Rancorous

Chapter 24

PRESENT

Brevin

I watch as Nolan begins uttering something to Coval.

Despite capitulating to Nolan's demand, I remain in the parking lot. Not within hearing range, but certainly within visible range.

"So, I guess they weren't knitting Christmas sweaters, huh?"

Not responding to Daya, I keep a firm gaze on Coval and Nolan.

My whole body is vigilant. Nolan so much as blinks indecorously, and I'll be there.

"How'd you know he'd be here?"

I see Daya stick her hands in her back pockets through my peripheral. "I overheard him talking with Haley about figuring out how to get Herlina to be alone with him outside."

The anger that seeps into my bloodstream is instantaneous, like a ruthless flood swamping everything in its path.

I was appeased with only taking her dog out of her life, but now Haley revives my initial impulse to do far worse.

"Still," Daya continues. "Something tells me that we haven't seen the full picture yet. I have this feeling that Urvan plays a huge part in this too."

She's being reasonable. The assumption is obvious with everything leading up to it.

But there's this instinctual denial that wants to push her words away and out of my skull.

Like when I read Coval's letter and wasn't willing to believe it.

"I know you probably would rather make sure Herlina gets home safe than spend another second in his presence. But, before walking away, Nolan told me something." She pauses, allowing me to process her words. "He said he wanted to talk to you."

I scoff.

She begins to walk away. "You're a smart guy Brevin. Don't let this opportunity go by being blinded by anger. Nolan has always had a thing for Herlina, and he never crossed any boundaries. It's only now that he started being intrusive."

I grind my molars at the reminder that for the last five years, Coval was susceptible to Nolan's advances and I was incognizant to it all.

I watch as Coval says something that leaves him feeling ashamed. And that humiliation remains as she picks her backpack off the ground and leaves.

"I'll make sure she's okay. Just go."

I turn to look at Daya. She's giving me a pointed look as she heads toward Coval.

I clear my throat, ignoring the prickle at the back of my neck. "You know, you're not as annoying as I initially thought you were."

Her smile is wide as a giggle erupts from deep within her. "Funny way to say 'thank you' but I'll take it. I'll still be expecting a fat check as compensation big guy."

I huff and she laughs harder.

As I make my way toward Nolan's hunched and pensive form, I watch as Daya approaches Coval.

From as far away as she is, Coval's body language is still like intuition for me. She's hesitant at first, but whatever Daya says makes her glance back at me.

The connection of our gazes is enough to make my pulse jump start and her composure to soften.

Then, a delicate smile curves her pink lips.

I look away.

What I thought I managed to rid myself of these last five years, I realize, is actually still there.