POV Jess
I have two ice-cold cups of water in each hand. I use my elbow to open the door and push it further open with my hip.
"I only lost a quarter of it walking down the hall," I chuckle.
The energy in the room feels like it's been suffocated right out. Cole doesn't acknowledge me, his head is down looking at his phone. I hear the ripping and roaring of an engine, he must be watching a motocross video or something.
"You okay?" I ask as I take a seat and set down the cups of water.
"Hmm? Yeah," he says but still doesn't look at me.
What could have possibly happened in the two minutes of me leaving? Cole was light-hearted, his humor was popping out, and now? His whole body language is bothered and negative.
"Okay.." I take a bite of a fry, it's overly salty and if I don't watch it I'll be bloated for tomorrow's outing.
"How was physical therapy today?" I ask trying to lighten whatever dark mood has taken over him.
"Didn't go." He says typing away on his phone.
"Oh." I sip at my water trying to busy myself during this awkward interaction.
"Did I do something?" I question.
"Nah." That's all I get. I'm really starting to get annoyed here. I came out here, bought food for him, I'm being nice, and out of nowhere he's treating me like the enemy again.
"What happened today Cole?" There, an open-ended question.
"Nothin," he shrugs his shoulders and I'm really starting to get pissed off here.
Against my better judgment, I stand up and snatch his phone from his hands and whip it to the end of the bed. He snickers at my actions. What the fuck is his problem? I cross my arms over my chest and I swear I see his bright hazel eyes linger on my cleavage for a second too long before ultimately connecting his eyes with mine.
"What the fuck Cole? I came all this way to keep you company and talk to you, I didn't invite myself you said you wanted me here," I'm starting to get heated, just when I think we got over our little tiff he brings us right back.
"Then go Jessica," he says searing right into my eyes and although it shouldn't sting, it does.
My shoulders sag in defeat, "Okay, if that's what you want Cole, I'll go."
He doesn't stop me when I collect my phone and purse from the small table, I barely touched my food but I have lost my appetite anyway. Neither one of us says a word as I exit the room and close the door behind me.
"Fuck!" I hear Cole yell out from the slab of wood that divides us. He has demons that he needs to figure out on his own, I can't go back in there and be his saving grace. Whatever is going on in his mind is on him.
I have been here a total of twenty minutes and I feel rejected by two men in that time, both starting off great and ending in rubble. I need me some girl time, Charlotte is also off today, maybe I'll check if she's free and see if she needs any help with last-minute wedding details.
I pull my phone out from the back pocket of my jeans and I'm stunned when I see a text on the Lock Screen from Roman. I scan it over and instantly feel better about where we stand but feel worse about where I stand with Cole. Did he see the text?
My mind replays the timing of the text, it would all make sense but at the same time is my ego that big that I'd think any of his bitterness had to do with that? Besides, he was the one who offered to be my wingman in exchange for the truth. Not to mention, I highly doubt Cole would be even remotely jealous. None of this makes sense anymore, he's struggling to find his way and has a lot to work out in his head. In the meantime, I'm going to be happy about what I always wanted to happen and that is Roman.
…
After leaving the hospital I head over to Charlotte's apartment which sits in the middle of downtown Seattle. She has a gorgeous view from the fourteenth floor. It's just after six now and I stare out of the floor-to-ceiling window at the sun beginning to set. I see young children in their adorable Halloween costumes skipping along the sidewalk with bags of candy in hand. Oh how I miss being a kid, no worries in the world, naive to the bigger picture that will eventually consume them like the rest of us. I remember as a child so badly wanting to be an adult, have the freedom, money, my own things, and little did my young self know that it always comes with a price. The real freedom comes with being a child.
"Whatcha doin'?" Charlotte asks breaking me out of my daydreams.
"Just looking at the little trick-or-treaters," I say while still staring out the window.
"Cute huh?" She comes and stands next to me looking down at the street of little monsters collecting their candy. I nod in agreement.
"I still can't believe Roman kissed you! This is groundbreaking Jess! And you guys are dates to the wedding? Surreal," she's looking at me now and I shift to do the same back.
"I know! It's so insane I still can't believe it myself," I can't help the smile that washes over me.
"Maybe….I won't be the only one getting laid on my wedding night," she winks and I push her shoulder to scold her thoughts but we only giggle instead.
Sleeping with Roman? God that would be amazing. It seems so slow-moving though that I highly doubt we'll get there in just a couple of weeks. Where do we even stand right now? I didn't think this through until now, how should I act around him?
"Hello?? Earth to Jess," Charlotte is waving her hands in my face trying to get my attention.
I shake my head ridding my overbearing thoughts, "I'm sorry what?"
"How has everything been going with Cole?" Why did she have to bring that up? Every time I have a happy thought Cole has to intervene without trying.
I roll my eyes, "That's a loaded question."
She laughs, "Yeah I know all too well, forget I asked."
I know that Charlotte knows what it's like to care for Cole but she doesn't even know the half of it. I know I can confide in her but all of his personal issues and whatever few deep conversations we've had. It feels wrong to gossip about his life when he's barely hanging on by a thread as it is.