Page 28 of Chasin' Cole

“I know,” I say through gritted teeth. “I know he’s older than me. I know he’s your best friend. I know he’s goin’ to be gone for a year.I know.”

I finally turn to face Brock. His face is red with anger, but there’s also another emotion mixed in.Betrayal.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Brock runs a tired hand over his face.

“Because,” I exhale, “look at how you’re reactin’. We both knew you’d hate it. We both knew you’d be against us. We both didn’t want to hurt you.”

“But you did it anyway?”

“Did what?” I ask my big brother.

“You kept this from me.”

“I didn’t feel like I had a choice. And I wasn’t going to concern you with somethin’ that was just supposed to be a summer fling.”

“Is it still just a summer fling?” he raises an eyebrow.

I shake my head.

“You fell in love with him,” he states. “And he fell in love with you, too.”

I hug my arms across my chest. “We didn’t mean for it to happen. It just...kinda did.”

Brock scratches the side of his stubbled face. The tattoo coiled around his forearm is covered by a layer of black. “I wish you had told me sooner.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologize. “We tired.Hetried.”

“I don’t like it,” Brock says. “I don’t like that you would keep somethin’ this important from me.”

“I wanted to tell you,” I admit.

“If this is…” Brock trails off. If this is what you want, then I won’t stand in your way.”

A smile creeps across my face. “Really?”

Brock nods before takin’ a sip of his coffee. “After everythin’ you’ve been through, you deserve some happiness, sis. No matter how short-lived it may be.”

No matter how short-lived it may be.

The words sting. I know Brock didn’t mean anythin’ mean by it but the reminder that Cole doesn’t have long before he’s packin’ his bags and leavin’ for a year makes my heart clench in my chest.

Short-lived.

It won’t last forever. But I don’t want to think about that right now.

“I should get goin’,” Brock stands from his chair. “Lace is probably wonderin’ where I am.”

“Is the fire out?” I ask.

“Yes,” Brock lets out a tired grunt. “Got it out a few hours ago. Cole hasn’t left your side since.”

I set my coffee down and run over to my brother. I wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

Brock chuckles as his arm rests on my back. “Thank Lacey. She’s the one who talked some sense into me.”

“What did we ever do without her?” I tease him.

He smiles so wide his eyes crinkle. “I have no idea.”

---