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Twenty-One
Cole
I’d spentmy life practicing control in all things.
Luna made me want to throw it all away, and until this afternoon, I thought that was a good thing.
Graham nodded at the hand I was favoring. “Your knuckles are scuffed. What happened?”
“I punched the dashboard when I got her text.” I was lucky there hadn’t been anything tougher nearby. What was I doing? I couldn’t pinpoint a single moment in my life when I’d reacted with this level of frustration.
But Luna was different. She was delicate enough to need to be wrapped up and shielded, but strong enough to stand alone against the storm. She’d shown me the world through a new lens. Made me believe in magic again.
“What do we do?” I didn’t know if I wasn’t asking Graham or myself. The only thing I was certain of, besides wanting Luna back, was this was the only place I could think of going, after I got her message.
Graham shook his head. “Not a clue. Do you want something for your hand?”
I flexed my fingers. “I’m good.” If I was here, I had a friend—how did Graham become that in such a short amount of time? But I also had someone to temper my bad ideas. If I walked out the door now, I’d drive straight to Violet’s, throw Luna over my shoulder, and carry her out of there.
Luna would never forgive me for that. I’d never even consider it if she were anyone else.
“I’m calling Violet.” I had to do something. My phone was already in my hand, and I was scrolling through to her phone number.
“Hey, Cole.” Her friendly answer was flat.
Not the kind of reception I was used to from her. “Do you know where Luna is? Can I talk to her?”
“No.”
Go figure. “I asked multiple questions.”
“The answer is no.”
It was tempting to push harder. In fact, all reason insisted I do so. It wouldn’t get me anywhere. “Tell her I—we—miss her. That I just want to talk.”
“If I talk to her, I’ll tell her you called,” Violet said.
I’d take it. “Thank you.”
“Give her a little time.”
Not helpful. “I’d give her all the time in the world if I knew she was coming back.” I was intently aware of Graham watching me. I’d be doing the same if our roles were reversed.
“That’s not all the time in the world. It’s the opposite, because you’re asking her to put a timer on it.” The longer Violet talked, the tighter her voice grew.
“I could make the request in person.” Stupid. I shouldn’t have said that. I was about to go out of my head, but the words could come across as a threat.
“Do. Not.”
I bit back a growl, despite her reacting exactly the way I thought she would.
“Tell me you won’t.”
I clenched my jaw, reason warring with something far more primal.
“Cole. If you show up on my doorstep, or if you go to where Luna is, looking for her… Don’t make me turn this into a threat. Respect her wishes for distance.”
“Fine.” I wanted to add for tonight. Civility beat back my inner caveman. Barely. “Thank you for looking out for her.” I disconnected before I could say something stupid.
