and spent the rest of the night alone with her tears.
The next morning Bri was all cried out, and all out of anger to sustain her. She was left feeling raw, sad, and empty. She walked around school feeling like a hollow shell of herself. She didn’t feel like talking, and when her friends asked what was wrong, she couldn’t tell them. It was one of those days she wished she’d stayed home in bed.
Cole looked like he was in just as bad shape as she was. He had dark circles under his eyes, like he hadn’t slept at all last night. Bri thought Cole’s obvious misery would make her feel better, instead it just made her feel worse. But, her pride refused to let her cave.
Trey tried to apologize to her in History, but one withering glare shut him up and sent him sulking back to his desk. It made Bri feel marginally better that Trey at least felt a little bit bad about what had happened. But she still questioned how genuine he really was.
Cole, on the other hand, didn’t try to talk to her at all. He just followed her with his sad, pleading eyes wherever she went. She hated to admit it, but his pain and sadness were breaking her heart almost as much as his betrayal had. And this made her angry, and then just sad, because she didn’t have the energy to be angry anymore. She was emotionally exhausted.
After school, she slowly made her way to her locker. She began pulling out her books, when Trey approached her.
“Hey Bri,” he gave her a sheepish grin.
She stifled a groan. “What do you want?” She said flatly. She didn’t even have the energy to be rude.
“I, um, just wanted to say I’m sorry. You know, for yesterday.”
Bri arched her eyebrow disbelievingly. Trey let out a huff.
“I shouldn’t have left you on the side of the road, okay? It was wrong, and I’m sorry,” he finished quietly.
“Really?” She was surprised at his apparent sincerity.
“Forgive me?” He smile up at her through his lashes.
“Whatever,” She replied noncommittally and turned back to her locker.
“Good!” Trey beamed. “So, there’s a party this weekend, and I was thinking that we could go together. As friends.”
“Trey...,” Bri put a palm to her head and squinted against the headache she felt coming on.
“What? It’s not a date or anything. I just thought we could be friends.” Trey kept his stupid grin in place, as if that would convince her to agree.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him. She had no more patience, and realized she needed to be very clear, or he’d keep pushing.
“No Trey, I don’t want to go to the party with you,” she said calmly but firmly. “I don’t want to do anything with you. I don’t want to hang out, I don’t want you to call. I don’t want to be your friend, period.”
Trey’s face darkened.
“Are you shitting me?” he yelled. He grabbed Bri arms roughly and shoved her back against her locker, knocking the breath out of her. His voice rose, resonating through the now quiet hall. “I apologize, even though you totally deserved being stranded like the spoiled little brat you are, and you still treat me like this? What the hell?” Bri could see Trey’s anger escalating, and fear shot through her. “Who the hell do you think you are?” he snarled, giving her a vicious shake. A gasp of surprise and pain escaped her as her head struck the lockers behind her. He leaned in closer, glaring into her eyes, and her heart began pounding in trepidation.
“Get your hands off her! Now!” Cole’s voice rang out through the hall, cold and dangerous. Trey’s head snapped up, and relief flooded through Bri. She turned her head and saw Cole striding angrily towards them. At the look on his face, though, Bri’s relief turned to dread. Cole looked murderous as he stared down Trey.
“Cole? What are you doing? This isn’t your problem.” Though his attention was turned to Cole, Trey didn’t loosen his hold on Bri.
“I’m going to give you exactly three seconds to let her go, before I make you,” Cole returned darkly, stepping right up to Trey.
Seeing the expression on Cole’s face, Trey released Bri’s arms. She edged back, out of Trey’s reach, exhaling the breath she’d been holding.
“Good.” Cole didn’t relax an inch. “Now, get out of here.”
“What the hell, man?” Anger and confusion fought for dominance on Trey’s face. “What’s your problem?”
“My problem is I’m tired of watching you be a douche bag, and pretending I’m okay with it. I’m not like you, and I’m done pretending I am.”
Trey’s eyes flickered between Cole and Bri for a moment, before understanding finally set in.
“Is this about her?” he motioned to Bri incredulously. “I
thought you said you didn’t care about this one? That you weren’t at all interested?”
“I lied.” Cole’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “And if you ever come near her again, I swear you’ll regret it.”
Trey actually looked hurt for a moment, before his rage kicked back in and took over.
“So, that’s how it’s going to be, huh? We’ve been friends for years, and you’re going to let some cold, pathetic little nobody come between us? After all I’ve done for you, man, you’re going to throw it all away... for that?” Trey snorted derisively at Bri. “I hope it’s worth it. She’s nothing but a cold hearted bitch, who’s only good for one thing. But I can guarantee she won’t give it to you. Good luck with that.”
Cole pulled back quickly, and punched Trey in the face. Bri covered a shriek with her hands as Trey fell to the floor. He scrambled back a few paces before climbing to his feet. He looked at Cole with unadulterated hatred.
“That’s it, man,” he spat at Cole. “I’m done with you.” Trey turned and stalked off down the hall.
Cole let out a breath, and his shoulders relaxed slightly. He looked at Bri, his gaze still intense.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
Bri could only nod at him. His eyes flared as his chest rose and fell. They remained frozen, eyes boring into each other, until suddenly Cole pulled her to him. His lips crushed hers, begging, demanding that she let him in. Bri couldn’t help but respond. She had no anger left, only a deep, yawning sadness that Cole’s kiss eased.
“Please tell me I’m forgiven,” he pleaded against her lips. Bri threaded her fingers through his hair and nodded.
“Never again,” he looked deep in her eyes. “I swear, I’ll never leave you behind again.”
Bri gave a small sob as she nodded, pulling his lips back to hers. They stood there kissing, until reality crushed down on her and she remembered where they were. She pulled back with a gasp and looked around. Sure enough, everyone in the hall had stopped what they were doing and were staring at her and Cole. Embarrassment flooded Bri’s cheeks. Catching her chin, Cole turned her back to face him. Her eyes found his and he gave a small smile.
“Ready to get out of here?” he asked softly.
Nodding, Bri grabbed her bag and closed her locker. She then took Cole’s outstretched hand and they walked side by side out of the school.
“I have a little time before basketball practice,” Cole said as they reached Bri’s car. “Can I come over?”
“Yes,” she finally managed to find her voice.
“I’ll meet you at your place then.” He kissed her tenderly on her forehead and headed off to his motorcycle.
As Bri drove home, the enormity of what had just happened began to dawn on her. Her shock had begun to wear off, and she was slammed by a variety of emotions as she replayed what happened in her head. She was still reeling when she walked into her quiet house.
Cole pulled up a moment later. Bri let him in, and then automatically headed for her bedroom. She sat down on her bed, still a little dazed. Cole closed her door, and leaned against it. He seemed to have calmed down on the way over. His anger was gone, replaced by a nervous hesitancy.
He ran a hand through his hair and asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Um, I’m not sure,” Bri looked down at her hands. “I’m kind of a jumbled mess of emotions right now.” She looked up at him. “How’s your hand? Do you need some ice or anything?”
Cole gave a small laugh. “No, it’s fine. Thanks, though.”
They stared at each other for a minute, an awkward silence filling the room.
“Bri,” he finally spoke, “did you mean what you said earlier? That you forgive me? Because I can’t take you being mad at me anymore. It’s killing me.” He looked at her with desperate eyes.
She thought about it for a moment.
“Yes,” she responded honestly. “I forgive you. I’m not even mad anymore. I’ve been miserable all day, and I’m tired of feeling like this.”
“So, we’re okay, then?” Cole looked like he was too afraid to hope.
“Yes,” Bri smiled genuinely at him. “We’re okay. Just don’t ever do that again.”
Cole gave a relieved laugh and swept over to her, pulling her up into his arms.
“I’m so sorry,” he repeated, his face buried in her hair. “I promise, it’ll never happen again.”
“Okay,” she nodded, squeezing him back.
“And I swear, if Trey comes near you again, if he even looks at you funny, I’ll beat the living hell out of him.”
“Okay,” Bri half laughed. Then she remembered what Trey had said about her, and her stomach turned. “Cole, if I ask you something, will you be honest with me?”
He paused a moment before replying.
“Always,” he promised. He pulled back to look at her. “What is it?”
Bri stepped away from him and sat back on her bed. She stared down at her hands in her lap, feeling tears start to threaten. She took a deep breath.
“Do you think I’m cold?” she asked softly, feeling incredibly vulnerable, and a little afraid of the answer.
“What?”
“Trey said that I was cold, that I was incapable of feeling anything. Jeremy had said something similar to me. I’m starting to wonder if they’re right.”
Cole let out a breath and kneeled in front of her. He forced her chin up to look at him.
“No, you’re not cold.”
Bri opened her mouth to protest.
“No, you listen to me, Ambria,” he cut in intensely. “You are one of the most warm, loving people I know. You are deep, and complicated, and maybe a little hard to get to know, because you keep everything bottled up inside,” he smiled, “but there is nothing cold about you.”
“But...”
“Trey and Jeremy are grade-A assholes who only care about themselves and what they want. They wouldn’t know real emotion if it punched them in the face.” Cole smiled as Bri laughed. “Seriously, they didn’t get what they wanted and tried to make you think there was something wrong with you for not giving it to them. That’s all. They are the ones with the problem, not you. They don’t know anything, and they certainly have no idea what a wonderful, kind person you are. So forget about them, okay?” He held her eyes, and when she didn’t respond, he pressed, “Okay?”
“Okay,” she conceded and smiled.
Cole leaned in and kissed her lips lightly. Bri felt a huge weight leave her chest, and she felt lighter than she had for a while.
“Besides, there’s no way a cold hearted bitch could kiss the way you do!” he teased. She laughed and pushed him.
Cole glanced at the clock and frowned. “Well, I’d better get going.”
“Wait,” Bri started to panic. “What about what happened in the hall?” He looked confused. “We kind of outed ourselves in front of half the school.”
“Oh, yeah.” A huge satisfied grin spread across his face. “So?”
“So...?” she raised her eyebrows.
“So, we’re together and everybody knows it,” he shrugged. “Is that a problem?”
It was Bri’s turn to beam.
“No, not at all!”
“Good! I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” He leaned in and gave her a slow lingering kiss goodbye, leaving her breathless. “Bye, Bri,” he murmured against her lips.
“Bye, Cole,” she returned, and pressed her lips to his once more.
Of course there would be some fallout to deal with at school tomorrow, but Bri was excited to finally be out of the shadows. The two of them didn’t have to hide any longer. No matter what they had to deal with, it was worth it.
Chapter 22
After Cole left, Bri pulled out her phone and saw a text from Layla.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY???? Girl, there are some crazy rumors going around. CALL ME!!!!!
Bri sighed and dialed Layla’s number, figuring she’d better get started on damage control.
“Okay,
spill!” Layla demanded in lieu of a greeting. “It appears someone has been holding out on me!”
Bri explained to Layla, in extreme detail, what had happened between her, Cole, and Trey in the hall that day.
“Wow,” Layla exhaled. “I can’t believe Cole came to your rescue out of the blue like that.”
“Well, there’s a little more to it than that.” Bri took a deep breath. “Cole and I are together.”
“What?” Layla screamed. “When did this happen?”
“We’ve kind of been dating secretly for about two months now.” Bri cringed away from her phone.
“Are you kidding me?” Layla yelled. “And you never told me?”
Bri could hear the hurt in Layla’s voice.
“I’m sorry! It just sort of happened. And then we wanted to keep it quiet for a while. We didn’t tell anybody! Actually, you’re the first person I’ve told,” if Bri didn’t count her dad, Jimmy, or the Hamilton’s. “That has to count for something, right? You have to know I’ve been dying to tell you!”
“I knew you were up to something.” Layla’s ego was apparently appeased. “I just couldn’t figure out what you were hiding. Wow, Cole Marra! Damn girl! When you go, you go big, don’t you!”
“I guess so,” Bri laughed. “Hey, can you do me a favor?”
“Shoot.”
“Can you let Jess and Maddie know what happened? Before the rumors get any crazier, I want them to know the truth. Plus, I don’t want things to be all weird with us tomorrow.”
“Consider it done. Anything else you need, babe?”
“Just some sleep. I’m exhausted. Too bad that’s got to wait until after practice tonight.”
“Yeah, timing is not on your side today. Well, I’ll let you go so you can rest.”
“Thanks, Lay. I really am sorry I kept this from you.”
“Not to be all judgey or anything, but why didn’t you tell me?”
“We didn’t want Serena to find out,” Bri sighed. “Cole was worried she’d try to ruin my life or something.”
“Oh, yeah. I’d forgotten about her and Cole. She is a crazy, vindictive little B. It’s probably good you kept things secret. So, what changed?”
Beautiful Mess Page 27
