Chapter 28
Vanessa's arrest was front page news. The whole story was laid out right there in black and white. The truth about Robert Drake, had come to light, and although the name of the reliable source wasn't mentioned, I knew it was Cole. I had hoped that this meant they'd be releasing him soon. He was smart, he would have made some kind of deal. I said as much to Jake before grabbing my cell from the kitchen. I dialed Cole's number, and it went straight to voicemail. My next call was to the police department.
The woman who answered my call said that Cole would be released within the hour. I needed to be the one to bring him home. I waited for Zoe to come down from her shower, before telling her the news. She seemed genuinely happy for me, and together, we drove Jake home before heading to the police station. Cole and I hadn't been on the best of terms, especially after the way he treated Zoe, and the fact that she was still here right beside me after everything I'd put her through really said a lot about the kind of woman she was.
There were news vans everywhere when we pulled into the station, and Zoe was going to stay in the car, but they just surrounded it. Instead, she slipped out of the passenger side with me, and I tucked her into my side. She was recognized as the woman who was kidnapped, and questions were being flung at her one after the other. She buried her head against me, and I gave her a reassuring squeeze, as we entered the station.
All eyes were on us, as I approached the front desk. I told the woman behind it who I was, and who I was here to pick up. She nodded her head, and advised us to have a seat in the small lobby. I sat, bouncing my leg nervously, unsure of how Cole was going to react to seeing me. He had said in no uncertain terms that he didn't want my help anymore. I could only hope that a ride home wasn't included in that statement.
“You alright?” Zoe asked, placing her hand on my leg in a show of support.
“Is it weird that I'm nervous?” I asked, placing my hand over hers.
“Not at all.” She reassured me, leaning over to kiss my cheek.
It was the first time I'd noticed she wasn't wearing her usual carefree clothes. Instead, she wore a pair of jeans, and a plain tee shirt. Her hair wasn't down either, it was pulled up into a pony tail. “Are you alright?” I asked.
“Fine.” She said, with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
“You know he didn't mean those things he said at the fundraiser dinner, right? That wasn't him talking. He saved our lives. He's back.” Whether it was to reassure her, or myself I wasn't sure.
Before she had a chance to respond, an officer rounded the corner, with Cole in tow. He was still hand cuffed, but when they reached the lobby, the officer removed them, and passed him a clipboard. He looked it over, signing his name on the line before passing it back. His eyes met mine then, and we shared a sad smile between the two of us.
“Wes.” He said, as he approached us. “Zoe.”
“Hey brother.” I said, standing and pulling him against me for a hug. “Let's get you home.”
“I don't have a home.” He said, shifting his feet. “Part of the deal. I surrender everything that I've gained from taking over. They're giving me twenty four hours to get the things I need, and then I'm out.”
I nodded in understanding, and before I knew what I was doing, I offered Cole to come live with me. I had a four bedroom house, and only one of them was being used. It would only be until he got back on his feet, and I owed him at least that much. I had a feeling that he was going to decline, but to my surprise he hadn't. In fact, he was eager to show me that he was sorry, even if he couldn't form the words.
“I wanted to apologize.” He said,finally as we pulled away from his home. “To both of you. I let the power go to my head, and I thought I was some big shot. I should have known better.”
It was Zoe who spoke first, giving him a warm smile from the rearview mirror. “I knew the moment I met you why Wes loved you. I also knew the way you spoke to me, and about me at the fundraiser that it wasn't you. Not really. I look forward to starting over. To really getting to know you.”
“How the hell did you end up with someone like her Wes?” Cole teased. “Seriously, does she have a sister?”
“There's always Jake.” I joked, enticing a roaring laugh from the backseat, followed by gagging sounds. “Aww come on he's not that bad.”
“You date him then!” He half yelled, over the sound of the engine. And this time, Zoe laughed. “Seriously though. I owe you man. Every single time I fuck up, you're there. Even when I ask you not to be. I lost my mind for a minute, and I want you to know... I'm good now. I don't want you to worry about me anymore. I've got it figured out.”
“You're welcome.” I said, even though he never really thanked me. I knew he wanted to. I could tell by the way he spoke that his regrets out weighed his pride, but I let him keep it anyway. Just this once.
When we pulled into my driveway, Cole was the first one to go inside leaving Zoe and I alone to talk. “I'm sorry. I should have asked you about Cole moving in.” I said, sitting beside her on the hood of her car.
“It's your house Wes. We don't even live together.” She said.
“I know, but I want us to. I mean, I want you to.” I stammered, looking down at my feet trying to find the right words.
“I don't know Wes. Three's a crowd don't you think? And, Cole's going to need you right now. I don't want to be in the way of that.”
“I almost lost you. You were taken from me, and then I was almost stupid enough to let you go for your own good. I don't want to spend another night without you, or wake up another morning without your head next to mine. I love you Zoe, and I need you here. With me.” I pressed, reaching for her hand.
“What about Jake?” She asked.
“Weren't you the one who told me for this to work, for us to work, that I needed to stop worrying about his feelings.”
“I may have said something like that.” She teased.
“So? What do you say Babydoll? Live in sin with me?” I teased back.
Her laughter was contagious, and before I knew what was happening, she was standing in front of me. “Yes.” She said, smiling wide, and I opened my legs, pulling her against me, to kiss the top of her head. Her arms wrapped around my middle, and she buried her head in the crook of my neck. I felt her lips press there, and it shot an electric bolt directly to my cock. It was like this every time she touched me, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy every second of it.
“Ready to break our pool in?” I whispered.
“Wes!” She mock scolded. “Cole lives here now remember. We can't just slip into the pool whenever we feel like it.”
“You're right. He's gotta go. One, two weeks tops, and I'm kicking him out on his sorry-”
She stopped me by pressing her lips to mine, and my arm instantly wrapped around her waist, my hand dropping to cup her ass. Somehow this angel came into my life, at a time when I didn't think I was worth anyone's love. I was no good for her, and everyone knew it. But, she ran her hands over my past, lingering over the dents and worn edges of my heart. And when I thought she'd run away like the other's had... she told me I was a warrior, and that I'd never fight another battle alone.
I knew right then that I was going to marry this girl. No matter how long it took, I was going to show her that she made the right decision by standing by me. If it weren't for her stubbornness, she and I never would have happened. I was an idiot to think that anyone else could ever be capable of making me feel the way that Zoe Cruz did. I had betrayed my best friend. And it was the best thing that I've ever done.