Charade (Heven and Hell #2)(14)
Author: Cambria Hebert

“Part of me wondered what it would be like to be with someone else. Someone less difficult.”

“Jenna is not less difficult,” I muttered.

He laughed, then looked up at me. “I’m not into Jenna.”

My heart began pounding. “That’s good,” I whispered.

“But I’m not into Kimber anymore, either.”

I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. I wanted to tell him to be honest with her, but Kimber was my best friend. How could I tell her boyfriend to break up with her?

“Things are changing,” Cole went on. “And not just between me and Kimber.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” I said, backing away from him. I prayed he didn’t hear the lie in my voice. I busied myself by refolding the dish towels by the sink.

“Even my mom is acting weird.”

“Like how?” I lied again, even though I knew exactly what he was talking about.

“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “It’s almost like she’s hiding something.” I looked over at whatever I heard in his voice. His blue eyes speared me with a look so clear I would have sworn he was sober. “Just like you.”

I sucked in a breath, wondering what to do. Did I have it in me to make up another lie? To laugh off his words and pretend that it was all in his head? Wasn’t he my friend? He was hurting and confused, and I identified with those feelings way more than I wished I did. Yet, if I said anything, I would be betraying Sam. He’s given up so much for me and never once asked for anything in return.

I opened my mouth, unsure what was going to come out when suddenly the overhead light came on, startling in its brightness. Cole moved fast, almost like on instinct, coming to block me from whatever entered the room. I blinked in shock before stepping around him. “Gran.”

“I heard voices,” Gran said, her aura and body relaxing as she realized it was only me.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I thought Sam had gone home hours ago,” Gran said, looking at Cole. Her eyes rounded as she saw that it wasn’t Sam.

“This is Cole, Gran. You’ve heard me talk about him before.” I grabbed his arm and pulled him forward, praying he wouldn’t act drunk.

“Of course!” Gran said, staring at him.

We both waited for her to continue with how late it was and that friends shouldn’t be visiting at this time of night. She didn’t say anything. She just stared at him, her eyes skimming his face over and over again.

Cole cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to have come by so late, Mrs. Uhhh…”

“Just call me Gran, honey,” she said, still staring.

Cole nodded. “Gran.”

Cole continued to talk, to give an explanation of why he was here so late, but I didn’t hear it. Gran’s aura was shifting and changing so rapidly that I had a hard time keeping up. Yellows, reds, blues, browns, mustard even some pink bloomed around her. I had no idea what it meant. How could so many colors, a range of so many emotions come into play at once and make sense?

“Gran, are you feeling okay?”

Gran finally pulled her eyes away from Cole to look at me. “Of course. I’m just a little fuzzy-headed because I was sleeping.”

Cole stepped forward and grasped her arm. “Would you like to sit down?” He led her over to the table and pulled out a chair. When she was seated, he wrapped the discarded blanket around her shoulders.

“Aren’t you a nice young man?” Gran said. I heard the slightest catch in her voice.

What in the world was going on?

Cole didn’t seem to notice anything wrong and he took a seat across from Gran. He chatted with her for a few minutes about nothing and they both laughed at a joke he told.

“I really should be going,” Cole said, standing. He turned toward Gran. “I’m really sorry to have woken you.”

“You’re leaving? You can’t drive in your state!” Gran said, standing.

Cole and I both stared at her in shock.

She chuckled. “I may be old, but I know when someone’s drunk.”

A laugh bubbled out of my throat. Cole grinned.

“I’ll get some blankets; you can sleep on the couch.”

Cole seemed about to disagree, but I cut him off. “You can’t drive, Cole. We’ll worry.” I would worry.

He nodded.

Gran disappeared and came back seconds later with an armful of blankets and pillows. “Here we go.” She was almost chipper.

“I’ll get that, Gran. You can go back to bed,” I said, swallowing and wondering if she would give me that look I would most certainly get from Mom. Leaving me alone at night with a boy…

“Thank you, honey. I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll make a big breakfast.” I nodded, blinking back the tears in my eyes. She actually trusted me. Gran turned to Cole and patted his cheek. “I’ll see you at breakfast.”

“I’m sorry again,” Cole said.

Gran smiled. “I’m not. I’m so glad to have met you.”

We both stared after her as she left the room.

Cole spoke first. “I need some air.” He opened the door and walked out into the cool summer night.

“Cole?” I followed behind him. He staggered a bit by the stairs and wrapped an arm around the post and pulled back. I heard a great ripping sound.

“Oops,” he said, turning to look at me.

I laughed. There was a huge rip in the front of his shirt.

“This was my favorite shirt,” he muttered, and in one swift movement, he pulled it up over his head and tossed it at his feet. I averted my gaze, but not before I noted how wide his shoulders were and how toned his muscles had gotten from playing football.

“I’ll go make up the couch.”

“Heven, wait.”

I stopped and turned back. In two great strides he was standing in front of me. “Do you ever think about what it would be like?”

“What?”

“To kiss me?”

“N-no.” I shook my head back and forth, backing away.

“Never?” He stepped closer, almost prowling toward me, and lowered his head.

“I’m in love with Sam.” There was no hint of doubt in my voice because I did love him.

Cole’s lips covered mine, silencing my words. It was a light kiss; his lips were warm and he smelled like beer. I pulled back, stumbling. He reached out to steady me.

“You shouldn’t have done that.” I raced in the house away from him.