Where the Truth Leads

Chapter 21: The hurt of it all

AERO's POV

I still wanted to punch Parker. The more I thought about him and Cole breaking up the more angry I felt.

Cole was one of my best friends. I was so mad about how things ended up.

I mean, Parker is Parker, but I thought Cole made him better. I still think he makes him better.

They've been together for what's felt like forever. It's hard to imagine who Parker is going to be when they're actually apart.

We packed up all of our stuff— Parker included.

Before they left for work we all thanked Cole's family for their hospitality. Cole must not have told them any of the details besides the fact that we had to go back to school because they all acted normal. Except for Harry— who acted awkward as fuck, along with Parker who was silent the entire time.

After I finished packing my stuff I stopped by Cole's room.

"Come in," he yelled after I knocked on his door.

"Hey," I greeted him while entering.

"Hi," he showed a small grin.

I couldn't help but feel awkward, after all it was my idiot brother that hurt him.

Cole stood up off of his bed and asked, "So you're about to head out?"

I nodded my head.

"When do you leave for New York?" I asked curiously while crossing my arms.

"Saturday," he told me. "Crazy, that we have to say goodbye again so soon?"

I nodded slowly.

I didn't want to say goodbye to him. It felt way more real this time then the last.

I sighed deeply and before I knew it my eyes were watering.

"Oh come on," he said walking up to me.

He pulled me in for a hug as a tear fell onto my cheek.

I grabbed him tightly and whined, "I don't want to say goodbye."

"It's not really goodbye isn't?" He sighed with his voice cracking a little.

I couldn't help but think it was. How could he want to see me after Parker?

Me, a constant reminder of Parker.

I could smell his familiar minty aftershave. I had gotten it for him around graduation as part of a random gift basket and apparently he'd stuck to the same one ever since.

He moved his right hand to the back of my head and pet my hair as a cried.

"You're not allowed to cry, you're just gonna make me cry," Cole sniffled as he also cried.

I giggled a little. I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand as we pulled away from each other.

He ran his fingers through his hair and let out a big sigh.

"This sucks," he sighed.

I nodded my head.

"Cole?" I began quietly.

His eyes narrowed with concern. "Yes?"

"For what's it's worth—I'm sorry about you and Pa—"

He cut me off before I could finish.

He shook his head, swallowed hard and said, "We don't have to talk about it."

I nodded my head silently.

I pulled him in again for another hug to which he happily received.

I sighed and buried my head against his chest. "I love you, Cole."

He squeezed me tightly again and replied, "I love you too. Come on, we'll see each other soon. We got Christmas break."

"Or thanksgiving!" I suggested quickly wanting to see him sooner.

"Or Halloween?" He laughed.

I chuckled and let him go.

"Sounds good to me," I smiled at him.

He held a smirk on his face and nodded his head.

I remember when he first spoke to me in that bar back in high school. Everything that has happened us to since sounds like something out of a lifetime movie and it's crazy to think about.

As we finished loading up the car Cole stood in the doorway and watched us get in. Parker opened the back door to the black SUV and paused to look back at Cole.

Cole stood with his arms crossed without an expression.

I saw Parker give him a slight nod before getting into the car and closing the door.

I opened the passenger seat door after Thomas slammed his door shut. I glanced back at Cole who lifted his hand to wave goodbye.

I raised and waved my hand slowly before getting inside the car. I took a deep breath to refrain from crying again.

Thomas squeezed my hand as I buckled and we pulled away.

I looked behind me to see Parker, Aurelie, and Patrick squished together in the backseat. Aurelie giggled as she and Patrick played rock, paper, scissors. Parker sat staring out the window while resting his chin on his hand.

Turning back around I looked at the road ahead of us. It was finally time to return to Canada.

After we made it through security and checking in at the airport, Thomas and Patrick went to the bathroom while Aurelie, Parker and I grabbed snacks from a little store.

As I looked down at a shelf the screams of what felt like 10,000 children annoyed the shit out of my ears. The ran throughout the store while parents chased them around.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and pulled it out to see an unknown number was calling me.

"I'll be right back," I told Aurelie and waved my phone around to indicate I was going outside to take a call.

I went further into the airport until the screams were gone.

I clicked accept and brought the phone to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked confused on who was calling me.

I'd assumed it was Detective Ramirez or someone like that because not a lot of people have my number.

"Hello sweetie."

My heart dropped as I heard his voice speak through the phone.

My mouth fell open as I whispered out the words,

"...Dad?"