Ruthless knight

Cole

I hear bickering in the hall the second I walk outside her room. 

“Everything was great before she started hanging out with you,” Dylan screams at Bianca. “You screwed her up with all your manipulation and bullshit. Constantly making her feel like she wasn’t good enough. She’s dying in there because of you.”

“Kind of like what you did to Liam?” Bianca snaps. 

Jesus. This is the last thing Sawyer would want. 

Before anyone can stop her, Dylan swings her fist into Bianca’s face. “You little bitch.” 

“Hey.” Wrapping his arms around her waist, Jace yanks his girlfriend back. “That’s enough.” 

Mouth open in shock, Bianca places her hand on her red cheek. “Did you seriously just punch me?” 

Bianca lunges toward Dylan, but Oakley grabs her. “He said enough.”  

The fact Oakley’s still here tells me he still hasn’t told them the truth yet. 

I stride toward them, but Dylan’s isn’t done. 

“God, your family is so fucked up.” She’s screaming at Jace, attempting to wiggle out of his arms, but it’s obvious her actual wrath is directed at me and Bianca. “Why did they have to mess with her? She was perfect.” Big, ugly tears roll down her cheeks as she looks my way. “She was so fucking perfect and he ruined her…because that’s what Cole does. He shatters amazing people…right before they die.”  

Bianca rears back like she’s been punched again and Jace filches. 

I just stand there and take it. 

Dylan’s angry and confused. She needs someone to blame. I get it. 

Dylan’s eyes sharpen on me. “She was perfect, and she loved you so, so much. All she ever wanted was to be good enough for you…and you destroyed her.”

Dylan’s right. I do destroy people. 

But I never wanted to destroy Sawyer. 

All I wanted to do was love her.

“No, he didn’t,” Oakley whispers, his voice hoarse. “Cole wasn’t the one supplying Sawyer with Adderall for months…I was.” 

 “Let me go,” Dylan grunts, slapping Jace’s arm. 

When he does, she gets in Oakley’s face. “Tell me you’re joking.” The sorrow in her expression is replaced by pure rage as she shoves him. “Tell me you’re fucking joking, Oakley.” 

There are tears in Oakley’s eyes when he looks at her. 

Good. Hurt, motherfucker. 

“I’ve been working for Loki, and Sawyer asked me to get—”

The sharp sting of Dylan’s hand slapping his already bruised cheek is so loud I feel it. “You’re disgusting.” Dropping her voice, she leans in close. “You better pray she’s okay. Because if she’s not…I will never fucking forgive you.”

She stalks off in a cloud of fury. 

Jace glares at Oakley. “Jesus Christ. I don’t even know what to say to you right now.” His gaze shifts to Bianca and then me before settling on Bianca. “I always put you first. Every single fucking time I choose you and this goddamn family over her.” He backs away. “Not anymore.” 

“Jace,” Bianca calls out, her voice trembling.

Ignoring her, he chases after Dylan. 

I look at Oakley. “Tell her parents. Now.”

“I already did. I was coming out here to tell everyone else too, but Dylan and Bianca were already fighting when I came back.” He exhales a shaky breath. “I’m sorry—”

“Don’t. An apology won’t fix this, asshole.” 

“I know it won’t,” He braces himself against the wall. “I just—”

His eyes roll back and his body breaks out in a fit of jerks and shakes. 

Bianca’s quick on her feet and makes herself a cushion for him before he hits the floor and cracks his head. 

“Cole, I need your help. He’s too heavy.” 

He’s the last person in the world I want to help right now…but I know Sawyer would want me to. 

So I do.  

 “Was Dylan right? Did I destroy you? Is that how we ended up here?” 

Just like the last twenty-four hours…I get no response from her. 

The doctors are concerned…but they said to give it a little more time. 

I’ve got nothing but time for her. 

“I’m sorry I called you fat that day. I’m sorry I joined the group of assholes who hurt you…but I swear I didn’t fucking mean it.” 

I intertwine my fingers with hers. “I’ll love you at a hundred pounds and I’ll love you at five-hundred pounds.” I bring her hand to my lips. “I’ll love you in whatever shape and form you come in…because you’re you.” 

Rising off the chair, I lean over her bed. “If you’re still mad at me for what I did…then wake up and fight with me. Scream that I’m an asshole…break my fucking heart and leave my ass…but please…come back.” 

Because without her…there is no me.