Cole

The next morning, Noel and Kinsley are spooning on the couch. Kinsley's forehead is pressed against Noel's chest. His hand is pressed against her lower back. Their legs are tangled. 

They look peaceful.

I freeze at the bottom of the stairs, leaning against the post while I stare. My emotions are bittersweet. Watching them fall in love is dreadful. When the truth is revealed, which is inevitable, their worlds will break again.

But I'm also happy for them. They deserve happiness. I haven't seen Noel sleep in for years. Now I see him sleeping past ten o'clock with his arms wrapped around the victim of his father's mistakes.

Since meeting Kinsley, she hasn't lowered her walls. Here she is now, folded against Noel. Her posture isn't rigid. Her mind and heart aren't stuck in constant reminders of her family.

Both of them are relaxed. 

The progress they're making...

The connection these two have is bonkers. People aren't lying when they say the world is small. It makes me believe coincidences aren't real. Something brought these two together, whether it's fate or some higher power, I'm not sure.

Billions of people live in the world. Noel could fall in love with any of them. Instead, he's falling in love with Kinsley.

Their pasts, presents, and futures are intertwined.

My eyes burn with emotions as I leave them, heading for the kitchen. After yesterday's hard work, I need coffee. Something strong enough to shake the exhaustion from my bones.

Instead of having the kitchen to myself, though, I see Jack. He's leaning against the counter in front of the sink. His arms are crossed. One hand holds a cup of coffee.

Next to him is a bottle of Bailey's.

Disappointment fills my chest. Then guilt.

I'm not doing enough. I've enabled Jack several times. His drinking needs to stop. Jack needs to be prepared for when Noel and Kinsley decide they trust each other enough to express their truths.

Lips pressed together, I grab the bottle of Bailey's and twist the lid off. At the sink, I push Jack out of the way. Then I dump the contents of the bottle out.

"What the hell are you doing?" Jack asks.

I ignore him. Even when he tries to grab the bottle from me. I respect Jack. Despite his addiction, he's given Noel a better life than his father ever could've. What I don't respect is the trauma and pain it brings Noel. My best mate has been through enough. He doesn't need more weight on his shoulders.

Jack's strength doesn't compare to mine; I'm able to keep him at arm's length while the contents slide down the drain.

When the bottle is empty, I turn to Jack.

"You need to stop." I gesture to his cup of spiked coffee. "This isn't helping Noel. He'll need us once the truth comes out. If we're not there to help him, Noel won't make it back. He'll destroy himself. Have some respect for your grandson. Get help, Jack. You're not my responsibility. Nor are you Noel's."

His expression darkens. "Says the one who decided the couch wasn't good enough. How could you, Cole? You were supposed to keep them apart."

His voice is low, so I lower mine, too. Waking Kinsley and Noel up with our argument isn't a good idea.

"I never agreed to driving a wedge between them. Trying that was horrible. I hated it. It gutted me. Noel and Kinsley may fall in love, Jack. We have no right to meddle."

Setting the bottle down, I grab a mug from the cupboard. Then I fill it with black coffee. I can feel the exhaustion in my bones, which is why I avoid using cream or sugar. I want a full dose of caffeine.

"It'll break them."

I cringe, despite already knowing the truth. Yes, they'll suffer. It's something I don't want to see. Noel will take the news harder than Kinsley. As much as she suffers, she has the tools she needs. Noel never went to counselling. He medicated himself by suppressing the past.

Seeing my best mate fall again will destroy me.

But I have no right to prevent Noel and Kinsley from having a relationship.

"I know, mate," I sigh. "But this is more complicated than you think. You can't depend on me to fix it. They attend the same classes, Jack. Don't you think it's better this way? That maybe they were meant to meet each other? To help each other? From what I've seen, they're healing each other."

His grip tightens on his coffee mug. "Noel can't find out that girl's identity. Plus, you know nothing about her. Talking to her once doesn't make her your best friend."

Anger erupts in my chest. "That girl has a name, and you will treat her with respect. And, for the record, Kinsley is a friend. One I care about. She confided in me when she was at a low point. I plan to stand next to her, Jack. To Noel, too. I love both of them."

Jack snorts. "You young folk, tossing that word around like it means something."

I grit my teeth. "It does mean something. Noel and Kinsley are like siblings to me." Pausing, I take a sip of my coffee. It burns my tongue. I ignore the stinging pain. "It means something for Noel, too. He's falling in love with her, Jack."

"He doesn't love her."

Of course Jack thinks that. He hasn't seen the interactions on campus. Both of them share an interest in each other. There's no ignoring that.

"Noel wants Kinsley. He's his genuine self when she's around. It's beautiful to watch. Jack, don't you miss the old Noel? Don't you want pieces of him to combine with a stronger one? Yes, he'll hit the ground and shatter. But I know he can make it through. I believe in him. And Kinsley will help. She brings out the best in him. And she likes the challenge. The challenge that comes with fighting her guilt and learning to love again. We also need to be there for them."

Jack refuses to acknowledge my observations. "He can find another girl. Besides, we can all see the way she looks at you."

I shake my head. Kinsley admires me like I admire her. It's a mutual respect. We enjoy being friends.

At least, that's what I think.

"You're wrong. Kinsley and I are just friends. Go look at them laying on the fucking couch, Jack. Tell me you don't think they're falling in love."

Jack throws me a look of disgust. He knows I'm telling the truth. He can sense it, too.

Whatever happened last night brought Kinsley and Noel closer together. Hell, I bet they were snogging at some point. Every couple gives in to the tension.

There's nothing we can do but prepare. Love is like healing: it happens even if you don't want it to.

"I'm not sorry, Jack," I say. I take another sip of my coffee, squinting against the sunlight leaking into the kitchen. "All we can do is prepare."

After knowing the McLeans for several years, I'm not surprised when Jack storms out. The McLeans are stubborn bastards. Whether it's a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.

Still, I think Jack needs to accept the truth. Not only about Noel and Kinsley but also his drinking problem.

Sometime, before Kinsley returns to Winnipeg, the truth will come out.

As Jack is storming out, he passes Kinsley, bumping into her. She stumbles to the side. He doesn't mutter an apology.

Jackass.

Kinsley's sweater is so baggy the sleeves cover her hands. She reaches up to rub her jaw as she yawns. "What was that about?"

Fear grips me. How much did Kinsley hear?

However, the fear fades in an instant. If she heard anything about the association between her and Noel, she would be reacting.

"I apologize, love," I sigh. "Jack and I were having a disagreement."

"About?" she asks. Because I left the cupboard open, Kinsley grabs a mug. She then holds it out to me. "Coffee, please? It smells delicious."

Smiling, I grab the coffee pot and pour her some. "I confronted him."

Once her mug is full, I gesture to the empty bottle of Bailey's.

"Also dumped his morning dose down the sink."

Concern fills Kinsley's features as she sips her coffee.

"Do you want cream or sugar with that?"

Kinsley smacks her lips together, frowning at her mug. "Yes, please."

Setting my mug down, I saunter over to the fridge and grab the cream. "Sugar's in the cupboard next to the microwave."

"How did Jack react? He didn't hurt you, did he?" Kinsley asks.

When I turn around, I see she's rummaging through the cupboard. The sugar is pushed halfway back, meaning Kinsley's on her tiptoes.

Just as I'm about to offer help, she snags it. Then she joins me by the island.

"Jack would never hurt me," I say. He wouldn't be able to. He's too fragile with old age.

"Noel's dad was abusive. What makes you think Jack is any different?"

I press my lips together, glancing at the kitchen entryway. Noel prefers to not discuss his father. He should discuss the issues his father created. Talking would help Noel heal.

Sighing, I run a hand through my hair. "He was. Noel's upbringing was difficult. As for Jack... I'll deal with him."

After Kinsley adds a splash of cream and one spoonful of sugar, she turns to me. She holds her coffee close to her face. Tendrils of steam tickle her face.

"Where is he now?"

I swallow thickly. That isn't a question I can answer. "Love, I think Noel needs to answer your questions. It's his story to tell, not mine."

Kinsley expels a deep breath. "You're right."

I smile at her. "Sleep okay?"

Kinsley chokes on her coffee. She sets the mug down while sputtering and grabs a paper towel. She uses that to wipe her mouth and the front of her shirt.

I chuckle. "Sorry. Didn't mean to shock you."

"I slept fine," she replies. Her cheeks are pink. Her voice pitch high. "The couch was comfortable."

They definitely did more than spoon. They had a full-on snog-fest.

Chuckling, I change the subject. "Looking forward to your day with Daisy?"

Saying her name causes bittersweet feelings to fill my chest. Daisy was the one that got away. If I could go back... things would be different.

Just the other day, I met her daughter, Willow. She's almost five, attending her first year of elementary school. Meeting her was a kick to the chest. It means Daisy's found someone else. She's created a life for herself.

I'm happy for her, really.

But it still hurts.

"She's taking me shopping," Kinsley replies. "Daisy insisted I need better attire for a country bar."

I snort. "Prepare for short shorts and a flannel shirt. She'll probably braid your hair, too."

Kinsley chuckles. "I'm looking forward to today's events. You and Noel are still joining, right?"

I nod.

She cocks an eyebrow. "Are you tagging along because of me or Daisy?"

This time, I almost choke on my coffee. Are my emotions that obvious?

"Don't know what you're talking about, love."

She punches my bicep. "Come on, Cole. Don't play stupid. It's clear you like Daisy."

My gaze flicks to the floor. Kinsley doesn't know our story. If she does, she's the one playing stupid. Life came between Daisy and I. Life drove a wedge between us. I was so worried about Noel, I forgot to acknowledge my girlfriend. In return, I lost her.

Do I still love Daisy? Yes. A part of me always will. There's something about your first love.

"Fine," I breathe. "I have a crush on her. Are you happy?"

"Mildly," she smiles.

Silence settles between us. It's a comfortable silence. We sip our coffees and gaze out the window. The view is stunning, with the sun skimming the mountain peaks. I hope Noel gives Kinsley a tour of the property before she leaves. You don't know beauty until you've seen the lake on the far end.

Just then, Kinsley chuckles.

I turn to her. She's smiling at me over her rim of her mug.

"What's so funny?"

She inhales. "I had a crush on you."

This is news. "What?" I blink.

"Yeah," Kinsley shrugs. "The first day I met you. I thought you were hot, and I was a little jealous of Tristan. Of course, I beat myself up late into the evening for thinking about someone aside from Aaron like that. But I did like you, Cole."

I set my mug down. "What changed?"

"Our exchange in the laundry room. That's when my feelings changed. I do love you, Cole, but not romantically. You're a friend I want to keep forever. Remember. Like Mads."

My heart aches. I couldn't be prouder of Kinsley. She's discussing her emotions. She's mentioning her best friend without becoming an emotional wreck.

I wish Noel would follow in her footsteps.

"Love you, too, Kinsley. I'm glad we met."

"Me too," she smiles. "Now, what are we going to do about you and Daisy? It's obvious the feelings are mutual."

My mouth pulls to one side. Two can play at this game.

"What are we going to do about you and Noel?" I counter.

Something about Kinsley's attitude changes. Her posture becomes lax. She won't look me in the eye. She looks unsure of herself, which is understandable. These emotions are being reintroduced into her life. They can seem overwhelming sometimes.

I walk over to Kinsley and tip her chin up.

"Love, what's wrong?"

She expels a deep breath. Looks up. Her blue eyes are brimming with tears. "I want to ask Noel out. Cole... I think I like him."

My bottom lip wobbles. I hide my emotions with a smile. After hearing her cry about Aaron, about being incapable of falling in love again...

Of course, I'm concerned about the aftermath. Until then, these two deserve to be happy. God, I hope they make it through the inevitable storm. They're good for each other. That much I know.

I pull Kinsley in for a hug. "Love heals, Kinsley. Don't let guilt prevent you from living and healing. Love is a treacherous slope, but every second is worth it. Ask him, Kinsley. He'll say yes."

"You think so?"

I tighten the hug. "Yes."

My hug has an underlying meaning. I hope she looks back to our moment in the kitchen after Noel tells her the truth or she tells him. All I want her to remember is how much I care about her. And that if she needs me, I'll be here.

No matter what.