Falling for Danger

Endless Possibilities

Cole

For the most part, Billora was quiet as I walked down the hallway toward Erik’s office. I spotted Jacob sitting behind his desk and I glanced over to where Corey’s desk used to be. It was now an open space and while it didn’t look weird, it was weird not seeing him there.

“Hello, Cole,” Jacob greeted me with a welcoming smile. “Here to see Erik?”

“Yes,” I said with a nod as I looked over at Erik’s closed door. Was he seeing someone?

“He is just on a business call, he should be done in the next few minutes or so, if you would like to wait,”

“I’ll wait,” I said as I took a seat on one of the armchairs intended for this very purpose. Jacob didn’t engage in any more conversation – thankfully – as he got back to work. Normally, I didn’t mind the silence, it was something I had grown used to, but today, the silence was deafening. I kept replaying Erik’s joke in my mind and I realized that I just didn’t like it. After talking to Tori last night, something had shifted inside of me, and I couldn’t just brush it off.

“You can go on in,” Jacob suddenly said as he broke the silence and hurriedly stood up and opened the door without knocking. Erik looked up and smiled.

“Cole, this is a pleasant surprise,” he remarked as he leaned back in his chair. I shut the door behind me.

“I need to talk to you. Is now a good time?” I asked. Clearly, he had just gotten off a call, but I had no idea if he had anything else lined up.

“I have thirty minutes, take a seat,” he said as he stood up. I sat down on the one side of the couch while he sat down on the other side. When Erik didn’t prompt me, I hesitated for a moment.

“It’s about the joke you made yesterday,” I blurted out. “About me…and Miller…” his smile faded away, and I wondered if I should have just left it.

“I’m sorry, Cole. I didn’t realize it bothered you,” he said, and I looked away as I swallowed hard.

“I know it’s just a joke and that you aren’t being malicious about it…but it hits a little deeper than you probably realize,”

“You are right, I didn’t realize, but then again, I shouldn’t be making jokes like that…” he said with a nod, his voice now soft with understanding and regret. “I certainly didn’t mean to stir things up. I found it funny when you told me your real name and…I shouldn’t have…I’m sorry,”

“I know it’s meant to be funny and…it’s just that I never knew my parents, Erik. You know that I was raised in the foster system and, honestly, I try not to think about it. So, when you do bring it up…it reminds me that I don’t know anything about them,” Erik leaned forward as he studied me closely.

“I understand that, Cole, and I am sorry. I wish you had said something sooner, but I know now,”

“Right, thanks, Erik,”

“Have you…have you ever considered looking for them?” Erik questioned.

“No, I always figured that if they wanted me, I would have been with them,” I admitted softly. The words felt heavy and the weight of it made me feel hollow. “It’s easier to handle than wondering why,”

“I can understand that. But have you ever thought about finding out for yourself? Maybe for some closure?” he asked, and I considered what that would mean to me. Did I want to find out? Did I want to know more? Did I want to know the truth? “I’m not trying to pressure you into this, Cole. I’m merely curious as to why you haven’t. Or what you could gain if you did?”

“Would it even be worth it? What if I don’t like what I find out?” I asked him. Erik looked thoughtful for a moment before he answered.

“I think that would depend on you. What if there is an acceptable reason? What if it was something out of their control? It could go either way, but if you want answers, it might be worth it,” he said, and I slowly nodded. I was not sure how I felt about it. Once upon a time, I had been curious to know more, but over the years, I had just accepted my life for what it was. “Maybe you should consider it, Cole. And if you want, I could help you look into it,” his offer took me by surprise. I had connections. More connections than he even knew about, but his offer to help me touched me in a way I hadn’t ever expected. Especially because I knew he was trying to do the right thing for me. No matter what I ultimately decided, Erik would support me and that was why I did value our friendship. His support was genuine, but I wasn’t sure.

“Thank you, Erik. I appreciate the offer…and I will think about it,” I said. Erik nodded as he leaned back.

“Take your time, Cole. The offer still stands and if you decide not to…then that is fine as well,” he said with a soft smile. We sat in silence for a moment, but I certainly wasn’t going to make a decision now. I stood up and smiled at him.

“Thank you…for understanding and for your offer,” I said, and he nodded.

“Of course, any time…say, what are you and Tori doing tomorrow evening? Maybe the four of us could go out to Nuport for dinner?” he suggested. My eyes went wide as I stared at him. “What?”

“Why me and Tori?”

“Well, I know you are interested in her. I’m pretty sure she is interested in you,” he said, and I groaned. “I just figured the two of you were spending time together. If not, that doesn’t mean the three of us can't have dinner together,”

“I’ll run it by Tori,” I said as I headed to the door. I wasn’t in the mood to discuss Tori on top of our already heavy conversation. I heard him chuckle behind me, but I didn’t look back as I hurried out of his office and back to my own. I wasn’t about to have anyone try to play matchmaker with Tori and me. We were doing our own thing, on our own time.