SO COLD (18+) currently editing

Chapter 19

CHARACTER VIEWS DO NOT REPRESENT MY OWN. Please be civil in the comment section.

Doriano was waiting for us in the carpark of the airport. "Go well?" he asked, joining the highway. It was raining and despite being morning – 7.42 AM – the skies were stuck in nightfall: magnificent dark clouds that had engulfed the morning sun, an infinite blanket of darkness, tranquil and serene.

Cole bent his neck like he had a kink and rubbed the back of his neck rather aggressively. His resting face was a mixture of mild irritation and boredom. "Just drive," he said.

It took two hours of silent driving to get to familiar streets. I've never been as happy as I was to be home. I couldn't wait to be back with my family. I was going to apologise to Jade for being rude and spend some time with Seth. Jade was probably going to order Thai food. We'd sit and watch reality TV: Jade wistfully wishing she'd gotten famous for making a home video (Dad would never let us go near her again and that'd be before she'd pick up the camera). I thought about Dad: negative thoughts were attached to him. I directed my attention elsewhere. "Turn left ahead. I want to get home."

"First time you've acknowledged me since you've gotten in the car. I don't appreciate it, caro. I'm going to pretend you didn't speak if that's okay with you."

"Uh, fine. Stop the car. I can walk from here."

"Hmm, what's that? Did you hear something, Cole? I must be going deaf with old age."

Cole glanced back as Doriano exaggerated; wriggling a finger in his ear. He didn't speak. I looked at Irvin as if to confirm this was happening and he gave a shrug back. "Stop being a dick, Dorito, let her out."

"I can't hear you. Speak up."

I kicked the back of his seat. "You're so pathetic, I didn't realise your ego was so fragile." When he didn't respond and continued on driving, I added. "Alright. I'm sorry I didn't greet you. I didn't realise you were so hung up over me but then what else should I have expected from a man who needed to see his own reflection to get hard? I've never seen a man so desperately in love with himself: I had to stop you from performing on yourself."

Irvin inhaled deeply.

Doriano let off curses in his mother tongue; furious, harsh words and switched to English. "Watch your tongue, girl."

"Sorry – again."

"Is it illegal to blow yourself?" Irvin wondered. "How did you even like, you know...put yourself into your mouth?"

Cole grunted in disgust. "Fu-ck-ing hell, Irvin."

"She's lying. I like women. I don't ... I'm not a fu-ck-ing creep."

"I guess if you touch your junk with your hand, you could touch it with anything." Irvin paused for the longest minute. "Actually. No. I take that back. That was – that was super fu-ck-ed up."

"Shut the fu-ck up. What is wrong with you all? I don't want to hear this sh-it." Cole put an end to the conversation. His eyebrows were drawn down and his mouth was pressed into a thin line; he looked ticked off. "Where are you going?"

"Charlie's place. Jess is throwing a 'surprise' party."

Cole smiled; but it was sinister and creepy. "How she been?"

"Drunk."

"Good."

"Her parents have been calling daily. She doesn't know, though."

"Have they paid off their debt yet?"

"No, but I'm guessing you want me to send them a message?"