CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Cole scanned the crowd during warm-ups, his eyes drawn to the special section reserved for players’ families and friends. The arena buzzed with pre-game energy, but his focus narrowed to finding the one face he’d been thinking about all day.
There—third row, about halfway in—he spotted Annie’s light brown hair catching the arena lights. She was leaning toward Benji, laughing at something he’d said. Cole’s heart quickened, the way it always did when he saw her. Even from this distance, she stood out to him like a beacon.
He dribbled the ball absently, watching as Dawn nudged Annie and pointed in his direction. When Annie’s blue-green eyes met his, her smile widened, and she gave a small wave. Cole grinned back, lifting his hand in acknowledgment before tossing the ball to his teammate.
“Your girl made it,” Marcus said, jogging past him.
“Yeah,” Cole replied, unable to keep the satisfaction from his voice. “Her brother too. First NBA game for both of them.”
“Better make it a good one then,” Marcus teased.
Cole nodded, his competitive spirit already rising. Having Annie here meant more than she probably realized. After three months of texts, calls, and two brief visits to Idaho, having her fly down for the game and for the fundraiser the following night felt significant.
He stole another glance in Annie’s direction. Andrew was pointing something out in the program to Benji, while Dawn leaned over to say something to Annie. They’d all made the trip from Coeur d’Alene, and the thought of them supporting him —of Annie supporting him—filled him with a warmth that had nothing to do with the pre-game workout.
Coach blew his whistle, signaling the team to gather. As Cole jogged toward the huddle, he made a silent promise to himself. That night’s game wouldn’t just be another mark in the win column. That night, he’d play for the brown-haired, blue-eyed woman who’d somehow worked her way into his thoughts and prayers over the past few months.
“Focus up, Halverson,” Coach barked. “Your head in the game?”
“Yes, sir,” Cole answered, straightening his shoulders. “Never been more ready.”
The team broke from their huddle, and as Cole took his position on the court, he allowed himself one more look at Annie. Their eyes met across the distance, and she gave him a thumbs-up. In that moment, he felt something shift inside him—a certainty that whatever was growing between them was worth pursuing, worth protecting.
The referee’s whistle pierced the air. Game time.
Cole moved with practiced precision as the game unfolded, his body operating on muscle memory while his mind remained hyperaware of Annie’s presence. Every successful shot, every defensive block, felt amplified knowing she was watching. The first quarter flew by in a blur of squeaking sneakers and thunderous applause.
During a timeout, he risked another glance toward the family section. Annie was leaning forward, elbows on her knees, completely engrossed in the game. Something about her intense focus made his chest tighten.
“Man, you’re on fire tonight,” his teammate Jamal said, clapping him on the shoulder as they returned to the court.
Cole nodded, channeling his energy into the next play. By halftime, they were up by twelve points, and he’d contributed eighteen of the overall points himself.
In the locker room, Coach praised their performance but warned against complacency. “They’ll adjust. Be ready.”
Cole checked his phone and found a text from Annie: You’re amazing out there! Benji is officially your biggest fan now.
He smiled, typing back a quick Thanks for coming. Means a lot . before setting his phone aside.
The third quarter proved Coach right—the opposing team came back with renewed determination. The game tightened, their lead shrinking to just four points.
Cole felt the familiar pressure building, the weight of expectation settling on his shoulders. Recently, in moments like these, he found himself reflexively offering up silent prayers, a habit from childhood that had returned despite his distance from formal faith.
God, just help me stay focused.
His eyes drifted to Annie again. She was standing now, hands clasped together as if in her own form of prayer, watching him with such belief that it steadied something inside him.
With renewed determination, Cole drove to the basket, scoring and drawing a foul. As the crowd roared, he pointed briefly toward the family section before stepping to the free-throw line.
Deep breath. Dribble. Focus. The ball left his hands and swished through the net.
When the final buzzer sounded, they’d secured a victory by eight points. Cole’s teammates surrounded him, celebrating his thirty-point performance, but his attention was already searching the stands. Annie was beaming at him, clapping enthusiastically alongside Benji and the others.
After the post-game interviews and coach’s debrief, Cole showered quickly and headed to meet his guests in the designated waiting area. Annie spotted him first, her face lighting up in a way that made the victory feel secondary.
“That was incredible,” she said as he approached, her voice soft but vibrant with excitement. “I’ve always enjoyed watching the game on television, but watching you play live...” She shook her head, seemingly at a loss for words. “Electrifying.”
Cole felt a rush of pride, different from the satisfaction of a win or praise from coaches. “Thanks. Glad I could impress you.” He turned to Benji, who was clutching a program and looking at him with undisguised awe. “What did you think, buddy?”
“That was so cool!” Benji exclaimed, his words tumbling out in excitement. “When you did that dunk in the fourth quarter and everyone went crazy—I want to learn how to do that!”
Cole laughed, reaching out to pat the teen’s shoulder. “Takes a lot of practice, but I bet you could do it someday.”
Andrew stepped forward, extending his hand. “Impressive game. Benji hasn’t stopped talking about basketball since we told him we were coming.”
“Appreciate you all making the trip,” Cole said, shaking Andrew’s hand firmly. “It means a lot.”
“You were magnificent,” Dawn said when she shook his offered hand. “Though I’m still not entirely sure what a pick and roll is, despite Annie trying to explain it three times.”
“It’s not that complicated,” Annie protested, a light blush coloring her cheeks. “You just weren’t listening.”
Cole grinned at their banter, feeling a sense of belonging wash over him. These moments—away from cameras and fans—were what he treasured most.
“You guys hungry?” he asked, checking his watch. “There’s a great place not far from here that stays open late after games.”
“Starving,” Benji announced, patting his stomach dramatically.
As they walked toward the players’ exit, Cole fell into step beside Annie. Their hands brushed accidentally, sending a current of awareness through him. He considered taking her hand, but hesitated, suddenly unsure.
“Thank you for inviting us,” Annie said quietly, her voice meant only for him. “I’ve never seen Benji so excited about anything.”
“I’m glad you came,” Cole replied, meeting her gaze. “Having you here... it changes things.”
“Changes things how?” she asked, her blue-green eyes searching his face.
Cole paused, choosing his words carefully. “Makes them better. More meaningful.”
The simple honesty in his voice seemed to touch something in her. Annie’s expression softened, and that time, when their hands brushed, she gently caught his fingers with hers. The contact was brief—just a moment of connection before she released him as they approached the exit doors—but it left Cole feeling anchored in a way he hadn’t experienced before.
Outside, cool night air greeted them. As they walked toward the restaurant, Cole found himself wondering if this was what his parents had felt in their early days—this quiet certainty, this feeling that something important was unfolding between two people. His thoughts drifted to prayer again, not out of habit this time, but gratitude.
Thank you for bringing her into my life.
The restaurant Cole had chosen was a local favorite among players—upscale enough to feel special but casual enough that no one would raise eyebrows at post-game attire. The owner, Giuseppe, greeted Cole with a hearty handshake and led them to a secluded corner booth.
“Best table in the house for my favorite basketball family,” Giuseppe announced, his Italian accent thick with enthusiasm. “And his beautiful family.”
Cole didn’t correct the assumption. Something about it felt right, even if premature.
“The carbonara here is life-changing,” Cole told them as they settled into the curved booth. Annie slid in beside him, close enough that he could catch the light floral scent of her perfume.
“Life-changing pasta? That’s quite a claim,” she teased, her eyes sparkling in the restaurant’s dim lighting.
“I stand by it,” Cole insisted, his shoulder brushing against hers as he reached for the menu.
Benji peppered Cole with questions about basketball training and life in the NBA while they waited for their food. Cole answered patiently, touched by the boy’s genuine interest.
“You know,” Cole said, turning to Annie as Benji became distracted by the dessert menu, “your brother might have a future in sports journalism. He asks better questions than most reporters I deal with.”
Annie smiled fondly at Benji. “He’s always been curious. Mom says he exhausted her with ‘why’ questions before he was even three.”
The conversation stayed on basketball until their food arrived. Cole watched Annie take her first bite of the carbonara, smiling at her expression of surprise and delight.
“Okay, you weren’t exaggerating,” she admitted. “This might actually be life-changing pasta.”
He grinned, inexplicably pleased. “Told you.”
Throughout dinner, Cole found himself increasingly aware of Annie’s presence beside him—the way she listened intently to everyone at the table, her thoughtful responses, the gentle humor that emerged when she felt comfortable. He’d known from their conversations and texts that Annie was special, but seeing her interact with his world—so naturally, so genuinely—only confirmed what his heart had been telling him for months.
As the evening progressed, Cole noticed Annie stifling a yawn behind her hand.
“We should probably call it a night soon,” Cole suggested, reluctant but practical.
The others agreed, so once he’d settled the check, despite their objections, they left the restaurant. The hot day had given way to a cool evening, and there were plenty of people out and about on the sidewalks.
Leaving the restaurant, they headed back to where they’d parked. Dawn and Andrew would take Benji back to the hotel in their rental vehicle, while Cole had offered to drive Annie since he didn’t want their time together to end just yet.
“You played amazingly tonight,” Annie said as they walked toward his car, their steps synchronized in the quiet parking lot. “I can see why you love it so much.”
“It’s different when someone important is watching,” Cole admitted, unlocking his car with a press of a button. “Means more somehow.”
Annie’s eyes met his, a question in them. “Am I someone important, Cole?”
The directness of her question caught him off guard, but in the best possible way. Annie had never specifically addressed their relationship, making this moment all the more significant.
“Yeah,” he said softly, opening the passenger door for her. “You are.”
The drive to her hotel was comfortable, filled with easy conversation about tomorrow’s charity event and plans for their remaining days together.
His declaration of her importance to him lingered between them, but neither of them seemed to need to pursue that admission further. It was enough for the moment.
When Cole pulled up to the hotel entrance, he put the car in park and turned toward her.
“I’m really glad you’re here, Annie.”
“Me too,” she replied, her voice gentle in the darkness of the car. “Tonight was special.”
Cole hesitated, then reached over to tuck a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. The simple gesture felt intimate, a boundary crossed with mutual consent. Annie leaned slightly into his touch, her eyes never leaving his.
“I should go in,” she whispered, though she made no move to leave.
“Probably,” Cole agreed, equally motionless.
Finally, Annie smiled and reached for the door handle. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here,” Cole promised. “Sleep well.”
He watched as she walked into the hotel lobby, turning once to wave before disappearing into the elevator. Only when she was gone did Cole release the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
On the drive home, he found himself humming along to the radio, a sense of contentment settling over him. For the first time in years, basketball wasn’t the only passion occupying his thoughts.
Once home, he walked to the bedroom and pressed his forehead against the cool glass floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. LA’s lights twinkled below, a constellation of human activity even at this late hour.
“You’re in deep, Halverson,” he murmured to himself.
His phone buzzed on the nightstand. Cole crossed the room and picked it up, smiling when he saw Annie’s name on the screen.
Annie: Just wanted to say goodnight properly. Thank you for dinner and for making Benji feel so special. He’s still talking about you, even though he should be sleeping.
Cole typed back quickly: Kid’s got good taste. Tell him I said sweet dreams. You, too .
After a moment’s hesitation, he added: Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.
Her response came seconds later: Me neither. Goodnight, Cole.
He set his phone down, the simple exchange leaving him with an unfamiliar warmth. Cole hadn’t dated much since joining the NBA—between the grueling schedule and his wariness about women being interested only in his status, meaningful connections had been rare. But with Annie, everything felt different. Authentic.
Cole moved through his nightly routine with practiced efficiency, but his mind remained fixed on the evening—on Annie’s smile when she caught his eye during the game, the way her hand had briefly held his, the quiet moment in his car. Small gestures that somehow felt monumental.
Sleep came easily that night, a rarity after game days when adrenaline typically kept him awake until early in the morning. He dreamed of blue-green eyes and catching smiles across the basketball court.
Morning came with golden sunlight streaming through the windows Cole had forgotten to cover. He checked the time—7:30 AM, early by his off-day standards, but he felt surprisingly refreshed. The charity gala wasn’t until that evening, so he’d be spending the day with Annie and the others. They weren’t meeting up until ten, giving him time for his usual morning routine.
After a quick breakfast of eggs and oatmeal, Cole headed to the building’s private gym. Even on rest days, maintaining some physical activity kept him centered. He was halfway through his stretching routine when his phone rang.
“Morning, champ,” Aiden greeted him. “Caught the game last night. Thirty-five points? You were showing off.”
Cole laughed, switching the phone to speaker as he continued stretching. “Maybe a little. Had some special people in the crowd.”
“Oh, right,” Aiden replied. “Annie and Benji were supposed to be there this weekend, right?”
“Yep. And their friends Dawn and Andrew came with them.” Cole grabbed his towel and wiped his face. “We’re going to be heading out for a bit today before Annie goes with me to the charity gala tonight.”
“So you’re going official?”
Cole considered the question for a moment. He supposed that was what they were doing. He hadn’t specifically broached the subject with Annie, but surely she understood what his invitation to attend the event would mean.
All the people who were constantly speculating on his relationships with women would be quick to jump on the fact that he’d brought a date to the gala. He should probably prepare Annie for the spotlight that would come from them appearing together.
He knew she was reserved and didn’t share details of her life with just anyone, so he hoped she could manage the focus that was about to be turned on her.
“I hope you have a good time,” Aiden said. “And I expect to hear all about it tomorrow.”
“Maybe next time she and Benji come for a game, you and Skylar could come along too. The more the merrier.”
“It’s been awhile since I was last at a game, so that’s a definite yes. Guess you won’t be home for either of the holidays coming up, huh?”
Cole sighed. “Nope. Schedule doesn’t allow for it once again.”
It had been years since he’d been able to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with his family. When he’d been younger, Christmas had been his favorite holiday, but since he’d started his professional basketball career, his schedule had no longer been his own.
He would have liked to spend Christmas with Annie, but unfortunately, that wouldn’t happen. At least not that year.
But maybe... in the future.
If the friendship between them continued to develop like it was, he hoped that they’d have the opportunity to celebrate all kinds of special events.