Love Drunk

Chapter 23

(Shale ^)

Shale

"That's the last of them," I sigh, flopping down on Cole's couch.

"Thank god, if I had to bring up another box..." Cole sighs, collapsing beside me.

"Well, I still have to unpack. Which closet do you want me to put my stuff in?"

"Um...mine of course! We are living together and are a couple. I want to walk in my closet every day and see you taking over," he chuckles, playing with a strand of my hair.

"Alright...but don't say I didn't warn you," I joke, turning to face him fully.

He leans in to kiss me, just as the doorbell rings, causing him to pull back with an annoyed groan. The doorbell rings repeatedly, causing Cole to let out a string of curse words.

I chuckle at him, and get up from the couch and walk over to the door. Just as I’m about to open it, Ms. Calvo barges in, succeeding in hitting me with the door.

"Ouch," I murmur, rubbing my face as she continue to walk through the apartment, looking for something, or someone.

"Ah, Cole! So we need to talk about this plan. I know we already discussed it but I think it should be spec..."

"Mom! You hit Shale with the door," Cole interrupts in a rush, accentuating my name.

"Oh..." Ms. Calvo says, turning to look at me with raised eyebrows. "Sorry," she shrugs, before turning back to Cole and giving him...the look.

I stare at her confused, but not saying anything, watching the conversation they are having with their eyes.

"Meet me at the Café around the corner in ten minutes," she says, wiggling her eyebrows then spinning and leaving.

I close the door behind her, still confused. I look to Cole for clarification, but he offers me none, instead he just stands there, running a hand through his hair.

"Are you good if I go to dinner with my mom?" he asks finally with a sigh.

"Sure, but what's this all about?" I ask, coming up to him, and placing my hands on his biceps as I look up at him.

"Just...stuff with the restaurant," he shrugs, not sounding convincing.

"Are you lying to me, Cole?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"No, why would I lie to you. I promise it's nothing you need to worry about. It should only take about an hour or so," he assures me, cupping my face in his hands.

"Well if you say so..."

"I do, and I promise it's nothing bad, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," I sigh, pecking his lips.

"Okay, I should probably go. What are you going to do?"

"Oh, I'll just unpack," I smile up at him.

"Okay, I'll be right back," he says, kissing my forehead, before moving away from me and grabbing his wallet and phone.

I watch him walk out the door, shooting me one more nervous smile, before slamming the door shut. With a sigh, I move towards our room to start unpacking boxes.

***

I hear Cole walk in, shutting the door behind him. I continue to unpack as he comes into the bedroom, flopping down on the bed and staring up at the ceiling. As soon as I finish, I peek my head out and look at him.

He looks pale and scared, slightly nervous. He looks sick! I move over slowly and sit down beside him, placing my hand on his back, worried for him.

"Cole?" I say carefully. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" I ask, searching his eyes.

"Huh? Oh nothing. I'm good," he says, turning towards me, looking into my eyes.

"Are you sure? You don't look so good?"

"Yeah, I'm..." he trails off, looking at me. "Do you want to go for a walk with me? In central park?" he asks suddenly, causing me to blink in confusion.

"Um...yeah...sure," I respond. "Just let me go change," I start to get up, but am pulled back down by Cole, landing softly on the bed beside him.

"You look perfectly fine," he smiles, causing me to look down at my yoga pants and sweatshirt.

"Um...if you say so," I shrug, pulling him up from the couch and out into the living room.

I grab my phone from its charger and place it in my pocket before pulling on my UGS, all the while watching Cole move like a turtle as he pulls on his shoes.

What's wrong with him?

Finally, he gets his shoes on and grabs my hand, pulling me out the front door and locking it behind us. I stare at his muscled back as we walk down the hallway, trying to place what's bothering him.

As soon as we make it onto the city streets, a cool breeze finds it's way into my sweatshirt, causing me to shiver. I feel Cole's arm go around my waist as I'm pulled into his warmth. I lean my head on his shoulder as we walk through the streets, Central Park a few blocks ahead.

Cole

I try to fight down my nerves as I walk through the streets, Shale tucked into my side. I can feel the butterflies fighting their way out, trying to give me up. I can tell Shale is aware of something, but I know she doesn't know what's going to come.

Excitement and nerves mix up in the pit of my stomach, finding their way to my brain, coming up with all different scenarios. I try to calm myself, trying to focus on the girl tucked under my arm, lending me her warmth as her small body presses up against mine.

I take a deep breathe, kissing the top of Shale's head, letting the nerves settle a bit. She turns her head up to mine curiously, but I just smile at her in what I hope is a reassuring look. She smiles up at me softly, pecking my lips.

"I love you," I say, leaning my cheek against the top of her hair.

"I love you too."

God, I hope she means that.