31. Everly

31

Everly

M y heart raced like a jackrabbit. River Styx hummed with the start of spring quarter, students buzzing around like bees, filling the space with laughter and conversation. Sunlight streamed through large windows, casting a warm glow on the rustic wooden tables and mismatched chairs. The smell of fresh coffee and pastries lingered in the air, comforting yet overwhelming.

I glanced around, taking in the details to distract myself. The baristas worked behind a sleek counter, their movements fluid and practiced as they poured steaming drinks and arranged plates of food. A chalkboard menu above them listed today's specials in colorful chalk—a mix of quirky names and even quirkier ingredients.

Students clustered in groups, their heads bent over laptops or textbooks. Some lounged on the worn-out couches near the back, looking more at home than in their own dorms. The walls were decorated with local art, vibrant paintings that added splashes of color to the otherwise muted tones.

Spring quarter had begun, and despite everything that had happened, I had thrown myself into my classes with fervor. There was something therapeutic about burying my nose in textbooks, focusing on lectures instead of memories that threatened to resurface.

I took a sip of my hot chocolate, the warm liquid doing little to calm my nerves. I wished Cooper were here beside me. His presence always had a way of grounding me, making everything seem more manageable. But this was something I needed to do alone. Independence tasted bittersweet after being so sheltered.

The door swung open, and in walked Ashley. Even I had to admit she was beautiful—effortlessly so. Her honey-brown hair cascaded in perfect waves, and she carried herself with a confidence that was almost palpable. I straightened in my seat, raising a hand in a tentative wave when her eyes scanned the room and landed on me.

Ashley sized me up as she approached, her gaze flickering over my face and taking in the lingering bruises with narrowed eyes. She didn't bother hiding her assessment, and I couldn't help but feel exposed under her scrutiny.

"Hi," I greeted warmly, forcing a smile. "My name is Everly." I extended my hand toward her, hoping to break the ice.

She arched a perfectly sculpted brow, staring at my hand for a moment before deciding not to take it. Instead, she slid into the seat across from me, crossing her legs and leaning back slightly, a picture of casual indifference.

"Why did you call to meet with me?" she asked, her tone sharp and direct.

I swallowed hard, pulling my hand back and placing it in my lap. The warmth I tried to project felt swallowed by the cold air between us. "I wanted to talk about Cooper," I said, choosing my words carefully. "I think there's been some misunderstandings."

Ashley's lips pressed into a thin line as she leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing even more. "Misunderstandings? Like what?"

Taking a deep breath, I held her gaze. "I know things have been... complicated between you two. And I understand why you might feel... upset or threatened by me."

She scoffed lightly but didn't interrupt.

"But Cooper's moved on," I continued, feeling my voice strengthen with each word. "And so have I. I'm not here to replace anyone or make things worse."

Ashley tapped her manicured nails on the table rhythmically, as if weighing my words. The silence stretched between us like a taut wire.

"You think you could possibly replace me?" Ashley asked with a scoff, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Absolutely not," I replied firmly. "I would never leave Cooper over a scrum on the ice. Nor would I make up lies about our relationship and who Cooper is as a person."

Ashley clenched her teeth, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Who are you to judge me?—"

"Cooper is the love of my life," I interrupted, leaning forward, cradling my cocoa.

"Your life?" Ashley's eyebrows shot up in mock surprise. "How old are you?"

"Right," I said with a smile that felt like it might crack my face. "Because I'm young, I know nothing. I forget how much older and wiser everyone is."

Ashley glanced away, her gaze darting to the door as if seeking an escape route. "If all you want to do is lecture me?—"

"I want you to recant what you said about Cooper," I cut in again, my voice steady. Part of me felt bad for interrupting her twice, but I needed to make my point.

Her jaw tightened, and she stared at me, the fire in her eyes barely contained. The tension between us was thick, hanging heavy in the air like a storm cloud about to burst.

"Why should I?" she finally spat out, her tone defiant.

"Because it's the right thing to do," I answered, my gaze unwavering. "And deep down, you know that." I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I called you here to implore to your morality, Ashley. Your concept of right and wrong. Slandering Cooper is wrong, even if the two of you didn't work out."

Ashley smirked, leaning forward. "Cooper is an asshole," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "Those bruises on your face? They might not have come from him, but they will. He's an angry person, and it's only a matter of time before he takes it out on you."

I gave her a long look, my heart aching at the thought of Cooper being misunderstood so deeply. "Cooper would never hurt me," I said firmly. "He's loyal, passionate, and blunt."

"And you think you can change him?" Ashley asked, her eyes narrowing.

"No," I replied without hesitation. "I have no intention to. I love him for exactly who he is."

Ashley cut a glare at me, her frustration clear in the set of her jaw. "If all you wanted to do was ask me to recant, the answer is no."

I sighed, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me. "I'm disappointed," I said. "I wanted to implore to your goodwill, but I guess you have none. Cooper is everything to me, and I'm going to protect him and his reputation. If you don't tell the truth, if you don't do the right thing, I'm going to release the emails and texts you sent him regarding your extortion."

Ashley blinked in surprise. "What?" she asked, her voice wavering.

"You heard me," I said calmly.

"I didn't send Cooper any texts or emails…" Her voice trailed off as realization dawned on her face.

I arched a brow, watching her reaction closely. "I'm assuming you remember the voicemail you left his attorney," I said. "How you told him you wanted to discuss some kind of settlement because of your relationship and how if you didn't get what you felt you were owed, you were going to tell the truth ."

Ashley opened her mouth, but I cut her off before she could speak.

"I want to give you the opportunity to make things right," I said slowly, leaning forward. "Because if you don't, I will come at you with everything I have. I'll go to every woman you accuse Cooper of cheating with, and every time you claimed you were abused, I'll go through every scrap I can find to prove you wrong and clear Cooper's name."

"You couldn't possibly do that," she said, disbelief coloring her voice.

"What's the saying?" I asked, my eyes narrowing. "I'm a dog with a bone. And you're threatening someone I love."

"You know this whole thing with you and Cooper isn't going to work out," Ashley snarled, her lips curling into a sneer. "You're a na?ve little girl who has stars in her eyes because the bad boy NHL player looked at her. He's using you for sex and that's it. Once he gets tired of you, you'll feel the same way I do."

"And you're the washed-up old hag who's bitter, resentful, and miserable," I shot back, the words slipping out before I could stop them. Her eyes widened in shock. "I'm sorry. That was mean." I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. "Even if that's true, Cooper has treated me like I'm a queen. And if this ever ends, I'll be grateful for it. There are beasts everywhere, Ashley, masquerading as Prince Charmings. They take because they think they deserve it. Trust me; I learned that the hard way. And Cooper saved me, even when he didn't have to. Cooper is angry, yes. But he's not a monster."

"I saw what he did to those kids," Ashley countered sharply. "Those frat boys?"

"You mean the ones who beat me so bad I fell unconscious?" I asked, my voice steady. "Or the one who drugged me, then raped me?"

Ashley flinched as if struck.

"Maybe you're right," I murmured, cocking my head slightly. "Maybe he is a monster. But never to me. Unless, of course, we're in bed."

Ashley stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound. "I don't have to listen to this," she said coldly.

"Think about what I've said," I replied calmly, grabbing my bag and standing up as well. "I don't make promises I can't keep, and I promise you if you don't recant, I will make your life a living hell."

Ashley gave me one long last look before turning on her heel and walking away.