Chapter 22
Cole
After I went downstairs, I explained everything that had happened. I turned to look at the guys and said, “Thank you. Thank you for being here and having my back for the girls I love.”
Vinny grabbed my shoulder. “Of course, man. It’s never a question.” Hudson and Carter both came and gave me a hug and then the three of them left.
Amber along with David and Elizabeth, Delaney’s parents, came up to me and hugged me. Elizabeth couldn’t stop crying, so David spoke for the two of them. “Cole, you’ve saved our granddaughter not once, but twice. She’s stuck to you. We’re so glad you’re here. Be patient with Delaney. She loves you, she’s just extra hard on herself.”
I nodded. “I’ll always be here for them.”
They left and I locked up the house. I’ll never forget the look on Miller’s face. He was still strung out and anything could’ve happened to Amaryllis.
I spun around to the sound of Delaney’s voice. “Tell me what happened.”
I said, “Come on. I’ll make us some coffee.” She followed me into the kitchen where we sat as I explained it all. “Oh my God, Cole. You’re there, always there. I need to thank Vinny, Hudson, and Carter. I can’t believe this.”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t need to thank them. If they were in this situation, I would’ve done the same for them and they know that. I mean, I have.” I laughed remembering how I helped Vinny save Bianca. “Story for another day, babe.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry, Cole.” I went to tell her it was okay, but she held a hand up to stop me. “No. Let me finish. I’m such an asshole. I threw us away. I shouldn’t have done that. I just got scared.”
“I understand,” I said with a nod.
“Of course you do. You’re so incredible. How did we get so lucky, Amaryllis and me? You’re everything.” I walked around the counter and wrapped my arms around her. She said, “I’m going to let Dean Canmore know about us and that…” I stopped her with a kiss.
“Don’t say anything to Dean Canmore. I resigned from my position last week.”
She gasped. “You what? Why would you do that? You need your job, you love your job, Cole.”
“Because I need you more, I love you more, Laney girl. I accepted an online professor position with a university in New York. Vinny is going to be thrilled.” I laughed.
“I…I can’t believe this.” She kissed me. “You’re not real. You can’t be. People don’t do things like this.”
“I’m not people. I’m yours. I’m Amaryllis’. That’s all. I’m yours and I’d do it all over again.” She wrapped her arms around my waist, so I hugged her, resting my head on top of hers.
She said, “I love you, Cole. I love you. Please don’t leave.”
“I’ll never leave, baby. Let’s go to bed.”
***
We’d kept conversations open with Amaryllis in the following weeks and even months. She was very open with how she was feeling, and each night got easier for her. Delaney was struggling with letting her out of her sight, but we were inching our way closer to loosening those reins.
Delaney officially went and got an order of protection against Miller. Vinny had updated me that Miller left town. I had asked him what he said to him that day in the park that made him back down. Vinny told me he threatened him, but wouldn’t tell me exactly what he said, and I was fine with that. Whatever it was, it worked, and I was grateful because Miller was gone for good. At least I hoped.
My new position with online learning was going well and Delaney was living her best Advisement life with me gone and not tempting her at every turn. Though, I know she secretly misses our secret fucks in the closet.
Now that I work from home, I’ve been able to help with Amaryllis more. I gave up my loft about a month after the incident because Delaney asked me to move in. I couldn’t be happier.