Cole

I had already sent messages to everyone letting them know the office would be closed for the next two days. After everything, I thought we all earned the break. Before I left Molly’s, I’d planned to spend those two days nestled beside her, inside of her.

Instead, I’ve spent them here, at the office. I can’t stand to go home. Tried that. Laying in my bed only reminds me of her and the night she fell asleep in my arms. For three damn nights, I’ve slept on a cot in my office. Wishing I was anywhere but here.

During the day, I’ve buried myself in the client work that fell behind while we worked on this case.

I’ve tried to check in on Molly too.

She responded to my first message, letting me know that she got the memo to take two days off, but nothing since. The delivery receipt tells me that she’s seen my messages even though she’s choosing to ignore them.

For the first time in a really long time, I’m at a loss.

A large part of me is expecting that she won’t show up for work today. I’m waiting for a phone call, a text, something – telling me she won’t be in. But, suffice to say when she walks in a little after nine with Cody, I’m relieved. Before I have a chance to say or do anything, Cody slips into my office and shuts the door, adding to my growing frustration.

“Don’t go out there and pounce on her. She’s upset.”

“No fucking shit. Tell me something I don’t know,” I snap.

“Listen, asshole. You might be my big brother, and you sure as shit may have it in you to whip my ass when it comes down to it, but I’m not the one you want to have this attitude with. You want to be pissed? Fine. But be pissed at the right Goddamn person for once. Yourself.” Cody’s words come flying at me. “She won’t tell me what the hell you did to upset her, but for some reason, that girl out there is madly in love with your stupid ass. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you don’t deserve her, because that’s a lie. I am going to tell you that if you’re not real damn careful, you’re going to push her away for good. So help me God if you cost us an employee, I will take my chances and try to stomp your ass myself.”

“Cody,” I warn.

“Cole, you know damn well I’m not scared of you. So, don’t think your Marine voice is going to stop me from saying what I have to say.”

“Fine,” I relent and sit back in my chair. “Let me know when you’re finished then.” Lord knows I probably deserve the verbal lashing he’s planning to continue to give.

“I got a few questions first.”

I roll my eyes; this fucking kid is more and more like me every day. “Well, go on.”

“Have you been with Jade for the last two days?”

“Fuck no. Is that what she thinks?” I jump up, ready to stomp out there and defend myself.

“No, and sit back down dickhead.” Cody crosses his arms over his chest. Any other time, the gesture would be hysterical because it’s like looking in the mirror, but right now I know he’s pissed. “I wanted to know because if there is any chance at all that you want to make a go of things with Molly, you’ve got to cut Jade loose.”

“I already did. Before all this shit went down and apparently Jade’s with Dallas now. Not that it seems to matter.”

“What the hell does that mean? Of course, it matters. No woman wants to feel like she’s second string to your fuck buddy.”

“Jesus Christ, I do not want to discuss my sex life with you, Cody. I broke things off with Jade, with the intention of setting things right with Molly. Except, I don’t think walking away from Jade was enough. Not when you fuck things up the way I do.”

“I should have got coffee before this.” Cody finally sits down in one of the chairs in front of my desk and rubs his temples. “What did you do?”

As much as I don’t want to confide in my baby brother, deep down I think the kid might be able to help. “The night I came home, and we had an old-school wrestling match because you thought letting Molly work at a strip club was brilliant?”

“Oh, yeah. You slept with Jade that night, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“Okay. So. When’s the last time you...was it at the club that night?”

“Damn you, Cody, I told you we didn’t have sex that night. The woman deserves a damn Oscar for that performance. But no, we didn’t. The night you and I fought was the very last time we had sex. I’ve talked to her a few times since then on the phone, but that’s it.” Although, Jade’s weird behavior that entire night makes complete sense now. I wonder just how much she really knows about Dallas. Even if we’re through, there is no denying, the woman was a good friend and I look out for those I care about. Fuck, like I really need to be worried about Jade in the middle of trying to make a go of things with Molly.

“Okay. So, what’s the issue? Having second thoughts? Because if that’s the case, I’ll pack Molly’s bags for her and ship her right back to Kansas to get away from you.”

The thought of Molly leaving is enough to rip me in two. “Fuck you.”

“Times a wasting bro. What does that night have to do with right now?”

I scrub my hands over my face, noting that I should probably shave sometime soon too. “That night, before Jade and before I came home to deal with you...Molly kissed me. I let her. And then, I pushed her away. I told her it was a mistake.”

Cody shakes his head. “You’re an absolute moron.”

“Well, this sure has been a productive conversation, Doctor Phil,” I say dryly.

“Molly knows you slept with Jade that night?”

“Yes, Cody. She’s hurt by it. I don’t blame her, but Goddamnit, I don’t know how to fix it. So, unless you have some damn advice, get the fuck out of my office now so I can try to figure this shit out.”

Part of me hopes that he’ll have something to say. Instead, he stands and shakes his head again. “Good luck.”

I watch as he walks out of my office and immediately goes to Molly’s desk. I’m on the edge of my seat, listening, and ready to run after her if he’s about to send her away.

“Hey, Molly.” Cody taps on her desk.

She looks up at him with a sad smile.

“Can I get you to go get a cup of coffee for me and you? You fly, I’ll buy.”

Coffee. She is just going to get coffee. I tell myself as I watch Molly shake her head yes and take the cash and keys from Cody before disappearing out the door. I wait for him, thinking he’ll come back to my office, hopefully, will some wisdom to impart but he heads down the hall to his office instead.

The entire twenty minutes she’s gone, I do nothing but watch the door, waiting for her return. When she steps back inside, I feel like my heart has started to beat once again.

Knowing she’s safely tucked back into our building, I will myself to focus on work. Five minutes later, I’m distracted by her proximity. I felt her step into my space before she even cleared her throat to let me know she was here. Turning to face her, I get my first real good look at her since I left her condo a little less than forty-eight hours ago. I can clearly see the circles under her eyes and take a little bit of comfort in knowing that I’m not the only one who can’t sleep.

“I brought you coffee, and a breakfast sandwich,” she says shyly as she sets them both on the edge of my desk.

“Thanks.” I hesitate to say anything more. Too scared that she’ll back away if I do.

“Sure,” Molly whispers in reply.

“Hey, Mol,” I try to catch her before she walks out.

She freezes in the doorway and I wait for her to turn back around.

“Did you need something?” she asks. Her voice is all business now.

“I’m still sorry.”

“I know.” She nods. “And I believe you. I have a lot to think about. This isn’t the time or place to talk about it.”

“Fair enough.” Smart enough to know to quit while I’m ahead, I let her slip away from me once more.