Chapter 47
COLE
I stare at the ceiling and let out a long sigh, dragging my hand down my face.
When I drove off, I checked into the first hotel I came across, and even though it might be a five star that claims to have the best mattresses in LA, I haven’t slept all night, unable to get comfortable, tossing and turning, replaying everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours.
I should have stayed. For Yasmine. To support her.
But Hugh didn’t want you there. You did the right thing.
So why do I feel like shit?
I should have told Hugh the truth.
No. You shouldn’t have, you would have looked like a bitter jerk who still loves her.
When that couldn’t be further from the truth.
I love Yasmine.
My inner devil and angel have been messing with me since I packed my bags and left, and I’m torn—part of me wants to get dressed and show up today, while the other part is telling me to stay where I am and leave well alone.
I check the time to make sure that it’s not too early to text my brothers, then message the group chat with my dilemma, explaining everything that happened in detail.
Nathan is the first to reply.
Nathan
You are fucking kidding me? Stephanie? Really?
Max
Of all the people? This is unbelievable.
Eli
Is this a joke?
Me
No. I stayed at a hotel last night. Alone.
I didn’t stand a chance against Stephanie because she’s very convincing when she wants to be.
I was going to leave anyway, mainly to clear my head, but when he asked me to leave his house permanently, it felt like both a blessing and a curse.
Helpful because I wanted to get away but harmful because it meant leaving Yasmine behind.
Nathan
You should have told Yasmine’s father the truth about her.
Max
Paige agrees.
Eli
Sapphire does too.
Nathan
Arianna thinks you should have too.
Me
This is not helpful. Now I feel completely shit.
More like wretched, and my gut is twisting around like vipers in a nest, slithering around and around.
Nathan
What the fuck happened to you, did someone cut out your tongue?
Me
I didn’t want to rock the boat. It didn’t feel right.
Eli
So you just walked away and let Stephanie win? Again.
Eli is right.
“Fuck.” I sit up, run my fingers through my hair, and throw my phone down next to me on the bed.
My phone lights up silently with Max’s name flashing on the screen.
“S’up.” Downheartedly, I greet him as I pick up the call on speakerphone with yet another heavy sigh. That’s all I’ve done all night. Sigh, wrestle with my thoughts, feeling like the biggest loser.
“Are you still in bed?” I’m surprised when Paige’s voice appears and not Max’s as I had expected.
“Yes.” Shit, why does that feel like the wrong answer?
Max’s girlfriend, Paige, freaks me out completely.
I’ve seen her in court, several times, and I’d rather face a firing squad than go against her there.
She’s not just plucky; she’s fiercely argumentative, and she’s more than a little firework—she’s an entire display.
As much as I love her, and how much Max loves her and how good she is for him, she still does strange things to my balls, and not in a good way—making them jump inside my body as if I’m trying to protect myself from her, because my brain thinks she’s going to kick me in the nuts if I say the wrong thing.
She is both admired and feared in equal measure within our law firm and others throughout the state.
I know she’s incredible, but I’d never confess this to her, or she might think I’m joking and react harshly, perhaps even punishing me for sarcasm.
I might be worried about my nuts, but I think Max has steel ones. He has to have them around her. Surely. He’s braver. Braver than me.
Look at me now; I fucking ran away from Yasmine like a coward.
What a pussy.
“Get up,” Paige barks down the phone, making me jump.
“Right this very minute, get up and get your ass to that wedding. Screw her, Cole. I will not let you stand back and allow that vile woman who fucked you over to stand in the way of family. Yasmine is family, and if you marry her, her father will become tethered to you forever, too. You’re a good man, Cole.
A great one. You’re one of the best probate, trust, and estate planning attorneys I know.
You can argue and defend yourself for fun.
Now stop farting around and get yourself showered then get your ass over to that wedding.
Stat. Or I will kick your ass myself when you come back. Are we clear?”
I hesitate because she’s thrown me for a loop. “Eh…” My morning voice is scratchy.
Exasperated, she goes for the jugular when I don’t reply quickly enough. “There’s no time for eh, buts, and maybes right now, Cole. Are you out of bed yet?”
“No.” I look around, feeling like I’m back in the headmistress’s office, getting chewed out for being under the bleachers with my friends when we’re skipping English Lit.
“Get up! Now.”
I grab the edge of the comforter to get out of the bed because the last thing I want is an ass-whooping from Paige.
“You’re not moving fast enough,” Paige warns harshly.
What the fuck? “Can you see me?” I look up and search the corners of the room for cameras.
A wicked laugh floats into the room from both her and Max.
“I fucking hate you both right now.”
“Hate us now, thank us later,” Paige suggests confidently.
“Stephanie is at fault. Go to Yasmine, attend that wedding, and stand your ground. Tell Hugh what happened between you and Stephanie and clarify that she lied both earlier and yesterday. Reassure him that you are committed to honesty in your work and life. Show him your integrity and the respect you’ve earned.
If he doubts you, suggest he look you up to verify the type of man you are.
Let him see the charities and good work you and your brothers do in the community.
I know you shouldn’t have to do this, but don’t let Stephanie ruin your happiness or control your life.
She’s trying to poison your future to get her way; rise above her schemes.
Don’t let her succeed. Her darkness shouldn’t overshadow your light.
And telling him before the wedding about who Stephanie really is isn’t about revenge, Cole; it’s about honesty and defending your happiness. ”
I jump out of bed feeling more motivated than ever, allowing myself to grin for the first time in hours, instantly waking up and ready to fight for my girl and my truth. The confidence inside me flows with strength.
“I’m up.” I run to the bathroom with my phone in hand.
“Fuck yeah,” Max shouts. “Go get your girl.”
Turning the shower on, I say, “Paige?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But don’t thank me yet, you’ve still got to put the work in to win Yasmine’s father over.”
Before I end the call, I ask Paige playfully, “Do you really think I’m the best probate, trust, and estate planning attorney you know?” I grin because it’s the first time she’s complimented me.
“I said one of the best, not the best,” she bites back like I knew she would. She’s too fucking sharp for her own good.
I burst out laughing, making it boom off the hard surfaces of the bathroom.
“We’ll talk later.”
“Keep in touch. I want to know everything,” Paige says before she and Max say goodbye.
Stephanie no longer has the power to stop me from going after what I want.
Hold tight, Yasmine, baby, I’m on my way and I won’t let you face today alone.