Page 68 of Broken Desires
Cole arches an eyebrow, a hint of offense in his demeanor. “Why do people always assume I’m to blame? You know what, don’t answer that,” he quickly adds, cutting me off before I can even speak. “My wife is at her violin class, just so you’re aware, and she’s quite happy and satisfied,” he says, the edge of his smile carrying a mischievous gleam. “Also, I have the key, and I thought you’d appreciate me not using it. Didn’t think it was okay anymore.”
Shaking my head, I can’t resist the jab. “It was never okay.”
He just shrugs, an unbothered gesture, as I unlock the door and step inside, knowing full well he’ll follow. “I assume you’re here to pick up the rest of Eva’s stuff? Just leave the key when you leave,” I call over my shoulder.
But he steps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. “No, actually, I came to talk to you.”
“To me?” I point at myself, puzzled. “I— Why?”
His response throws me for a loop. “See me as your fairy godmother or some shit.”
I can’t help but laugh, taking a step back to give him a once-over. “I have to say, I’m not sure you’d look good in tights and a tiara.”
He doesn’t miss a beat, snorting with laughter. “Girl, please. I look fucking fabulous in everything.” With a dramatic wave of his hand, he gets to the heart of the matter. “The thing is, Eva told me not to meddle, that I’m only good at creating havoc and stirring shit.”
“Okay… I don’t see any lie in this statement,” I admit, struggling to keep a straight face.
He feigns being wounded, clutching his chest in an over-the-top display. “Ouch, feelings hurt,” he claims, but the twinkle in his eye tells me he’s enjoying this as much as I am.
Cole gets serious for a moment. “The thing is, Liam was there for me when Eva was being stubborn.”
I can’t resist a jab. “Stubborn or smart?”
He fires back with a quick, “Agree to disagree.” Then he continues, “Anyway, he was there, and I know Eva says it’s your call and all that, but sometimes people need a nudge in the right direction. I’m really good at that romance shit. You can basically call me Dr. Love.”
Raising an eyebrow, I question his self-appointed title. “Is that what you call what you did to Eva? Romancing?”
“Of course!” he claims, unfazed.
I can’t help but tease him further. “I call it stalking.”
Cole rolls his eyes, brushing off my comment. “You are so dramatic, but whatever, call it what you want. She’s now wearing my ring and sharing my bed and surname, so…”
Trying to steer the conversation back to something resembling sanity, I point out, “Listen, no offense, Dr. Love, but the Liam situation is complicated.”
He simply shrugs, hands buried in his pockets. “Can you do me a favor?”
Skeptical, I ask, “Will you leave if I do it?”
“God, you’re mean! The whole toned-down Morticia look didn’t affect your blackened heart.”
Unmoved by his dramatics, I just keep staring.
He lets out a sigh, conceding defeat. “You’re no fun, anyway.” Checking his watch, he hands me a piece of paper. “In about two hours, you should get on this website,” he instructs, pointing to the note. “And click on DR1. There’s a live interview I think you’ll want to see.”
The suggestion, coming from Cole, piques my curiosity despite my reservations. His confidence that I’d be interested in whatever this interview is about suggests it’s something significant. And knowing Cole, significant usually means something that could potentially turn my life upside down.
“Okay,” I reply, keeping my response noncommittal.
“Promise.”
Feeling the weight of his expectation, I relent. “Yes.” I reach out my hand. “Can I have my key back now?”
He looks at me skeptically. “I’ll tell you what. Watch the interview, and once you do, I’ll give you the key.”
My jaw drops. “That’s blackmail!”
He waves off my accusation with a dismissive hand. “Nah, I prefer to call it positive reinforcement.”