The Break Up Plan

37: CHRISTOPHER JACKSON

I don’t go home. Instead, I drive myself to the movies and watch three different ones consecutively. I can’t remember their titles or storylines.

Around seven in the evening, I head home.

Relief floods through me like a tsunami when Richard explains that after a quick spat, my parents both stormed out of the house and haven’t returned.

I maneuver my way to my room, sidestepping the staff that are clearing up, returning the tired smile Marie gives me.

I change into one of Tyler’s big shirts and curl under the blankets, forcing all thoughts of Cole out of my head as I fall asleep.

—

I jolt awake with a small squeal and my foggy brain registers the sound of the alarms blaring and dogs barking. Was someone trying to break in?

I jump out of bed, my heartbeat accelerating as I peer through my bay window. Surprisingly, the commotion is originating from directly under it, I see the guards and the dogs gathered round what must be the intruder.

I stuff my feet into fuzzy slippers, disregarding my bare legs and hurry downstairs. “What’s going on here? Who is that?” I ask as I approach.

Maxwell, the head of security turns to me and gives me a curt nod, “I let him in because I know him and he comes often but then he was found trying to sneak in through your window”

“Are you kidding me? Last time I ever try to be thoughtful and dramatic”

The guards part and I finally see the culprit. Cole freaking Matthews, lying on the floor with one arm covering his face like he’s relaxing on a lounge chair at a country club.

I exhale in disbelief before turning to Maxwell, “It’s okay, I have it from here”

He shoots Cole a distrusting look before signaling the rest of the guards to guide the dogs away and return to their duty posts.

I look down at Cole, his arm still covering his face, “what the hell were you doing?”

“Wondering why on earth you need this much security, seriously are you secretly a princess or is your family money not as clean as I thought?”

I roll my eyes, “well when you’re done wondering, you can come in, you know, the normal way”

I turn and head back inside, hearing Cole enter a few moments after me. I make a beeline for the kitchen and take a seat at the island, watching him as he seats opposite me.

He’s dressed in the same sweatpants as earlier but now he’s sporting a hoodie. I suddenly become very conscious of the fact that I’m only wearing a t-shirt. His hair is disheveled and I fold my hands in my lap to stop myself from reaching across and fixing it for him. I’m supposed to be mad at him.

For a moment, we’re both silent and I watch him avoid my gaze before I finally speak, “Wanna explain yourself?”

He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. He finally looks up at me and the look in his eyes steals my breath away. “You weren’t answering my calls or returning my texts. I needed to see you and talk to you”

I raise a brow, “so you thought climbing through my window at one o’clock in the morning was the best way to do it?”

He gives me a sheepish smile, “I was actually throwing rocks, I planned the whole dramatic scene in my head and then bam, alarms, guards and a dog planted firmly on my torso”

Despite myself and the situation, I smile, “you’re such an idiot, you know that?”

He shrugs, “I’ll admit it just this once” he looks up at me again and his gaze seems to lock me in place, “I’m sorry princess”