He scoffs, his lip snarled in disgust. “You act just like that fucking prick, thinking you’re better than me. I’d like to see what you’d do if some bitch broke your heart and ran off with your kid.”
My hand slams down on the table, earning me a warning glare from the guard. “She did what was necessary to protect me. I hope the mother of my children would do the same.”
“So, what? You came here just to tell me what a piece of shit I am after all these years?”
The truth is, I don’t understand the driving force behind my visit today. It just felt like the only way to get closure.
“I’m not entirely sure what I wanted from this,” I admit. “Maybe I thought you’d have some regret for the pain you caused me and my mother. That I’d find just a slight hint of humanity in the monster that’s haunted me. But you’re exactly as I imagined. A cold, heartless, soulless man, incapable of caring about anyone except yourself.”
“Yeah, well,” he huffs, “I guess I turned out to be just like my father then. Don’t think it will be any different for you, kid. You’ll be just like your old man someday, too.”
“You might be right, but I’ll never be anything like you. My dad was Nicolas Masterson, and I hope to be half the man he was someday.”
He jerks, the chains tethering him jangling. “You can’t change blood, son.”
“Maybe not. But I’ve got my mother’s blood running through my veins. She’s brave, kind, and loving. Despite everything you did to her. No matter what she lost or how hard things got, she never stopped fighting. You couldn’t break her. And I won’t let you ruin me, either.”
His eyes narrow as I stand.
“I’m leaving it all here. My hurt and anger. The resentment and hate. It’s all staying with you, locked up in this cage. I won’t let it mold me anymore.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
15 years old
GWEN
My heart races when I spot Cole walking down the hallway. He looks insanely handsome, the fitted button-down he’s wearing revealing his bulkier frame. Thatcher must’ve convinced Cole to lift some weights with him over the summer. It looks good on him, but there’s obvious sorrow painted on his face—his green eyes cast down, lips flat.
Cole and his mom moved out in the beginning of the summer. I only saw him once after that, when his mother invited us over for dinner at their new house. Which didn’t go well. Cole stopped speaking to me weeks before that. We haven’t said a word to each other since the day we broke up. Unless we were in front of our parents. He always put on a good show for them.
Outside of that, he made it perfectly clear how much he hated me for breaking his heart. I spent the entire summer hiding out at home, terrified of running into him—and of the mean things he might say or do.
There’s no avoiding him now, though. It’s time to face the music and accept my fate.
Cole doesn’t notice me approaching until our paths are about to cross, his eyes landing on me as they lift. Then he does something I don’t expect—he smirks.
My stomach flips, and I put my head down before trying to scurry past him.
He steps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. “Well, if it isn’t the princess.”
I swallow the lump forming in my throat. “What do you want, Cole?”
He smiles wickedly and hums, his eyes heating my body as they roam. “I don’t know. What’s on the menu?”
“Don’t be disgusting,” I grit.
People begin to stare, and he laughs, the sound evil and menacing.
“Hey,” he says, holding his hands up in surrender. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
Students snicker as they skirt by us, their whispers buzzing like a fly around my head.
“Are you really doing this? Is this who you are now? Harassing someone in the hallway like Shane?”
His face twists with anger, and a chill runs down my spine. “You going to pretend like you have a problem with him now? You two sure seemed awful chummy this morning.”
Dread settles in the pit of my stomach. Of course he saw me talking to Shane this morning. I’m sure he did it knowing Cole was watching, telling me to smile as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. It’s not what it looked like, though. Satan was merely reminding me of what would happen if I didn’t keep my distance from Cole.
I sigh, shaking my head. “That wasn’t…we’re not…he was just…”
“Wow. Do you need some more time to think about what lie to tell?” he mocks. “It’s funny, though. Weren’t you the one lecturing me about my choices a few months ago?”
“You don’t understand.”
“No, Princess, I don’t. And I don’t care anymore. Save whatever bullshit you’re about to shovel out of that pretty little mouth of yours. Nothing you say will change what you did.” He looks around, his lips curling into a smile as he notices the audience we’ve accumulated. When he speaks again, it’s for their benefit. “I mean, if you can’t wait to get your hands on me, we can probably find an empty room around here somewhere.”
Embarrassment heats my skin, tears filling my eyes. “Stop it, Cole. This isn’t you.”
His head tilts as he glares at me, his hand reaching out to tuck my hair behind my ear. Then he leans in, his lips caressing the shell of my ear as he whispers, “That’s where you’re wrong, Princess. The Cole you knew is gone. If I were you, I’d steer clear of the soulless, heartless monster you created.”
He’s still wearing a smile on his face as he stands straight again, but his eyes are vacant. Like he’s looking right through me. I’ve officially become invisible to him. The only boy who’s ever loved me, the only one who’s ever truly seen me.
I’m nothing more than a phantom to him now.
My heart shatters as he walks away, tears freely falling down my face.
Things didn’t feel real until now. There’s always been this part of me clinging to the possibility that we would be together again someday.
But Cole will never forgive me. I’ve lost him forever.
Chapter Forty
Present
GWEN
Sweat pools on my back, my eyes swimming in tears while I move my body to the ticking beat of the music. Feel Something by Bea Miller is blaring through the speakers in the dance studio, pushing aside all my dark thoughts. It’s been two days since I’ve seen or heard from Cole. He finally sent his mom a text last night letting her know he was safe and would be home soon, but included nothing about where he was or what he was doing. The thought of him being alone and hurting is killing me.
It’s safe to assume he’s angry since he’s ignored my attempts to contact him. I keep telling myself not to panic since he hasn’t responded to Thatcher or Arwen either. But my heart is breaking, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve lost him again.
The ache in my chest sends me to my knees. My sorrow can no longer be contained, and it erupts out of me like a volcano. Sobs drown out the song, tears rushing down my face like a waterfall.
The music cuts off, and I turn to spot Cole running toward me. I’m certain my blurry eyes are playing tricks on me. It feels like an illusion. Even as he kneels and his smell engulfs me.
He wraps his strong arms around me, burying my tear-soaked face into his shirt as he kisses the top of my head. “Shh, don’t cry, Princess.”
I pull back and gaze into his stunning emerald eyes. “You’re really here.”
Smirking, he stands and helps me to my feet. “If you were dreaming, I’d have less clothes on.”
My laugh comes out in a hiccupped sob, and I give him a tight hug. “It’s not funny,” I whine, delivering a playful smack on his chest. “You disappeared for days. I’ve been a wreck.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” he teases.
“Asshole,” I grumble, shoving him. “Seriously, you can’t do that to me.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I just needed some time to get my head on straight.”
“I thought
I lost you again.” More tears fall with my whispered words.
He cups my face in his hands, drying my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, Princess.”
“You promise?”
He nods. “For keeps.”
His lips crash into mine, the desperate need in his kiss stealing the breath from my lungs. I’m panting by the time he pries his mouth from mine, my eyelids feeling much heavier than they had a moment ago.
“God, I’ve missed you,” he murmurs. “When will your parents be home?”
My lower abdomen tightens with need as I answer, “Probably not for another three hours or so.”
“Hell yes.” He grabs my hand, then leads me out of the studio.
We make it to my bedroom in record time, Cole practically chasing me all the way there. We both strip off our clothes as soon as we’re locked inside. His hungry gaze heats my skin, scaling down my body as I push my underwear down my legs.
He stalks toward me, the gleam in his eyes causing a flutter in my stomach.
Giggling, I slowly back away. “I need a shower.”
“Good. I’ll join you.”
I shake my head and run for the bathroom. He catches up to me as I turn on the shower, hugging me against his naked body.
His erection presses into my ass, his lips finding the shell of my ear. “Are you trying to escape me, Princess?”
I twist in his hold, meeting his eyes. “You were spying on me.”
He grimaces. “Arwen and Thatcher told you, huh?”
I press my lips, eyebrows raised. “Not cool, Masterson.”
He follows me into the shower, smirking as he closes the door behind him. “I don’t know, it was pretty awesome reading all the bragging texts you sent Mia about me.”
I scoff as my mouth drops open, tilting my head back to wet my hair. “That’s an invasion of my privacy.”
He shrugs and reaches around me to grab the loofa, soaping it up. “In my defense, I knew you were hiding something from me. I was only trying to keep you safe.”
Guilt coils inside me as he lathers my body. “I’m so sorry you had to find out about your father that way. I just couldn’t tell you. Couldn’t hurt you even more.”
He sighs, his green eyes locking onto mine. “None of that is your fault, Princess. I’m the one who should be sorry. You did it for me. And my mom. And I…god, I was such an asshole to you.”
“You were kind of a dick,” I tease.
My attempt to lighten the mood fails, and I watch as Cole deflates right in front of me, a sadness clouding his features. “Do you think I’m destined to be like Brody? Blinded by hate and rage?”
My heart aches at his question, tears springing to my eyes. “Cole…no. You’re nothing like him.”
It’s no secret Cole can be quick to temper, but he has such a good heart. The way he cares for the people in his life is incredible. People like his biological father aren’t capable of that kind of love or compassion.
“I don’t know. Maybe he’s right. You can’t change blood.”
My eyes widen, my stomach dropping. “You went to see him?”
Cole used to talk about going to see the man who killed his dad all the time. When he disappeared, I had a feeling that’s exactly where he’d end up.
His gaze falls as he slowly nods his head. “We look alike. I finally know where I get my height and blond hair from.” The amount of anguish in his eyes as they meet mine again nearly breaks me, my chin trembling as I fight to keep my tears at bay. “Do you think my dad thought about that when Brody was killing him? Do you think he looked into the face of his murderer and saw his son?”
“No. You were his son. You’re a Masterson.” I take the loofa from him and drop it on the floor, connecting our bodies as I wrap my arms around him. “And…you’ve got your mother’s gorgeous green eyes and caring heart.”
“Do you still want to have my babies one day, knowing they’ll—”
“Stop,” I say, squeezing him tighter. “Our babies will be achingly beautiful. Those were your words, remember? This man doesn’t change that or anything else. Not for me, not for you, and not for our future.”
He pushes me back against the tile wall and I gasp. His hand glides down my wet body, between my legs. He lifts my knee for easier access, making me dizzy as he rubs my pulsing clit.
“I think we should practice now. What do you think?” he asks, his voice low and husky.
“Yes.” I’m panting already, my body quaking from his touch.
His lips land on mine, his kiss hungry as he slips a finger inside of me. I moan into his mouth while he slowly pumps it in and out of me. He sucks my bottom lip, his teeth scraping across it before he releases me.
“I want to spend the rest of my life making you feel this good,” he whispers.
“Yes, please.”
“You like that idea, huh?” He smirks, gently adding a second finger. “Are you going to let me make you a Masterson someday too?”
My heart flutters in my chest as I nod. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
Groaning, he pulls his fingers out of me and grabs my thighs. My back presses into the wall as he lifts me, his hard cock pushing into my entrance.
I cry out from the overwhelming fullness, my eyes closing as my head falls back.
“Fuck,” he grunts. “You feel so damn good.” He grips my hips as he drives into me, hard and fast.
Our moans fill the room, the sound of our wet bodies slapping together echoing around us. It doesn’t take long for that familiar pressure to build, and my legs cling to him as I chase my release.
“Look at me, Princess,” he demands, thrusting with more speed.
My eyelids flutter open and I lift my head to meet his gaze, those green eyes reflecting his love for me. We orgasm together seconds later, my walls clenching around his throbbing shaft as he spills inside of me.
When his movements slow, he captures my lips with his. The kiss is soft and sweet as he carefully places me back on my feet, and my heart feels full and content.
“Thank you for loving me,” he whispers.
I hold his stare, resting my forehead against his. “Loving you has always been easy.”
Chapter Forty-One
Present
COLE
My mother runs onto the front porch as I climb out of the car. Gwen must’ve called, letting her know I was on my way home. She’s wearing the same torn expression Gwen had when she laid eyes on me this afternoon—angry yet relieved.
She meets me halfway, her eyes welling up with tears while her arms circle around me. “My sweet boy. I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Sorry I made you worry, Momma.”
She loosens her hold, putting me at arm’s length to meet my stare. “Where have you been?”
“I had to go see him.”
She gasps. “Oh, baby. Why?”
“It just felt like something I needed to do. To get closure. Maybe part of me was hoping…” I shake my head as my words trail off.
“You thought he would care about you. About being a father.”
I nod, the guilt weighing on my chest. My dad was a great father. It shouldn’t have mattered if the man I share DNA with cared about me. “He didn’t show a single ounce of remorse for what he did.”
She lets out a sad sigh. “I’m so sorry, love. All I ever wanted was to shield you from this pain. I hate Brody for the things he’s done to me, to you, to your dad. There have been times I wished we never met, but then I wouldn’t have you. And you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Sometimes the evils of the world serve a purpose. And sometimes we must go through the bad in life to get to the good.”
“Well, I’ve had my fill of the ugly shit,” I joke.
Her lips twist into a frown. “You’ve certainly seen more than your fair share of it. That’s why it’s so important to focus on the positive. Like Gwen. You’re lucky. Not everyone finds that kind of unw
avering love in their lifetime.”
Unwavering love.
That’s exactly how I’d describe Gwen’s love. I’m still not sure I’ll ever be deserving of it, but I’ll happily spend the rest of my life trying to be.
Patrick pulls into the driveaway as I open my mouth to agree. It’s impossible not to smile at the way my mom’s face lights up when she sees him and waves.
“Occasionally though, lightning can strike in the same place twice,” I tell her.
She beams at me, giving my hand a squeeze.
The sun sets below the horizon and the streetlights in the parking lot flicker on. My mom wasn’t happy about me leaving the house again shortly after my arrival, but I assured her I wouldn’t be gone long.
There’s one more thing I need to take care of.
Shane spots me leaning against his car as he walks out of Sal’s, his eyes widening before he schools his features. It didn’t take me long to find him. The hideous yellow Tesla he drives is hard to miss.
He pulls his phone from his pocket, making his way over with a sense of arrogance on his face. “Get away from my car or I’m calling the cops, Masterson.”
Laughing, I lift my hands and push off his car. “Hey, man, I just came here to talk.”
“Yeah, right. Unless you want to join your daddy in prison, you better stay the hell away from me.”
My jaw tics. He’s certainly feeling cocky for someone who got the shit kicked out of him not that long ago. Lucky for him, I’ve decided to take a different approach with the situation this time.
The last three days haven’t been easy, but they certainly changed my perspective on a few things.
“Actually, I was thinking you might need to join him,” I retort, keeping my voice low as a couple exits the restaurant. “Gwen told me you assaulted her at the dance. Maybe I should convince her to file a report.”
I roll my shoulders as the tension builds in them. Gwen cried as she recounted the events of the dance for me, the bruises still evident on her fair skin. This time last week, I wouldn’t have thought twice about kicking his teeth down his throat for hurting her. But I don’t want to be that person anymore.
The Princess and The Jester: A High School Bully Romance (Westbrook Three Book 3) Page 21