Outbound Lane An Unspoken Truth Novella (Unspoken Truth Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

smirk he would make when he made me do things against my will. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl.” I shudder.
    “It makes me sick to my stomach knowing someone is so capable of doing such a horrific thing, especially to you. I get it now. And I understand one-hundred percent why you are so hesitant to trust and let someone in your life. Gosh, that is just so fucked up,” he says, looking off into the distance.
    “I know. All I ask is please try to be patient with me. I’m making progress with my eating habits, and Renee has been a huge influence on me and I think it’s why she and I connected so well. She gets it. With time, I think I can get better,” I tell him, not knowing if I’m trying to convince him or myself.
    “I can wait as long as it takes. I’m in no hurry to rush into anything. I’m glad you trusted me enough to tell me. I wish I would have killed him when I had the chance. I would. I would kill him with my bare hands,” he says as the anger rolls off him.
    “I’m trying to get past it, day by day. Some days are worse than others, but the better days make living worth it. And Cole, I really wouldn’t know what to do without you in my life. I value the friendship we have, and I only hope you can just be patient with me,” I tell him, straight from my heart.
    My heart takes over and I have no control what comes out of my mouth until it’s too late. I know my feelings could grow for Cole and not every guy would wait around. I got lucky with him, I guess.
    “What’s your story?” I ask , pulling on his baseball cap and trying to lighten the mood.
    “I told you before. I’m an only child; my parents own a diner , and I worked there as a bus boy and my cousin, Chase, worked there every summer.”
    “I know all that. But how come some girl hasn’t snatched you up yet?” I ask boldly.
    “I’ve just been waiting on the right one to come along, I guess.” He shrugs. “Well, are you ready to go? We should get your car and get the fish going for dinner.”
    “Yep. ” I stand and slide my sandals back on while Cole gathers both poles and the tackle box. “I’ll carry the cooler; it only has two fish in there,” I tell him, picking it up.
    We put everything in the back of the truck and I insist on helping myself into the truck this time. He doesn’t always have to be so gentlemanly.
    “Cole, just as you told me to trust you, I do. And I only ask that you be yourself. Don’t try to impress me; just be you. I like you.”
    “Well, if I want to open the door for you, that is just the way I was raised. I was raised that you treat women with respect and you will just have to get over it. If I want to open the door for you, I will.”
    “Okay,” I tell him.

    Chapter Five
     
    WE ARRIVE AT MY APARTMENT and I decide to check the mail and throw it in my passenger seat as I follow Cole back to his place. Once we arrive at his place, I follow him inside and to the kitchen as I open my mail.
    “N ow, how about we cook some fish, Lexi? Can I call you Lexi?”
    “You can; my parents call me that. And I’m game as long as I don’t have to skin it or anything,” I shiver at the thought.
    “Okay, how about I pour some wine and you can just keep m e company?” he says, laughing at my comment.
    “That sounds a lot better. I’ll just watc h you work your magic from here.” I sit on the stool along the kitchen island. He grabs a remote and plays some music softly, and pours us both a glass of Moscato wine. “Mmm, that is good,” I say after sipping on the wine.
    A song called Stay by Rihanna is on and I hum to the words. The words seem so fitting for Cole and me.
    I watch as Cole moves around the kitchen, and he goes straight to work on the fish, skinning it and deboning it. He points with a knife. “You’ll like it; I promise.”
    “A re you close with your parents?”
    “ I am. My parents are real chill; they would like you. Maybe one day you can meet them. Since I didn’t have