wanted you to know that, since I never mentioned the engagement before. It really tore me up at the time, but I know now that I wasn’t losing some great love. I was comfortable with Todd, but there was no spark. The chemistry was lackluster.” I take a sip of my root beer and reach for his hand, entwining our fingers together. “I want you to know that I don’t carry that with me. I’ve let it go and I’ve moved on. You and I … this is different.”
His eyes soften. “Everything that happens to us, good and the bad, makes us who we are. I’m sorry you had to go through that heartbreak but I’m not sorry it brought you to me.”
Setting the bottle on the nightstand, I scootch closer to Cole, laying my head on his chest. He rubs his fingers against my scalp and I nearly purr at the sensation.
“Does it bother you that my dad’s your coach?” I whisper the worry that’s been buried in the back of my mind since the day he turned around in my dad’s office to find me standing there.
I thought for sure when he learned who I was that he’d run the other way, intimidated, but I should’ve known that Cole Anderson is anything but weak.
His fingers still. “At first, when I realized, I was pissed that you knew and didn’t say a word. But no, I’m not bothered by the fact he’s your dad. He’s a good coach and a good man. I mean,” his lips quirk, “he didn’t chase me out of his house when I showed up with you tonight.”
“True,” I giggle, tracing my fingers over the dips in his abdominal muscles. “We had a nice chat. It was much needed. Something we should’ve done a long time ago, but I wasn’t ready.”
“What happened with your mom? You don’t really talk about her.” His fingers move from my scalp to my neck, massaging at the soreness there.
“She got cancer. It was awful watching her wither away. She deserved more but I guess life had other plans. She would’ve liked you.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” I think fondly over memories of my mother. “She was my best friend.”
“I wish she was still here.”
“Me too,” my voice cracks.
He moves, lying me on the bed as he hovers above me. “Please, don’t cry.”
“They’re good tears, I promise. It’s nice to think about her.”
He traces his index finger around my lips. “Do you look like her?”
I jerk my head. “I don’t know how, but I took more after her than my dad.”
Cole wipes away my tears with his thumbs. “Let it out, baby.”
And I do, letting him wrap his arms around me I cry out all the tears I’ve held in for way too long. I’m saying goodbye to every negative thing I’ve allowed to hold me back over the years.
This thing with Cole. I know it’s big. A fresh start. A second chance.
29
Cole
Cradling Zoey’s face in my hands I kiss her over and over. We’re protected by the side of her car since she drove me over to where the team bus is picking us up for an away game. For the first time ever, I’m having trouble leaving. I want to stay with her, talk about random shit, kiss her, make love to her.
“You need to go,” she murmurs against my lips.
“I know.” I kiss her again.
“Preferably before my dad comes to see what we’re doing.”
I groan, letting her go. “You’re right.”
“Good luck tonight. You guys are going to kick ass.”
“I wish you were going.”
Something flickers in her eyes, but she darts them to the ground. “Me too.”
I kiss her one last time and take a step back, so I’m not further tempted. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” she echoes, opening the driver’s door.
“I’ll call you tonight when I get back to the hotel.”
“Okay … if I don’t answer I’m probably still at work.”
I narrow my eyes. “We never work that late.”
“Or in the shower. You know, because I need to be clean.” She points toward the bus. “They’re calling for you. You better go.”
“Zoey—”
“Bye!” She closes the door.
That was fucking weird.
I watch her pull away, an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach but I can’t focus on it, not when I have to leave.
Holding onto the straps of my backpack I climb aboard the bus, sitting down beside Shawn.
“’Sup, man?” He pulls out his earphone.
“Nothing much. What about you?” I settle my backpack between my feet, already