Chapter 2. Comments, critiques and tips are welcome.
***
Briana waited patiently in the car for Cole. She didn't know what he was going to buy from the pharmacy shop. But from his body language, it seemed very important that he got it. Well she had nowhere to go so she was not bothered.
She still couldn't believe they had actually had sex again this morning. She could still feel him. And to think this time yesterday, she was actually a virgin. Briana laughed out loud and quickly looked around to see whether someone was looking at her. Wouldn't want people to think she was nuts...laughing all by herself. She saw Cole striding towards the car and thought. 'He's all mine.' She felt really good inside and hoped nothing marred her good feeling.
Cole got into the car and gave her some pills and a bottle of water, "Take this Bri. It's called Postinor. It's morning - after pills. You know...we didn't use protection this morning..."
"Oh...'' Briana turned a delicate shade of red and took what Cole offered, quickly taking the pills. How thoughtful of him she thought. On the other hand, she thought, it could also mean he rather wanted to ensure that nothing tied him to her. That thought did hurt but she suppressed the feeling, telling herself that Cole was only looking out for her.
Cole drove to StarBites, a nice cafΓ© where they could talk without unnecessary interruptions. He ordered regular coffee whiles Briana opted for sugar-free vanilla latte.
"Vanilla latte. Is it nice?" Cole asked Briana with a raised eyebrow.
"Come on have a taste"
Cole took a sip of Briana's latte and made a face which made her laugh.
"Ow admit it Cole. It's nice. It's defiantly nicer than your black coffee."
"Well I can boldly say it's definitely NOT nicer than you.'' He replied huskily, looking at her from under his lashes.
Briana blushed, staring into her latte. Cole took her hands into his, staring at her fingers. She had really delicate fingers. He shuddered to think what those fingers could do to him. His throat suddenly went dry and he had to take a sip of his coffee.
"So tell me...why were you so angry with me? And please be very honest with me because relationships that lack honesty, do not last. And this right here," Cole flicked his forefinger between them, "is a relationship. So spill it."
Briana took a deep breath and looked at Cole.
"I really don't know why I was angry at you Cole. I guess in a way, I was hurt with...you did drive me out of your house you know." She said giving him a reproachful look.
"Oh Bri!" Cole rubbed his closed his eyes and rubbed his brow remembering that fateful day three years ago vividly, "It was for your own good. You were only fifteen Bri...and do you know just how close I got to fucking you right there in my dad's living room? I would never have been able to forgive myself. And your dad would have killed me." He added the last bit with a smile.
"But I heard all the stories. You were fucking other girls my age so why not me? Was I that unappealing?" Briana asked looking dejected.
"No no no," Cole took Briana's face between his palms, "You don't know the effect you have on people do you? Even back then, you were stunning and sexy as hell. And you were NOT other girls Bri. You were like a kid sister to me. Do you have any idea just how appalled at myself I was, for having such inappropriate feelings towards you? And it all started with that kiss. I had to leave town the very next day to preserve my sanity. My dad didn't understand why all of a sudden I wanted to leave when I had two whole weeks to relax at home. For once in my life, I wanted to do the right thing Bri. You've always been on my mind since then babe. This thing between us...I don't know where it's leading. But I'm ready to find out. Are you?"
Briana was so overwhelmed and had tears in her eyes she couldn't talk so she nodded. Cole stood up, went around the table to her side and took her into his arms and hugged her tightly. He could do this he told himself. He really wanted her to be happy so he was ready to make an effort to let this thing work. So help him God.
They finally settled and spoke about themselves and what plans they had. Cole encouraged Briana to accept UCLA as it was in LA...where he was practicing.
"Will you look after me?" she asked jokingly.
"You bet I will. I wanna keep an eye on you so that those horny college boys wouldn't have any funny ideas.'' Cole replied with a mock scowl on his face.''
Briana couldn't help but laugh. God he was sexy even with a scowl on his face. She was so into him it was not amusing. And she was definitely going to UCLA...because she wanted to keep an eye on HER man. 'Her man.' She liked the sound of that. She couldn't wait to tell her parents about her choice.
***
Dinner that evening was an interesting affair. Nick and Elaine were thrilled with their daughter's choice of college. Briana was happy too but was very uncomfortable because Sean kept staring at her and she didn't know why.
"What?"
She asked for the eleventh time but he just shrugged as he had been doing throughout dinner. And he had this ...shocked look on his face, like he couldn't believe something.
"Hey son, what's the matter? You're making your sister uncomfortable. We're all going to miss her but we're not staring. Say something.'' Nick Scot admonished his son.
Sean still maintained his silence but minimized the staring. Briana couldn't tell what was going on through his mind. But she knew he would tell her in his own time. It was still creepy though.
That night she called Cole to let him know it was a done deal. She was going to be with him in LA. They were both happy and Cole talked about all the places they could visit and the fun they could have. Briana heard her door being opened and turned to look. Sean stood in the doorway looking at her.
"Cole, let me call you right back. Don't sleep.''
"I won't babe.''
Briana melted at how he said 'babe' in that sexy voice of him. She couldn't wait to talk to him again. But now, she had to deal with her brother.
"Hey." She said to Sean, patting the space beside her on the bed, indicating he come sleep beside her. But Sean chose to sit on the chair beside her bed...which was rather strange but she chose not to comment on it.