Cohen

“This is sweet,” I tell Knox, looking around the apartment I chose in the C&C building. It’s got a blue and grey theme, reminding me of the ocean. Chloe Griffin’s in the smaller bedroom, asking Shane what he wants his room to look like, while I’m perfectly happy with the way mine is.

“Yeah. Only people who know about the Society are allowed to live here. Matt gives housing stipends to everyone else, but this is definitely the lap of luxury.”

“Fuck luxury, I’m down with those pools, and the game room, and shit, we’re rich man, but this is insane.”

“Everyone’s cool, and we don’t abuse the concierge privileges, so it ends up being pretty chill around here.”

“Just what I’m looking for.”

“About that,” Knox says, rubbing his neck. “Pretty much everyone who lives here is coupled up. Anyone who’s not is kinda off limits.”

“Meaning I can’t fuck the concierge even though she was giving off signals.”

“Signals? I thought she was going to climb on the counter, and then try to climb you, but yeah—no fucking around with the staff.”

“I wouldn’t even if you weren’t warning me off,” I tell him honestly. “I keep all that away from Shane.”

“Maybe you’ll find a good woman and settle down.”

“Not even close to being ready for that.”

“I wasn’t ready for Wave.”

“No,” I agree with a shrug. “If it happens, I won’t run from it.”

“Good. And thanks for helping with the swimming lessons. After I got the last instructor fired for almost letting one of the kids drown, I promised to find someone else to help me do the lessons myself. I feel more comfortable with two of us in the pool.”

“I’m happy to help. I can meet you at the pool once Shane’s done giving Chloe his crazy ideas.”

“Not so crazy,” Chloe says, walking into the living room with Shane’s hand in hers. “At least, nothing so crazy I can’t make it happen.”

“I’m going to have a spaceship in my room, Daddy!”

“I could’ve bought you a spaceship bed, buddy.”

“Would it have full technology in it? Because Scott’s going to program it to do some awesome stuff.”

I can only shake my head. The Griffin family is entrenched with the Society, but even without that connection, Scott Griffin is a legend. One of the best computer minds in the world, and a cool guy on top of that.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

“Can we go swim now, Daddy?”

“Yep. Let’s get changed.”

“See you in a few,” Knox says. Chloe gives Shane a kiss on the cheek and I get a hug before they leave.

“Remember, Uncle Knox and I have to teach some other kids, so you need to stay with our class, or in the little splash area until we’re done.”

“I knows.”

I smile, knowing I should correct him, but he’s just too adorable when he says his words wrong. I want him to remain a carefree kid as long as possible and I know he’ll grow out of it eventually. So, for right now, I’ll let him just be a kid and talk the way he wants.

Once we’re outside a few minutes later, I see a group of about eight kids of varying ages sitting with their feet in the pool. Knox is kneeling before one little girl with a troubled look on his face. As we approach, my heart sinks when I hear them talking.

“I’m not a good swimmer, Knox. I shouldn’t be in class. You’ll have to spend too much time with me. It’s not fair to everyone else.”

“You let me figure out how much time to spend with you, Bianca.”

“I’ll help her,” I say, knowing I’m responsible for her sadness, and worry.

“Cohen!” she gasps, he eyes going wide.

Knox’s eyebrows rise as he looks between us. “You know each other?”

“I was her instructor back home.”

“Until you moved me down a class.”

Shit. She looks like she’s going to cry. I drop to my knees in front of her, and take her face in my hands. I probably shouldn’t be touching her at all, but I can’t help but want to comfort her. It’ll be worth another push in the pool if that happens.

“We had bigger classes there, and I couldn’t give you the extra time to help you be ready for my class. I know you were trying your hardest, and I promise we’ll have fun while I help you here.”

“You mean it? I don’t want to be a problem.”

“I wouldn’t lie to you,” I tell her, wiping a stray tear from her cheek. “Will you let me help you?”

She nods, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I never meant to hurt this little girl. Knox gives me a look, letting me know we’re going to be discussing this later, and I just nod.

I truly have fun with Bianca over the next hour. I keep an eye on the other kids when I see them stray from Knox, but they all listen to us when we tell them something. Shane’s having fun playing in the splash pool by himself, and I’m calling this a good day. Until she arrives.

* * *

Quincy

It’s been a great day, but my mind is completely exhausted when I arrive back at the C&C apartments. That’s the only excuse I can give myself for leaving Bianca with Waverly’s boyfriend Knox, and bolting back upstairs for a glass of wine.

Today, I learned about a secret society, and saw some technology I thought was years away from being available. I was given an actual office, and met a top-notch nursing staff, who’ve worked with Ken for years now. They accepted me, and I feel like I’m where I need to be. I have a sense of belonging I never had back home.

But yeah, all that info made my brain want to explode. A glass of wine and a change of clothes later, I’m ready to check on Bianca. She’s in great hands with Knox, but I don’t know this best friend of his who’s teaching the kids along with him.

Walking outside, I stop in my tracks when I see my daughter swimming towards him. Cohen. He’s smiling and cheering her on, making me want to punch him. He shouldn’t be here. This is supposed to be a new start, and he’s definitely not a part of that.

“Why are you here?” I ask him, trying to keep my voice calm.

Her turns to look at me, his grey eyes widening. Why do we have to share an eye color? Hardly anyone has my eye color, but this man who used to invade my fantasies before he hurt my daughter, has them.

“I live here.”

“Here? In this building?”

“Yeah.”

“Cohen’s nice again now, Mommy. He’s helping me.”

I force a smile on my face, because Bianca’s the important one here. “That’s great, honey.”

“She’s doing a wonderful job.”

“Thank you for helping her.”

I turn away, taking a seat on one of the chaise lounges nearby. I wasn’t planning to stay, or else I would’ve put on something more pool-worthy instead of yoga pants and a tank top. No matter. I’m not leaving here until this lesson is over.

I watch in silence for around twenty minutes, before other parents start arriving to pick up their kids. I’m a little shocked by the trust they’re showing Knox and Cohen, but then I remember we’re always on camera in any public spaces. Plus, they know Knox—and maybe Cohen—enough to trust them.

“Hi Quincy,” Tegan Hall says, sitting next to me. I met her earlier, and we went to lunch with Waverly. Her husband is responsible for much of the chemistry in play on the medical ward.

“Hi! I see your little redhead over there with Knox.”

“She’s a handful, but I couldn’t love her more.”

“Bianca’s almost robotically good, but that comes from trying to please her father when he deigns to allow her to see him. I sometimes wish she’d act up a little.”

“Be careful what you wish for. Ethan’s the best kid anyone could have, but he has his teenage moments.”

“Didn’t we all?”

“Well, yes.”

“Mommy, Cohen said he can help me tomorrow, even though there isn’t a class. Can I?”

I look up at my daughter, who looks happier than I’ve seen her look in a long time. Then, I look further up, to the man standing behind her. He looks sheepish and apologetic.

“Sure. Thank you, Cohen.”

The words don’t taste as bitter coming off my tongue as I would’ve expected them to. That’s all Bianca, because she’s dripping wet and smiling. I’d do anything for her. She hugs me, and runs over to Knox and the other kids.

“Glad you remembered my name,” Cohen tells me with a smirk, and there goes my goodwill.

“I always knew your name. It was passed around by the other moms as someone to avoid.”

His smile drops, and his eyes go hard. “I don’t go for moms, but you shouldn’t believe everything you hear about someone without talking to them first.”

Damn it. He brings out the worst in me. I know it, yet I still let it happen.

“You’re right. I’m sorry for judging you. You’ll just have to prove me wrong.”

“Challenge accepted.”