Chapter 5
Chapter five
Hendrix · Now
“Hendrix!”
I shoot up at Talia’s shout, my headphones snapping around my neck. I tug them off and toss them onto the mixing desk before spinning in my chair.
She barrels into the control room, her golden eyes wild with excitement.
Before I can gather my bearings, she seizes my wrist and hauls me up and out into the hall. “Girl. You and I are gonna have words about secrets.”
I frown. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ll see.” She drags me down the stairs two at a time and practically throws me at the door. . “Open it.”
I flit my eyes between the black wood and her. “I don’t know if I want to.”
Breaths choppy, she bends and plants her hands on her knees.
“Are you okay?” I curl a hand around her shoulder.
She jabs her finger into my chest and pushes me backwards. “Just open the door.”
“Okay, sheesh.” I curl my hand around the handle.
Here’s hoping the big secret isn’t that I’ve been hiding a serial killer in the fields. That would be hell on our insurance.
I tug the door open, watching Talia with an arched brow. “Now what?”
Her only response is a flick of her fingers.
I shake my head and follow her direction.
I'm about to turn back to her, only to freeze as honey brown eyes lock with mine.
Everything blurs.
I slam my eyes shut, so sure he’ll disappear the way he always does in my dreams when I reopen them.
He doesn’t.
I grip the doorframe with tense fingers.
Long, denim clad legs traipse across the gravel, eating the distance between us until he's right there—staring back at me as if ten years haven't passed since I last saw him.
The world tilts. “Cole?”
Cole Hayes stops just before me, his lips curled into a boyish grin. “Hey, Rixie.”
I open my mouth, but words don’t come.
I’ve imagined seeing him again up-close a thousand times over.
But none of the images I can conjure up in my mind are even close to reality.
He's broader than I remember. Once pale skin glistens gold under the autumn sunlight.
Black and grey ink crawls wraps his neck, disappearing into his hoodie before reappearing on his hands.
Dressed in all black, he’s every dream I’ve ever had come to life.
Blood rushes my ears as my heart thunders.
I hug my cardigan tight around myself, clinging to it like a lifeline.
I try to think of something to say, but I can't look away from him long enough to gather my thoughts. “I…”
A lump forms in my throat.
Talia steps up behind me and invites him inside.
My head snaps her way, my brows rocketing upwards.
She only winks before stepping back and pressing her back to the reception desk.
I stumble as Cole inches forward.
Pins and needles flood my fingers as I force myself away from the frame and out of his reach. Not that I’m expecting him to throw his arms around me or anything. I wouldn’t, in his shoes.
Drawing in a slow breath, I push every thought from my mind and focus on Talia as she commands the room.
“…a drink or anything?” Talia asks. “We’ve got tea, coffee, water, some Coke, I think. Only zero though. Hendrix doesn’t do sugar. Well, unless it’s in—”
“Tea. Two sugars, right?” Cole’s eyes flash mischievously.
Fucking butterflies stir to life in my veins.
“Exactly!” Talia shouts, gaze darting between us. “How do you know that?”
“Educated guess.” Cole glances at me, his back pressed to the wall, arms folded and ankles crossed, lips titled into a knowing smirk. “But no, no drink for me, thanks. I’ve gotta get on the road soon. I just need a word with Rixie, if that’s alright with you?”
Talia makes a noise.
I turn to her as she purses her lips, her expression wide.
Rixie, she mouths.
I lift a shoulder in a shrug, not nearly ready to get into the details surrounding the first and only time someone has given me a nickname.
Talia brushes her hands down her grey knitted sweater before pinning me with a piercing stare. “Hendrix, come find me when you’re done.”
I nod. “Will do.”
“Alright, I'll get out your hair, then.” She turns to Cole with a smile. “It was nice meeting you.”
“You too." He smiles.
Talia disappears up the stairs, leaving Cole and I alone.
I nibble at my cheek.
Cole turns back to me, his head tilted. “She seems nice. Friend?”
“Yeah, and my business partner.”
“Cool.” He nods.
Silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating.
I drum my fingers against my thighs, searching for something—anything—to say.
This isn’t how it’s supposed to feel. Not with him. Never with him. Guess I only have myself to blame for it. Still, it fucking stings.
“What—”
“Do you—”
We both break into laughter, and he gestures for me to go first.
My stomach swims. “Why are you here, Cole?”
“I just…” He tips his head back against the wall. “There’s something I want to ask you, but I think it might be best to do it without prying eyes.”
I follow his pointed stare to the stairwell. Talia is leaning against the top railing, her head poking over the side. She spots us, face dropping comically before she dips out of sight.
I huff a laugh and sigh. “Yeah. Probably.”
“Here.” He pushes off the wall, slips his hands into his pocket and digs out a white rectangle card which he offers me.
A number is scrawled messily across the paper in thick black ink.
His fingers brush mine as I reach for it, sending a spark shooting through my veins “Call me later?”
“Sure.” I push my hands into my pockets, my fingers tight around the card.
He reaches the door, flicking a final glance over his shoulder before he pushes the handle and steps out.
My chest twists when he raises his hand in a goodbye.
I don’t even think as my feet move over the threshold. “Hey, Cole!”
“Yeah?” He pauses at the door of a sleek black Range Rover, peering at me over his shoulder.
A sad smile tugs my lips. “It was really good seeing you.”
“Yeah, you too.” He hops behind the wheel and the engine roars to life before his glances back at me. Eyes lit up, a glorious grin brightening his face. “I’ll see you around, Rixie Moore.”
My heart skips a beat, then it fucking shatters as he swings his car around and slips out of sight. “Bye, Cole Hayes.”
Talia is sitting on the bottom stair when I come back inside, two steaming mugs planted beside her.
“Spill it."
I sigh, snatch a mug, and lean against the railing. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything.” She laughs. “You know Cole Hayes? How did this never come up in conversation? We’ve known each other for seven years and you’ve never once said his name.”
“We were…” I brush my thumb over my inked wrist. “Friends.”
She looks at me like she’s never seen me before. “You were friends with Cole Hayes? The Cole Hayes of Reckless Abandon?”
“I was friends with all of them, actually.” I wrinkle my nose. “Once upon a time.”
She blinks. “You were friends with Reckless Abandon?”
“Uh-uh.”
“How do you just not mention being friends with the most famous rock band in the world?” She shakes her head. “Hendrix, we bonded because you were wearing their tour T-shirt that day at work. How do you just bypass the fact that you knew them?”
Because how do you admit you’re a fan girl of your ex-boyfriends band and have spent years following their every move?
Pathetic, much?
“I didn’t want to name drop,” I say, instead. “Plus, I wasn’t even friends with them when we met. Imagine just randomly saying, Hey I used to be besties with that guy who plays lead guitar. Cool, huh?”
Her mouth drops open. “You were best friends with Saint Parker?”
I pinch my fingers together, leaving a slither of space between them. “Just like this much.”
“Holy. Fuck. Charlie is gonna scream when I get home and tell her.”
“Please don’t.”
“What? Why? You’ll totally win the maid of honour title with that tidbit.”
“I’m not playing the name game to score higher than your soon-to-wife’s sister on a bridal party list. Being head bridesmaid is good enough for me. Thank you very much.”
“Fine.” She pouts, stomping her foot like a child. “But there’s a story here. And you’re going to tell me it.”
“I will.” Just not today. Two sharp raps sound on the door and I glance at my watch and grin. “Oh, would you look at that? Twelve o’clock on the dot.”
I pull the door open and start for the stairs as Talia glares at the poor electrician standing there.
I give her a thumbs up. “You’re good here, right?”
“Hendrix!”
I dart up the stairs with a laugh. “Lots to do. Love you, bye!”
The moon sits high in the sky, cutting a silver glow through branches as I roll my skateboard across the concrete.
I finish my hot chocolate, cheap polystyrene searing my icy fingertips before I toss the empty cup into the bin and kick my board up.
It’s been a while since I’ve ridden. Too busy focusing on the studio, building my portfolio. Adulthood tends to do that. Puts a pause on childhood hobbies while you search for fulfilment.
I climb up the half-pipe and hoist myself onto the ledge. Kicking my legs, I glance over the empty park.
The quiet is a reminder.
Life moves on, and with it, everything changes.
Kids used to hang around here, day in and day out. Music blasting from a speaker, wheels clinking against metal, excitement filled chatter echoing around. It’s different now.
Teenagers have everything they need in the palm of their hand. Their friends, their social life. All of it freely available at the tap of a finger against a glass screen.
Laying down, I stare up at the starless sky and drag my fingers along the chilled metal. A sharp breath cuts through the air as I trace the engraved initials. It was a rite of passage for regulars at the ramp to carve their names into the metal.
Goosebumps flicker over my skin, hand trembling when I reach the one I’m searching for.
CH & HM
Metal jagged under my fingertips, a hissed breath escapes me as I catch on a sharp groove, and I close my eyes.
I was only fourteen—Cole fifteen—when we took Carter’s pocketknife to this ramp. It was the first time I’d seen him here, and it was that same day I knew I was gonna fall in love with him.