Page 62 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Right, real looked like nothing Cole.” Maddie said. “So how do you explain your reaction right now? Pretty defensive for someone who claims it’s nothing.”

“Maddie I told you before I don’t share. I’m not interested in anyone else but you.”

“That’s your defence? That?” She said.

“I’m not interested in her. I don’t give a shit about her.” Cole said louder then.

“She was bent over your desk.” Maddie said.

“That’s what she does. She’s a flirt. She waltzes in here in tight little outfits and throws herself about in the hope that I might fall for it.” He snapped.

“Well you didn’t look like you were putting up much of a fight.” She said back.

“Maddie. Look at me.” He ordered and she rolled her eyes before glaring right at him. “I don’t give a fuck about that woman, I don’t give a fuck about anyone else but you. Yes what you saw didn’t look great, but that’s because of the angle you were at.”

She sighed feeling like what he was saying made sense but that image was still in her head. Of her bent over, parading herself and Cole just sat there, doing nothing.

“Who is she? What project is it?” Maddie asked.

“She’s Brandon’s ex-fiancé, the one I told you about.” He replied.

“The one you had a threesome with?” Maddie said as if knowing that, as if being reminded of that made it all better.

“Yes.”

“Are you fucking serious?” She snapped.

“Yes. The girl is a whore. She screwed around behind Brandon’s back for years.” Cole stated.

“And yet you fucked her anyway.” Maddie said.

“Yes, we both did. Neither of us are particularly proud of it.” He said back.

“That’s how you define it?” She replied.

“Maddie, do you trust me?” He asked her and she balked at the question.

Did she trust him? Before today she would have said yes. She wouldn’t have hesitated. Even when she’d walked into her apartment and seen him there with Kelsey, practically in her underwear she wasn’t concerned. But today, today everything felt different, she felt different.

She looked away, walked away and sat down on the couch.

She felt vulnerable, she realised. Weak, manipulated. Her dad had made her feel that. Had made her realise that. Because that’s what relationships were, they made you a target, they made you easy to control. And after last night, after seeing his face, reliving that moment, she felt scared too.

“Do you trust me?” He asked her again. He was sitting opposite her now, watching her and she shut her eyes.

“You’ve made me weak.” She said before she could stop herself.

“What?” He said.

“You. You’ve made me vulnerable, you’ve made me easy to manipulate, to control.” She said clenching her fists.

“What are you talking about?” He asked confused.

She looked up at him. She wasn’t scared anymore, she was angry, fucking furious again. Furious at her dad, furious at that woman, Jennifer or whatever her name was, and furious at him too, that man, the monster she thought she’d slain so long ago.

“You don’t tell me your secrets Cole, so forgive me for not divulging mine.” She said standing up and he frowned.

“Maddie…” He began but Brandon walked in looking between them.

“Coffee machine is out. How about lunch?” He said to Maddie and she shook her head.

“I’m not all that hungry.” She replied.

“Nonsense. There’s a great café round the corner.” He said. “Let’s go. We can discuss everything over a sandwich.”

“Sounds good.” Cole said but Brandon shook his head.

“Don’t you have things you need to get done ahead of tomorrow?” He asked and Cole scowled at him. “Besides this is to do with BlackWater. Better you don’t concern yourself.” He added before holding the door for Maddie to go through.

“Fine. I’ll see you later Maddie.” Cole said and Maddie threw him a look before walking off.

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