Chapter 23 - Stop Talking To Olive ♡︎

Cole sat there for a while, letting the quiet fill the space around them. The sun had started its slow descent, the warm gold of late afternoon fading into a softer amber. Olive hadn't stirred once. Her head still rested gently on his shoulder, her breathing slow and even, her small frame tucked close as if the world outside this field didn't exist. He didn't have the heart to wake her. She looked peaceful—something he rarely saw from her, especially after everything that had happened.

After a few more minutes, he exhaled softly and murmured, almost to himself, "Alright, tiny. Time to go home."

He shifted carefully so as not to wake her, sliding an arm beneath her knees and another behind her back. When he lifted her, she made the faintest sound—a little sigh—but didn't open her eyes. Her head lolled against his chest, her hair brushing against his chin. Cole chuckled under his breath, glancing down at her face. "You're really out cold, huh?" he said quietly, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Guess I wore you out."

He started walking back toward his truck, his boots crunching softly over the grass. The field stretched endlessly around them, the flowers swaying in the golden light of sunset. Olive felt feather-light in his arms, like she weighed nothing at all. Cole gave a small huff of amusement and shook his head. "You're light as a bird, tiny. Don't you ever eat?" he muttered teasingly. "Jackie's gonna start thinking we don't feed you."

When he reached the truck, he opened the passenger door with one hand and carefully set her down on the seat. Olive murmured something incoherent in her sleep, shifting slightly, and Cole froze for a second, half expecting her to wake up. But she didn't. Her lashes fluttered for a moment, and then she was still again.

Cole smiled faintly, reaching over to buckle her seatbelt. His movements were gentle, careful, like he was handling something fragile. Once the seatbelt clicked into place, he brushed a strand of hair from her face. "You really must've been exhausted," he said softly. "Can't blame you, though. Today was... a lot."

He climbed into the driver's seat, started the engine, and pulled out of the field. The truck's headlights cut through the soft orange haze of dusk as they rolled down the winding dirt road. Olive slept soundly beside him, her head tilted slightly toward the window. Every so often, the motion of the truck made her lean toward him, her shoulder brushing his arm, and Cole couldn't help but smile.

For a while, he just drove in silence, the low hum of the engine and the chirping of crickets filling the air. His green eyes flicked between the road and Olive every few seconds, watching her like he was making sure she was still there, still safe. He drummed his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, the last traces of sunlight catching on the faint bruises from his fight with Dylan.

As the sky darkened, streaks of pink and violet fading into twilight, he sighed. "Jackie's gonna kill me," he said under his breath. "If she finds out I took you out here and haven't brought you back I'm done for." He glanced at Olive and shook his head with a half-smile. "But you look too peaceful to wake up, so... I guess I'll take my chances."

The road home stretched ahead, quiet and long, the first stars beginning to peek out overhead. Cole rolled down the window a bit, letting the cool evening breeze drift in. It smelled faintly of wildflowers and dust, the scent of the field still clinging to them. He turned his gaze toward Olive one last time, his voice barely a whisper.

"You really don't make things easy for me, Tiny," he murmured, his tone soft and fond.___

When Cole pulled into the long gravel driveway, the house lights were already on, spilling warm yellow through the front windows. It was late enough that the stars had begun to scatter across the sky, faint and glittering above the trees. Olive still hadn't woken up. She was curled against the passenger seat, her hand loosely resting in her lap, her head tilted toward the window. Cole sat there for a second, staring at her in the soft glow of the dashboard lights. He could see the rise and fall of her chest, the faint crease in her brow like she was dreaming. Something about it tugged at him—something gentle, protective, and a little dangerous.

"Alright, tiny," he muttered, shutting off the engine. "Let's get you inside before I get another lecture."

He stepped out quietly and went around to her side, opening the door as gently as possible. She stirred just a little when he slid an arm beneath her legs and another around her back, but didn't wake fully. Her head fell against his chest, her breath warm through his shirt. Cole sighed softly, adjusting her weight. "Still asleep," he whispered, shaking his head. "You're unbelievable."

As soon as he stepped inside, the quiet was broken. Jackie and Katherine were already waiting in the front hall, their faces tight with worry. The moment they saw him, Katherine's arms crossed, her expression part relief, part irritation. Jackie looked from Cole to Olive in disbelief.

"Where have you been?" Jackie hissed, trying to keep her voice low. "Cole, do you have any idea—"

Cole shot her a look and held up a hand, his tone soft but firm. "Shh," he said. "She's asleep."

Katherine frowned, lowering her voice but not her frustration. "You were gone for hours, Cole. You can't just take her off like that after everything that's happened."

But before Cole could respond, Olive shifted in his arms. Her lashes fluttered, and a small sound escaped her lips. Slowly, she blinked awake, her big brown eyes adjusting to the light. For a moment, she just looked confused—her gaze darting from the front door to Cole's face, her brain catching up to where she was. Then it hit her.

She gasped softly, realizing she was being carried. "C-Cole?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Cole's lips curled into a teasing grin. He leaned in close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. "Good morning," he said, his tone low and almost playful, like he knew exactly what he was doing.

Olive's face turned crimson. She immediately looked away, flustered beyond words, clutching at the fabric of his shirt like she didn't know what else to do with her hands. "P-put me down," she stammered.

Jackie, standing nearby with wide eyes, crossed her arms and called out in disbelief, "Olive!"

The sound of her name made Olive jump. She wriggled out of Cole's arms as quickly as she could, nearly stumbling when her feet hit the floor. She smoothed her pajama top nervously and avoided everyone's eyes, her cheeks still pink as she looked down at the floor.

Cole straightened up, his grin never fading. He shoved his hands in his pockets casually, looking entirely too smug. "Relax," he said lightly, glancing between the two women. "I just carried her in because she was sleeping. No harm done."

Jackie gave him a sharp look, her tone clipped. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Cole raised an eyebrow. "That's what everyone keeps telling me."

Jackie crossed her arms and let out a tired sigh, watching Olive sway slightly on her feet, still dazed from waking up in Cole's arms. "Ollie," she said gently, softening her tone. "Go upstairs and get some sleep, okay? You've had a long day."

Olive nodded, biting her lip, her cheeks still a shade of pink as she glanced once toward Cole—who was standing there with that infuriating half-smirk—before quickly turning away. "O-okay," she whispered, and padded softly up the stairs, holding onto the railing as if it might keep her upright.

Once she disappeared from sight, the atmosphere in the foyer shifted immediately. Katherine stepped forward, arms crossed, her expression a mixture of concern and disappointment. "Cole Walter," she began, her tone even but sharp enough to make him straighten a little. "We need to have a serious talk about responsibility. Taking Olive off somewhere without telling anyone, bringing her back so late—it's not acceptable."

Cole opened his mouth to speak, but Katherine didn't give him the chance. "And I heard about the fight with Dylan." Her voice rose slightly, the stern tone of a mother who'd reached her limit. "You're lucky no one was seriously hurt. Do you understand how bad that could've looked? Two boys throwing punches at a dance? I raised you better than that."

Cole groaned and ran a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath, "He asked Olive out right in front of me, Mom. What was I supposed to do? Just let him?"

Katherine sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yes, Cole. You were supposed to handle it like an adult, not like a jealous teenager."

Jackie, who had been leaning against the stairway banister listening, finally spoke up. Her tone was calm, but there was a sharp edge under it. "Speaking of Dylan," she said, her gaze landing on Cole. "I already talked to him."

Cole's eyes narrowed. "About what?"

Jackie straightened, folding her arms tightly over her chest. "I told him that Olive's still going on that date with him."

The words hit him like a slap. Cole blinked, then laughed incredulously, shaking his head. "You did what?" His voice was sharp now, low and angry, his green eyes narrowing on her. "Jackie, you can't just—"

"I can," Jackie cut in, not raising her voice but making it clear she wouldn't back down. "Olive's not a little girl, Cole. She needs to experience things for herself. She's shy and sweet and still figuring out who she is, and that's exactly why she needs to do things like this—go on dates, meet people, make mistakes, learn from them."

Cole's jaw clenched. "Dylan isn't just some guy, Jackie. He's not good for her."

Jackie scoffed. "You mean he's not you."

That made Cole go quiet for a second. His chest rose and fell faster, irritation bubbling under his skin. "This isn't about me."

Jackie tilted her head. "Isn't it?"

Katherine shot her a look, but Jackie wasn't done. She stepped closer, her tone softening but her words staying firm. "Olive's parents sent her here because they wanted her to have more independence, Cole. They trusted us to help her grow, not to hover over her and decide who she can or can't be around. You might think you're protecting her, but you're smothering her."

Cole exhaled sharply, turning his head away, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. "You don't get it, Jackie," he said through clenched teeth. "She doesn't know what guys like Dylan are like. He'll take advantage of her. She's... she's too trusting."

Jackie's eyes softened, but she didn't let him off the hook. "Then let her figure that out for herself. Be there for her, don't do anything else. That's what she needs from you."

For a moment, the room went quiet. The only sound was the faint ticking of the clock in the living room and the distant hum of the refrigerator. Cole finally ran a hand down his face, his frustration visible in the way his shoulders tensed.

"You shouldn't have done that," he muttered.

Jackie raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not. But it's happening. Dylan's picking her up tomorrow afternoon, and I don't want any drama."

Cole looked up, his green eyes flashing. "We'll see about that."

Jackie gave him a look that said she meant every word. "Cole."

But Cole just turned, walking toward the stairs. "Goodnight," he muttered, not bothering to look back.