Until Cobi (Until Her/Him #7)(26)

After my answer of yes and explaining to him what happened, he asked if he could borrow some money to help pay his and Mom’s electric bill that is overdue. His non-reaction wasn’t a surprise; still, it hurt that he didn’t really care if I was okay or that I could’ve died.

I’m sure the only reason he called was to ask for money. Finding out if the rumors were true was just a bonus. After I told him no, that I didn’t have money to help him with the electric bill, he hung up on me, but not before I listened to him mutter about how ungrateful I’ve always been. It wasn’t a surprise that my mom didn’t call demanding answers, since where mothers are concerned she’s the worst of the worst. She should never have had kids, and thankfully after me she never had another. My dad, on the other hand, has three more kids, each with a different woman.

I didn’t technically lie when I told Cobi it’s just me and that I don’t have siblings. I have never met my three younger brothers, and probably never will. Each of the women who had kids with my dad smartly left after realizing what a lowlife he is and that in the end he’s stuck with my mom or they are stuck with each other.

My parents are still married, probably because divorce is expensive, but they are no longer in a relationship and haven’t been for years. They do share the trailer I grew up in, and both live there when they are not leeching off someone they’re hooking up with. My dad sells drugs from time to time, when someone is stupid enough to trust him with their product and money, and my mom works at a local bar and has since I can remember. How she’s kept a job for so long when she’s almost always wasted is anyone’s guess, but she’s done it.

My desk phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts, and I reach out, grab it, and put it to my ear. “Hadley speaking.”

“Ugh, I just thought I’d warn you,” Brie starts, sounding worried, and I sit up in my chair as she continues. “I was leaving the parking lot and saw what looks like a very pissed off Cobi Mayson heading into the office.”

“What?” I look around for someplace to hide, and then my eyes widen when I spot Cobi talking to one of my co-workers whose desk is near the front door and see him flash his badge.

“I think you left a whole lot of stuff out last night,” Brie says in my ear, and I pull in a shaky breath.

“I’ll explain later. Right now, I need to find a place to hide.”

“Good luck with that. With how pissed off that man looks, the moon wouldn’t be far enough away for you to escape him.” She hangs up and I drop the phone into the cradle as Cobi turns to look at me.

When his dark, angry eyes meet mine, I know not only is he pissed—I’m screwed.

Last night, I put my plan to keep Cobi away into action. I didn’t stay at home; instead, I took Brie up on her offer and slept at Kenyon’s and her place. Luckily, I didn’t have to sleep on the couch, since she bought an air mattress just for me in case I came over. When she asked about Cobi, I said he was working then avoided all conversation having to do with him, changing the subject each and every time. If I ever told her my plan to keep him at arm’s length and gave her my reasons for doing it, she would be mad. Actually, she would be livid. Even as long as she’s been in my life, she’s never really understood why I’m so ashamed. She thinks I should be proud of who I am, how far I’ve come, and look at the bright side of things.

She doesn’t know how humiliating it is to have to explain my past. She doesn’t know how embarrassing it is to have one or both my parents show up unannounced and make a scene. Something they have done more than once when I haven’t given them what they wanted. No guy wants to deal with that. No guy wants a woman who has the kind of baggage I have. And a cop would for sure not be happy about having a girlfriend with druggie, alcoholic parents that have been arrested so many times most officers and judges know them by name.

Not seeing a place to escape, I stand and watch Cobi stalk toward my office, his long stride eating up the distance between us quickly. Crap, things would be a whole lot easier if he wasn’t so damn attractive. Even angry, he’s hot, maybe even hotter, with his jaw hard and his muscles seeming more pronounced. When he steps through my open door, I start to open my mouth, having no idea what I will say to him, but I shut it as he slams the door closed, causing the pictures on the walls to shake.

“What the fuck?” His voice booms through my small office, and I look over his shoulder, noticing my co-workers stopping to take in the scene.

“Keep your voice down,” I hiss, swinging my head back to look at him. “This is my job. You can’t just barge in here, slam doors, and shout at me.”

“Where were you last night?” he demands, and I pull in a breath, wanting to calm my wildly beating heart. “Answer me.”

“I stayed with Brie. She wanted me to stay with her and Kenyon. They’ve been worried about me.”

“Lie.”

How the hell does he know I’m lying?

“It’s not a lie.”

“Part of it’s not, and part of it is.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Now tell me why you’re avoiding me?”

“I’m not avoiding you.” I scoff, and his eyes narrow.

“Another lie.”

“You don’t know me, Cobi,” I hiss, getting angry and defensive.