Mending Wounds

Chapter Nineteen

Sleeping on that couch gave me a flashback to all of those days in the past where I slept on the couch when I was 17 and 18, and reminded me of all the reasons that I hated sleeping on this couch and the damage it did to my back. The only thing that I loved about falling asleep here was waking up to smell of coffee and toast. Cole and Alex would usually go for toast in the morning because they’re too lazy make anything themselves.

I pushed myself up on my elbow, looking around the loveseat that was already filled by Jeremy who was slipping on coffee and watching T.V. When he noticed me sitting there, he gave me a small smiled and nudged the coffee mug on the coffee table towards me.

“How’s the couch?” Jeremy asked.

I moved so that I was sitting up “Terrible” I told him “I can’t wait to go home tonight and sleep in my own bed”

He smiled “I know the feeling” he said.

“Where’s everyone?” I asked.

“Alex is still in the kitchen, Cole went out for branch with some people from school, I think Derek is upstairs, and the parents went out to pick up paint or something for an office renovation” he explained.

I nodded.

“How are you feeling after yesterday?” he asked.

“Okay” I told him “I don’t know how else I’m supposed to fell. Is that weird?”

He shook his head “That’s completely normal”

“Sophia” Alex called before she walked into the Livingroom “Jesus, you look like a mess”

I leaned back into the couch “I have the right too” I said “I mean am I supposed to look good at this early in the morning?”

“It’s 1 a.m.” She stated.

“It’s a Saturday” I told her “And Summer Holiday”

“My point exactly. let’s do what people usually do on summer breaks” she said “We can read something by the pool and have drinks. I mean I will have a drink and you can have an Iced Tea or something”

“Wasn’t yesterday enough?” I groaned.

“I didn’t do it with you though” she said “I want to make up for yesterday”

I gave her a small smile “It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know” I told her “A pool day sounds nice”

She was about to say something but got interrupted by the sound of Jeremy’s phone ringing. The was a confused look on his face before he answered the phone.

“Hey” he said before pausing a frustrated look covers his face “I understand… I won’t… Alright, I’m on my way”

He then hung up the phone and looked over to Alex “Listen, something came up and I need to leave. I’ll come back later okay” he said before placing a peck on her lips and leaving.

“How does a bikini sound today?” she asked as she turned to me “We have the whole house to ourselves. We can bring out the wine, the ice cream and ice teas”

I nodded “I’ll pass on the wine though” I told her.

I took us no time to change since we had no one to impress and just wanted to sit around the pool and have fun. I while back, Alex bought me a pair of bikini that I never wore because everyone was always around when we went to the pool, which I couldn’t take home because I didn’t want anyone to see and question me about why I’m wearing that in a house full of boys. So, I left the lace-up baby blue bikini top with its matching bottom in the lower drawer Alex emptied out for me years ago.

After an hour swim, Alex and I found ourselves sitting on the steps of the pool talking about the most random things ever. We of course talked about boys, we talked about school, her plans after she school, and how Jeremy and she been fighting more than they used too latterly. The face that his deployment was ending in a while was putting a lot of strain on their relationship.

“A little birdy told me that you agreed on tutoring Spanish to a native Spanish speaker that know three different languages” she chuckled “I don’t understand how easily you always get tricked”

“Tell me about it” I told her “He’s really sweet though”

She leaned back “But she’s not someone you want to date”

I shook my head “I’m emotionally not ready for a relationship right now. I literally just got out of one that messed with emotions and level of trust again”

“Don’t forget that your heart is with someone else” she pointed out “It always have been”

“And that’s another problem” I told her “I’m not ready to get in a relationship with anyone at all. I have complicated family, complicated situation, the s**t that happened between us really messed with my heart and brain. No matter how much I want him, I can’t have him because of all the s**t that went down before he packed his bags and left. Which bring me to this other fear, what if he does that again, Alex, what if he messes up so bad that he packs and leave me like he did the first time?”

“As much as I loved it when you and Cole were together publicly, maybe you two aren’t supposed to happen right now. I know Cole still has feelings for you and you do to him, but this thing you two have is something that only comes once in a lifetime but also leaves both really hurt if it doesn’t work out. I love my brother, but he’s an i***t that messes up most the time because he doesn’t think straight, and I don’t think you’re ready for that in your life right now” she said “With the double major on the table, you family, the loss of you three close friends and a boyfriend, maybe you’re not in the place to date anyone right now”

She then smiled and nudged me with her shoulder “But you are ready to get a summer fling or like a one-night stand to loosen up a bit and finally let go of the V card you’ve been holding on too tightly” she said “I’m sure our ‘teach me Spanish’ boy wouldn’t mind helping with that”

I laughed, but my laughter only lasts a few seconds before it turned into a small sad smile “I always thought that it was Cole who was going to take that away eventually. I stupidly thought that one day we’d end up somewhere living by the country happily married and with kids, which is stupid because I don’t think Cole ever thought of settling down with me”

“And It’d live one door down from you so our kids would be the bestest of friends and grow up together like we did” she continued “If it makes you feel better, I still have another brother than can make our future plans happen. We don’t need Cole”

I gave her a tight smile then looked away.

“Why are you making that face? It’s never good when you make that face?” she said with a pretend anxious face.

“If you haven’t noticed, I slept on the couch last night, Alex” I told her then sighed “Derek and I aren’t really on good terms”

“What happened?” she asked.

“He kissed me” I told her hesitantly “Derek kissed me last night”

She looked at me shocked for a second before she opens her mouth again “What do you mean he kissed you last night?”

He sighed annoyed “He planted his lips on mine” I told her “He thinks he likes me”

“What did you say or react?” she asked.

“I told him that his feelings were all in his head. What his feeling right now is not his feelings, it’s just forced feelings that people forced into his brain and heart” I told her “You know your bother, I’m not his type and things would never work out between us ever”

“That’s true. His friends and the girls must’ve gotten into his head yesterday” she said “Did you tell Cole about this?”

I shook my head “Never” I told her “I don’t want to be the reason they fight. You know how Derek idolizes Cole”

“Honey, the reason they fight won’t be you, it will be the fact that they both think with their d***s instead of the brain got gifted them but they rather not use it” she chuckled “But damn, Sophia, you got three guys running after you, four if you include Ben who is trying to get back with you”

I looked at her “Yeah, where were they when I was emotionally available and wanted a relationship? No f*****g where around. They just have to live with their mistake because I’m just not emotionally or mentally available right now or ever again”

She bumped his shoulder against mine playfully again “We don’t need any of them. Let’s dump all their asses including Jeremy, move the country and live the rest of our days out together. I’ll be your wife, you’ll be mine and we will foster kids and adopt. We will even have a room for the cats and one for the dogs”

I smiled at her “That sounds great” I told her “I defiantly want to do that”

She held out her pinky to me “If one of us doesn’t get married by 35, the other one will get divorced and marry the other then move to the country with all our pets”

I wrapped my pinky finger around hers “All the way to the end” I promised her.

She smiled “All the way to the end together” she said.

“What kind of bullshit is this, Cole” we head before the sound of the door slamming shut echoes all the way out to the poolside “Not only did you go out and ruin your life, you just had to drag everyone down with you by doing some stupid ass s**t like that”

Alex and I are instantly on our feet drying ourselves before walked into the house. Her dad was standing by the door, her mum and Jeremy at his side while Cole was standing on the stairs. My eyes instantly fell on the black eye, ripped shirt, and bloody lips that Cole had.

“What’s going on?” Alex asked.

Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck unsure if he should answer.

Her did though, he answered her without looking away from Cole “Your brother got into a fight with one of the navy guys” he explained “He didn’t even think twice of what that might do to him. His ass was dragged to the police station and was about to be deported if it wasn’t for the guy dropping the charges”

“What navy guy?” I asked feeling my heart stop in my chest.

“He fought with your boyfriend” Alex’s mum said.

My eyes snap up to Cole, his gaze held mine and didn’t leave them as he spoke “Ex-boyfriend, mum, they’re not dating anymore” he said.

“So you just decided to beat the living s**t out of him because they broke up” his dad “Please, son, tell me, tell what the f**k goes on in that head of yours because you’re making all the wrong choices and doing the wrong thing. What the f**k did I ever do for you to end up like this?”

“Dad” Alex snapped as she protected her bother “You don’t get to say things like to him. You can’t talk to him like that”

“As long as he’s under my roof, I get to talk to any of you three the way I want. For f***s sake, I am still your father, or does that not mean anything to you anymore” her dad snapped.

“I think everyone just need to calm down and take time off” Jeremy said.

“No need, I’m leaving anyways. I’m staying the rest of the week at Andrews” He said “And who knows, maybe I’ll just f**k off back to the state to get my sorry ass out of your sight like you wanted in the first place”

He then stormed off upstairs.

“I’m gonna …” I started.

Alex nodded “Yeah, you should”

I walked upstairs slowly as I tried not to slip. I didn’t bother knocking since the door was halfway open, which I assume because he knew that I would go after him like I always do. Just to make sure he’s fine and talk to him about it rather than him breaking things causing more trouble that he’s already in.

I closed the door behind me when I walked in. He was sitting on the edge of the bed. I leaned against the door with my hands tucked behind me back “You went after Ben” I stated.

He looked up to me then back at his hands “I did” he simply stated back.

I sighed “Do you know how much trouble you could’ve gotten in, Cole? You could’ve been arrested or sent back to the state” I told him.

“I don’t have anything tying me here anymore” He said “My family is clearly not happy to have me back here, so might as well just go back to my grandparents instead”

“Don’t say that” I said “You have all the reasons to be here. Your family wants you here and I do too. You have a family here, friends, best friends that are happy that you came back”

He looked up to me “Do I have you though?” he asked “Do I have a girlfriend that wants me to stay here”

I moved my arms and crossed them over my stomach “You have a friend that wants you to say here. Best friend that doesn’t want you to leave here again” I mumbled.

He shook his head “That’s not enough” he said.

I looked at him offended “So what? Date me or I will leave?” I said then sighed “Cole, I just came out from a bad breakup. Do you really think it’s a good idea for me to jump from one relationship to another within less than a week?”

He sighed “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean too” he said “I just need you right now”

“And I’m here” I told him.

He shook his head “But I don’t understand what’s going on” he said “Soph, you kissed me, and we did things the other time, and now you don’t want to be in a relationship with me. What the f**k is going on because I’m confused. What was that?”

“So we’re really having the talk right now?” I asked.

“If you haven’t noticed, I’m having a pretty shitty day. Might as well all of this bullshit over with” He said.

“How about you tell me why you went after Ben first?” I Folded my hands under my chest “How did you even get in?”

“Oh please, I don’t have the energy to hunt him down and go after him” Cole Rolled his eyes “I was minding my own business while grabbing coffee, but then I overheard him with his friends talking”

“So, you just beat him up?” I asked.

“He was saying things about you to his friends” he said “I just was just defending you. What he was saying wasn’t right”

“What was he saying?” I asked feeling my heart sinking in my chest.

He sighed defeated “You don’t want to know”

“Cole, what did he say” I asked again.

“Just drop it” he said “I overreacted okay; I went after him because I wanted. That’s just who I am”

“I swear to god, if you tell me, I will walk away” I said “Just like you can make threats of leaving, I can make some too. If you want me to stay and have this conversation, you have to tell me”

He chuckled as he got up and walked towards me “I’m sorry, are you threatening me?” he said “Do you think I can take you seriously while you’re standing here half naked with your arms crossed liked?”

“God, Luke, you can’t take anything seriously” I said annoyed.

He shook his head “I’m sorry, was I supposed to take you seriously?” he chuckled again as he moved closer to me.

“Whatever, Cole, you’re obviously being an asshole” I told him as I tried to move away “I came in here to check on you, not for you to be an ass”

He moved closer to me again as he blocked me from leaving “Maybe I’m just done talking. I don’t want to talk anymore” he said “Maybe that’s not what I need right”

I felt my heart stop in my chest as I looked up to him.

“Cole?” I questioned as I placed my hands on his chest, stopping him from getting any closer.

He placed his hands on my and moved it away “Stay” He said “Stay with me tonight”

“I need to go home” I told him “It’s Saturday”

“And you’re on break, you don’t have classes in the morning” he said “One more night won’t hurt anyone”

I shook my head “I have things to do though. I have spring cleaning to do, I have online courses to talk, and I have to look for a job to save up for the trip”

He tilted his head “What trip?” he asked “Are you going somewhere with your family?”

I shook my head “It’s a long story” I told him.

“That’s why you should stay the night; we will have a lot of time to talk about it” he gave me a small smile “And if it’s about the job hunting, I will help you get a job and the firm; I will even wake you up and accompany you throughout your online class in the morning. Just stay”

I sighed “Let me get my clothes” I told him giving in.

He shook my head “You can have my clothes” he said.

I frowned confused “I’m not running away” I told him.

“You’re going to talk yourself out of it” he said as he took my hands in his as he walked backward to the bed leading me with him “I know you”

When he reached the foot of the bed, he sat on the end of the bed and pulled me on to his lap. I grabbed onto his shoulder to steady myself as he lifted my thighs to straddle him. He smiled at me before placing his head on my shoulder and wrapping his hands around my waist.

“How are you feeling?” I asked “Are you okay?”

He nodded “I’m used to this, Soph, you really need to stop worrying about me”

I chuckled “Are you sure? Because I think you’re enjoying it more than you claim not too” I said “Plus, we all have a bad relationship with our fathers. I don’t talk to my bed most of the time remember”

“I wish my dad would stop talking to me” he said.

I grabbed his face in my hands and he looks me in the eyes “Don’t say that, Cole, your dad loves you. You are lucky to have your dad” I told him “And your dad is lucky to have you and he knows that too”

Instead of rolling his eyes like he usually does, he leaned up and captured my lips into a gentle peck on the lips. When his pulled away, his eyes searched mine for a response and a hint of fear. He was looking at me in fear of me running out of the door because he did something that I wanted him to do, something that I’ve always wanted him to do no matter how angry or upset at him I was.

“I can order food” he said “We can watch a movie and order takeout and snacks”

I smiled and gave him a small smile “Can I have something to wear?” I asked.

He smiled before leaning back and pulling off the shirt he was wearing “Just like old times” he said as he held it out for me.

I shook my head “Maybe if it wasn’t ripped off and bloody” I chuckled as I moved away and made my way to the dresser.

I took out of his graphic t-shirt, slipped it over my head before taking my wet bikini off under the t-shirt. I didn’t turn when I heard him chuckle and make a remark of him seeing me naked before. I then slipped on one of his boxers and rolled up the ham of it to keep it in place; it was something I was used to doing back when we were dating.

I threw a pair of short and t-shirt at him before turning back around and waiting for him to get dressed.

“Sophia, you don’t have to turn” he said “You’re literally seen me naked a few days ago”

“I’m good” I chuckled awkwardly.

A minute later, he was dressed and already turning on the T.V. to Netflix. When he settled onto a movie, the got under the covers and tapped the space next to him with a smile.

“Don’t be shy now” he said “Come cuddle me”

I tied my hair up into a bun before following his instructions and getting under the covers. When he noticed how far I was from him, he chuckled as he smoothly lifted me up and placed me between his legs so that my back was against his chest. He then leaned back against the headboard taking me with him so I was laying on his chest. He didn’t say anything after that, he just pulled up the remote and turned the movie on in silence.