Fighter {Completed}

Chapter Nineteen: I Need A Drink {Ellie}

Chapter Nineteen: I Need A Drink {Ellie}

The entire situation has alarm bells ringing in my head. Sebastian still holds me in his arms, his eyes staring down Cole from a few feet away.

What the hell is he doing?

Cole's eyes flash from angry to confused to hurt to rage. All emotions pass in a matter of seconds but it doesn't make it any harder to tell them apart. I can see them swimming in those gray eyes like the light of day.

"Sebastian, can we talk for a second?" I ask, shrugging out of his grasp and moving toward the pool house. He follows without protest, and I face him as he enters through the doors. "What was that about?" I ask him. He sighs.

"Look, Scarlet came up with some shitty plan to try and see if Cole likes you, alright? I didn't want to go with it." I feel my eyes widen.

"Are you serious?" I ask him, feeling my heart speed up as my anxiety begins to heighten. "Sebastian, that's a terrible idea! Cole doesn't like me, why the hell- what?" I question, stopping when Sebastian gives me a blank look, one eyebrow raising after a moment. Sighing again, he shrugs.

"I know it's stupid, but just go along with it for a little while. Scarlet would lose her shit if we called it off right now before she even got started so-"

"Call what off?" Cole's voice is angry, suspicious as he enters the doors.

"Ah, shit." Seb places his hands on his hips, looking at Cole. "Look, if you punch me, I get to punch you back. No exceptions. This shit wasn't my idea."

Cole's eyes flash to me.

Instantly, I shake my head.

"Don't look at me! It wasn't my idea. I still don't even fully understand what's going on," I tell him. His glare continues until Scarlet enters the pool house, rolling her eyes as she does so.

"It was my idea, Cole. But if you'd just man up, I wouldn't have to do these things." Cole turns his fiery gaze to Scar, and she looks sheepish under his stare. "Look, it was a stupid plan. But don't you see how mad you got? You gotta admit-"

"I'm not admitting to shit. Stop meddling, Scarlet. We're not in middle school anymore." She looks guilty as she nods, listening to Cole's demands.

As Cole exits the pool house, the three of us stand in silence, unsure of what to do next. My thoughts turn to Cole.

Did Cole actually get jealous of Sebastian? Did Scarlet's juvenile plan actually work?

My mind stays steady with questions and concerns as the day plays on, the siblings returning to the swimming pool as Cole remains missing, probably inside texting another girl.

The thought sends a strange jolt of pain through my chest.

I try to put on a smile as we all head inside when the sun begins setting, entering the gigantic house. It's easy to let the awe of the place take over as we move inside. I'll never get used to this place.

I knew Seb and Scar's family  were loaded, but this... This is something out of a movie.

"Did anyone show you which room you're in?" Scar asks me. I shake my head and she nods, before gesturing for me to follow her. We make our way up one side of the grand staircase before she makes a left, going down a long hallway towards a set of doors at the end of the hall.

As we enter, I'm once again overcome with pure awe.

The room is decorated beautifully, a huge king size bed in the middle with a chandelier in the middle of the room and a canopy swooping down over the bed. Scar laughs slightly, tugging me inside. My suitcase rests on the bed, curtsy of Cole.

Cole.

His name sends another wave of sadness over me. I think back to Scarlet's words.

Would I like Cole if it hadn't been for the things he's done?

More importantly, do I like him even despite all that?

"You have a bathroom attached, and Cole is straight across from you if you need anything. He's been here before and my parents have basically adopted him so he knows where everything is. I think we're all going to sit in the dining room and play cards for a bit if you wanna join," she says. I nod, smiling.

"Yeah, I'll change and then be down in a few."

She begins to walk away, but pauses. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Kitchen is always open. You don't have to ask for anything around here, alright? Our home is your home."

Our home is your home.

For some reason, the words almost make me emotional, my heart warming and my eyes pricking. Scarlet smiles softly, seeing my thankful state.

"My room's down the hall on the opposite side if you need anything." I nod and she takes her leave. Once I'm alone, the largeness of the room seems to swallow me. I feel so small as I head for my suitcase.

I take out a t-shirt, pair of loose running shorts, and my undergarments. Heading for the bathroom, I take in the openness of it as well.

The entire place is... magnificent.

I change quickly, drying my hair with my towel and then heading for the door.

Just as I exit, Cole opens his from right across the hall. As our eyes meet, we both stop, frozen. He's silent as his face transforms, going from surprised to frustrated in a matter of seconds. He turns his shoulder, heading toward the stairs.

I follow, my heart still pounding from the silent exchange.

"Oh, there you guys are. We're playing cards," Jude says, rushing towards Cole and I as we both near the end of the stairs. I make sure to keep my distance as I walk behind them.

We enter the kitchen, where the entire family sits at the huge table, waiting. We enter as Julia opens a second pack of cards, shuffling them.

For a while we continue, playing card games like blackjack before Johnny and Jude begin to tire. As they head off to bed, Julia and Marcus both grin, facing each other. Marcus stands, heading toward the kitchen.

He comes back only a few moments later, grinning as he holds something behind his back.

"Who's ready to play Circle of Death?" he asks, pulling out a huge bottle of Jack Daniel's from behind his back.

Just like that, all my stress just falls away. I could use a night of fun. Besides, after the day I've had... 

I need a drink.

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