Chosen Heart (31 page)

“Hey, I’m not doing
anything.  I paid for my ticket, just like the rest of ‘em, and I’m going
to get my kiss.  Now, you can make a scene or just give me what I paid
for.”  He leans in and closes his eyes waiting for me to pay up. 
Bunching up my fists, he’s lucky I can control my anger instead of punching the
smugness off his face.  “Oh come on, Ely.  You know you want
to.” 

I know I shouldn’t be worried
about my so called friend, but, after last night, I don’t want to cause any
more damage to my relationship with Alex.  Not even for Cole.  Before
I lean in to give him his kiss, I glance in Alex’s direction to make sure he’s
not freaking out like I am.  Unfortunately for me, his attention is
completely fixed, standing as still as a statue, waiting for my next
move.  The way he’s watching me is unnerving.  Shaking his head
slightly, I receive his message loud and clear. 
I’m right there with
you, Alex.
  What he doesn’t understand, though, is that if I deny
Cole, it will only send him into a drunken fit which will definitely cause a
scene.

Just get this over with, Ely!
  With closed eyes, Cole
stands in front of me…waiting.  I lean in and suddenly his eyes shoot
open, at the same time, his hand grasps the back of my neck.  Forcefully,
he pushes my face closer.  I react as my hands move up to his shoulders,
trying to push him away with all the strength I have, but it’s just no
use.  Cole’s wet lips are against mine, trying to force his tongue into my
mouth.  All I can smell is alcohol and it takes everything I have, not to
gag.  Struggling against him, trying desperately to pry our lips apart, I
start to feel my effort working as my struggle appears to have waned Cole’s
efforts.  His face no longer pressed against mine, I open my eyes and
realize it wasn’t my strength that separated us. 

The scene playing out in front of
me is in slow motion, my mind struggling to keep up.  Alex has Cole by the
back of his shirt, forcefully pushing him aside.  Alex’s look of pure
hatred is masked with his tense collected self, as he stands, fists at his
side.

“It’s a kiss on the cheek,
asshole!  Can’t you read?”  Alex points towards a small cardboard
sign posted on the wall behind me.  “This is a charity event and my
employees are not being paid to accept your sexual advances.”

“
Your
employee didn’t seem
to mind.  Besides, she’s
my
friend!”  Adjusting his shirt,
Cole returns Alex’s icy glare.  Alex glances around and notices a small
crowd starting to build as tension continues to escalate between them. 

“
My
employee did seem to
mind.  If you weren’t intoxicated, you would have noticed her pushing you
away.”  Lowering his voice to a menacing growl, Alex continues.  “Get
out of here
now
before I have you escorted off the property.” 

Please Cole…leave.

I can’t hide the pool of tears,
and fight back the urge to jump in between the two men in my life.  Cole’s
sad eyes look at me before quietly walking away, deciding not to make any more
of a scene. 

Alex turns to me and searches my
face, trying to gauge my emotional state.  Slowly, he reaches up to touch
my face, but remembers where we are and abruptly stops himself.  Instead,
his hands drop flat on the counter of the booth.  “You okay?” he whispers.

Trying to regain the connection
we had from this morning, I look him in the eyes, hoping he can still see that
I only want him.  “I’m fine.  Thank you.”  With heavy eyes, Alex
takes a deep breath.  Instantaneously, he’s regained his composure and
turns to walk away.  My heart stings for causing so much grief.  I
knew inviting Cole could cause problems, but I never imagined it would end up
like this.

The rest of my shift at the
kissing booth runs smoothly and without any further incidents.  I haven’t
seen Cole since the altercation, and wonder if he’s even still here.  I
really hope he’s gone home to sober up.  As much as he’s hurt me, I don’t
want to hurt him.  Not anymore than I already have. 

It’s getting late in the
afternoon and I’m surprised how many people are still standing around, looking
at the different booths and bidding on the silent auctions.  Luckily, the
weather has cooled down, but the storm clouds are gathering and I can’t help
the ominous feeling, a very heavy feeling.

I search for Cole as I exit the
booth.  My heart sinks when I find him propped up against the event center
wall, looking a lot steadier.  Hopefully, he’s sobered up, instead of
drowning his frustrations with more alcohol.  If he did, I would lose what
little respect I have left for him.  Last night, I said some horrible
things, and meant it at the time, but I can’t imagine not having him in my
life.  I have spent too much time invested in my friendship to end it like
this.  Dread builds knowing I have to deal with him, and the situation
I’ve put us in.

Finding Alex by the blood
pressure machine, I notice he’s in full discussion with one of the managers from
marketing.  I know talking to Cole will set him off and if I can handle
the situation without him intervening, the better it will be for all of
us. 

Urgently, I walk towards Cole,
grabbing him by the elbow.  Walking him back behind the event center, we pass
the caution tape that was sectioned off for the fundraiser.  Finally
alone, I lay into him with all my frustrations.  “What the fuck was that
about, Cole?”

“Watch your tone with me,
Elyssa!  I’m tired of you fucking around with my emotions.  Maybe I should
go have another talk with your CEO and let her know all about your
extracurricular activities?”

I take a step back. 
What? 
How am I messing with his emotions?
  “Cole, I’m not doing anything
with you, or your emotions.  I’ve told you time and time again that we are
just friends.  You have no right to get involved in my personal life like
this.  Stay the hell out of it!” 

“Are you fucking him?” 
I
can’t believe…no, I can…

“That is none of your
business.  What I do and who I do it with hasn’t been any of your concern
for over three years.”

“So help me God, Ely…he better
keep his fucking hands off you.” 
Okay, I’ve had enough.
 

“Or what Cole?  What are you
going to do?  No, don’t answer that.  I don’t want to know, nor do I
care.  I have put up with your shit for too long.  This was the last
straw.  You need to get out of here.  Get out of my life.” 
Mortified tears stream down my face as I choke out the words I never thought I
would say. 
Shit…am I doing the right thing?  I’m all he
has.  No, Elyssa!  He can’t dictate your life like this.  This
is what’s best, for you and for him. 

“Elyssa, can I have a word with
you?” Alex’s words cut through the tension building between us.  I turn to
look at him; the unease on his face causes me to break out in sobs.  Alex
takes a step forward to reach out for me.  “Are you okay?”

“Mind your own business.  We
are having a private conversation, back the fuck up!”  Cole raises his
hands in the air as he screams. 

God please, this is not happening
to me. 

Alex approaches, pushing aside
the caution tape, fury rippling over his body as his muscles tense.  “She
is my business.  Now what the fuck did you say to her?  Why is she
upset?” Alex questions Cole as I hurry towards him, placing my hands on his
chest, pushing him back. 

Cole looks astonished.  He’s
never been one to take responsibility for his actions and sees no fault in
himself.  Pointing at his own chest with his thumb, “Me?  I didn’t do
anything.  She just can’t handle the fact that she needs to tell you the
truth.” 
What in the hell is he talking about? 

My sobs are in full force not
allowing me to speak, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t stand up for
myself.  I turn to pounce on Cole, but Alex stands in the way, blocking my
way. 

“Truth?” Alex tilts his head in
confusion, his hands still fisted at his side.

“
The truth
is that she’ll
always be mine.”  Cole lifts his left index finger and slowly passes it
along his upper lip, inhaling.  “I can still smell her.”  My mouth
drops. 
Fuck. My. Life.

Before I can call Cole out on his
shit, Alex charges towards him, sending both of them to the ground.  In
the blink of an eye, Alex topples him and punches start to fly.  One after
the other, making direct contact with different areas of Cole’s face and head. 

“Alex, stop…please stop…” I beg
rushing towards him.  Grabbing him by the shoulders, I try and pry him
away from Cole’s huddled body as he tries to shield himself from Alex’s
blows.  Not stopping the torment, Alex pushes me aside, making me fall to
the hard pavement below.

“Get the fuck off of me!” he
screams.  His fists continue to rise and fall, landing directly on Cole’s
forearms, nose and hair line. 
My
Alex is nowhere to be seen. 
This
Alex scares the hell out of me. 

Pulling myself up, I realize that
Alex isn’t going to stop.  If I don’t do something, he’s going to kill
him.  His fists continue their descent; I’m not sure how much more of this
Cole’s body can take.  Struggling to get off the ground, I rush over
towards Alex’s menacing growl; I have to do something. 

“Alex please, stop?!” I scream as
I launch myself on top of Cole’s now bloody face.  I brace myself for
impact, but his fists never make contact.  Through clenched eyes I peek up
at Alex.  Enraged, he stands over us as Cole lays limp below my shielding
body.  “Alex, he’s drunk.  Can’t you see he’s not worth it?”

“Always making excuses for him,
Elyssa.  Now I know why.”  There is no reasoning with him; logic
replaced by revulsion.  His knuckles are bloody and I’m not sure if it’s
his or Cole’s.  Feeling Cole stir below me, I stand to look at Alex’s
wounds.

I reach for him, but he pulls
away.  “Damn it let me see your hand.” 

“Don’t fucking touch me.” 
My heart sinks.

“Alex, please?  I’m so sorry
about…all of this.”  I wave my hand in the air pointing from him to Cole,
still lying on the ground.

“Don’t fucking play me,
Elyssa.  This is your fault!  I hope you’re happy now.” 

“My fault?!” I mumble, shaking my
head in confusion trying to stop the tears from falling.

“Don’t you dare cry!  You
have no right.”  My lips quiver as his words strike me, almost as hard as
his fists.
 
“You two deserve each other.  Fuck this!” he
yells, throwing his hands in the air as he storms off towards the parking
garage. 

Ely, don’t give up!
 

I run after him, begging him to
stop.  “Alex, please don’t leave…”  Finally catching up to him, I
grab his elbow.

“I told you to get the fuck away
from me.  Go take care of your so called best friend, Elyssa!  I
can’t deal with you right now.” 
OUCH!

Misery overwhelms me, as I watch
him walk away.  I am so lost.  Panic sets in and I’m frozen in
place.  He just walked away from me…from us. 
It’s over.
 

Not knowing what to do or where
to go, I slowly make my way back to Cole.  Slumping down next to his
unconscious body, I place my head in my hands, in utter defeat. 

This whole situation seems
surreal, just a bad dream that I’m fighting to wake up from. 
It’s not
a dream Ely, this is reality.  Your reality.
  After the past few
weeks of working through a plethora of emotions, to have everything we’ve
worked so hard for, end here, in this moment, is a hard slap in the face. 

“Ely?”  Stirring, he tries
to pull himself up from the ground, grabbing at me for support.

In this moment, I have no
patience for him.  Dealing with my own despair, I barely have enough
strength to help myself up, let alone a drunk, broken asshole.  As I reach
down and place my hands underneath his arms, I try and help him to stand. 
“Cole,
get up!
  I have to take you home.”  Fully upright, I
place his arm over my shoulder and carry him towards the parking garage. 
Because he’s hurt and can barely walk, it’s a struggle to make it to my
car.  He slumps into the seat, checking his bloody face in the mirror.

With the thought of losing
everything, I take a minute for myself, and breathe.  That’s all I can
do. 
Breathe.  Ely.  Breathe.
  Before I get into the
car, the realization that Alex is really gone hits me.  Trying to hold
myself together, knowing I can’t stay, I reach into my pocket and grab my
phone.

**Sorry, Janice.
I have to leave. Emergency came up.**

I receive a response right away.

*What? I just
got a text from Mr. James that he was leaving and he put me in charge. What’s
going on Elyssa? I need your help!*

I’m glad he had the sense to let
her know that he was leaving.  Someone has to be in charge while he’s
gone.  This is his fundraiser, which makes me feel even worse.

**Sorry! I have
to leave. I’ll fill you in later.**

While navigating through the
garage, I pass by Alex’s usual parking spot.  I cannot bare thinking of
the hurt I’ve caused him, but his harsh words still sting; how could he be so
cruel.  I know he was angry, but why would he believe a word that Cole
said.  None of it was true, I thought he knew this, and trusted me. 
I need to find him and make him see the truth.