Chapter 204 Betrayed - Monet

Chapter 204 Betrayed - Monet
I'm sitting on the bed in my hotel room, contemplating what I should do next, my feelings and emotions all over the place.
My heart is telling me to go back to Cole's room, kiss and make up, and live happily ever after.
But my mind is telling me this is fucked up. Even after his explanation, I still feel like last place.
What would Mom say?
I grin even through my tears, thinking of the letter she left me, the letter I was so scared to read because it would make her death final.
But I read it. After reading Cole's letters, I read hers, and her words and my feelings are fighting each other, and I just don't know what the fuck to do.
There's a knock on my door, and it's probably Cole who asked the front desk for my room number and charmed the receptionist into giving it to him.
"Stinker." Luke's voice comes from the other side. "It's Luke."
I feel broken, and I want to be alone, but he's been a constant this past year, so I get up and open the door.
He's hugging me before I can say anything, his big, muscled arms warm and comforting. His hug feels like the one thing in my life that is certain right now.
"You good?" He asks me after we pull apart.
I sigh as I walk back to the bed and fall on it. "I don't know what I am. Pissed off is at the forefront of my mind. Did you know he was going to be here today?"
Luke leans against the wall opposite my bed and folds his arms, a frown on his face. "I didn't, I'm as lost as you. I'm happy he's here, it was always our dream entering the draft together."
"Yeah, congratulations, I watched you on TV yesterday." I rub my eyes, suddenly feeling fucking exhausted.
"Thanks, hopefully I'll get a good team."
"You are literally a Heisman nominee, they are going to be fighting for you." I sigh. "I just wish everything wasn't tainted, you know? I love football for you guys, but my boyfriend who used to be my brother and best friend, just participated in the fucking combine after being missing for a year. He didn't even have the decency to come see me first. I kinda hate football right now."
"Yeah, I just came from seeing him." Luke clears his throat. "That was my first question to him, and he said that he wasn't sure he was going to come, and something like his psychiatrist saying he should tie everything up before seeing you. I don't know Stinker, I don't agree with it, but he's pretty broken up over you being hurt. He's not at your door only because they told him to respect your boundaries."
Does it make me the toxic one then if I don't want my boundaries respected? Since being with Cole, I realized he's a storm. He comes and takes, and I must be sick in my head too, because I really loved it. This respectful version is one I'm not used to.
"So what are you saying? I should forgive him and forget that he left me?" I want to know his honest opinion.
"No. I think you should be fucking angry if that is how you feel." Luke sighs. "I know he went through some really bad shit that no person on this planet should have to go through, and I'm so proud of him, and proud to be his friend right now. But his actions in trying to become better, hurt us, and he has to be accountable for that."
"God, why are you so fucking emotionally mature." I cover my eyes, the light in the room suddenly hurting them.
There's another knock, and I think maybe it's Cole this time, but it's Amy who enters when Luke goes to open the door.
"Hey, Cole said you guys talked." She sits down next to me and slings her arm over my shoulder. "I know you're upset, but you know that boy loves you more than anything and anyone."
"Action speaks louder than words, doesn't it?"
"Do you know he had me stealing your panties and printing out pictures I took of you?" Amy scoffs. "The pictures were one thing, but the panties! He is obsessed with you."
My blood runs cold.
"What?"
She stiffens, probably noticing her mistake.
"You saw him?" I turn my body to hers, the look on her face guilty as fuck. "You knew where he was and didn't tell me?"
She pales. "Part of his therapy was building a relationship with me. I only saw him about four times."
I jump up from the bed, my cheeks burning as I look at this traitor who knows what Cole being away felt like for me.
"And you didn't tell me!" I exclaim in disbelief. "I can understand if I wasn't allowed to see him because of some fucking therapy tactic or what the fuck ever! But not to tell me about it! We live under the same roof!"
She has the decency to at least look sorry as she looks at me. "I'm sorry Monet, but that's what I was told to do. What else was I supposed to do? He's my brother."
My mouth literally drops open in shock. "He's been my brother for longer than what he was yours."
I can see the hurt in her eyes from my words, but fuck her. She could have at least told me the truth.
"Please leave." I fold my arms, feeling like I need to protect myself from these people who claim to love me. "I just want to be alone."
Luke sighs and comes over to hug me. "For the record, I was kept in the dark, too. But Amy is right, he does love you more than anything or anybody."
He kisses the top of my head before walking out of the room.
Amy stops in front of me, but I just shake my head at her, having no fight and no words for her right now.
"I'm sorry, okay?" She whispers. "Please, forgive me."
"Just go, Amy, please."
I lock the door behind her, before getting under the covers and pulling a pillow over my head. I cry out of pure fucking anger and betrayal that even my supposed best friend knew where Cole was.
And I didn't.