My cell rings, and I hold my breath, praying it’s him, but I let it out when I see it’s Demi. “Hey,” I answer.
“Hey, girl. Do you and Cole want to go out tonight?”
I run a hand through my hair. “He’s not home. I can’t get a hold of him …”
“Oh, I just spoke to Deke, and they’re still at UT. Something about practice running late.”
Yep. Definitely going to kill him!
All that worrying for nothing! He’s been at the university this entire time? Why the fuck didn’t he tell me?
I look over at the bed and the candles that light up the room, then I stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror. My makeup is done pretty heavily with smoky eyes and red lips. My hair fixed in big curls, and I want to laugh at myself. Cole wouldn’t give a shit that I took the time to dress up for him. Because things like that just don’t matter. It pisses me off that I thought it could be another woman. I’d kill him if that was the case. Maybe her too. Depends on if she knew about me or not.
When did I become this woman? Someone who waits around for a man who ignores her? Cole knows not to piss me off. That I can be just as heartless as he can be.
“Yeah.” I smile to myself in the mirror. “Let’s go out tonight. I know just the place.” I stomp over to the desk that sits in the corner and yank open the top drawer. “I’ll come over to your place, and Cole can just meet me there.”
“Sounds good. See you soon.” She hangs up.
I sit down at the desk and scribble a note for my husband.
CHAPTER THREE
SHANE
I LIFT MY head up out of the water and suck in a deep breath before placing it back down. My arms cut through the water as my feet kick, and I glide along the length of the large pool.
When I reach the other side, I slam my hand to the concrete wall and lift my head. I suck in a long breath of air. Ripping my goggles off my face, I look up at the man who stands at the side of the pool, holding a stopwatch in his hand.
“Not bad.”
I snort. Not bad, my ass. Placing my hands on the edge, I push myself out of the pool and remove my swim cap. Water drips from my body as I remove my ear plugs.
The man crosses his arms over his chest and eyes me suspiciously. Then they slide over to the two guys who stand next to him. My best friends—Cole Reynolds and Deke Biggs.
Sighing, he looks back at me. “We just happen to have two spots open on the team.”
A smirk grows across Deke’s face. Cole stands there, a look of pure hatred on his. Our relationship isn’t as strong as it once was. He doesn’t want me here. He’s still sour about the secrets I kept from him.
Too bad.
I once didn’t care if his now wife lived or died. But I guess Deke got a pass, since he too once felt the same way. But whatever, I’ve always been the one left out in the group. I’ve never let it bother me before, so I’m not going to start now.
The University of Texas is where I want to be and was always meant to be. But I had taken a scholarship in Oregon because I wanted to stay with Kellan. But Cole killed him a few days before our high school graduation. I won’t say he didn’t deserve it because even I thought Kellan was losing his mind. I tried to help him, but it wasn’t enough.
“Well, I’m here,” I say, arms out wide.
“And here you are.” Coach nods, looking down at my transfer papers in his hands. Even if he wants to tell me no, he can’t. It’s a done deal. “Hit the showers,” he tells me then he turns and leaves.
Deke grabs my towel off a chair and slaps me in the face with it. “Welcome to UT.”
“Thanks.” I dry my face. “Anything I should know about? Besides the fact Cole doesn’t want me here?”
Cole steps into me, his shoulders squared and chest bowed. Typical Cole, always looking for a fight. Honestly, I figured married life would have changed him, but obviously, I was wrong. “Stay the fuck away from Austin.”
I give him a smile. “Ahh, Cole, you hurt my feelings.” I slap my hand to my bare chest.
His blue eyes narrow to slits. “That was your only warning.” Then he turns and walks toward the locker rooms.
I look at Deke. “You would think he’d forgiven me by now.”
He shakes his head. “Pretty sure that will never happen.”
I wrap the towel around my neck, gripping the edges. “How are things?” It has been a while since I got to spend time with them.
“Good.” He nods.
I arch a brow. “Good? You both got married,” I remind him. “Honeymoon over already? Thought that lasted like a year or some shit?” Cole got married last January, and Deke got married this past May right after Demi graduated high school.
That makes him laugh. “No, that’s all good.”
“Then what is it?”
“I don’t know,” he answers and turns to head to the locker room as well. I wonder if he’s telling the truth.
Guess I have plenty of time to figure it out.
COLE
I fucking knew it!
The shoe dropped alright, and it’s fucking Shane. He’s moving to Texas. He’s already moved here. He’ll be here with me and Austin.
I don’t want him near her, but I’m not sure how I can stop him at this point. Ideas of going back and drowning him in the pool cross my mind. Why didn’t he give us some kind of warning? How long has he been here? This was his plan. To piss me off. I didn’t mind when he visited, but I didn’t want him to fucking live here. I don’t want him this close to Austin on a day-to-day basis.
“Cole?” Deke calls out, entering the locker room.
“I gotta go,” I say, grabbing my bag and placing my dead phone in my pocket. It died hours ago. Plus, I’m getting home later than normal. Coach wanted to have a meeting with me and Deke. And that meeting involved Shane.
I throw my bag over my shoulder and walk out just as Shane is walking in, and I make sure to throw my shoulder into his because I’m that kind of guy. And I fucking hate him!
I pull up to our house and notice all the lights are off. As the garage door opens, I see that Austin’s Range Rover is missing.
“Austin?” I call out, entering the house. “Austin!” I shout and am met with silence. I take the stairs two at a time and barge into our room. Flipping on the light, I see candles all over. Some on the nightstands and others on the tall and long dresser. I walk over to the bed and pick up the one next to my side of the bed. The wax is still liquid, letting me know she didn’t blow it out long ago.
I turn to the bed and see a note on it.
Cole, I went to Deke and Demi’s.
That’s it. Straight to the point. No information on how long she’ll be there. Nothing. What the fuck? Why would she go over there? We had plans tonight. Thought she had some surprise for me?
I wad up the note and throw it to the floor before plugging my phone in. Then I head to the bathroom. I’m taking a shower before I do anything else.
_______________
An hour later, I pull into Deke’s driveway and walk inside. I hear her laughter immediately coming from the kitchen. I enter and find her sitting at the kitchen table. Her cell in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. She quiets the moment her eyes meet mine. “Hey.” She manages to give me a small smile.