Out of Breath (Breathing, #3)(60)

‘That’s an understatement,’ I said between clenched teeth. ‘Why is he here? Why couldn’t he have stayed away …’ I clamped my eyes closed. ‘This can’t be happening.’ My world was so far off balance, I could barely stand upright.

Sara leaned against the railing in front of me, sliding over so I could still stare at the waves rushing towards shore.

‘Why did you automatically go into the guest room with your things?’ she asked.

I looked up at her in surprise.

‘I, uh, that’s where I stayed before,’ I explained. ‘We don’t … sleep together. Sara, we’re not dating. You know that.’

‘Right.’ She nodded. ‘It didn’t look that way to me at the airport.’

I didn’t really even remember what had happened between Cole and me at the airport. I’d been way too consumed by the awareness that Evan was somewhere behind me.

‘Maybe you should –’ Sara stopped. Her head jerked to attention.

‘I should what?’ I asked in confusion.

That’s when I heard, ‘So why weren’t you at the funeral?’ I practically choked.

‘She didn’t want me there,’ Cole explained, still remaining much more relaxed than seemed reasonable. ‘I wanted to be there, but I respected her wishes. So I stayed here.’

I nodded.

‘And I take it you were there?’ he asked, raising his eyebrows slightly.

‘I was,’ I answered. I hadn’t let Emma’s wishes keep me from attending.

‘And she was a mess,’ Cole concluded, like he expected as much.

‘That’s one way of putting it.’ I nodded carefully, wondering exactly where this conversation was headed.

‘They’re talking about me,’ I sputtered in disbelief. ‘Why are they talking about me? Don’t they know I can hear them?’

‘Shh.’ Sara hushed me, listening intently.

‘Is that why you came back with her?’ Cole asked Evan.

I couldn’t move. Every cell in my body anticipated Evan’s response.

‘I had plans to spend the summer here,’ I told him, evading the entire truth. ‘I just thought I’d come a little early, that’s all.’

‘Really?’ Cole returned sceptically. ‘Look, I know you have a history with Emma. I get it. She was a mess at the funeral, and you’re worried about her. It makes sense. And I also know you didn’t realize I’d be here for her either. But I am, so you don’t need to be.’

I took a swig from the beer bottle and glanced out at Sara and Emma on the deck. I caught Sara’s eye, and she dropped her gaze quickly, appearing to be in conversation with Emma.

‘Shit,’ Sara muttered. ‘Evan just caught me listening.’

‘I can’t believe we are listening to this. I mean, this shouldn’t be happening. He shouldn’t be here. They should not be talking about me. Shit. Don’t they know I can hear them?’ I squeezed my fists, my pulse racing.

‘I’m not going to interfere,’ I said, turning towards Cole. ‘I just … was hoping to … get closure. Things didn’t exactly end well between us.’

‘I figured as much,’ Cole said with a shrug.

‘She told you?’ I looked at him curiously, wondering exactly how much Cole knew about Emma and her life in Weslyn. I couldn’t figure out how close they were; their body language was all over the place. But I hadn’t come here prepared for her to be involved with anyone.

‘Not exactly.’ He laughed lightly. ‘Let’s just say I figured it out.’ He paused. ‘So, does she want you here?’

I hesitated, knowing that I could make things difficult if I said the wrong thing.

‘I never asked her,’ I replied honestly. ‘We didn’t have an opportunity to talk when she was in Weslyn.’

‘Then maybe you should ask her,’ Cole advised, his forehead creasing in warning. ‘And if she doesn’t want you here, you need to leave her alone.’

‘Emma, where are you going?’ I heard Sara yell from the deck. I immediately headed towards the glass door.

‘Don’t they know I can hear them?!’ I screamed, stomping down the stairs and practically tripping over the rocks in my haste to escape their conversation.

‘Emma!’

My feet pressed defiantly into the sand, leaving a dent in the firm surface with each forceful step.

‘Emma, wait!’

My heart beat frantically. I shook my head.

‘Please, Emma!’

I whipped around, the wind blowing my hair in my face. ‘Leave me alone, Evan!’

‘Come on, Emma. Please. Stop,’ he pleaded, jogging to catch up.

‘You’re not supposed to be here!’ I yelled at him, my eyes filling with tears.

I stopped. A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. She was so tense, she was practically shaking.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming,’ I said. ‘I should have.’

‘You should be back in Connecticut!’ she yelled at me. ‘You shouldn’t be here at all! Just go back! Just … go away.’ Her voice faltered as the strain of emotion broke through.

I closed my eyes. Her words were difficult to swallow.