Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

COLE

A few days later

I press against the kid’s hand with the admission stamp and look around for Ainsley. I got roped into the door entry before I could protest. The damn women of Silver Pines are bossy little things, but it’s not like I can argue. I’d get a clip around the ear from Mrs. Henderson and Mrs. Stuber, the principal.

I know Ainsley’s been worried about seeing her ex for the first time, and if he’s any kind of gentleman, which we know he’s not, he’d do well to fuck the hell off and leave her alone. I know guys like him. They don’t know what they’ve got till it’s gone. And once he sees her free and living her life on her own terms, I’ll bet my bottom dollar he’s gonna want back in. I don’t think Ainsley is that down on herself that she’d take a dick like him back after what he did to her, but I wouldn’t put it past the asshole to try. No matter my past history, and it’s been colorful, I’ve never ever cheated and I never would. I’ve never promised a woman anything that I couldn’t live up to, and that’s the truth.

The more I think about it, the more I think the fake dating thing is dumb. I mean, we don’t owe him shit. It shouldn ’t take another man to pretend to be anything to get this waste of space to back off. Unfortunately, I know how most of these guys work, which is the only reason I suggested it to Ainsley. She’s her own woman, but I still don’t want to see her get hurt more than she already has.

“Hey, Cole.” I turn to see Charli behind me. The cavalry has arrived.

“Tell me you’re takin’ over,” I plead. “I’ve got a drink station to man.”

She gives me a look. “I smell trouble.”

“No trouble. I said I’d give Ainsley a hand.”

Her eyes narrow. “Spill, jockstrap.”

My eyes go wide. “Jockstrap?”

She shrugs. “I was in the moment. I distinctly remember you having a bit of a thing for Ainsley last year?”

“A bit of a thing?” I cock a brow. “If I recall, I was busy tryin’ to match-make you and Jake together. You’re welcome, by the way.”

She rolls her eyes. “And you remind me every chance you get.”

“If it weren’t for me, you two would still be dancing around your feelings and playin’ footsie under the table.”

She folds her arms over her chest. “Thank you, Cole. You’re the best. Now tell me the truth, are you jonesing for our cute little librarian? Or more to the point, are you gonna do anything about it?”

“She just broke up with her boyfriend. Give it a minute.”

Charli scoffs. “That was months ago. I’m just saying. You waited last time, and you let her slip away.”

I palm the back of my neck, suddenly feeling vulnerable. “It wasn’t like that. We’re just friends.”

“Oh, come on. You’ve been mopi ng around here like a lovesick puppy for months.”

“I’d hardly say?—”

“What’s more, you gave me such a hard time when I wouldn’t admit my feelings for Jacob.” She does that one eyebrow lift I thought only I had mastered. But no, she’s proving by each passing second, with the dressing down in progress and hands on hips, that she is alive and well. “And if you hadn’t pushed me into being brave, who knows what would’ve happened?”

I shrug, exaggerating. “We’d still be waiting for Jake to grow a set?”

She throws a ticket stub at my head. It bounces off and I feign hurt. “Ouch. That’s no way to treat the man you owe your future children to.”

She rolls her eyes again. “Stop avoiding the subject. Make a move or I’ll intervene.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “What if I’m holding back from asking her out because I don’t think she’s over her ex?”

Charli’s eyebrows raise some more. “Is she not over him?”

“I don’t know, but I’m not gonna be a rebound guy. That’s not my style, and I’d never take advantage of her, of anyone. Ainsley’s — different .”

“Nobody’s asking you to do that, and I get it. I’m just saying. Ainsley is the sweetest. I always just saw you two getting together. It probably feels different because you care about her, she’s not just another notch on your bedpost.”

“Of course I care about her, and I’m not the fuck boy everyone thinks I am. I’ve changed. She’d never be another notch on my bedpost.” I lower my voice. “I guess I kinda stuck my head in the sand. Now we’re neighbors. It’s like the universe is giving me a sign. Plus, Fudge took up residence on her kitchen counter and made himself right at home, and she didn’t even mind.” I smile when I think about her in her cute pumpkin pj’s and her hair all messy from sleep.

Charli smiles. “It’s definitely a sign. A sign for you to pull your finger out of your ass and buck up.”

“Since when did you get so bossy?”

“Since one of my best friends — that’s you, by the way — never gave up hope on me when I was being a whiny baby.”

“Least you can admit it.”

“Ha-ha.” She shoves me in the shoulder. “Go get ‘em tiger.”

“You’re gonna cover for me?”

“Yup. Last thing we want is Drake wrangling his way back in. Not that I think he has a chance in Hell after the stunt he pulled.”

“He will wish he opted out tonight.” I rub my chin. My knuckles don’t disagree that I could use his face as a punching bag if the timing was right. I don’t usually resort to violence, but sometimes a good punch in the face might be good for both parties.

I glance at Charli who’s assessing me with a smirk I know only too well spells trouble. “Or else what?”

“Or else me and him are gonna have a chat, man to man.”

She shoves me again. “So go already! I have a bunch of kids heading this way and you’re cluttering up the place!”

I chuckle. “Remind me to tell Jakey-boy to give your ass a whoopin’ next time I see him.”

“Jacob whoops my ass any chance he gets!” she hollers after me.

I chuckle as I turn and quickly scan across the room. The school gymnasium brings back a flurry of memories, not all of them good, but not all bad, either. I wasn’t quite the jock, or the popular kid, but somewhere in between. Indie meets clown jester. Or something like that. I didn’t like school all that much. I’ve always been good at making stuff, so woodwork and metal shop were my favorite subjects, I knew from early on that I wanted to build houses, or whatever I could get my hands on.

I also love gardening and have a decent vegetable patch growing in the back at home.

As I glance around the busy space milling with kids, it takes me back to when I was in school. I'm pretty sure this is the same floor that Cassie Simmerton dumped me on because she thought I was seeing another girl at the same time. God, to be eight years old again and going to my first dance. It’s kinda cute to see the little kids getting into it. Some dressed up as their favorite superhero, and some in formal attire that makes me smile.

The kids all helped with decorating, too. So it looks like a cross between a frat house and a flamingo throwing up in here. Streamers hang down from every available space, along with balloons, hand made posters with stickers and glitter, plus paper mache pinatas that I really hope the kids aren’t going to beat to death later.

When I spot the drinks station, I see Ainsley by herself. With a racing heart and sweaty palms sweating, I head her way. She’s wearing a black button up blouse and a hot pink tutu that just grazes her knees. I roll my lips. I didn’t expect that. Her hair is also straight, which throws me for a half a second because I’ve only ever seen her with curly hair. She’s also wearing a little makeup and her eyes are differ ent. I think she outlined them. When her blue eyes find mine, her face softens and shoulders relax. That action alone makes me feel good. I don’t need to be a genius to work out she’s on the lookout for that dickhead ex.

“Well hello, little lady.” I tip my non-existent cowboy hat and stop in front of her table. “You on the heavy stuff?”

She laughs. “If you can call pink lemonade and Shirley Temple’s the heavy stuff, then yes.”

There’s a large punch bowl with fruit floating around in it, along with little umbrellas that sit around the edges. There’s probably enough sugar in there to sink a battleship. That’s probably why most of the kids here tonight are bouncing off the walls.

“Need a hand?”

“Sure.”

I make my way around the back of the table as Ainsley restocks the little plastic cups. Two kids approach, and she smiles, asking what they’d like. Pouring a cup each of the pink punch, they skip off happily.

“You look nice,” I tell her. “Though I didn’t pick you for a pink tutu kinda girl.”

She glances down at herself, her hands rising to her cheeks. “You can blame Molly. She insisted I come as a fairy princess. So I had no choice but to roll the tutu over my leggings.”

“Ah, the good old-fashioned guilt trip, huh? Well, I was gonna wear mine, but I thought it’d be too much.”

A little laugh bubbles from her throat and I like the sound. I like it a lot when Ainsley’s smiling and happy. “Darn it. We could’ve been twinsies.”

I grin at the thought, stacking some more cups and stirring the punch bowl so the fruit floats back up to the top. “How’s my cat been treatin’ you?”

“Good. He’s warmed up to me ever since I got the catnip he likes.”

“Told ya.”

“Though, I will say, demanding I get out of bed early in the morning to feed him is getting a little rude.”

I wince. “I’m sorry about that, he’s always been an early riser. Cats are nocturnal by nature, but I never let him out at night because of the birds and other little animals. I’ve no doubt he’d bring home a prize. Now he thinks as soon as I open the cat flap, he’s free to do whatever he pleases, like annoy my neighbors.”

“He’s really no trouble. I’m just teasing.”

Lucky fucking cat. He gets to snuggle up with her, and she’s not even mad about it. She’s a keeper. “Nobody has the heart to turn him away. I think he uses it to his advantage.”

“Like his owner?” Her lips press together as she fails to hide her amusement.

I pique an eyebrow. Well, well. Hello heart palpitations. “Which part, turning me away, or playing on my neighbor’s heartstrings?”

“Both.”

I lean closer. “Are you flirting with me, Ainsley Parsons?”

She’s so cute when she’s in a playful mood. “No. I’m just trying to have a little fun. Apparently, my mom and Emma say I’m too serious.”

“You? Serious? Never. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with that. If you ask me, there’s not enough serious librarians out there.”

She elbows me in the ribs. “Very funny.”

I hold my hands up. “Careful, ti ger, almost cracked a rib. It’s always the cute ones that give the most hell.”

“I studied taekwondo as a child. I have some moves.”

“I have a black belt in origami, so you better watch it.”

She bursts out laughing and I can’t help but join in, too.

“A black belt in paper folding, huh? Sounds serious.”

Before I can respond, a kid comes over and takes a Shirley Temple as we clown around. I forgot how much fun we have when we do stuff together. It reminds me of the speed dating last year and how seriously Ainsley took all of it with her timer and clipboard. When she puts herself into something, she gives it her all.

I clap my hands together. “What do you need me to do?”

“Right now?”

I glance up. “Yeah.”

“Find me irresistible.”

I frown, and it’s not because I dislike the idea. She just takes me off guard. I’m about to follow that with a ‘Huh?’ when I glance up and I see Drake the snake headed this way. Fucking perfect. I don’t even have time to respond because he’s looming over the table, and he doesn’t look happy.

“You haven’t returned any of my calls,” he mutters. His tone has all the sharp edges of accusation. All that’s missing is a pointy finger and the drop of his bottom lip. Yep, I can see his teeth being rearranged across the other side of his mouth in the very near future.

Ainsley glances at me, but I’m glaring at Drake, who’s choosing to ignore me. “Uh, I’ve been busy, and last time I checked, I didn’t owe you a phone call,” she says.

“Right, but the movers came and took all the stuff out of the garage.”

“Yep, because it’s my s tuff and you agreed I could keep it there until I got a place.”

For the first time since he walked up, he notices me. His eyes briefly flick to mine, his face balled into a scowl, and I put my hands on my hips. “Cole.”

“Drake.”

His head moved back to glaring at Ainsley. “So? What gives? We can’t even talk now?”

“Why don’t you take a hike?” I suggest, before he can get another word in, thumbing behind me. “Or you and I can talk about this somewhere where there’s no little kids present.”

Ainsley moves closer to me and by some miracle I resist the urge to put my arm around her shoulders, only because I don’t know how far she wants to take this fake dating thing.

“This is between me and Ains,” he seethes.

My hands bawl into fists at my sides. My restraint for this asshole is wearing thin.

“Actually, it’s not.” Ainsley stands up a little straighter, pulling the hem of her shirt as she rolls her shoulders back. “Me and Cole are dating, actually, so it is his business.”

Drake’s eyes dart back to mine. “Dating?” he sputters, like it’s the most unbelievable thing he’s ever heard. “You two?” He has the audacity to point between us both.

“That’s right,” I bristle, deciding to swing an arm around her shoulders after all, pulling her to my side. She looks up at me and smiles, a little bewildered, but she’s doing well to keep up the pretense and her composure.

“Ains? You’re dating already?” He’s insistent and still can’t seem to believe it.

“It’s been two months!” She fires back at him, pointing her finger, her body jostling at the movement next to my side. “And if I remember correctly, it w as you who had had your penis in another woman’s vagina for how long before I found out?”

He pales just a little, the words he was about to shout back halt on his lips. He lowers his voice. “I told you I was sorry about that.”

“She doesn’t care,” I butt in. “So why don’t you kindly fuck off and leave her alone before things get ugly.”

Drake’s eyes are murderous, but I don’t back down. I can take him without breaking a sweat. I’d rather not have the hundred kids currently in the gymnasium or their teachers and parents witness it, but that’s out of my control.

“You gonna make me?”

I lean toward him. “Have you been drinking?”

“This is a party, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, for little kids.” I shake my head in disgust. “Time to leave, bud. You can do it voluntarily or I can remove you myself, take your pick.” I pull Ainsley closer to my side. She blinks up at me and my heart almost bursts out of my chest. There’s so much trust in her face.

“I moved on, and you should do the same,” Ainsley says. “Stop calling me and saying you’re sorry. If you were truly sorry, you wouldn’t have done anything to be sorry for in the first place. I’m happy, and if you were any decent kind of human being, you’d be happy for me, too.”

He snorts. “Oh, yeah, I’m so happy my girlfriend is already screwing some new guy who, by the way, will only parade you around town and then break your heart in the worst possible way. Think about it, Ains. He’s just sliding in because you’re fresh meat on the block and easy for the taking.”

I don’t hesitate. I release my arm from Ainsley and jerk forwards, swinging before he even gets the last words out. He’s forced back by the impact and a couple of the cups wobble and tip as I refrain from leaping over the table to finish him off. I round the table as Ainsley calls my name and tells me to stop. I yank him by the back of the hoodie and make him face Ainsley. “Now say you’re sorry.”

He holds his hands over his nose, which is now bleeding. “And how you didn’t mean it, and you’ll never bother her again.” I continue.

“I… I… You broke my nose!”

I look up at Ainsley. Her eyes are wide and she’s backing away. “You’re an asshole!” She glares at Drake, and thank God she’s not mad at me. I admit I did just act on impulse, punching the guy out of nowhere.

“What’s going on here?” Mr. Peterson jogs up, along with Coach Hallaway.

“He’s drunk, and he just insulted my girlfriend,” I tell them. “He shouldn’t be around kids, and certainly not around women when he’s so unstable.”

They tug on Drake’s arms. “We’ll get him outside. I’ll call the Sheriff. Making a public nuisance of yourself is against the law,” Mr. Peterson's tone is firm, his mouth drawing into a hard line.

Coach looks up at me with disapproval written all over his hard face. “Need I remind you there are children present, Cole?”

“Yeah, which is why I had to shut him up.” I shrug. “We can’t have him getting mad at the kids next and taking his frustrations out on them, can we?”

“He started this!” Drake whines like a little girl, and I laugh.

“Right? Tell that to the Sheriff.” I smirk as they drag him away.

I turn back to see Ainsley still s taring after them. I palm the back of my head. My knuckles are throbbing just a little bit, fucker had a hard face.

“Ainsley? Are you okay?” I start.

She’s like a wildcat with her eyes wide and her mouth open in shock and I’m not sure what she plans on doing next. But when she looks up at me and steps into my space, she surprises me by throwing her arms around my neck, holding her body close to mine in a tight hug. We stand there for a few moments, our bodies pressed close. There’s no way I expected that, or the hum of appreciation that shoots through my body, and definitely not what happens next…