9. Cole
CHAPTER 9
COLE
Zoey is pretending nothing happened last night. That we didn’t share something. And since she’s acting that way, I’m following her lead.
We walk side by side in the grocery store, picking up some necessities, and on the way back home I promised I’d take her to my job and introduce her to Joe.
Zoey drops a bag of apples in the cart, followed by oranges, and grapes. Apparently, the girl likes her fruit. Next are bananas, some sweet potatoes, and bags of salad.
We decided it would be easier to shop together and split the costs since we like a lot of the same stuff. I don’t let it show, but I’m highly amused by it after her whole not wanting to share speech.
“Do you like zucchini?” She picks up the phallic shaped vegetable.
“No.”
She puts it in the cart. “You’ll like it the way I make it.”
I curse under my breath, scrubbing a hand over my face. I like her and that’s the problem. My eyes watch her ass as she walks in front of me.
Look away. Don’t go there.
We make it through the entire store and then she starts down the cookie aisle.
Turning to look at me over her shoulder, she lifts a finger in warning. “Don’t say a thing.”
“About what?”
“Root beer and cinnamon gum are your vices.” She eyes the packs of IBC and gum in the cart. “This is mine.” She pulls six packs of red velvet Oreos off the shelf and places them in the cart with everything else. “Do you want any? Because I’m not sharing.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You’re not very good at sharing, are you?”
“I’m an only child.” She gives a shrug like that explains it all. “Well,” she frowns, “I guess technically I’m not, but I never grew up with siblings.” We head toward the checkout and her eyes light up at the floral section. “Plants!” She shrieks like a kid on Christmas. “Ooh, I have to get one.” I pull the cart to the side, letting people go around us as Zoey squeals over the various plants. “I’m getting this one,” she decrees.
“That’s a peace lily.”
She gives me a puzzled look. “Yes.”
“Aren’t those for funerals?”
“They’re for anything, Cole, and I want one. I like plants. I’m impressed you know what a peace lily is.”
“My mom worked at a flower shop.” She nods as she absorbs this information. “Do you want any more plants while you’re here?”
She eyes them and picks a white orchid. “This one. Don’t worry, I’ll pay for the plants separately.”
“I wasn’t worried about your plants, Zoey.”
Though, I suppose I should be since it’s not like I have a ton of spare money sitting around.
We checkout and load the groceries in the back of her car. I get in the passenger seat, my legs cramped even with the seat all the way back. At my height I’m used to squeezing my body in small spaces.
I give Zoey directions to the auto shop, which isn’t far and have her park in front of the building.
“You’re going in with me?” She eyes me when I unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Yeah. Thought I’d make the introduction since I’m the one vouching for you.”
She wrinkles her nose, displeased at my involvement but she’s going to have to deal. I unfold my body from the car and head to the door.
Zero-2-Sixty is a small auto shop in the middle of the old town outside of Aldridge. It’s definitely seen better days—the brown paneling in the front office reminds me of the seventies along with the puke green fabric covered chairs for customers to wait on.
Still, despite the appearance, the place is always busy.
“We’re booked,” Joe gruffs, eyes glued to the computer screen and clicking madly at the mouse.
“It’s me, Joe.”
“Cole,” he cajoles in his booming voice, raspy from all the cigarettes he smokes despite always claiming to have quit. “You’re not working today.”
“Nope.” I shake my head, moving aside so he can see Zoey behind me. “I brought someone who’s interested in the front office position.”
“Ah,” he brightens. “Cole, my boy, I can always count on you to save the day.”
“Hi. I’m Zoey.” She holds out her hand for Joe to take.
“Are you Cole’s girlfriend?”
Her eyes drift to me at his question, her top teeth pressing into her bottom lip. “No, we’re roommates. I’m new to town and looking for a job. Cole suggested this.”
“Good, I’m glad. I hate doing this shit.” He waves his fingers at the computer screen. “And don’t get me started on the phones. All these Karen’s calling expecting me to have an opening right away all ‘cause they got a nail in their tire.” He sighs. “You okay with computers? Phones? Customer service?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re hired.”
Zoey’s brows draw together. “That’s it? That was hardly an interview. Don’t you want to do a background check or something?”
Joe fiddles with his mustache. “You killed someone?”
“No.”
“Robbed a bank?”
“No.”
“Then that’s good enough for me.” He scratches at his stubble. “I assume you’re at the university too?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’ll work out a good schedule for you then. Anything will help me out. I’d rather be in the shop and much as I can. And don’t listen to anything this kid says,” he points a lazy finger at me, “I taught him everything he knows about cars.”
“You keep telling yourself that, Joe.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he dismisses me.
He takes Zoey’s phone number, promising to call her on Monday since the shop is closed on Sundays.
Back in her car, Zoey starts it up and after clearing her throat gives me a tiny smile. “Thank you for helping me with the job.”
“It’s not a problem.”
“You didn’t have to, though, so I want you to know I appreciate it.”
“It’s really not a big deal.” I don’t do well with praise, I never have—not even sure why.
She laughs. “Can you just say you’re welcome, Zoey , so we can move on?”
I crack a grin. “You’re welcome, Zoey.”
Back at the apartment, between the two of us we manage to carry up all the groceries in one trip. I set mine down, digging in my pocket for the key. Unlocking it, I let her inside first.
Zoey screams, dropping the bags in her hands. Something breaks, probably the jar of spaghetti sauce.
“Parkour!”
“What the fuck?” I turn on the light to find a half-asleep Teddy slicing his hands through the air like a ninja. “How the hell did you get in here?”
“I still have a key.” He rubs a hand over his face, blowing out a tired breath as he sits back on the couch. “Jude brought a bunch of girls back to the dorm after the bonfire and I can’t get caught up in that shit. If anyone posts a pic and my parents see me partying with a bunch of girls like that, I’m cut off. So, I left him and some of the other football players there, walked around campus for a while, and the next thing I knew it was morning and I hadn’t slept, but I was scared to go back to the dorm. I took an Uber here because I wasn’t sure if I was sober yet. I knocked but no one answered.”
“So, you let yourself in?”
“Exactly.” He throws out a hand, pleased I’ve caught on.
“Teddy, you don’t live here. You scared the shit out of Zoey and me. Say you’re sorry and help her clean up. And for the love of God put some fucking pants on.” Shaking my head, I mutter, “I can’t believe you showed up here, let yourself in, and proceeded to strip down to your boxers to sleep on the couch.”
“I wanted to be comfy,” he protests, wiggling his hips. “And sorry, Zoey. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
Zoey turns to me, shaking her head. Her lips are pursed. I can tell she’s pissed. “Your friend is insane.”
“I’m not insane,” he protests. “Just lonely. Won’t you love me, Zoey?”
She stares him down with a hard look. “No.”
“Dude.” I snap my fingers. “Clean up.” I point at the red sauce spreading all over the tiled entry. I’m grateful it didn’t get on the light-colored carpet.
“Right.” He sighs, getting up.
I bring the rest of the groceries in and then with the three of us, we make quick work of getting rid of the mess.
“Why didn’t you go to Mascen’s?” I ask him.
He wrinkles his nose. “You know Mascen … why would I go there when I have a key here?”
I level him with a look. “Because you’re not supposed to have a key. You. Don’t. Live. Here.”
“Dude, don’t do me like that.” He puts his hands up in a begging motion, lower lip jutted out. He’s still knelt on the floor, so he looks absolutely comical, like a scorned lover begging for forgiveness. “I feel like an unwanted child in the middle of a divorce. Just love me.”
Zoey snorts. “More like you’re the world’s most annoying Golden Retriever.” She pets his head, ruffling his hair. “Who’s a good boy? I’ll get you a treat if you can do a trick.”
Teddy looks offended for one second before he perks up, intrigue lighting his eyes. “What kind of treat?”
“ One red velvet Oreo.”
“Ew, red velvet? Pass. I was hoping it was a kiss.”
She pets him again. “Sorry, I don’t kiss dogs.”
“Zoey!” He calls after her as she walks down the hall to her room. “You can’t leave me like this, we’re meant to be, I know it.”
She gives him the finger over her shoulder, laughing as she closes the door.
“That’s one girl I’d let break my heart.” He grins at me as he stands.
“Don’t even go there,” I growl, eyes narrowed in warning. “She’s off limits.”
He dances away from me. “Ooh, you got the hots for her? You calling dibs on her?”
“I’m not calling anyone. She’s my roommate.”
His eyes grow serious and he stills. “Fuck, man. You like her.”
“No, I don’t.”
He grabs a water bottle from the fridge, twisting off the cap. “Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?”
I grab a piece of gum from my pocket, taking off the foil wrapper and putting it in my mouth. “You’re crazy.”
“That, I am. But I’m not stupid.” He taps the side of his head. “And you like her.”
“Shut up,” I grumble, taking the groceries out of the bag so I can put everything away.
Zoey reappears, having changed from her jeans into a pair of leggings and a loose shirt. Somehow, she still looks effortlessly gorgeous, her warm skin glowing, and her eyes bright with life. The gold necklace she never seems to take off glimmers at her neck.
Teddy smacks me in the stomach, and I turn to glare at him. “Tell me again that you’re not into her,” he mutters under his breath.
I don’t reply. There’s no point. I’m a liar and he’s right. We both know it. No need to confirm it.
Zoey grabs one of the boxes of Oreos and rips it open, snatching three cookies. “God, I love these. They’re not good for my ass, but I can’t seem to stop eating them.”
“Nothing’s wrong with your ass. Believe me.”
“Teddy.” I slap the back of his head. “Don’t say shit like that.”
“What? She has a nice ass. It’s a compliment. Did you guys get any orange juice?”
I blink at him in disbelief. “We’re talking about orange juice now?”
“Yeah, I want some. You get any?” He tries to peer at the groceries behind me.
“Sometimes I wonder how your brain works,” I mutter, passing him the bottle. He takes the top off and removes the seal, lifting it to his lips to drink straight from it. “Whoa, I don’t think so.” I swipe it back.
“Dude, are you the orange juice police?”
“I don’t want your backwash in it.”
“A little spit won’t kill you. Germs are good for you. Immunity and all that shit.”
I shake my head in disbelief, grabbing a glass and pouring some out. I hand the cup to him and recap the bottle. “There’s a difference between normal germs and yours.”
“I don’t have to take this abuse,” he scoffs, taking his glass with him over to the couch where he sits beside Zoey. “Protect me, Mom. Dad’s being mean.”
She giggles at his antics. “Aw, poor baby boy not allowed to drink from the carton. What a tragedy.”
“Truly. It’s a crime. Don’t tell Cole but you’re my new best friend.”
“I’m right here!” I toss my hands up. “I can hear you. Besides, since when have we been best friends?”
“Since Mascen ditched us for Rory. We were the three best friends anyone could have, but now we’re just two bros chillin’ in the hot tub five feet apart cuz we’re not gay.”
“Wow, you managed to get two references in there. That’s impressive.”
He bows from his seated position. “It’s a talent, I know. Hold your applause.”
Zoey laughs, and fuck if that sound doesn’t stir something inside me. I tamp it down, focusing back on the remaining groceries that need to be put away.
“So,” Teddy continues, I swear the guy could carry on a conversation with an inanimate object, “Mom, Dad, can we watch a movie? I vote for the classic two-thousand-and-two film Ice Age . It’s a cinematic masterpiece and Sid, oh dear sweet, confused Sid, is my spirit animal.”
“Should I give you a baby to take care of?”
“Fuck no, don’t even put that juju out there, dude.” He wipes his body off like he’s trying to rid himself of said juju. “I always wrap it before I tap it. I’m not ready for any Teddy Juniors running around.”
“We could give you a sack of flour to pretend with.”
“Does this mean you don’t want to watch Ice Age? ‘Isn’t there anyone who cares about Sid the sloth?’” He taps his chest, and adds, “Besides me, of course.”
I stare at him, my mouth half-open. “Is your brain full of useless information like that, that you just pull out when you feel like it?”
He points at me. “You say useless, I say useful. Tomato, potato.”
Zoey bursts into laughter, shaking her head. “Come on, honey, can we keep him? I’ve always wanted a dog.”
“Don’t entertain his insanity. We’ll never get rid of him.”
“Hey!” he protests.
I continue on, undeterred. “He’s like a stray cat, you feed it once and it adopts you .”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Cat? More like a panther. Or a lion. Or a tiger. I’m no house cat.”
“No, you’re a puppy.” Zoey musses his hair again.
I throw my hands up. “Put the damn movie on.”
Like an eager five-year-old Teddy excitedly gets the movie going.
“You want anything?” I ask Zoey, pointing to the fridge.
“Nah, I’m good.”
Teddy settles on the couch beside her and I give him a warning glare, pointing my finger. “No funny business.”
He mock-gasps. “I’m a gentleman.”
Mhmm, sure he is.
“I can’t believe we’re watching this.”
“Shh,” Teddy hushes me.
Zoey giggles, her eyes glittering with happiness when they connect with mine. I let out a small laugh too.
Sure, there are plenty of other things we could be doing on a Saturday afternoon as college kids, but I guess this isn’t so bad.