Chapter 3
“Who was that guy?” I asked, as I climbed into the passenger seat of Zoe's car.
“David? He's harmless, mostly. We work together, he asked me out, we dated breifly, it ended badly. I'd rather not talk about it.” She said starting the car, and pulling out onto the busy road.
“Alright.” I said. “You want to tell me what this fundraiser is all about?”
“You ask a lot of questions.” She said, with a hint of humor. “I teach kindergarten at a school run by donations. We offer education to children of familes who can't afford it otherwise. The owner of the building we use, thought a black tie fundraiser gala would be really fun, and profitable. If you ask me, she just needed a reason to dress up like cinderella for the night.” She laughed, “You don't have to come with me. I appreciate what you did back there, but I can handle it myself.”
“Are you afraid I can't dance?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in defiance.
“What are you saying?” She asked glancing at me, before returning her gaze to the road.
“I'm saying, it sounds like a worthy cause, and I'd like to go.”
“Well, alright boyfriend. I hope you have a tux.” She said, as we turned into the driveway.
We were met at the garage door by Jake, who by the looks of things was still reeling from our earlier “conversation.” He helped us carry the groceries into the house in silence, and it wasn't until everything was put away, and the mess cleaned up that he finally cleared his throat. Zoe rolled her eyes in my direction, and it took everything in me not to laugh out loud. Instead, I smirked, and the look Jake gave me was murderous.
“This isn't going to work.” He said, to no one in particular. “This isn't happening.” He said gesturing between the two of us.
“Should you tell him, or should I?” Zoe asked stepping towards me, and reaching for my hand.
“Tell me what?” Jake asked, his eyes darting back and forth between us.
I knew the game she was playing, and as much as I wanted to play along, I wasn't in the mood to be on the receiving end of Jake's fists. “We ran into her ex at the grocery store.” I said, removing my hand from hers, and giving her the side eye. “He was giving her a hard time, and I unknowingly volunteered to be her date for the fundraiser gala this weekend.”
“David?” Jake said, the anger evident in his voice. “I told that prick to keep his distance.”
“It's not like he was stalking me Jake, we were at the damn grocery store.” Zoe said, dripping with exasperation.
“Thanks Wes.” He said under his breath, brushing past me and heading up the stairs on a jog.
“I'll go talk to him.” Zoe said, before disappearing up the stairs herself.
I stood in the kitchen, wondering what exactly this David guy had done to warrant that kind of reaction from Jake. If I had to guess just by Zoe's earlier reaction, I wouldn't rule out some sort of abuse. I'd seen my mom get knocked around by a few different boyfriends when I was younger. Any man that would ever lay a hand on a woman in pain was nothing but a coward, and I got my first shiner telling one of her boyfriends just that.
I could hear Jake and Zoe arguing upstairs. Not enough that I could make out what they were saying, but enough that I thought I was being intrusive, so I slipped out the french doors, and onto the back patio. It was hot, so I kicked my socks and shoes off, dipping my feet into the cool water. When was the last time that I'd gone swimming I wondered, peeling my shirt off, I tossed it on a chair somewhere behind me. I was ready to jump in wearing my jeans, until I felt my cell buzz in my pocket.
Glancing at the screen, I seen a text from one of my old foster brothers Cole. He was a few years younger than me, but he was one of the smartest men I knew. The text read “SOS.” It was a code we used when there was trouble, and I felt a heavy pit starting to fill my stomach. Jumping up, I grabbed my shirt, and my shoes, calling for an uber, as I jogged around to the front of the house and waited.
When I was in the back of the car, I sent Jake a quick text so he wouldn't worry, and tucked the phone back into my pocket. I rattled off the address Cole had sent me, and rode silently, my legs tapping in apprehension, wondering what the hell was going on. Fifteen minutes later, we pulled up in front of an apartment complex. I paid the fair, and asked the driver to wait, as I climbed out. Dialing Cole's cell, I waited. He didn't answer, but I could hear ringing coming from somewhere.
I kept redialing the number, following the sound, around to the back of the building. That's when I saw him, propped up against the stairs of one of the apartments. His lip was split, and his eye was black and blue. There was blood dripping from his chin, and his clothes were torn. “What the hell happened?” I asked, as I knelt down beside him.
“You should see the other guy.” He said attempting to grin, but wincing instead.
“Damnit Cole.” I said under my breath, as I placed my hands under his arms to help him up.
He stood to shaky legs, and with my help, made it back to the car. The driver looked uneasy, but when I offered him an extra fifty to take us to the hospital, he readily agreed.
“Start talking.” I said.
“Husband came home early.” He smiled.
“I hope she was worth it.” I said, shaking my head.
“Oh, they're always worth it.” He laughed, and the driver joined him.
“How'd you even know I was home?”
“Heard you were staying with Jake. You could have came to stay with me you know? Your family? When were you planning on telling me you were back?”
“I just got in yesterday Cole, don't take it personally. I'm only staying with Jake for a few weeks, just until I find a place of my own.”
“Still. You should have called me. At least given me the chance to offer.” He said, with obvious hurt. “You're my brother man.”
“You're right. I'm sorry, I should have called.”
His response was a stiff nod, before turning to face the window. I had a feeling the beating he'd taken had nothing to do with a woman, and more to do with drugs, but for now I was keeping my opinions to myself. When I said Cole was the smartest man I knew, I wasn't lying. His IQ was through the roof, but his common sense seemed to have gotten lost somewhere along the way. He had a bright future, but threw it all away over a little bit of pot. Lost his scholarship, and started dealing because he'd just given up.
The army saved me from myself. I just wished that Cole could find something to save him. I had mentioned enlisting to him every chance that I had, but it just wasn't for him, and I had finally made peace with that. When we reached the hospital, I made sure he got himself checked in, and waited with him until he'd been given a room. They were admitting him at least for the night, just as a precaution, and by the time I left it was nearly seven. The day was lost, and all I could think about was Zoe.
When the cab dropped me off in front of the house, I let out a deep sigh. The house was dark, and a peek into the garage told me that Zoe's car was gone. Maybe she and Jake went out? She had the summer off after all. I decided since I'd missed out on my chance to check out the pool earlier, I'd take advantage now. After changing into a pair of basketball shorts, I grabbed a towel from my bathroom and headed back down stairs.