Fighter {Completed}

Chapter Fourteen: Ellie's a Liar {Ellie}

Chapter Fourteen: Ellie's a Liar {Ellie}

Hands grip my thigh, shaking slightly. Opening my eyes, slumber makes it hard to focus on Scarlet as she smiles softly, waking me.

"Hey, last stop before we get there. You want anything?"

"Yeah, I'll come in," I tell her, sitting up. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I grab my phone and slip my shoes on, getting out to follow Scarlet into the small gas station. As I enter, I see Cole putting two bottles of water on the counter and pulling out his wallet.

Looking around, I let my eyes scan over the store. I'm not really hungry, but I could use a drink. As I reach for the freezer handle, a bottle of water appears in my vision. I follow the arm holding it up to Cole's body, his face cold, refusing to give anything away.

He seems so much more closed off than earlier today, so much more... angry.

"Thank you," I tell him, taking the water. "I have some cash if you-"

"No." His tone is clipped and gives me pause, my heart stuttering for some stupid reason. I finally snap myself out of my daze, forcing a closed-lipped smile. I'm sure it probably looks more like a grimace, but Cole doesn't say anything, and instead just looks away, jaw grinding.

"Are you okay?" I try, waiting for his gray eyes to meet mine.

They don't, and he just ignores my question.

What the hell? He was fine earlier.

"You guys ready?" Sebastian asks, coming from the hall leading toward the bathrooms, drying his hands on his shirt. I nod to him as Cole remains stoic, jaw still grinding hard. "I'm gonna grab something to eat and then we'll head out." Without waiting for a response, Sebastian moves past us and toward the food aisles.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I try again, my belly dropping when Cole turns to me, a fierce glare on his face. With heated eyes, he stares into my own. Suddenly, I feel like a dog getting scolded for something.

"I'm fine," he snaps.

"O-Okay." My shoulders deflate as he looks away from me, jaw set and flexing still.

It's like we're back to square one.

Back to when we first met.

And I had thought we were becoming friends.

My heart sinks.

Cole stalks off toward Sebastian as he skims the aisles, and Scarlet comes from the hallway towards the bathrooms, smiling softly at me.

"You okay?" At my nod, she frowns slightly, skeptical, but lets it go. With another soft smile, she glances at the bottle of water and then up to Cole. "Did he buy you that?" she asks.

"Yeah," I trail off, confused as her eyes go wide, her squeal of excitement catching me off guard.

"Oh, I knew it. He totally has a thing for you!"

I laugh.

"What? Look, you don't just go in and buy a water for someone without liking them a little bit. And letting you sleep on his lap in the car? Come on, Ellie," she says. She pulls me toward the cash register.

Is she serious?

The man is gorgeous, with a jawline sharp enough to cut glass, steel gray eyes, full lips, and high cheekbones. And his body? Ugh, I'm surprised he's a fighter rather than a model.

The thought of Cole being an underwear model flashes into my mind, sending me flushing immediately.

Why the hell am I thinking like that?