##Chapter 84: Cole
Book Two: Don't Leave
"Someone's at the door, can you please answer it?" Mom yells from the kitchen where she's baking Christmas cookies.
Already.
That's not a complaint.
It means I'll have more food to take back to school when I leave tomorrow afternoon. I pause, unable to rip my attention away from the big screen TV as the final seconds of the first quarter play out. The bell rings for a second time as the ball is being passed and-
"Cole?" she shouts again.
Except this time there's exasperation lacing her voice.
And that's never good.
"I'm on it!"
But not really.
Fumble.
Damn.
With a shake of my head, I jog to the door and throw it wide open. Almost immediately, I wish I'd ignored it.
"Hi, Cole." The edges of her lips lift tentatively.
When I remain
