Hidden Love

Chapter Sixteen: Confrontations & Resolutions

Omg. This was not happening. Not

again. It had been about 3 weeks since Cole & I had saved Ryan. After I almost kicked Ryan out, the disputes between Cole and Ryan had been at a minimal.

Unfortunately, they were arguing again. I sighed. This time it was about how Ryan felt Cole was treating him as inferior because he was human.

"I may be human but I can read minds including yours, so you just keep that in mind, pal!"

"It's not about mind reading!" Cole snapped, glaring at Ryan. "You arent getting the big picture here and thats the problem."

"Whats the big picture?"

"The big picture is that mortals. Cant. Fight. Demons." Cole said slowly as if he were talking to an unintelligent child. "Demons and sucubi and other supernatural entities are stronger in so many ways. Your mind reading ways didnt help you much with Penelope, now did they?"

"You leave her out of this!"

"But why," challenged Cole. "Because that little fiasco proves my point. There's no denying it."

Ryan scowled. "Bella, tell him how I helped you fight demons."

"Yeah Cole, he did help. But Ryan, remember you got hit with the Illusion Curse."

"Yes, Bella. But we were a team. We stuck together and had each other's back." Ryan looked at me and I felt some of my anger towards him fade.

I walked over to him and hugged him. “Listen, Ryan. You're my bestfriend and you always will be. But I just don't want you to get hurt anymore."

“Bella," Ryan said, “there has to be some way we can do this together. We did it before. I know you and your new boyfriend are a team now but I'm your best friend. I've known you forever since we were kids. You can't just shut me out. I love you and I wanna help you fight what's out there." Ryan looked in my eyes and I saw something different then I'd seen in 16 years. Even his energy felt different. There was a mix of longing and desperation there.

“You two have fun," Cole said hurriedly. He turned and jumped out the treehouse.

“What?!" I exclaimed. “Cole, what's going on?! Come back!" I flew out and saw him walking away.

Sprinting up to him, I asked, “What are you doing?"

"What am I doing?" He repeated. “Im keeping my promise Bella. I said I wouldn't contest your decision and I won't."

“Cole, what're you talking about? What, Ryan. He's my bestfriend. That's it. Yes, I love him but as a brother. You know this."

"Do I?" Cole said, his eyes getting wet. “I saw the way he looked at you. There's no way I can compete with him. He's known you forever. He obviously loves you as more than a sister. Its written all over him. You guys even look great together. And then there I am. The third wheel. The fucking demon who's trying not to go to hell. There's no way an Angel like you could love a monster like me."

I pressed my lips against his. I felt his hands go around my waist. The kiss was magical and perfect in every way.

"You are NOT a monster," I finally said to him. “Do you hear me? You are my everything. I love you Cole. I will always love you. After all the times we've shared, how could you doubt me. Nothing can or will come between us. Ever."

Cole brushed my bang out my face. “Its just so hard to imagine an Angel as beautiful, pure, and good as you loving me."

Looking up at him, I said, “Not for me. Cole I would rather spend eternity in hell with you than a second in Heaven without you."

“Bella...."

“Cole...."

And our lips met again.