Broken Silence (12 page)

There were many, many more girls out there, but only me and four others wanted to give evidence. One had written a statement that would be read out, but it wasn’t as useful to the prosecution’s case as being there in person. I couldn’t blame her though – I nearly hadn’t come myself.

I nodded, even though Linda couldn’t see me. I felt numb.

“Okay.”

“Sorry, but I’ve got to run, Oakley. I’ll call you tomorrow, but in the meantime if you have anything you want to ask, I’m free from six tonight.”

“Alright. Thank you, Linda.”

“Any time. Bye.”

“Bye.” I hung up and stared at the phone. How could he even pretend that he had nothing to do with it? I turned to Cole and tried to tell him what Linda had said, but no words came out when I opened my mouth. Letting go of my hand, he wrapped both arms around me.

“It’s okay. I heard what she said.”

My world felt as if it was shrinking.

“He’s going to get off, isn’t he?”

“No!” Cole was adamant. “No matter what happens at the trial he
won’t
get away with it.”

Pulling back slightly, I looked at him to get him to explain exactly what that meant.

“Don’t worry about anything.”

“You’re not doing anything stupid if he gets off.”

He smiled and stroked my cheek. “But it wouldn’t be stupid, Oakley.”

“Right, so you going to prison because of him wouldn’t be stupid? That wouldn’t be throwing your life away?”

I wanted to slap some sense into him. How could Cole think doing anything to harm Max would be justice when he would be the one that got locked up? I didn’t want anyone else to have their life ripped apart because of my father.

“I don’t think you have any idea how much I love you.”

Pushing his chest away from me, I stood up and glared.

“Great. Thanks for loving me so much! Send me a postcard from prison!”

Cole sighed and stood up. “You’re overreacting.”

“How am I overreacting? That’s what happens when you murder someone, idiot!”

“Oakley, will you calm down?”

“I’ll calm down when you stop being dumb!”

“I’m not being dumb.”

“Yes, yes you are! You’re beginning to make
Jasper
sound like Stephen Hawking!”

My eyes started stinging, and I fought to keep it together. The thought of Cole throwing his life away over my dad was awful. Dad wasn’t worth it.
I
wasn’t worth it.

Cole laughed and shook his head. He stepped forwards and caressed the sides of my face.

“I won’t let him walk away after what he did to you.”

Throwing my hands up in exasperation, I glared at him.
Am I speaking Chinese or something!

“Fine. Go ahead. Do whatever the hell you want!” I spun around and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Away from you!”

Mum and Jasper looked up in alarm as I stomped down the stairs.

“Stupid, exasperating idiot.”

“What’s wrong? What’s he done?” Jasper asked. He looked accusingly at Cole who was coming down the stairs behind me.

“He hasn’t done anything,
yet
.” I turned to him. “I think you should go home. We’re done here.”

Cole stared at me. “We’re not done. Are you going to talk to me properly or just shout?”

“What’s going on?” Mum asked, looking between the two of us.

“
He’s
being stupid,” I replied, pointing at Cole like a child.

“Oakley, you can’t tell me you don’t understand.”

I ran my hand over my face.

“We’ve been through this before already. I thought you were over the
let’s kill him
thing.”

“This is about
him
?” Jasper spat. “You’re arguing over that bastard?”

“No, Jasper. We’re arguing because Cole can’t see how
–” I growled in frustration, not even able to finish the sentence without punching one of them. Spinning around, I stormed out of the house and slammed the door closed.

Seconds later, the front door opened, and I heard Cole and Jasper argue over who should follow me. I didn’t want either of them to follow me. Swiping away the tears that fell down my face with the back of my hand, I pushed my legs faster to get away from whoever was running to catch up with me.

“Oakley, wait.” Cole grabbed my hand and spun me around. I guess he had won. “Look I’m sorry. I know we’ve had this conversation before but…” He shook his head and looked at me with the saddest expression I’d ever seen.

“I just… I love you so much, and I hate that there’s even a possibility of him getting off. I don’t want you to live your life being scared that he could turn up at any minute.”

I didn’t know what to say. He stepped closer, stroked my cheek and wiped the fresh flow of tears away. I closed my eyes.

“Cole, please don’t. Promise me you’ll drop it and if he gets out you’ll stay away. Please? I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you. I need you. Please?”

He sighed in defeat.

“Okay, I promise.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, slipping my arms around his neck and holding him as close to me as I could.

Chapter Twelve

Cole

Kerry and Oakley chatted in the back of the car, giggling about something I hadn’t caught. Every so often they would whisper something in each other’s ear and laugh about it. The fact that I didn’t know what it was drove me crazy. It was fucking incredible to hear Oakley laugh so much, though.

“Shh,” Oakley suddenly hissed loudly. I turned my head slightly so I could see them better. What the hell were they gossiping about? As they saw me they both smiled innocently.
Okay, this is about me.

“You two discussing how amazing I am?” I asked, shooting a glance over my shoulder.

Oakley grinned. “Yeah,
Kerry
thinks you’re awesome.”

I nodded, slowly. “You’re lying. You want to jump my bones, and you know it.”

She laughed, blushing a little. “You think way too much of yourself!”

“It’s hard not to when you’re constantly looking at me with those x-ray eyes.”

She shook her head and laughed. “So delusional, Cole.”

“Paintballing tomorrow?” I asked Ben. I needed to kick his arse after shooting me in the face last time we went.

Ben’s face lit up like a child that had just been handed a bag of sweets.

“Hell yeah. Boys only though. Those two can do something else, like have a pillow fight or whatever girls do,” he said, nodding towards Oakley and Kerry.

“Why did you say no girls? We never go with the girls.”

“Since Oakley’s been back, you’ve been attached heart the hip,” he moaned.

“No we haven’t.”
Have we?
We’d spent a lot of time together, but it had been four years! Surely I was allowed to catch up properly? Wait, he wasn’t being an arse about it. I was the one being too defensive.

“So why aren’t we invited?” Kerry asked, poking her head between the front seats.

“Me and Cole are having a boys’ day. You two aren’t boys.”

“Oh, boys’ day,” Oakley teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Ben shouted. “Don’t even be saying things like that, girl. I’m a ladies’ man!”

I winced as Kerry slapped his head. I felt the thud. “
Ladies?
”

“Lady! Baby, you know there’s only you,” he said, and rubbed his head where she’d hit.

“Good. Love you, sweetie.” Kerry sat back in her seat and continued chatting to Oakley as if they had never stopped. Their relationship had changed slightly since Oakley’s reappearance in our lives: four years ago Kerry had to learn to read Oakley’s reactions and expressions, but now Oakley was talking more easily, neither of them shut up.

We parked in the club’s car park and made our way inside. Oakley slipped her hand in mine as we walked towards the bar.

“What do you want to drink then, little pisshead?” I whispered in her ear and wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. She giggled and scanned the bar. I knew she wasn’t really a big drinker, so I think she was trying to read what all the bottles were.

“A shot of that blue stuff and a vodka and lemonade, please.”

“Are you getting drunk again?”

Oakley nodded and leant back against my chest.

Kerry pulled her away to find a table. “Shots all round, Cole,” Kerry shouted, waving her hand over her head.

“Cheers,” Ben said, raising his glass.

I downed mine and almost spat it back up. “Shit, that’s disgusting!”

Kerry shrugged. “I like it. I’ll get more.”

“I’m not going to be able to stand by the end of the night, am I?” Oakley said, sipping her vodka and lemonade.

“Not if Kerry has anything to do with it.”

I was right. After two shots and her vodka, Oakley was drunk. Kerry was tipsy but nowhere near as bad. Not drinking often definitely made her a lightweight.

“Hi guys. Sorry I’m late,” Chelsea said and sat down. She had some other guy with her who I vaguely remember seeing around Uni. “Brad, these are my friends, Cole, Oakley, Ben and Kerry. And guys, this is Brad.”

I reached across the table and shook his hand. “Hey, man.”

“Hey.” Brad looked at all the empty shot glasses on the table and grinned. “We’ve got some catching up to do.”

“Yes, you do. It’s my round.” Ben got up, grabbing the tray that we kept and made his way to the bar.

Oakley groaned. “I don’t wanna fall on my face.”

Chelsea laughed. “Not a big drinker?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. Tomorrow is going to be hell.”

Another two shots and Oakley was plain wasted. She leant heavily on the table and laughed hysterically at everything.

“He’s so old now,” Kerry slurred. Her perfectly styled curly hair was messed up after dancing and stumbling around. “But
still
unbelievably gorgeous.”

They’d been discussing who was or wasn’t hot for the last half an hour. The thing that made my whole night was when Chelsea asked them who the
hottest
man alive was and Oakley’s eyes flicked to me for a second and I almost thought she’d sat me but that jokish glint in her eye gave her away. She said, before saying Ian Somerhalder. Chelsea said George Clooney and Kerry said Philip Glenister, which was just wrong.

“Dance with me?” Oakley asked, pulling at my hand while trying to stand up. I got out of my seat quickly to stop her falling flat on her arse.

I remembered the first time she ever tried alcohol, she was thirteen, and I had just turned fourteen. We were on holiday in Spain and our parents had gone out to dinner, leaving us kids at the hotel with room service. My dad’s half full bottle of Bourbon was sitting on the side, and Mia dared everyone to try it. Oakley coughed for about five minutes. She scrunched her nose up so much it looked like she had been sucking on a lemon. That was the first and last time she ever had whiskey.

I pulled her to a stop as we got to the dance floor and spun her around. “You okay?”

“Shh,” she whispered, pressing her finger over my lips. She had been driving me crazy all night and I don’t even think she realised it. I was trying to be a gentleman and letting her figure out what she wanted between us but that was getting harder to do.

“You’re being naughty,” I scolded her playfully.

“I think I’m a bit drunk,” she said, rubbing her forehead.

“You think!” I laughed as she nodded. “I didn’t think you could drink, but you can sure put it away.”

“You’re a bad influence, Cole.”

“Oh, so this is
my
fault?”

“Yep.” She wrapped her arms around my neck. Our lips were just inches apart. I groaned as she stared into my eyes. She wanted us to kiss, and so did I. I wanted that more than anything in the world, but I didn’t want it to be while she was off her face.

I pulled away slightly and felt like crap when she pouted.

“Not when you’re drunk,” I whispered, stroking her hair behind her ear. Nodding again, she laid her head on my shoulder.
I hate myself!

“Abby,” Oakley said, pulling away from me. Jasper and Abby were sitting at our table. Grabbing Abby’s hand, Oakley pulled me along. When did they become such good friends, or was it because Oakley was drunk?

Abby looked up and opened her arms to hug Oakley. They immediately began talking, catching up on what each other had been doing. I bet she wouldn’t remember anything Abby said in the morning!

Jasper smiled but not his usual unnerving smile. He looked happy. I knew he and Abby were on good terms before he left but was there more going on now? Whatever was going on, I hoped Jasper wouldn’t end up hurt again. As fucking weird as he was, he deserved a decent girl.

“How drunk is she?” Jasper asked, nodding towards his sister.

I chuckled. “Yeah, pretty drunk. Don’t worry though, I’m looking after her.”

“You’d better because she’s already been through too much.”

“I know that, Jasper. Anyway what’s happening with you and Abby? You getting back together?”

He sighed like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I dunno. I want to, but I’m going home with Oakley when all this is over. There’s no point in starting anything.”

It was like taking a bullet. They couldn’t go back.

“Have you spoken to Oakley? I’m sure she would want you to be happy.”

“I don’t need to talk to her. My sister comes before any girl. She always will. Don’t you say anything either. I don’t want her feeling guilty for me and Abby not being together.”

I nodded in agreement, but I couldn’t help feeling bad for him. I knew that Oakley would make him stay here and be happy if she knew he wanted to be with Abby, but I also got that he was putting her first. If I had my way they would all stay in England, but this was never about me.

As Jasper’s eyes flickered to Abby for the twentieth time during our conversation. I couldn’t help wondering how he managed to forgive her. Was it because the situation now put everything else into perspective?

“I need to go home,” Oakley mumbled and slumped down beside me. “I don’t feel good, and I don’t like drinking.”

I wrapped my arm around her waist. “I think that’s a good idea.” Standing up, I practically dragged her to her feet.

“I should go too,” Jasper said, looking at Abby.

“No,” Oakley slurred. “You stay. I’m fine with Cole.”

Jasper looked at me for confirmation, so I nodded. Of course she was fine with me. “I’ll get a taxi. You all stay.” Oakley looked up at me and frowned. I knew exactly what that frown was for. She didn’t want me to miss out.

“I’d rather go with you,” I whispered in her ear. “Night everyone,” I called over my shoulder and lead Oakley towards the exit.

“Bye,” she shouted, waving her hand enthusiastically. Yeah she was definitely going to suffer tomorrow.

The second I got her in the taxi, she leant against my shoulder and closed her eyes. A sleepy drunk then!

“Can you give me a minute?” I asked the driver as we pulled up outside her house. I saw him nod in the mirror, not even bothering to reply. I walked to Oakley’s side of the car and reached in, putting my arms around her. Getting her out of the car was awkward but she didn’t weigh much, so carrying her wasn’t hard.

“What are you doing?” she asked, slapping her hand over her mouth as she yawned.

“Carrying you inside.”

“Bye, Mr taxi man,” she called out, blowing a kiss over her shoulder. No wonder the guy was a miserable bastard. He probably dealt with drunk people all the time. Oakley shoved the key towards the lock. “Huh. It’s broke.”

I tried to keep a straight face. “Oakley, let me do it.”

“No. I can,” she replied. Sighing, I leant against the wall, silently hoping the taxi driver would still wait. “It’s broken!” she insisted.

“Okay, give me the damn key.” I held my hand out and she dangled it in front of my face, smirking. As I thought, the second I went to grab it she pulled her hand away. “Oakley,” I said warningly, trying not to smile again.

“Yes, Cole?” Wrapping one arm around her waist, I pulled her closer. Her eyes widened in shock as she hadn’t expected it. I used her surprise to my advantage and grabbed it out of her hand. I unlocked the door, and she gasped. “You fixed it!”

I chuckled, shaking my head. She looked genuinely impressed. “Yes, I fixed it.”

Grabbing my shirt in her fist, she pulled me closer. “I have something else you could fix for me,” she whispered. I gulped and rested my hands on her hips, half holding her up. She suddenly frowned and looked up at me, worried. “I don’t feel good.”

“Let’s get you to bed then.”
Please don’t puke!

I helped her up the stairs and gave her the pyjamas laying on the futon. She stripped down in front of me. Her chest and toned stomach was staring me in the face. My mouth went dry, but I snapped myself out of it, and made sure she got into her bed and had a glass of water ready for when she woke with a raging hangover.

Her eyes slowly closed and her breathing evened. She looked like an angel, and I was completely in love with her.

Ben and I grabbed our paint guns and made our way into the forest. We had been there so many times that they didn’t bother us with the whole induction and rules thing now. Nigel, the owner, made us sign our lives away and then we were let loose to inflict pain on each other.

“So what are you doing tonight? Actually, let me guess…
you’re going to see Oakley?”

“I’m not sure what I’m doing actually.”

He chuckled. “Of course you’re not!”

I really didn’t have any plans to go and see her. We hadn’t arranged anything.

“What’s going on between you two anyway?”

I sighed. “Not sure. It’s complicated.”

“How’s it complicated?”

Was he serious? “You’re not that dumb, Ben. She lives on the other side of the world. She’s back for the trial of the men who abused her and we’ve spent the past four years apart.”