Page 111 of The Soldier

She hasn’t replied to my message.

“We’re tracking him. We finally got a mobile phone number,” Josh tells us.

I perk up, and Cole shakes his head. “No. I’m not bailing you out of jail. Stay put.”

“Listen to him,” Josh adds. “If we find him, I’ll make sure you get a minute with the guy before we hand him over.”

“Thank you,” I reply darkly. I plonk down on one of the weight benches and hang my dripping head, wiping it with my towel. “I need to see her, man. Has anyone heard from Aidan?”

“Just wait for her to call you, buddy. It could take a while.” Cole says wisely even though this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.

I was even thinking about ringing my dad.

But I’m so ashamed I never answered her call. My parents didn’t raise me to leave a woman vulnerable. I shouldn’t have left knowing she was there with Roger.

But goddamn Trina is so fucking stubborn.

We hear a scuffle outside and all go stiff turning our heads to the door.

“Scarlet! Wait, you can’t go in there!” Penny yells as the door to the BHS gym comes flying open.

The hell?

Scarlet, Cassy’s best friend, stands in the doorway, her hand still on the handle looking furious as she glances around.

“What’s going on?” Josh demands.

Trina is sassy, but she has nothing on Scarlet. In fact, she kind of scares me a little. I think she scares most of the guys. There’s something a little unhinged about her.

“You!” Scarlet points at Cole.

“Fuck,” he curses under his breath.

“Yeah well, you did that.” She plants her hands on her hips. “And have been ignoring my calls.”

We all turn to Cole, who is wiping a hand over his face.

I glance at Josh because if anyone has information on what this is about—apart from the obvious which she just shared with the whole gym—surely he does. Cassy is his wife after all. Scarlet also works at her hair salon.

“I’ll take her into the boardroom,” Penny says, shooting Cole a narrowed look.

Oh shit.

Scarlet spins. “Oh no you fucking won’t—”

Josh holds up his hands and the entire room goes quiet. “Hey! No one speaks to Penny like that. Scarlet, clearly a conversation between you and Cole is needed here.”

That sorts her out and for a moment I’m distracted from my problems.

“Fine.” Scarlet glares at Cole.

“Follow Penny. Get a drink. We’ll send him out when we’re finished.” Josh orders her. After a bit more glaring, Scarlet spins and storms off.

I start smiling as we all turn back to Cole after the door clicks shut.

I can’t wait to hear this one.

He holds out his hands. “What? She’s hot. A little crazy, I’ll admit. But we fucked. The end.”

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