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“Yeah, bro, I got it.” Conner nods at them. “You and Remi don’t need to worry.”
The air shifts around us, thick and heavy with Cole’s anger. He’s shaking, his fists clenched painfully at his sides.
“What. Happened?”
I steel myself to recount the story, but as I try to say the words, my body begins trembling violently.
“You need to ease up, bro.” Conner joins me on the couch. “Look at her, she’s terrified.” He slides his arm around me, and I take comfort in it. I wish it was Cole, more than anything I wish he were the one holding me, but I can see how volatile he is.
And he probably still hates me after I betrayed him.
Tears stream down my face. I can’t stop them; it’s too much.
The anger swirling around Cole like a storm cloud.
The knowledge that I might have ruined everything between us.
The guy who attacked me, his dark eyes and careless touch.
“H-he said that I was a warning...” I lock eyes with Cole. I know the second he realizes what I’m saying, because his entire body tenses.
“What did you say?”
“Bro. Back. Off.”
“He did this because of... me?”
I flinch, and Cole cusses under his breath. “Tell me, Dove... did he hurt you because of me?”
“I-I think so...”
Cole roars, and it’s so guttural and full of pain I want to go to him, but I’m rooted to the spot, unable to move as my sobs continue racking my body.
“Shit, man, I think she’s going into shock.” Conner rubs my shoulders, but it only makes me cry harder.
“Do something,” Cole’s voice cracks. “I can’t stand it. Make her stop.”
“Cole, that’s not—”
“Just do something Conner, I’m begging you.”
He lets out a pained sigh, his touch growing slower as his fingers trail up and down my spine. His hands lingers on the hem of my sweater, slipping underneath.
“Is this okay?”
My eyes grow wide as his hands splay across the small of my back. He searches my eyes for approval.
“I—”
“It’s okay,” Cole grits out, and my gaze slides to his. He’s barely in control, the blacks of his eyes blown with a potent mix of lust and anger.
“C-Cole?” I choke out.
“It’s okay, let him do this for you. I-I can’t...”
I realize then that Cole is scared of hurting me. The bruising on my neck might have long faded, but I still have his fingerprints on my thighs. We both know what he’s capable of, and he doesn’t trust himself right now, even with me.
My heart soars, my breathing slowly returning to normal as Conner begins gently stroking my skin. At first, there’s nothing sexual about it. But as my panic attack subsides, a new sensation washes over me.
