Beautiful Mess(23)

He quickly turned down the volume and sat on his bed. “So, what do you think?”

She sat on the bed next to him. “It’s great,” she said honestly. “It’s warm and comfortable. The kind of place you’d enjoy spending time in.”

Cole smiled at her, and Bri suddenly wondered how many other girls had gotten warm and comfortable in Cole’s bedroom. She was surprised at the spike of jealousy she felt. She quickly banished those thoughts from her mind. She and Cole were friends. She didn’t have the right to feel territorial over him. He was free to do whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted. Bri wasn’t interested in dating right now anyway. But telling herself this did little to diminish the sudden regret she felt. Deciding it was time to leave, she stood.

“Well, I’ve got to get back home. Summer and the boys will be home soon.” She headed towards the door, Cole following.

“Oh, okay,” he looked slightly disappointed. “But, before you go, I have something for you.” He went into the office and pulled something out of the closet. “Here, this is for you.” Bri was shocked when he handed her the painting of the sun setting into the ocean.

“What? You’re just giving this to me?” She couldn’t believe it. Cole nodded, but she still needed to clarify. “Really? I can just take it home with me, right now?” She was starting to get excited.

“Really Bri, it’s yours. You’ve spent all summer staring at it.”

And she had. Every time Bri went to visit Cole, she was drawn to this painting. It had captivated her. Apparently, Cole had noticed her fascination as well.

“You liked it so much, I wanted you to have it.” He smiled at her, and Bri threw her arms around him.

“Thank you! This is seriously the nicest thing anyone’s ever given me,” she squeezed him once more before letting go. “I love it! I’m going home right now and hanging it up in my room!”

“I’m glad you like it! I have to admit, I kind of like the idea that a piece of me will be hanging up in your bedroom.”

“Wait,” she looked at him dubiously. “There aren’t any hidden cameras in this thing, are there?” she teased.

“Dang it! I knew I had forgotten something!”

Cole walked Bri out to her car. She put her painting in the back seat and turned to him.

“Well, I’ll see you later,” she said. She pulled him in for one more hug. “Thanks again, Cole,” she whispered. He squeezed her before letting go.

“Anything for you, Ambria,” he smiled.

Bri watched him turn and walk back into the house before driving away.





Chapter 6




Friday night, Bri was up late, reading in bed. Just after 11:00, she got a text from Cole.

Hey, you still up?

Yeah, what’s up?

Any chance you’d want to head down to the beach with me???

Right now?

Yep. I’m actually outside your house right now. I hope you don’t think that’s creepy.

Stunned, Bri sprang off her bed and opened the blinds on her window. Sure enough, there was Cole, lounging against his old pickup truck. A nearby lamp post cast just enough light for her to see him give a small wave when he saw her in the window.

Give me two minutes? she texted back and closed the blinds. She quickly changed out of her pajamas and into a tank top and yoga pants. She grabbed a jacket, her flip flops, and her keys, and slipped quietly out of her room.

Her parents’ door down the hall was closed and their light was off, which would make sneaking out of the house much easier. Bri tip-toed to the front door, soundlessly slipped out, and locked it behind her.

Cole’s face lit up as she headed towards him. He opened the truck door for her and she hopped in.

“So,” Bri began as they pulled away. “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” he answered evasively.

“Well, it’s not often you ask me to sneak out in the middle of the night, so I’m assuming something is up.”

He didn’t say anything as he parked the truck and led her down to the beach. She let him walk a moment in silence, before pressing him again.

“Well?” When it became obvious Cole wasn’t going to respond, Bri brought out the big guns. “Coleston...?”

Cole looked up at her and grinned. “I think that’s the first time you’ve called me that. I kind of like it!”

“Well, you forced me to use drastic measures. Now that you’re finally talking, will you please tell me what’s wrong?”

He let out a breath. “Nothing’s wrong. My dad had his girlfriend over tonight, and I just really didn’t want to be there anymore.”