Page 12 of Wasted

Fuck... I squeezed my eyes closed. This morning, Cole was gone when I woke up, and I knew he hadn't forgiven me, but I'd hoped we could at least be civil to each other. Obviously, that wasn't the case. My eyes eased open, and I forced an awkward smile. Now, the rumors would run rampant.

Jacob's face tightened with suspicion. "I guess you two know each other." He threw a thumb over his shoulder in the direction Cole disappeared.

"Yep," I said, popping the P. My mind raced with how to possibly explain that comment, but there was no explanation. It wasn't the truth, but in Cole's mind, it was, and unless he let me tell him the actual truth, that's how it would always be.

Jacob's brown eyes darted away from mine, his long fingers drumming an uneven rhythm on his clipboard. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, desperately searching for something to say to break the suffocating silence. The awkwardness lingering between us was suddenly very present.

Jacob's eyebrows rose, curiosity evident. "Is there a story behind that?"

"Don't you have something better to do, Jake?" Kylie appeared suddenly, arms crossed and eyes narrowed at Jacob.

"Uh..." Jacob and I both froze, our eyes drawn to the newcomer. A blonde in tight white jeans and a crop top stood with her hands on her hips.

She jutted her chin toward Jacob. "Get lost."

Forcing a smile, he nodded before walking away.

"Thanks."

She tilted her head, a sympathetic smile playing on her lips. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, though I honestly wasn't sure I was. I also knew I had no room to complain. I'd done this to myself.

"A man will only treat you the way you allow him to treat you," Kylie said, staring forward. "Don't let him treat you like that." She flicked a sideways glance at me.

"It's okay." I shrugged, my gaze dropping to the floor. "I deserve it."

Kylie pivoted to face me, her expression softening. "No, you don't, Taylor." She stepped closer, her voice lowering to a concerned whisper. "Even if you had actually done what he thinks you did. No one deserves to be talked to like that. Stand up for yourself."

Swallowing hard, I nodded.

"You should tell him the truth."

I threw my hands up in frustration. "What makes you think the truth will change anything or that he'd even believe me at this point?" My arms fell limply to my sides as I shrugged. "It's been two years, and now, after his brother dies, I'm suddenly ready to tell him the truth."

"Did you give him Caleb's letter?" Kylie's intense gaze bored into me. I averted my eyes, shaking my head. "Do you know what the letter says?" I bit my lip, guilt gnawing at my insides.

"No, but I asked Caleb not to tell him the truth."

"Why?"

Blowing out a heavy sigh, I shook my head. "I don't know." My gaze met hers. "At first, I thought he should hear it from me, and then after the drama with his parents, I didn't want anyone to know what I had done. It felt wrong."

"Drama with his parents?"

"It's a long story for another time."

Her forehead pinched with concern, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Did you know he was trying to tell Cole the truth?"

I felt the color drain from my face. My head moved side to side, almost of its own accord. "No."

She leaned in closer, her eyes searching mine. "Did you know he told me the truth?"

I blinked rapidly, trying to process the information. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my shirt. "No, I didn't even know you were at the house." A realization dawned on me. "I'm guessing Bailey snuck you over."

"Don't be mad at her."

"What? No, I'm not mad. I'm actually glad he came clean with you."

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