Free Love Obsessed by Veronica Short

myself but to hold her. She immediately wraps her arms around me.
    “I’ve missed you so much.” I tell her, speaking into her hair.
    “I’ve missed you, too.”
    “Cole.” I hear my name being called by someone that’s all too chipper. Erin pulls away, wiping the tears that have fallen from her eyes. “Hey, I thought that was you. Are you joining Brandon and me for lunch? He’s picking me up,” Beth announces while watching Erin, for some kind of reaction is my guess. I didn’t like her when she came up to Brandon this morning thinking that we were there for her and not Erin. I most definitely don’t like her now.
    “Erin, dear, Jake’s pretty mad. He saw you two,” She whispers, pointing her finger between the two of us, like there’s something going on between us.
    “Ah, Bethany, it’s always a pleasure talking to you. I would explain, but no doubt you will still tell the story your way.” Beth scoffs and Erin turns to leave, but then turns back toward us. “And Bethany, dear, try not speaking this time. Brandon gets done a lot faster if your voice isn’t throwing him off his groove.” She winks and walks off. Beth’s eyes widen and she turns and storms off toward the car park.
    “Erin!” I call, running up to her. She stops, and I go to stand in front of her. “Honey, that wasn’t healthy. What’s going on with that?” I whisper.
    “I have to go. It was good seeing you again.”
    “Sweetheart, talk to me,” I plead.
    “Later, ok,” she chokes out.
    “Ok, turn your phone back on so I can call you.” Erin nods and then she’s gone.
    Erin
    When I walk into the office, Jake is pacing. When he looks up at me, I can tell that he’s angry. “What was that?” he demands, hands on his hips and eyes holding me still.
    “That’s Cole, Brandon’s brother,” I explain.
    “He’s in love with you, Erin! Anyone who looks at him when he’s looking at you can tell!”
    I shake my head, “Jake...” I start.
    “Do you love him?”
    “What?”
    “Do. You. Love. Him?” Jake grates out each word like a bad taste. I’ve never seen him so angry.
    I shake my head, “Like a brother, that’s all.” The truth is that I don’t know how I feel about Cole.
    Jake’s breathing heavy and deeply, “I love you Erin.”
    I take a step back, not expecting that at all. Talk about being thrown by a curve.
    “Lover’s quarrel?” Anita asks, entering the room.
    “Mind your own business, Anita,” Jake states before shooting me one more look, and then walking out of the office.
    “He saw you getting all cosy with that hunky, spunky Cole, huh?” I stare at her. “Don’t get to attached, Erin. You have Jake. Cole’s mine.” I raise an eyebrow at her. “Didn’t he tell you? Oh my. We’re going out this weekend. A date. Beth with Brandon, and me and Cole. It’s going to be so much fun.”
    I swallow back tears. I will not be turning my phone back on, and I will be getting my belongings from the apartment tonight.
    ***
    As soon as I enter the apartment, I’m blind sighted by Brandon and Beth, naked, having sex on the kitchen bench. Beth’s eyes meet mine, and she smiles. I close the door behind me, head straight to my room, and start packing. I don’t own much, but it’s enough to have to do a few trips. Beth cries out and then Brandon. I feel sick listening to them. It’s a good thing that I’m not staying. I hear movement in the hallway, followed by murmuring, and then a door closing. I take that as my chance to take the first load down to my car. I make minimal noise. When I come back into the apartment, the main living area is clear, so I make a few more trips until the car is full. I make the drive back to Julie’s, my new home.
    “Hey, girly,” Jules welcomes me. “Uh,” she comes across and takes the box out of my hands. “Your things, it’s about time.”
    “Yeah, I’m going to get more from the car.”
    “Ok.” Jules walks up the stairs toward my new room, and I head out