Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

“Cole,” he called out as the other man turned away.

“Yeah?” Cole turned and Julian took a few seconds to memories his features. “Everything okay, Julian?”

“Of course. I’ll see you later.”

Later on, he’d wish he’d heeded his gut and done whatever it took to keep Cole with him. To hash everything out.

Then he might have had some idea of why the other man broke their hearts.

7

Haven—Three years later

Cole Saxon parked his car and stepped out slowly, taking everything in.

A tiny town in the middle of Texas wasn’t exactly where he’d ever thought his brother would end up. Then, again, it wasn’t like Joel needed to work for his money.

Easy, man. You’ve come to make amends. To apologize for being an asshole.

So maybe he actually needed to stop acting like an asshole. It wasn’t as easy as it sounded considering he’d been raised by a narcissist. If you could call it being raised.

He called it more of a trial by fire.

He studied the two-story building before him that housed Fet, his brother’s restaurant. He snorted. At least he hadn’t called it Joel’s. He didn’t understand why Joel had opened a restaurant. How was it even sustainable? Haven was a small town with a small population.

Not that it mattered. He wasn’t there to assess his brother’s business decisions. He was there to make things right between them. If that was even possible. He sighed. He didn’t expect a good reception, not after the last time he’d seen Joel. When he’d said things he had no business saying to anyone, let alone his own brother.

All his life, his father had pointed out all his shortcomings and how Joel always surpassed him. He’d pitted him against his brother, made him see Joel as competition. That, combined with Cole’s misguided belief that Joel was trying to sabotage his relationship with Keira and Julian, had caused him to spit some truly awful bile at his brother.

He wouldn’t blame him if he never forgave him. But he had to try.

He let out a breath, trying to calm his nerves. He wasn’t used to this feeling. Of being off balance. He’d thought it was best to go there, to a public place, rather than try to approach Joel at his home, or, hell, even worse, at his club.

Saxon’s.

He’d named his club after himself. That was Joel. He was unapologetic about what he believed in. Cole could admire that. Greatly. Even if he’d been blinded for years by his jealousy and idiotic beliefs about what his brother should be. About what he should do.

Yeah, appearing at Sa

xon’s wouldn’t be a good move. Not after the last time he’d turned up at a club of Joel’s.

This was different, though. He was here to say his peace and, maybe, right some old wrongs. If Joel would let him. Then he could move on to the second part of his plan.

To find the two people he’d lost and beg for their forgiveness.

Walking slowly forward, he looked around. He had to admit it was a nice-looking place. Clean, tidy, classy. It was early yet, so there were only a couple of cars in the parking lot.

He wasn’t sure if Joel would even be there. But at least he could get a feel for the place. Maybe figure out the best way to approach him.

Opening the door, he stepped inside and took everything in. Part of him hoped Joel was there, and he could get it over with. Part of him dreaded it.

His gaze roamed over to a waitress standing in front of one of the occupied tables, her back to him. Something stirred inside him at the sight of her, but he didn’t give it much attention. He was certain he didn’t know her. Why would he know anyone but Joel in this little out-of-the way town?

Then the waitress turned, and shock slammed into him as he stared into pale blue eyes in a too-thin face. He felt as though the shock wave had rocked him back, but when he glanced down at his feet, he saw he hadn’t moved.

It couldn’t be her.

There was no way she’d be there. It didn’t even look like her. Sure, the eyes were the same, but she was far thinner than Keira. Too thin. There was no way Julian would ever let Keira starve herself, which is what would have had to have happened for Keira to whittle down to this tiny woman who stood a few feet away.