Page 32 of Coming Home
“See, you’ve scared him. He can’t even speak. Reed, Cole is a good kid. I love him so much I can’t even stand it sometimes. Beau and I just want our son to be happy. That’s all. We don’t want him to end up hurt or broken-hearted. You understand, right? So, if this thing between the two of you works out, which we want it to, that’s all that matters. We’ll welcome you into our family with open arms.”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I care about Cole. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, sir, and I promise I won’t break his heart.”
“Happy now, baby?” Dean chuckled. “And you don’t have to call me sir, either. Dean is fine. I knew I liked you. I mean, your dad is basically Killian’s other best friend, so there had to be a reason you were brought into our life. Take care of my kid, all right? You can put Cole back on the phone now.”
Tears suddenly stung my eyes. All I wanted was to take care of Cole. He was everything I had ever thought he would be and more. He treated me like a princess. He had planned a romantic dinner, took me out on dates, and wasn’t afraid to tell his dads about me.
“I love you.”
Oh, well, maybe I shouldn’t have just blurted those words out like that. It had only been a few weeks since we met in real life.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Have a fun time. I love you, too. Both of you.” Cole ended his call and stared at me with wide, blue eyes. “I think you might need to repeat that.”
I tried to untangle my fingers from his. “Let go. I shouldn’t... I didn’t... I’m sort of freaking out here, Cole, and this isn’t helping.” I nearly fell from the couch when he released me. “I know. It’s crazy soon. And it’s cool if you don’t feel the same way. Totally, completely, co—”
Cole jumped to his feet and kissed me. His hard body pressed against mine as he wrapped his strong arms around me. “Please say it again, baby.”
“I love you, Cole.”
“I love you, too, Reed.”
I stared at him. Searched those beautiful eyes of his and tried to figure out if he meant it or not. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”
“I almost told you last night.” Cole smiled as he touched my cheek. “You’re beautiful.”
A blush crept up my neck as he pressed his other hand to my lower back. “Thank you. Why didn’t you? Say it last night, I mean.”
“Because we had just had sex. Isn’t that a big no-no?” Cole leaned forward to kiss me again, his lips warm and soft. “But I do. Love you. And I’m glad you said it. My dad’s heard you, too, and I think that sealed the deal for them.”
I rolled my eyes. “I think Beau hates me. Dean seemed a little more chill. But man, I’ve never wanted to run away and hide so badly before. They’re not even here, and I don’t want them to see me on the camera all the time.”
“Dad doesn’t hate you, he’s just... He’s my dad. I’m sure that your dad feels the same way about me. And Dean, well, he’s cool. I’m glad that Dad has someone like him. They make a great couple.” Cole sounded a little sad. “I miss them. I know this is their honeymoon, but I spent all year at school, and now they’re gone. I can’t wait until they come home so I can spend some time with them before I have to go back again. Very uncool of me, I know.”
I rose onto my toes to kiss him again. “Not uncool at all. Kind of sweet, actually.” I kissed him again before I realized I hadn’t even brushed my teeth. “Oh, my breath has to be terrible.” I clapped a hand over my mouth.
“It’s fine,” Cole assured me. “But if you want to wash up, feel free.”
I started toward the stairs. “You want to join me? We can save water that way.”
“Save water, huh?” Cole grinned, and I laughed as he chased me up to the bathroom.
OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, Cole and I spent as much time together as we could. When we weren’t together, I was usually helping my mother with her classes while Cole was off with Jackson and the rest of the Panthers. He said it was surreal that he was able to practice and play hockey with them. He had hoped it would help his game come September, when school started again. I kept telling him I would come watch, just like he told me he would come watch me dance, but our schedules never seemed to work out that way.
Except for today. A few of the kids in my mother’s class had come down with a cold, and so my mother canceled the class. She said it was much better than having two kids who would be confused and worried about their friends. I was thrilled that I finally had my chance to drive down to the Panthers Arena and watch Cole in action.
The moment I stepped inside, I wished I had worn something warmer. I had grabbed a hoodie, but these shorts weren’t going to be enough. I was freezing. I could do this. I wanted to see Cole on skates, doing what he loved and dreamed about doing as a career. Even if it meant I would freeze my ass off while doing it. As I quietly walked down the steps, I was surprised tosee Maverick sitting in one of the chairs. Should I sit with him? Would that be assuming too much? Would he even want me to?
“Reed!” Maverick’s entire face lit up when he saw me, and he quickly got to his feet. “It’s so lovely to see you. Please, sit with us.” He gestured toward their row, and I had to keep myself from flinching when I saw Ezra Bardot.
Oh, I liked Ezra enough, but he was very intimidating. It didn’t matter that he was a tiny man. He looked like he might eat me for dinner.
Ezra smiled, his dark eyes taking me in. “You’re going to freeze in those shorts, boo.” He moved slightly and then reached over to hand me a blanket. Did he just carry them with him? “It’s not going to bite, I promise. I keep them around for Mav. He gets cold very easily.”
Maverick nodded. “It’s true. He’s thoughtful like that.”
The two of them giggled together as I sat down and spread the blanket over my legs. Why was my stomach twisted up into knots like this? I was an adult. I could do whatever I wanted. This wasn’t high school anymore. And these were two openly queer mine like myself.
“Thank you,” I managed, then my eyes slid over to the ice. I tried to figure out which one of the guys might be Cole, but it was nearly impossible. They were all bundled up in all that hockey gear and looked the same no matter how hard I squinted my eyes.
