“She started it!” Finn barks out at the same time I say, “Stop being a dictator.” Both our heads rounding in Cole’s general area.
He doesn’t look over, fingers flying across the keyboard. Disregarding us both equally.
This was the worst plan ever. Why did I come again?
I shoot a glare at the answer. Who looks far too comfortable sitting behind his father’s desk. This wasn’t Cole’s first time doing this. Whatever itwashe wasdoing.
“Are you done yet?” Finn asks, somehow reading my mind. Sitting as one of his legs lazily swings in the air.
“Almost.”
Bored with that answer, Finn begins looking around. Opening the desk drawer beside his foot, he lets out a whistle. “Whoa, ho, ho, what do we have here?”
Holding it up to the light, he twirls it. The tiny item custom. Nothing that flashy couldn’t be.
“I used to have one like it. Remember Cole? ‘Course mine had a C instead of K.”
Lifting the cap, he flicks at the flint wheel. A yellowed flame sparking from the lighter. Cole yanks for it. The matte black novelty disappearing under his tensed fist.
“He’s going to notice if something is moved.” Shoving the item back in the drawer with extra force. Teeth gnashing together as he turns off the monitor.
“Someone’s testy,” Finn scorns at Cole’s retreating form. “I’m not the only one who needs to use his phone. Someone needs to get their dick sucked—”
“—Let’s go,” I hiss over my shoulder.
“—Pronto!” Finn shouts loud enough to hear from he was still standing in the emptied office.
Cole’s back is drawn, tense. Waiting for the elevator to come back up. Muscles strained and defiant even under his hoodie.
His stance wouldn’t be odd since every day he walks around angry and broody. Offended at people for simply breathing. This time was different. It was like someone had sprinkled an extra dose of rage into his cornflakes because he needed that extra kick.
Something was off, but I didn’t get a chance to dwell on it too much since he was already climbing into the elevator. Rushing to catch up. He didn’t seem in the mood to wait if we missed it.
Clearing out, we leave Hardin, the same as when we’d arrived. Eli erasing the footage of us, like we never existed. Which according to the camera if anyone were to look back at, we hadn’t.
Wordlessly, Cole climbs into the back seat,rightnext to me. Eli driving and Finn in the passenger.
I bite the inside of my cheek not saying anything as we pulled away. The waves of weighted tension, radiating off Cole right now, told me it wouldn’t end well if I tried. Even though there was plenty of room in the back for him to spread out he stayed in the center spot.
Most of the drive is quiet. A weird awkwardness setting in its place.
Out of nowhere, Finn spins in his seat, eyes sparkling with mischief. Pulling something out of his pocket. “Anyone else in the mood to celebrate?” Wagging his eyebrows.
Putting two fingers to his mouth and huffing like he was taking a hit, grinning.
“Are you fucking serious?” Cole snarls. Snatching the lighter from his hand. “I told you to leave it there,” he snaps.
The abrupt movement caused Cole’s posture to shift. Sitting in that widespread weird dude way, taking up even more room.
Spinning, Finn sinks back in his seat, hurt. Cranking the music in refute.
Glancing in my peripheral, Cole’s face stays jaded even though I knew he felt it too. That spark of electricity that cracked between us from where our thighs touch.
My nerves skyrocket. High-strung the rest of the drive when he keeps his knees locked in that position.
twenty-seven
Rory