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Chapter thirty
AVA
Ididn’tthinkI’d be able to sleep, but as soon as Stone leaves, I feel bone-crushingly tired. Everything that’s gone on recently is mentally draining, and seeing as I’m falling apart due to Dane anyway, I may as well make the most of it. When the sobs die down, I think I drift off with tears still falling, but it only feels like minutes later that I’m being jostled by someone climbing onto the bed next to me.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Cole?”
“I’m here,” he says simply, and more tears fall. I don’t know if they even stopped while I rested, but they’re back with a vengeance. “It’s okay, I’m here.”
His words are comforting as he hugs me so tight against his chest, and even if it’s not the arms my body craves, they will certainly do.
“How are you here?”
“Stone called.” That surprises me. I didn’t expect Stone to ever ask Cole for help, and even though I don’t say it out loud, Cole feels my reaction. “I know, I’m shocked too. What happened, Aves?”
“Someone just got a bit handsy at the club,” I say flippantly, because that is all that happened. Why am I taking it so hard? “Well, they tried to do more, but I fought them off and ran. It didn’t amount to anything.” Even so, he looks at me like that’s something significant, but he doesn’t push any further.
“Aves. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I just need a break. From everything. Thanks for being here.”
“Of course,” he says, kissing me lightly on the forehead. “Get some sleep.” I do get back to sleep, even if I wake up many times, and it’s late morning by the time I’ve rebuilt my walls enough to act like I’m fine. Fake it ’til you make it, right? Emotions were never something my father approved of showing to others, or even to the people in our own family, so I’m feeling kind of embarrassed at the state both Cole and Stone saw me in yesterday. A state I didn’t even want Millie to see me in. I take another shower, leaving Cole to sleep a little longer and giving my whole body a generous scrub while I’m in there, and I feel much better when I’m finished. As I head back into the bedroom, Cole is just waking up.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” I joke as he yawns.
“Morning, Aves. How are you feeling?” He stretches and sits up, giving me a pointed look, but it’s less pity and more empathy. Plus, it’s Cole, so I don’t bristle, but I do feel the embarrassment coming back.
“I’m fine. Thank you for coming over.”
“Any time, you know that. What are your plans for the day?”
“I’m probably just going to chill by the pool.”
“You’re the palest sunworshipper I know.” He chuckles, and I glare jokingly at him. I love that he’s not treating me with kid gloves or making me talk about last night. “Do you want to grab some brunch?”
“Sounds great. Can I invite Millie? I think you’ll love her.” I feel bad for not going home with her last night, even if I didn’t ask Cole to be here.
“Of course.” Millie doesn’t reply, though, and I assume she’s either still sleeping or lost in a good book, so I don’t push it. I’ll have to make it up to her another time.
