Mending Wounds

Chapter Twinty

Despite his plea that night, I didn't stay; I couldn't bring myself to stay that night beside him. A part of me knew that by staying by his side that night, things would be different in the morning. We'd fall back into the same routine of me feeling like the person that I am looking at is the Cole that I fell in love with and the Cole I knew my whole life; The Cole who is gentle, caring, and silly. The second I would convince my walls that its okay for me to trust him again, he'd remind me of his mean and aggressive side of him that can break me back into the million pieces that I've spent years putting back together.

In complete silence, I picked up my things from the floor and headed to the door leaving Cole sleeping in the light of the TV at 4 a.m.. Sneaking down the empty hallway and staircase, I walked into the downstairs bathroom to freshen up and change into a pair of jeans and a sweater before leaving the house. I let out a deep breath when I reached the front door feeling like I can finally breath and let the walls around me relax for a few minutes.

I couldn't go home so early in the morning, so I drove the 24 hours coffee shop down the street. There was only a group of three guys sitting in the corner of the coffee shop together talking as they typed away on their laptops. After ordering a small coffee, I took a seat in the hidden corner of the coffee shop and opened my laptop. I spent at least 4 hours researching for jobs online and drafting at least 14 emails to different companies and scheduling all to go out at 9 a.m. today since 8 a.m. was too early to send out any emails.

I had a mini heart attack when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I took off my headphones as I looked up from my laptop to him. Andy smiled at me genuinely. He looked was dressed in a pair of shorts and a tank top with his headphones around his neck. His slightly damp hair was falling over his forehead with a few a beads of sweating covering his forehead.

"What are you doing here so early in the morning?" he asked "Aren't you supposed to be relaxing and on break?"

"I couldn't sleep, I also had a few things I need to finish off asap" I told him, I then looking around "What about you? what are you doing here so early in the morning?"

He pulled out a hair and brought it closer to me before sitting down facing me "I jog in the morning" he explained "I was surprised when I saw your car here. I just wanted to say hi since you're here and all"

I nodded not knowing what to say.

"Aren't you feeling tired?" he asked.

I shrugged "I had two coffees"

He smiled "How about breakfast, can I tempt you into go out with me for breakfast?" he said "My treat"

"Andy, I don'..." I tried to gently turn him down, but got cut off.

"Breakfast" he said "It's only two friends getting breakfast. Most important meal of the day"

He closed my laptop with a smile "I won't take no for an answer, come on let go" he said as he picked up my bag and walked to the door.

I followed him as he walked out of the street while he put my laptop into my bags and zipped it open. He then threw the backpack over his should and gave me a small smile leading the way.

"There's this place that has the most amazing waffles just down this road" he said "I went there a couple of weeks back with everyone and have been thinking if those thick ass waffles with its sweet sweet strawberry syrup. You like pancakes, right?"

I nodded "With Chocolate" I told him "Not a fan of strawberry syrup"

He smiled "I knew that"

I giggled "Of course you did"

"I still like the waffles you make better" he said "Those waffles don't stand a chance against the one you make"

We had breakfast while we talked about cooking mostly and the different things that we wanted to try and those we would never ever try to cook again. I discovered that Andy likes to cook all the time and the he always cook dinner and lunch for his family; however, nothing baked ever. He doesn't have the patience for to food too bake in the over and has this on going war with not knowing what is the right about of yeast to use.

"So maybe one day you can come over and teach me how to bake? my dinner rollers always end up either too fluffy and weird tasting or they don't fluff at all" he said as we walked down the street to my car "I'll like to learn from the baking master"

I gave him a grin as I looked him dead in the eye "¿De Verdad? ¿No sería como un estudiante enseñando a un chef? No lo sé, como un orador sin español nativo que enseña a un hablante nativo" I said.

He blushed "Yeah, I'm sorry about that" he said then chuckled "Maybe I could teach you Spanish instead"

"Don't worry about it" I said kicking a small stone.

He smiled before looking around the place "Can I ask you a question?" he asked.

I nodded encouraging him.

"Are you and Cole ... you know, dating?" he asked "Or is there something going on between you two?"

I shook my head "Not really. What we had is ancient history" I told him "I just got out of a bad breakup"

He frowned a little "I sorry about the what happened to you with Ben" he said "And Cole too, what he did was beyond wrong and unacceptable"

"Thanks" I told him "s**t happens"

He went quiet for a bit before speaking up again "Can I ask you another question?"

I chuckled "Are you going to ask me that every single time before asking me a new question?"

"Sorry, I'll stop" he chuckled "You had fun hanging out with me, right?"

I nodded "Surprisingly, yes" I joked.

He grinned "I will try not to be offended. I mean, under one condition though" he said "Agree on going on a date with me sometime"

"I don't know, Andy. I don't think I am ready to be in a relationship right now" I told him honestly.

"It doesn't have to be a relationship. We don't have to label anything at all right now" he said "We are simply just going on a few dates to test the waters. Just getting to know each other, no strings"

"First of all, that sounds like you're asking me to f**k around" I said.

A panic expression covered his face "No, no, I didn't mean it like that" he said "I just meant that we won't be girlfriend and boyfriend, just simply two people that are trying to get to know each other and trying the whole dating thing out"

I rubbed my arm "I still don't think that's a good idea. Last time we tried this, I ended up hurting you and you literally disappeared for at least a year after" I told him "Plus, how are we getting to know each other if we already do know each other"

He smiled "Did you know I have a pet turtle called Esperanza?" he asked.

"No" I looked at him confused "And why would you ever name a turtle that"

"I guess that only way you will know is if you came out on a date with me next Wednesday night" he said.

He raised his hand up in surrender "I promise that I won't make a move. It will be two friends just hanging out and share ridiculous  old stories and make a few more memories at the a nice restaurant, or desert place, or maybe an Ice cream place. Anywhere you want to go"

"I haven't been kayaking yet" I stated.

"Nether have I" he smiled as we stopped at my car "But I guess that's going to change on Wednesday"

"I guess so" I said as I gave a small nod.

He handed me my backpack "I will pick up on Wednesday?"

"How about I meet you there?" I asked.

He smiled knowingly "Right. That's fine as well. I will see you around till then" he said he took a few steps backward then turned and jogged down the street.

***

"I still can't believe you stayed over last night without telling me" Alex's still shocked voice came from the speaker "I you stayed with Cole as well"

"For the last time, I didn't stay over" I said as I unpacked my bag "I didn't sleep, I was awake and left when your brother fell asleep early in the morning"

"I hope you know how pissed he is that you did" she said "Especially if he knew that you agreed to go out on a date with Andy"

"Cole is not my boyfriend nor does he have the right to be mad at any decisions I make. Plus, it's just a causal date with him, there's official or serious" I told her "We just enjoy the company of each other"

"Did you tell him that?"

"Andy knows that I am not looking for a relationship at all" I told her "You can't tell anyone about his though, Alex. I don't need your brothers to get their nose into my business"

"My brothers? Are my brothers are YOUR best friends?" she pointed out "But speaking of my brothers, what going on between you and Derek?"

"Nothing, just a misunderstanding" I lied.

"Did he say something" She asked "Can you not be that vague?"

"Don't worry about it. We will work it out eventually. We always do"

"If you say so" she said "I don't like it when you fight with my brothers, you just disappear and stop coming around"

I chuckled "But that's the only time you would come over and we both spend some time outside of your house to do something fun" I said "Did you also forget that I am in fact coming a day earlier that usual"

"I get to dress you up then" she said.

I chuckled "Dress me up? Alex, we are going kayaking" I reminded her.

"Your point is?" she said "You still need to look cute though"

"I always do though"

"I know you do, Bo" Alex said a small chuckle.