“You,” she pointed to Cole, “had better be on your best behaviour, for your sister’s sake.”
“I would be if he wasn’t such a fuc–” I jabbed my elbow into his side before he finished his sentence. “Why’d I get hit for that one? It’s true!” he exclaimed, frowning at me.
Jenna looked like she was trying not to laugh. “So,” she said with a wide smile and sat on the end of the bed. “You two okay?”
I looked at Cole uncomfortably, and he just rolled his eyes at his mum.
“Not really. I just can’t get rid of her,” he said sarcastically, tensing his body as if he was waiting to be slapped. I decided not to as he was expecting it; instead I shrugged and stood up to leave. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me back on the bed, making me fall onto the mattress.
“I’m joking!”
Jenna made an ‘aww’ sound, which made me want to run away. It was so embarrassing.
“So are you two... you know?”
“Mum!” Cole groaned and pointed to the door.
Jenna giggled like a teenage girl and got up to leave.
“I’m going, I’m going. I think it’s great though. Not that we couldn’t all see it coming or anything.”
“Mum!” Cole snapped again. Jenna closed the door. Her laughter rang through his room even though she was on the other side of the wall.
I looked at the wall, praying that my face hadn’t turned too pink. It would be though, of course. Cole chuckled and brushed his fingers across my cheek.
“Just ignore her,” he said and flopped down on his back. “Let me know when to stop,” he instructed as he flicked through the TV channels.
We laid on his bed all afternoon just watching television, messing around, and kissing each other. Lots of kissing each other, actually. It felt more natural with each time.
“Wanna go swimming tomorrow?” Cole asked casually, breaking the long, comfortable silence. I nodded my head and pressed my back into his chest, so I was even closer to him. His fingers brushed over my hip bone. Everywhere he touched felt as if it was on fire.
Half an hour later, Jenna called us down for dinner. As we walked downstairs, I wondered if my parents had been invited too. I hoped not. Holding my breath, I peered into the kitchen to see. Only David and Jenna were there. I blew out a sigh of relief and sat down in my usual seat.
“Where is he?” I heard Cole ask his mum, referring to Chris, no doubt.
“Mia’s room.”
Cole glared in anger.
“Please don’t start, Cole. She’ll realise she deserves better in her own time. If you push her now, you’ll only push her further into his arms.”
When Mia and Chris walked in, the room fell silent. The atmosphere became tense, but I would still rather be with them than at my house. I smiled at the two of them. It couldn’t be easy for Mia knowing that her family hated her boyfriend. Their reason for hating him was valid, but Jenna was right, Mia had to get over him and move on in her own time.
Everyone sat down, and I saw the challenging look between Cole and his dad. I couldn’t grinning as they both reached for a green chilli from the bowl.
Dinner was delicious; I ate until my stomach hurt. The over-full feeling was worth it though. Jenna was an incredible cook.
Cole groaned as we walked back up to his room after helping clear up. He’d eaten three chillis and had been sick.
“Lie with me?” he reached out and grabbed my hand, gently pulling me onto the bed. “I’m never eating that stuff again.”
Yeah, until next time. I pursed my lips. He said that every time.
After chilling in his room for a while, waiting for him to recover a bit, he walked me home. I started to feel sick as I unlocked my front door and pushed it open.
“See you tomorrow, Oaks,” Cole said, kissing me on the top of my head.
“Goodnight Cole,” Mum called after him. I jumped at her voice, not having seen her approach.
“Are you okay, darling?”
I nodded, looking away from her.
“Are we okay?”
I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her. It wasn’t her fault. None of it was. Mum hugged me back, almost squeezing me to death.
“I love you,” she whispered. I smiled and kissed her cheek, letting her know that I loved her too.
When I stepped back, I could tell from her puffy eyes that she had been crying for a long time. I felt a stab of guilt. This is not hurting her nearly as much as the truth would, I reminded myself.
Giving her a quick half-hearted smile, I went upstairs and flopped down on my bed. Everything that happened in the day had exhausted me, and I just wanted to curl up under my quilt and sleep. I couldn’t even stay awake long enough to receive Cole’s text.
Chapter Nine
Oakley