“Is it a bad time?” I asked, wincing.
“No. No, it’s fine. We were just hanging out with the kings.”
“Oh, I don’t mean to intrude. I can call back tomorrow?—”
“No,” he said quickly. “No, I want to talk. I can talk. It’s not a big deal.”
“E, man, come on. We’re going to crack open that new bottle.” Cole’s voice sounded out, and my heart thudded hard.
“Uh, nah. I’m busy.”
“Who the fuck are you talking to? We’re all here.”
“Don’t worry about it, man.”
“I am worried about it. Who the fuck is it?”
“My friend. Knock it off. Stop. Cole, I’ll punch you. I will. Back off.”
There was scuffling in the background for a moment before Cole’s voice came on the line.
“Emily? Who the fuck is Emily? Hey, who the fuck are you? Why are you calling E this late? You’re that bitch from Mayfair, aren’t you?”
I said nothing, my voice frozen in my throat.
“Hello? You speak, bitch?”
I disconnected the call, my pulse pounding in my ears. I flopped back on my bed, nausea washing over me.
I hadn’t spoken to Cole in so long. Not since he fucked me in the bathroom at the club. The night we made Ellis.
My stomach twisted at the blurry memory.
He’d been crying the entire time. I’d been crying. Then we’d gotten angry with one another.
It had been a disaster.
He was definitely still Cole. Still overbearing. Maybe even worse. Ethan must have saved my name as another girl’s name to throw him off. At least Ethan tried to keep our communications a secret. I did appreciate that.
My phone buzzed, Ethan’s name on the screen. I was too scared to answer, so I didn’t because I didn’t know if it would be Cole.
It buzzed again with a message.
Ethan: Hey, it’s me. I’m sorry about him. He drank a lot tonight, and you know how he can be. I’d really like to talk if you still want to.
I bit my bottom lip before I called him back.
He answered on the first ring.
“I’m so sorry,” he said the moment he picked up.
“It’s fine. I know how he is. I just don’t want him to know we’re talking.”
“I understand. I don’t want him to know either. Time and distance don’t change some people.” He let out a soft laugh. It was quieter wherever he was now.
“I’m in my room. Told the guys I needed to take this call.”
“Emily.” I laughed softly. “Is that who I am?”
