Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,322

I wish Cole was coming with me. Somehow, he manages to settle my nerves.

“So, how long are you planning to ignore Cole? You haven’t spoken to him since Wednesday. Have you responded to any of his calls or texts?”

I pop the top off the wine and shake my head. “Nope,” I answer as I grab two glasses from the cupboard. Glancing over to her, I’m met with raised eyebrows and pursed lips. I can totally see my mother doing something similar when I tell her about Cole. Next Monday, I plan to come clean to Mom about him. I can already hear her scolding me.

“Don’t give me that look.”

“You’re being pretty childish,” she states and takes a glass from the counter.

I shrug. “I don’t care. If he showed up here once, he can do it again. I rang him, I apologized, and I messaged him. He didn’t answer me until the next day. He was probably nursing a hangover or that woman’s breasts. Who knows? So, don’t look at me like that.”

Vivian raises her free hand in defense. “Okay. Okay. I’ll leave it alone. I still think you should answer his call and tell him what you saw.”

I furrow my brows. “If he can’t figure it out, then he must be stupid. It’s not rocket science.” I lower my voice. “I know I have no right to be this petty because it’s not like we were officially together…it was one night.”

“Obviously, it meant something to you.” Her words slam into me as hard as a brick wall. She’s right. The short time I had with Cole meant something to me.

I go back into my room and pick up my phone, then I stare down at the messages I haven’t even opened or read. With trembling fingers, I open his long list of unopened texts he’s sent me over the last couple of days, starting with the first one.

Cole: Sorry I missed your call. I’d love to take you. I understand where you were coming from, and I appreciate you caring enough about my career to take a stand.

I could have responded to that one and told him not to bother.

Cole: Are you there? Are you talking to me?

Cole: Have I done something?

Cole: Dylan, please tell me what I’ve done.

And the list goes on like this. Finally, I get to one he sent today while I was out of the room.

Cole: I’m guessing this could be about the photo on my Instagram since I noticed you liked it. Not sure if you did that on purpose or not. I didn’t even realize it was posted. It’s an old photo. I’m guessing one of my friends posted it as I went and saw them after I left your place the other night.

My stomach clenches as I read his words, and then I read them out to Vivian.

“Do you believe him?” she asks.

“I have no idea. I mean, his friend did book him an appointment with me as a joke. Maybe it was the same friend. What should I do?”

“That’s a decision only you can make. Did you really like the photo?”

“I have no idea. It’s possible, because I was so caught up in seeing the actual image that my finger could have accidentally double-tapped. I don’t know.” I shrug.

I want to believe him.

Would he lie to me?

“You could message and tell him that you were busy these last couple of days. Tell him not to worry about tonight.” She chews her bright-red lip.

“I don’t really want to talk to him about it yet. What if it’s his ex?”

“Did you check if the photo was still there?” she asks, picking her cell up from the bed. Her fingers glide over the screen. “Well, it’s not there anymore,” she states.

“Are you serious?” I rush to her side and stare at her cell—the image is gone.

“Well, now don’t I feel like a downright bitch.” I swallow the large lump in my throat.

“Sometimes we get things wrong. Message him.”

Finally, I listen and do exactly what she suggests with my heart in my throat.

Will I be forgiven for acting so stupid?

20

Cole

I pace the carpet of my living room. Why hasn’t she returned any of my calls or messages? It has to be about the photo. Damn Deacon and his stupidity. I swear that man is a big child and will get what’s coming to him soon enough.

I only want to be able to explain about the photograph in person or at least over the phone, because text