Page 50 of Don't Leave
The thick tension permeating the air is almost enough to suffocate all of us.
Luke nods before straightening to his full height and taking a step away. “I’ve gotta get going.” His attention flickers to Cole. “Catch you later.”
Cole remains silent. I have no idea if he acknowledges the comment.
Relief rushes from my lungs when Luke swings away, striding toward the library. It’s short lived when Cole jerks his arms from around me and throws the car into gear before peeling away from the curb. I fumble with the seatbelt before finally snapping it into place and glance at Cole to silently assess the damage.
My heart clenches almost painfully at the anger radiating off him. His lips are compressed in a tight line and his eyes are fixated on the ribbon of road stretched out before him as he white knuckles the steering wheel.
I gulp, unsure how to make what just happened better.
But whatexactlyam I trying to make better?
I haven’t done anything wrong.
Not really...
I studied at the library with a friend. It wasn’t planned. Luke being there was a coincidence. It’s not like we’re sneaking around behind his back.
My tongue darts out to moisten my lips. “Cole?”
I shouldn’t have to apologize for studying with Luke, but that’s the way it feels. The words sit perched on the tip of my tongue. All I have to do is push them out. My fingers tangle together in my lap as I chew my lower lip with indecision.
Cole continues to stare straight ahead. “You weren’t going to tell me, were you?”
It’s a question.
And yet it’s not.
My heart races, pounding painfully under my breast as my gaze darts to him before staring straight ahead.
Was I going to tell him?
I…don’t know.
Deep down, I knew spending time alone with Luke—even though we were in a public space—would bother him. It’s why I hesitated in the first place.
“Cassidy?”
My attention snaps to him again. “I don’t know,” I admit. “We were just studying. It wasn’t planned. He was just there and,” I shrug helplessly, “asked me to sit with him. That’s it. It wasn’t a big deal.”
When he finally glances at me, I can’t help but notice all the hurt and distrust swimming around within his eyes. After coming clean about everything that happened last year, I told myself that I wouldn’t keep any other secrets from him.
If ten months of therapy have taught me anything, it’s that you can’t build a healthy relationship on lies and omission. And yet, I’m keeping secrets from Cole.
Already I can see the damage it’s inflicting.
His brows knit together. “If it wasn’t a big deal, then why didn’t you tell me?”
I release a pent-up breath and shake my head at my own stupidity. All I’ve done is give him a reason to distrust me.
“I know you don’t want me spending time with Luke and I didn’t want you to worry.”
An uncomfortable silence stretches between us before he murmurs, “Then why does it feel like I should be worried?”
CHAPTER 16
CASSIDY
