31: REJECTED

COLE

I sat in front of the bar with what looked like whisky. One of my choices when I was mulling over something serious.

So when Jewel walked in and noted my drink, she ordered herself two shots before calming down with something fruity. “You called me, but I didn’t think it would be this bad. What’s going on, hun?”

I rolled my eyes, not bothering to hide my irritation. “Just wanted some company,” the sigh being one that was all too real. “I have a lot on my mind.”

“Anything you want to talk about?” Jewel pried, scooting closer to me.

I pushed her off, giving her a frown. “I think we’ve talked about this.”

“I know, I know. Sorry,” Jewel said with a huffy sigh and a deep pull of her drink. “Just a little frustrated these days with how quickly your brother plunges into things.”

I gave her a half-quizzical look, deciding to drop the bomb early. “I know the feeling.” I pulled out my phone, letting her take a good look. Her eyes going wide with the implications.

“You’re moving out of the house? What about Seth?”

I shrugged, taking a deep drink of what was actually apple juice, not bothering to drink through what may turn into a very big scene with her. Thankful the bartender was understanding enough to switch it up. Perhaps assuming I was an alcoholic of some kind, though likely now keeping a small eye on me with a woman present.

“What about him? I’m asking Delilah later tonight. I’m just trying to work up the courage.”

The way Jewel’s face fell was almost comical. I thought she was about to vomit. Or hit me. Perhaps both. “You’re… asking Delilah to move to Salem with you?”

“Well, I mean it only makes sense with her other job. It’s been a real pain in the ass with her having to drive all the way from the house for the last month.”

I was pretty sure Jewel was seeing red. Or perhaps foaming at the mouth with the amount of anger that seemed to well up. “Seth’s fucking her. He said—”

The grin at her words and giant shrug from her made her head just about explode. Before going back to her drink and then glaring at me. “Are you fucking with me tonight? This crap isn’t funny, Cole. You know how much I still care about you.”

I snorted, waving off the bartender as he came over to ask her for another drink order, telling him no with intent as I turned back to Jewel. “No, it’s not funny, Jewel, and neither is sabotaging any employee at work. We had that discussion, didn’t we? Delilah hasn’t even been the first. Tell me, how long you’ve been stealing your assistant’s ideas?”

Her cheeks heated as she crossed her arms, looking very much like a child as she curled up on herself on the stool with a pouty look to her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I did what you told me to and—”

I flipped to another tab on my phone’s browser. Going to the clip of her shredding what was certainly the Osterman files between the two clips I had put together. Letting her face the music. “Want to run that by me again?”

Her lower lip trembled at being caught. Not meeting my eyes as she took some deep breaths. “You don’t understand. I love you both.”

“You love yourself, Jewel. That’s where things fell apart. You started lying and pitting us against each other. You want to sit there and be jealous of Delilah? Be jealous. I could give a flying fuck.” The words flew from my mouth easily as if they had always wanted to be said. “I tolerated you because I thought you did a decent job at work, and you’re nothing but a fraud. You can’t be a friend, a lover, or even a decent coworker.”

“And you two are incestuous pigs,” Jewel hissed back, picking up her half-empty drink and throwing it on me. Some of the ice falling into my shirt and the cold splash of liquid more refreshing than it really was an upsetting mess if it was the last I saw of her. The sound of her boots stomping out more than satisfying as I lifted my finger for the bartender to get a real drink.

I deserved it after that episode.

After about halfway through a whisky and coke, Delilah and Seth walked in. Both of them looking more than a little surprised that I was alone. “Aw, come on. You filled her in?” I asked, not at all mad at Seth as Delilah scooted over and took my drink from me.

“As if either of you can keep a secret these days,” Delilah retorted with a grin, her knee brushing against mine. “If she’s gone, I’m guessing it went well?”

“I doubt she’ll be at the office in the morning,” I agreed with a small grin. Knowing that my assholeness certainly worked well sometimes.

“What was it that you told her to make her leave?” Seth asked curiously.

I grinned, happy to unlock my phone and pass it to Delilah.

“The truth.”