Chapter Five
Cole
Ithought last night had been great. Until the end.
Up until we went out for ice cream and I said that we were friends.
That was when Reed had started to act weird.
Like my saying that had hurt him. I hadn’t meant to upset him.
I just didn’t want to get ahead of myself.
I liked the way he looked in my hat. I never even took it back from him.
I loved how Reed liked to hold my hand and the way he always seemed to smell like pecans, even at the racetrack.
Of course, I wanted more from him. I didn’t look at Reed like he was just a friend.
And the feelings I was having didn’t feel like we were just friends.
I had mentioned bringing him with me to visit Jackson and Maverick, but he hadn’t seen too keen on the idea, so I guess that meant I was going alone.
After I showered and got dressed, I made myself a quick breakfast of eggs and bacon, then grabbed an energy drink.
It was too quiet in this house all by myself, so after a couple of hours, I grabbed my phone and headed outside into the warm North Carolina morning.
I wasn’t expected at Maverick and Jackson’s place until later, but I thought I would head over early, just to catch up with everyone and not be alone.
I wasn’t used to the silence. The sound of my own breathing bothered me.
The Olson house sat back on a fifty-acre lot.
It was probably more than they needed, but with all their children, it made sense to have so much room.
I drove up the long driveway and stopped to stare at the massive structure before me.
It wasn’t one of those mansions you saw on television with ridiculous chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows.
This was a home filled with love and laughter.
A place you could walk into without calling ahead and be welcomed with open arms. As I climbed from my vehicle, Maverick opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch.
When he realized it was me, he rushed over to hug me, the coolness of his hands seeping through the t-shirt on my back.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” He beamed at me. His eyes darted to the car, then he met my gaze again. “You didn’t bring Reed with you?”
I shook my head. “He had plans. Besides, we’re just friends.” I hated the way that lie tasted on my lips.
“Okay, fine, but when the two of you end up married and living in Boston when you’re Mister Big-Time-Hockey guy, don’t forget who told you he saw the future first.” Maverick chuckled.
Doubtful. “Okay.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
“What? You think I’m lying? I knew that Andy and Leo were going to be endgame.
” Maverick guided me toward the porch and inside the house.
Voices came from every direction. It was always chaos here, but it was a nice feeling.
When I was a kid, I had always wanted something like this.
Siblings and all the things that came with that.
I huffed out a laugh. “Did you? Because I thought you didn’t want the two of them dating at first and gave Noel a heck of a hard time about it.” Noel was Leo’s older brother.
“Pffft, lies.” A wide smile grew across Maverick’s face. “Are you hungry? I can make you something now. Dinner is in the oven, and it should be done around five.” He was already opening the cabinets, pulling out bread and a plate.
“Maverick, you don’t have to feed me right now.”
“It’s sort of my thing. I can’t help it.”
Warmth spread through my body. “I came to visit with you. Just sit down, so we can talk,” I suggested.
“Oh, like gossip? I mean, I usually do that with Ezra, but we can spill tea together. Dean told me he’s getting a new tattoo in Hawaii. Do you want to know about what?” Maverick giggled as he slid into the seat across from mine.
I knew that already. My stepfather had asked if I thought Dad would like it. But the look on Maverick’s face, and how excited he was, made me shake my head. “No, I haven’t heard about that. Tell me.”
“He’s getting Beau’s name tattooed around his ring finger.
It’s so romantic. Maybe I should do that for Jackson.
” Maverick sighed. “What about you, kiddo? You ever think you’ll get any tattoos?
Both your daddies have them. I’m not trying to pressure you, but it’s just something we all do.
I got my first one when I was your age. So did Killian. ”
It was like he could read my mind. “When I get drafted, I want to get something in honor of that. That’s what Dad did. Jackson, too.” But I wouldn’t do it until I was obviously with the NHL. If that ever happened.
“We all got matching pucks at one point. Your Dad, Wyatt, Asher. The entire team,” Jackson announced as he walked into the kitchen.
He grinned at me as he leaned down to drop a kiss onto his husband’s head.
“It’s good to see you, Cole. How are you enjoying North Carolina so far?
” He opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water.
I returned his smile. “It’s quiet here.”
“You can say that again.” Jackson dropped into the chair next to Maverick.
“When we first moved here, Andy was just starting high school, and he couldn’t sleep.
He was up at all hours of the night roaming the house.
We had to install one of those sound machines in his room.
We programmed it to play traffic noises.
Revving engines, beeping horns, all the fun stuff we left behind in Boston.
Andy eventually outgrew it, but it took a good six months.
We still have it if you’d like to borrow it for the summer. ”
I chuckled. “I think I’m good, but thanks for the offer.
It’s a good thing I don’t ever plan on leaving Boston unless I’m on the road with the Terriers.
” I looked up as Andy and his boyfriend, Leo, walked in, followed by the creepy twins, Felix and Ford.
I knew Maverick had invited them to live here, but it always seemed like they were around.
Being a couple of years older and states away, I’d never had the chance to be friendly with them.
“Hey.” Andy lifted his chin in greeting.
I nodded back. “Hey.” I suppose in a different life, if Maverick and Jackson hadn’t moved, Andy and I might be closer. Maybe even best friends. But it didn’t happen, and now we were smiling awkwardly at each other. Cousins and strangers.
“Hello, Cole, it’s good to see you again.” Felix, or maybe it was Ford, held out his hand. When I shook it, he preened happily. No, that was definitely Ford. “You’re in town for the summer, right? We should get together.” Always such a flirt.
A blush crept up my neck. What was I supposed to say? I wasn’t interested? I was seeing someone? Thank you? Ford batted his lashes at me as I cleared my throat, but before I could answer, Maverick jumped in to save me.
“He’s seeing someone already, boo.” My uncle nudged my leg from under the table. “Besides, I thought you were chasing RJ Shepard.”
Ford shrugged. “RJ’s boring. He won’t even text me back. Besides, what’s wrong with keeping my options open?” He winked at me, and I grew warm again.
Jesus, I wasn’t used to guys so openly flirting with me. It wasn’t horrible, but Ford just wasn’t my type.
“I saw you last night.” Leo slid into the seat next to mine. “After the race, eating ice cream with Reed Kelly. You two looked awfully cute together.”
I stared into his big, blue eyes. “You were there.”
“Sure. I mean, Andy and I were both there. We were at the race, too, to watch Silas. You know he and I have a friendly rivalry. He’s good.” Leo leaned against Andy. “Are you and Reed dating?”
Ford sighed. “Why are all the good ones taken or straight? This is so unfair.” He hooked his arm through his brother’s. “Let’s go, Felix. We have to practice.” He winked at me again, then they left the room, their footsteps fading as they went into the basement.
“You should come see the band before you head back home,” Andy suggested. “It’s usually small restaurants with outdoor areas for us to play, but it’s fun. Getting us ready for the big time.”
Leo clapped his hands in excitement. “And you can bring Reed.”
“Ricky.” Andy shook his head. “Don’t push it. Not everyone is like us.”
“Well, everyone should be. You took one look at me and decided that I was it for you. I was the one you were going to spend the rest of your life with. I can’t blame you, hon. I’m a catch,” Leo teased.
Andy laughed. “You’re something, all right.”
The two of them left the room, and I glanced over at Maverick and Jackson. “I think I fucked it up with Reed.”
Maverick’s eyes widened in surprise. “What makes you think that?”
“I said we were friends last night, and he looked so...heartbroken. I just... He disappeared on me once before. What if he does it again? We’ve gotten to know one another a little better now.
Face to face. And even though it’s been just a few days, I already feel like.
.. I feel like Reed is the one. Is that crazy?
It’s crazy. I shouldn’t even be thinking like that.
We’re too young.” I chewed nervously on my bottom lip, afraid to meet their eyes.
Maverick was up and out of his seat, rushing over to me. “You can fix it. Cole, you can go back to him and tell him you made a mistake. Tell him what you just told us. I’m sure Reed would understand. You can call him right now. Go over there. We’d totally understand.”
“I don’t—” I was scared and afraid of rejection after Bryant hurt me.
“Boo.” Maverick shook his head. “If you think that Reed is the one, then you can’t wait. You need to tell him.”
“Sweetheart, don’t overwhelm the boy. I know you want everyone to be like Andy and Leo, to find their soulmate when they’re still teenagers. But it doesn’t always work out like that. And that’s okay. But they will work it out. Whichever way that might be,” Jackson said softly.
I tried to ignore the sting in my nose and the burn in my eyes as Maverick hugged me.
I liked that he was super affectionate. Most of the family was, and that was just Maverick’s way of showing he cared.
According to Dean, he hadn’t always been that way.
Not when Jax wasn’t in his life. I had been a little terrified of him when we’d first met, but I had nothing to worry about.
“Now.” Maverick squared his shoulders. “Why don’t we go outside and enjoy the fresh air. Tate and my mother are in the pool if you’re feeling it up to it. I’m sure one of the boys has some shorts you can borrow. I think we should eat outside tonight, Goose.” He grinned up at Jackson.
I smiled at both of them as I climbed to my feet and headed through the hallway to the back door. I slipped my phone from my pocket before I stepped outside and sent off a quick text.
Cole: I hope we’re still on for that party tomorrow night. I’m looking forward to meeting your friends.
I stared at my phone, willing Reed to text me back, and just when I thought he was going to ignore me, the bubbles appeared, followed by his answer.
Reed: I wasn’t sure you still wanted to do that. But yes, we are.
Cole: I just want to spend time with you, Reed. If that means I have to be around a bunch of strangers, then so be it. I’ll be at your place at seven o’clock.
Reed: It’s a date.
Yes, yes, it was.