Page 25 of Imbalanced Minds
Chapter Fourteen
Iris
I’ve currently got my arms around Cory, holding him for dear life. At least that’s what it seems like. As I rest my head on his shoulder, I can’t help the torrent of tears escaping without permission.
“I’ve only ever told Justin this, so telling you the whole truth was a huge step for me. Thinking about the past usually gets my blood pumping but with you, baby girl, it’s like a new calm has washed over me. It’s almost as if I feel lighter. Even if only a little.”
Cory’s second admission in only a few days has broken my heart for a whole new reason. A reason I never in a million years expected coming from his mouth. I’m hurting for him; for someone he thought was worthy then stomped all over his heart and character. I’m also infuriated that the bitch thought she could play him for a fool.
I really am losing my edge with this guy. How can I stay mad when all of this has happened to him? He’s worried about my trust in him but all I’m concerned about is how I can get him to trust again. No matter what he’s said or done to me in the past, there’s no way I’m holding a grudge against him now. I mean, what he did will take time but I can move past it. I know I will.
When I think he’s finished, only then do I speak. It’s been hell listening to him reveal his cruel past. And it’s made me forget, even if for a small moment, about my horrible ordeal.
“It wasn’t your fault what happened, you know,” I say softly, scared how he’ll react.
“That’s nice of you to say, but you’re wrong. I made the decision of who I dated. I made the decision to react the way I did, and it was me who pushed her. Nothing will ever change the fact I wanted a relationship with a married woman—even if I didn’t know. And nothing will change the fact my temperament hurt someone I thought I once cared for.”
His tone is harsh but not directed at me. I’m stepping on eggshells here along with blocking out my own pain.
“For what it’s worth, I’m here for you. I always have been.”
I start to slide away from Cory, unease creeping in my mind as uncertainty starts to kick in. I’ve just let my guard down big time and I have no clue how to act. So, I do what I do best and try to hide like a coward. I want this. I want us, but the fear in me is causing me to retreat. The girl who would have taken full advantage of this situation is no longer here. She tucked tail the moment she woke in a hospital bed, bruised and broken.
“Petal.”
Cory holds my beaten face between his hands and searches from one eye to the other. The heated blush rises up my cheeks, under all the bruising, as I attempt to peer my gaze away from him.
“Never be shy around me. Please. It’s just you and me now.”
That blush is mixed with embarrassment as I form my next words as politely as possible.
“Um, that’s what Mum calls me. Petal. Can you please not call me that, it’s kinda weirding me out.”
He has the audacity to laugh at me, so I elbow him in the stomach.
“It’s not funny. I’m being serious, Cory. I was trying to be polite and here you are laughing at me. All I’m saying is that if you really have the need to have a nickname for me, please use any other than that.” How the tables reversed so quickly I’ll never know but the longer I stare at him, the faster he realises I’m dead serious.
“I thought it was cute. It still is, but now for different reasons. And I did forget your mum calls you that, sorry. I have something else in mind I think you’ll quite like.”
I let that linger for a moment then move on. If he wants to use a sweet term of endearment for me, I won’t protest and honestly, I think he’s cute. But never tell a man he’s cute, right.
“Thank you.”
“What for?”
“For opening up to me. For telling me all of that. For making me forget about my own drama and for being here to look after me. You don’t know your own worth, but I’ll open your eyes to how wonderful of a man you are, Cory Whitman.” I sniffle. “You’ll see.”
I can see the cogs turning inside Cory’s head as I gently move myself back on the bed. I don’t want to put added pressure on either of us, so I simply lay here and soak it all in.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” Cory hums from where he’s still sitting on the edge of my bed.
“Why did you listen to Jay all those years ago?”
“How do you mean, baby girl?”
“Well, you said Jay warned you off all those years ago. How did he do that, yet we would all hang out together as friends?” This has been playing on my mind since I was in hospital. He’s said it before too; he’s not up to my standards according to Jay yet I know if he was referring to him directly, he’d not be allowed near me at all.