Free Afflicted by Sophie Monroe Page A

sai d it was going to be perfect, it would be since he never gave me any reason to believe that it would be anything but. We had a spectacular night, and our first time was incredible. It was everything I thought it would be, and more. I was glad that it was him since we were forever.
    In my fevered state , I was getting flashes of memories. Boot camp graduation. The phone call that he was being deployed. The phone call that their unit had been struck by a roadside bomb, and they weren’t sure if he was going to make it or not. The phone call that he was alive and coming back stateside.
    He never told me what happened , but his dad filled me in on what he knew and that his best friend, Johnny died in the explosion.
    I sat up in a cold swea t and checked my temperature to see if my fever broke, realizing that I wasn’t alone. Cole stood at the kitchen sink running his hand under the water. I managed to get to my feet and pad my way into the kitchen. I stood next to him as I looked down at his hand. Blood was swirling down the drain and my world stopped spinning.
    “What did you do?” I croaked.
    “I did what needed to be done.” He said flatly showing no emotion whatsoever. “He had it coming, with the way that he’s always hanging around you. Always trying to act like the savior just so he can fuck you again.”
    He turned to look at me , and that’s when I saw his face. His eye was already starting to bruise and swell shut. His elbow was ripped open, and his knuckles were broken open and bleeding. So he left me here sick just so he could go pick a fight with Blake.
    “Get out!” My voice cracked as I tried to yell.
    “I’m not going anywhere. You need to go lay back down.” He said moving past me.
    Having zero strength, I didn’t have it in me to have another argument with him. I went back to the couch and unlocked my phone to text Blake, but there was already one from him.
    Piper, I care about you and you’re my friend but Cole came and found me starting a completely unprovoked fight. I’m not going to be the cause of any more issues for you. If you need me just say the word, and I’ll be there no matter what, but I can’t stand by and watch anymore. I think we should put some distance between us. Sorry I busted up his face. I think he thought that just because he was a soldier that he could kick my ass, unfortunately for him, bar fights trump... Take care of yourself.
    I felt a tear slide down my cheek as I clicked the message closed. I felt guilty for getting him involved in my drama, and even guiltier for having feelings for him.
    I tossed my phone on the table without replying .
    “Why are you crying?” Cole spat.
    I didn’t realize he was still standing there. “Cause you kill me a little more each day.”
    Hugging a pillow to my chest I turned and closed my eyes.
     

 
    CHAPTER FIVE
    Seize The Day
    Blake
     
    Aubrey called and informed me that they were having family dinner tonight and that the guys and I were expected to be there. Since Kevin left for LA this morning to go visit his girlfriend it was just me and Derek. I changed my shirt and waited for Derek to get out of the bathroom before heading across to the main house.
    The kitchen smelled like garlic and sausage. I walked over to the pot to test the sauce when I saw Piper sitting at the dining room table talking to Granny Jean and Caroline. She looked spectacular, as always. I haven’t heard from her since I sent her the text message after I got into the fight with Cole in the bar parking lot.
    Quickly looking away, I took a small spoon full of sauce and tasted it. It definitely needed some basil and a little more garlic. I got to work on fixing her sauce, trying to look inconspicuous. By the time, everyone sat down the only seat left was next to Piper. I had a feeling that we were set up, but I wasn’t about to call anyone out on it. After all, we were friends and could certainly stand to sit next to each other for a meal. We bumped