Chapter 199 Five months - Amy

Chapter 199 Five months - Amy
"Who the hell are you?" I squint at the blonde playing a board game with him out in the sun.
The woman looks at me, surprised. "Oh, my apologies, I didn't know he was getting any visitors today. See you later."
I show her with my fingers that I have my eyes on her.
He chuckles, looking lighter than the last time I saw him.
I hold the bag up with the items he requested at my last visit. "You asked, and I delivered."
I take a seat opposite him, placing the bag on the table between us.
"You know that this is really weird, right?" I watch as he takes the photos I printed out for him and looking at them in reverence. "She's gonna start getting suspicious."
"How is she doing?"
"Not good." I sigh. "I mean, she's going to class, I'm making sure that she's eating healthy, and we finally started doing Pilates. This summer is about to get lit! You joining us or what?"
Cole smiles sadly and shakes his head. "Not yet."
"Why not?" I frown, looking around us at the clinic where he's been at for so long now. "I mean, this place is pretty and all, but there's no way it's better than playing ball, or Monet, or us."
"I can't go back to who I was." There's a distant look in his eyes when he says that and I realize he's been through so much, and that we're lucky to still have him with us. From what Dad told us, witnessing his mother's murder left deep emotional trauma, and even though Kamila helped him so much, he never got over it fully, making him have suicidal thoughts whenever life throws a spanner in his path.
"Okay, just know that there are people who love you very much." I take his hand in mine. "And I'm really happy that you're my brother, I get to tell the world my brother is the best quarterback, that's the biggest flex."
"I heard the team is not doing so well." He says with regret.
"Ugh! Luke is so frustrated, it's like they're just not jelling you know. If we even make the playoffs, it will be a miracle." I know it's a sore spot for both Luke and Dad, but Cole had to leave eventually, even if this is sooner.
"Does he know you come here?"
"No, so I'm being a really bad person." I shake my head. "Stealing my best friend's underwear and lying to my future husband. You owe me big time, brother."
He smiles genuinely. "I'll make it up to you."
"I just want you to be better, that's all." I pat his hand, my brother. I love having a brother, even though he's a little damaged, but I don't expect him to be perfect.
"Are you gonna jerk off with the panties?" I pull my face at him after we spend the whole afternoon together, getting to know one another on a level that we never have before. "You do realize that is a bit psychotic, right?"
"It helps keep me sane." He winks at me as he walks me back to my car.
If Monet only knew where Cole was, and that I knew, she'd probably not talk to me again. I don't think so, though, she loves me, and me keeping Cole's whereabouts a secret is the best for the both of them. He wants to get better for himself, but more for her, and if that isn't the most romantic thing I've ever seen, then I don't know what is.
Luke has also technically moved into the apartment with us, but I know that Monet doesn't mind because she tends to smile more when he's around.
"The twins are starting at the new high school after this summer vacation." He informs us, pride in his eyes that his brothers got scholarships at an exclusive high school.
"That's so cool." Monet smiles, even though it doesn't completely reach her eyes. "Your parents must be so happy."
"My mom is a bit worried, because they're gonna stay in the dorms. She says she won't have anyone to take care of anymore." Luke throws his arm over my shoulders and kisses the side of my head. "I said maybe the three of us could visit them a little over summer break and she can take care of us."
That is the sweetest thing.
"Is she gonna bake us chocolate chip cookies?" I ask with a wink. "Then I'm down."
"I'm down for chocolate chip too." Monet says, and that makes me happy, but I hate that Cole won't be with us over the summer.
Luke kisses the side of my face after we get into bed and I lay in the crook of his arm.
"I really miss Cole." He says the words none of us wanted to say in the living room. "This will be the first summer since I've known him that we won't spend together."
I wish I could tell him where he is, but I know that's not my place.
"I just hope he comes out better on the other side, that him being gone is all worth it." Luke sighs.
I kiss him, and try to take his mind off it.
We're all hoping that Cole will be okay, and from what I saw today, I know he will be.
He just has to believe it.