Echoes of the Past

Chapter 6

The drive back to Cole's house was steeped in silence, a sharp contrast to the lively chatter of the boys in the back seat. They were oblivious to the storm raging inside me, to how Emily's words had burrowed into my mind and refused to let go. Had I neglected James? The realization that we hadn't been intimate since Cole arrived gnawed at me, a bitter reminder of how far apart we had drifted.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the way Cole kept glancing at me, his expression unreadable. His usual warmth was missing, replaced by something I couldn't quite decipher—hurt, maybe, or frustration. When we finally pulled up to his house, the boys jumped out eagerly, Eliah grabbing Cole's key to unlock the door. But Cole didn't move. He remained in his seat, staring down at his hands.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely breaking the heavy silence between us.

Cole didn't respond. His silence spoke louder than any words could, and I felt the weight of it pressing down on me.

"Cole, please," I pleaded, my voice trembling as I searched his face for a sign that everything would be okay. But his eyes, filled with hurt and something deeper, locked onto mine. There was a vulnerability in his gaze that I hadn't seen before, like he was on the edge of something he couldn't control.

For a long moment, we just stared at each other, the air between us buzzing with unspoken emotions. My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for him to say something, anything. But instead of words, he did something completely unexpected.

Without warning, Cole leaned in, closing the space between us, and kissed me.

The kiss was soft at first, almost hesitant, as if he was testing the waters of something forbidden. His lips brushed against mine with a gentleness that surprised me, sending a shock through my entire body. I was paralyzed, my mind reeling while my body refused to respond. It was like I was watching myself from the outside, too stunned to react. I didn't kiss him back, but I didn't push him away either. I was caught in the moment, unable to break free from the pull of his lips against mine.

But then something changed. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more insistent. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his fingers warm against my skin, and a small, desperate sound escaped him—a sound that sent shivers down my spine. I could feel the raw emotion behind the kiss, the need, the pain, and it terrified me.

Finally, Cole pulled back, his breath shaky as he looked into my eyes, searching for any sign of what I was feeling. His gaze was intense, filled with a mixture of longing and regret that tore at my heart. "This is the last thing I'll do, I promise," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. For a moment, he lingered, as if he wanted to say more, but then he pulled away entirely. Without another word, he got out of the car and walked away, leaving me alone in the aftermath.

I sat there, my fingers gripping my handbag so tightly that my knuckles turned white. My heart was pounding, and my mind racing in a thousand different directions. What had just happened? Why hadn't I stopped him? The questions circled like vultures, picking apart every detail of the moment, trying to find some meaning in the chaos.

I rolled down the window, letting the cool evening air wash over me, hoping it would help clear my head. But it didn't. The breeze only seemed to heighten my awareness of everything—of the lingering sensation of Cole's lips on mine, of the heavy weight of guilt settling in my chest.

Cole had kissed me, and though I hadn't reciprocated, I also hadn't stopped him. What did that mean? Did it mean that I had feelings for him, feelings I had been too scared to acknowledge? Or was it just the overwhelming tension, the constant push and pull between us that had finally pushed things too far?